Road 2 between Whitefish and Browning

That is US 2. It is a good but narrow in places two lane road.

Shorter routes, according to Google Maps, go north on US93, entering Canada on the west side of the Rockies. BC/AB 3, Crowsnest is one of the lowest passes over the Rockies (though US 2 isn't bad either).

AB 22 is a good road along the Rockies foothills, with an option of takeing AB50 through Kananaskis Country to Banff. That's an option too if you enter Canada from the east side of the Rockies.

Or BC 93 through Radium Hot Springs into the Canadian National Parks.

More info:

So I'm coming up from Missoula and going to Whitefish because I was going to come up on the east side but told that there is not much to see on the east side.

That being said, I'm now going to come up on the west side and end up in Whitefish.

I was thinking of either

#1. Staying in Whitefish for a few days and sight seeing Glacier National Park driving my truck only.

Or

#2. Just take a leisurely drive with my truck and trailer from Whitefish to Browning and sight seeing along the way.

I guess the question is: Is it worth driving my truck and trailer over the mountain or just driving my truck to sight see and go back to Whitefish and then driving straight up to Calgary?

Thanks for all the replies.

The big draw in Glacier is Going to the Sun, which crosses the park in at a high pass. It opens late (June?) and is offbounds to big vehicles.

Lake McDonald is, I believe the main low land access point from the west. There are a couple of east side access points.

US2 crosses a low pass just outside the park. On Google Streetview, MT49 looks like it would be fun and scenic drive in a car or truck, but not with an RV. From Browning a common recommendation is to take 464 to Babb. It is generally flat and straight. US89 from Browning is not recommended because it is twisty and up/down crossing the foothills. Though I recall something about it getting some recent roadwork. US89 north of St Mary seems to be fine, giving access to 2 border crossings. Views of the Rockies from this part of 89 seem to be fine, it not as spectacular as Going to the Sun.

US89 south of Browning is typical of the east side of the Rockies, open range land with distant views of the mountains.

US93 on the west side of the mountains is too far away to get grand views. It gets closer in BC. Kalispell and Whitefish have developed their own tourist attractions, beyond what the park offers.

We went to Banff last year and returned back to the states on 93 through Radium Hot Springs. Not much to see from Radium to states but nice views from Radium to Banff (Kootenay National Park). Road are not bad we did it with a 40 ft. fifth wheel, check your fuel in Radium.

I want to thank everybody about their thoughts. This helps me a lot.
Keep it coming.

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Headed up to Banff this year I hope and it would be nice to go between Whitefish and Browning on road 2. Looks pretty nasty though?

Any input on this road?

Naw - US2? It's an excellent road. I drive it a couple of times a week hauling heavy equipment and sometimes just for fun.

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
More info:

So I'm coming up from Missoula and going to Whitefish because I was going to come up on the east side but told that there is not much to see on the east side.

That being said, I'm now going to come up on the west side and end up in Whitefish.

I was thinking of either

#1. Staying in Whitefish for a few days and sight seeing Glacier National Park driving my truck only.

Or

#2. Just take a leisurely drive with my truck and trailer from Whitefish to Browning and sight seeing along the way.

I guess the question is: Is it worth driving my truck and trailer over the mountain or just driving my truck to sight see and go back to Whitefish and then driving straight up to Calgary?

Thanks for all the replies.

Take MT83 up from Missoula to Seeley Lake or MT35 up from Polson to Yellow Bay and Bigfork. Those are the best "view" routes. US93 is just ugly by comparison.

Just don't do MT 35 during cherry season!

Take MT83 up from Missoula to Seeley Lake or MT35 up from Polson to Yellow Bay and Bigfork. Those are the best "view" routes. US93 is just ugly by comparison.

To get to MT 83 from Missoula you need to get onto I-90 and head east to MT 200 exit 109 take that to MT 83. Locals call that area The Swan it;'s a beautiful drive. But if you do it after dark be on the watch for deer, etc. My youngest son lives west of Kalispell and he won't drive The Swan at night for that reason