Thanks for the advice, we're coming from Alberta and spending some time in Montana first (Great Falls area, then Missoula, and then over to Spokane) as we have a number of days before meeting up with family just outside of Troy for the long weekend.
Both routes look nice and we will enjoy the scenery, but it looks like we are most likely going via 95.
You've both suggested east to Coeur d'Alene to connect to 95 -- is there any particular reason not to go south on 27 from Spokane and then over to 95 at Rockford instead?
Also a question about coming in on 95 when it hits the 6 before Moscow, preference to going east on 6 to 9 & 8 vs staying on 95 via Moscow? Some random pics on street view of the area going east look quite nice. Distance is basically exactly the same.
Okay one more, after Troy we are headed back up via Polson (Flathead Lake) - any reason again to head back the way we came (95) vs connecting to I-90 via state highways 6 and 3?
Thanks again, always appreciate getting the info from people with experience with the area.