Billings MT to Coeur d'Alene ID

[punomatic]

Are there any daunting grades on I-90 between Billings, MT and Coeur d'Alene, ID?

[Fleet_Man]

If you want a change of scenery and avoid some 'hills,' go north from the Missoula area and drive the Clark Fork River valley to Sand Point, ID and then south to Coeur d' Alene.

[BillMFl]

I have never encountered an 8% grade on an Interstate. 6% is typically the max. If you have crossed the Rockies frequently then you know that its more about the length of the grade. Some can go on and on and that is usually the worst of it. I didn't encounter anything bad on the route you are taking. The very first KOA in the country is in Billings. There is a nice RV park on the south side of Missoula, and another nice park in Couer d'Alene. Mostly just a very scenic drive and nothing worse than Loveland Pass which you have probably done before. And easier than that long grade between Salt Lake City and Park City, for example.

[bigB42]

the winds west of bozeman and the tall bridge at coeur d' alene are worth watching,but none of the hills will be a problem ken

[punomatic]

Thanks for all the replies. We have RVed in the Rockies in UT, CO, AZ and found we could always do it. I just want to avoid miles of 8% grade and that sort of thing. I've driven I-90 in this area, but it was years ago and in a sedan, so I don't recall anything except the spectacular beauty.

[paulj]

n7bsn wrote:
...

Lookout is out "wow" because (westbound) you are driving on the edge of a very spectacular drop-off...

https://maps.google.com/?ll=47.462611,-115.698792&spn=0.003779,0.008647&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=47.462...

Compared to some Washington grades it isn't that 'wow' (I90,US2,I82). Still you can see a long ways out into the valley while focusing on controlling your speed. There are trees on the slope below, and a paved shoulder plus Jersey Barrier the whole way down. There is a runaway truck ramp 3 miles down, plus a couple of other viewpoints further up.

According Idaho DOT, max grade is 6%
http://lb.511.idaho.gov/idlb/mountainpasses/mountainpass.jsf?id=6&view=state&text=m&textOnly=false

There are couple of alternatives that don't have significant passes. MT/ID200 north of Missoula follows a major river valley into Idaho. US2 crosses the Continental Divide south of Glacier Park via one of the lowest Rockies passes.

[n7bsn]

enblethen wrote:
There is three areas that create problems for some.
Westbound just east of Butte is a good grade. Bigger issue is coming down the west side.
Fourth of July pass is a steady climb. No big issue watch your temperature and keep speed down.
Lookout Pass at the Idaho- Montana border.
Watch your speed and don't overheat your brakes coming on all the passes.
Remember going up is only the half of it. Going down can be as much of an issue.

The only person that got all the grades between the two.

Lookout is out "wow" because (westbound) you are driving on the edge of a very spectacular drop-off. It's a little steep and if you use your brakes, vrs being careful and holding your speed down you might get in trouble.

[enblethen]

There is three areas that create problems for some.
Westbound just east of Butte is a good grade. Bigger issue is coming down the west side.
Fourth of July pass is a steady climb. No big issue watch your temperature and keep speed down.
Lookout Pass at the Idaho- Montana border.
Watch your speed and don't overheat your brakes coming on all the passes.
Remember going up is only the half of it. Going down can be as much of an issue.

[MaverickBBD]

Daunting is a relative term. If you stick to 90 shouldn't be a problem. Rely on your transmission going up and use the brakes sparingly if you don't have an engine brake. Remember never go down faster then you went up. Nothing worse then Steven's Pass.

[crabbin_cabin]

Lookout Pass, on the border of MT and ID. But it will give you no problems whatsoever.
John