Corpus Christi to Missoula

[USMC46]

We are in a small town near Corpus Christi. We need to leave the coach here and make a quick trip to Missoula by car. I would appreciate any advise on best route from here to Missoula in winter. We will be in a car that is not 4 wheel drive, no snow tires, and plan to stop to avoid impassable roads. Better to just stay on interstates thru Texas, OK., KS., Co., Wy., Montana ?

[The_Mad_Norsky]

It is an entirely doable trip.

One just has to watch the weather, and have planned places to stop for such inclement weather should the need arise.

USMC46, the weather out here on the plains where I live has been terribly cold all winter long. However, seems the inter-mountain area of Livingston-Bozeman and Missoula areas has been warmer than out here on the plains.

Snow cover is not bad further south of me in the Nebraska and further south areas, so wind conditions should not affect your travel in those areas.

I suspect freezing rain conditions in the Oklahoma, north Texas and such areas would be the biggest concern, and I don't know the latest weather conditions in those areas now. So perhaps those roads are in good conditions and nothing to worry about in that regard.

Might I also advise you check on what in my parts is known as a winter survival kit to carry along for your vehicle. Blankets, candles, emergency gear. Heaven forbid that you will ever actually need it, but better prepared that not.

As before, this is an entirely do-able trip. Go for it and enjoy the ride.

[john_bet]

I am just glad I did not ask on here in'12 about driving from southern Indiana to Great Falls,Mt at Christmas time for 2 weeks. From what I read on here we would have never made it. We went out US-50,I-70,US-385,I-80,I-25,I-90,Mt-3/191/200/US-87. At the time I-80 was closed in Iowa in several places. We came back I-90 and (now open) I-80. Yes we encountered cold temps. and a little snow on MT-3 north of Harlowton snow. We enjoyed it very much.

[The_Mad_Norsky]

Grandpere wrote:


Your route is great if they were going into ND, but by going to the west of the divide they avoid all the wind. We were born and raised in Deer Lodge, MT and have made the drive from Phoenix, AZ, Abeerdeen, SD, Emporia KS, St. Louis, MO, and now Gosnell, AR in both summer and winter. They are going to have to go west and east anyway why not get to the west side and avoid both Bozeman and Homestake passes. The majority of the route you are proposing is closed quite often to the wind and blowing snow. West of the Rockies and they will not run into such problems.

?????? Where oh where on my route are they going anywhere close to North Dakota??????????

York, Nebraska is a LONG ways from North Dakota.

And as for closed route majority, oh come now. You know that is not true.

The passes may be because of weather. But out on the plains, very, very rarely.

Mind you, I don't know the I-15 northbound route well. I've only driven small parts of it. Mostly in southern Idaho and through Salt Lake City.

So mountain pass info, or the lack thereof for that route is a mystery to me.

[Grandpere]

Just as an FYI, studded snow tires have to be on all wheel positions, one cannot just buy 1 pair anymore. And I agree, tire chains are a must for many passes may have a "chains required" signage up at certain times.

Have you considered flying instead? I don't think it will be anymore expensive, it will be faster, and if necessary you can rent a vehicle when you get there. The cost on united airlines is $1350 for 2 people.

[Islandman]

I certainly feel that you should buy a pair of studded snow tires as you will no doubt encounter icy conditions on some of the roads in MT, WY, CO, SD or other northern states that you will drive on. They give peace of mind, provide safety, and will save you having to spend extra days in motels or whatever while waiting for road conditions to improve. At the very least, a set of tire chains is a must, but the studded snow tires are much more convenient even though they will cost more.

[Grandpere]

The Mad Norsky wrote:
I'd stick to interstates also.

But your first item on the agenda should be a good look at the weather forecasts.

I have done the southern Texas to North Dakota route many times, and winter made it just that much more difficult. Mainly in trying to avoid the usual storms that sweep across the northern plains during the winter months.

So watch the weather and try to find a "window" of opportunity where you can drive through the northern areas in between storm and snow forecasts. It may mean staying put an extra day or so, but in the end, will make a huge difference in your trip.

That said, I would not go as far west as I-15. You will be wasting time going east-west, when the potential problem area in this trip is the south to north part of the journey.

There are alternatives here. I-25 north under good weather conditions to I-90 in Wyoming and then onto Missoula via the I-90.

Or, especially considering your location in Texas, there is a good north-south route I use to travel to family in the Ft. Worth area.

Get to Dallas/Ft Worth by whichever route you choose, then north on I-35. Stay on I-35 to Wichita, Kansas, then north on I-135 there. I-135 eventually ends in Kansas where it turns into US 81. However, US 81 is still a four lane divided highway. Keep on US 81 north (still all four lane) to I-80 at York, Nebraska then west on I-80 to Cheyenne, Wyoming for I-25 to I-90 to Missoula.

Whichever route you choose, watching the weather and looking for your "window" may be of the most importance.

Do remember that coming in from the east on I-90 from Billings Montana west towards Missoula you will have two good mountain passes to go through. Bozeman Pass near Livingston MT and Homestake Pass near Butte, Mt.

Of these two, Homestake is the one I would really not want to get caught on during any winter storm.

Best of luck.

Your route is great if they were going into ND, but by going to the west of the divide they avoid all the wind. We were born and raised in Deer Lodge, MT and have made the drive from Phoenix, AZ, Abeerdeen, SD, Emporia KS, St. Louis, MO, and now Gosnell, AR in both summer and winter. They are going to have to go west and east anyway why not get to the west side and avoid both Bozeman and Homestake passes. The majority of the route you are proposing is closed quite often to the wind and blowing snow. West of the Rockies and they will not run into such problems.

[The_Mad_Norsky]

I'd stick to interstates also.

But your first item on the agenda should be a good look at the weather forecasts.

I have done the southern Texas to North Dakota route many times, and winter made it just that much more difficult. Mainly in trying to avoid the usual storms that sweep across the northern plains during the winter months.

So watch the weather and try to find a "window" of opportunity where you can drive through the northern areas in between storm and snow forecasts. It may mean staying put an extra day or so, but in the end, will make a huge difference in your trip.

That said, I would not go as far west as I-15. You will be wasting time going east-west, when the potential problem area in this trip is the south to north part of the journey.

There are alternatives here. I-25 north under good weather conditions to I-90 in Wyoming and then onto Missoula via the I-90.

Or, especially considering your location in Texas, there is a good north-south route I use to travel to family in the Ft. Worth area.

Get to Dallas/Ft Worth by whichever route you choose, then north on I-35. Stay on I-35 to Wichita, Kansas, then north on I-135 there. I-135 eventually ends in Kansas where it turns into US 81. However, US 81 is still a four lane divided highway. Keep on US 81 north (still all four lane) to I-80 at York, Nebraska then west on I-80 to Cheyenne, Wyoming for I-25 to I-90 to Missoula.

Whichever route you choose, watching the weather and looking for your "window" may be of the most importance.

Do remember that coming in from the east on I-90 from Billings Montana west towards Missoula you will have two good mountain passes to go through. Bozeman Pass near Livingston MT and Homestake Pass near Butte, Mt.

Of these two, Homestake is the one I would really not want to get caught on during any winter storm.

Best of luck.

[Grandpere]

I recommend you take I40 west till you get to I15 north then take I90 west into Missoula; you will be west of the divide and will have less problems of roads being closed due to wind and snow.

[azdryheat]

I'd stay on the interstates as those roads are usually kept free of obstructions.