Highway 2 across Montana

[66chevelle]

2nd trip in 2 years to GNP for a family vacation from Mi. We took 90 out and back last year, but we're thinking 94 out through ND and then up to 2 via 85 north out of Belfield. Any problems with this route? Thanks a bunch.

[agesilaus]

ohhell10339 wrote:
NO route across Montana is interesting. You have a choice between boring, with some facilities enroute (Interstate 90) or extremely boring, with almost no facilities (Hwy 2, the "High Line").

It's endless desolate country punctuated by the occasional grain silo. The only advantage in taking Hwy 2 is that if your destination is Glacier Park, it deposits you right at the east entrance, whereas you're still three hours away via US 89 if you take the I-90 approach. Either way, it is country best sped through as quickly as possible. BTW, in Browning, the Museum of the American Indian is definitely worth a stop.

Well people have different perceptions of Montana depending on where they live. While I'm not as negative about Florida as you are about Montana, I'm sure visitors are more charmed about it than we are. We happen to like Montana, indeed my son wants to go to school up there at Montana State.

[ohhell10339]

NO route across Montana is interesting. You have a choice between boring, with some facilities enroute (Interstate 90) or extremely boring, with almost no facilities (Hwy 2, the "High Line").

It's endless desolate country punctuated by the occasional grain silo. The only advantage in taking Hwy 2 is that if your destination is Glacier Park, it deposits you right at the east entrance, whereas you're still three hours away via US 89 if you take the I-90 approach. Either way, it is country best sped through as quickly as possible. BTW, in Browning, the Museum of the American Indian is definitely worth a stop.

[tjschaefer]

Just drove 2 on way to Alaska and back. Good road, definitely desolate. I enjoyed it very much, not much traffic.

[Lynnmor]

If you like history, Lewis & Clark used a lot of route 2 and camped there as well. 🙂 Read up and then watch for signs as you travel.

[The_Kroc]

we did this trip last June. We spent 2 days at Ft A Lincoln State Park near Mandan ND and toured the old fort there (Custer's restored home is there). Also, a restored Mandan Village on the Missouri River. From there we went to the Northern unit of T Roosevelt NP and found a first come first served campsite at the Juniper Campground. Fantastic area, very scenic. You will see bison at your campsite. Spend a couple of days here if you can, it will prepare you for the long drive into Glacier

[66chevelle]

Thanks everyone for the input, sounds like it's the way to go to see something different. It should take about the same amount of time as 90, the towns will slow us down a bit but we don't have that big dip to the south that 90 has. Fuel won't be an issue, we carry about 130 gallons when topped off. Thanks again!

[Lynnmor]

I like the route 2 small towns, they have a bar, a diner and a gas station; or they have a bar & a gas station; or just a bar. 😄

[Dick_B]

We did that route several years ago. Campgrounds are basic and not plentiful nor are towns so don't let your fuel supply get down below 1/4. I seem to remember a sign that said no services for the next 100 miles and gates used to close the highway during the winter as needed.

Before picking up 2 you might want to consider a stop on I-94 in Medora ND. The Roosevelt N.P. is worth at least one day. Stay at the municipal campground.

Route 2 is just north of the interstate.

[DrewE]

I took a similar route last summer in the opposite direction. No problems with the road, as has been said; it's a nice, easy two-lane highway. I rather enjoyed the Havre Underground tour, and did not stop at but heard very good things about the buffalo jump site in Havre also; it's said to be one of the very best preserved such sites.

If you have the time and haven't been there before, I would suggest a day or two at Theodore Roosevelt NP; it's beautiful badlands scenery with plenty of opportunity to see prairie dogs and bison pretty close at hand, among other critters.

[2gypsies1]

It's a very pleasant way to go from Michigan. Plan a stop near the east border of Montana at Fort Peck Corp of Engineer park. Awesome huge campsites!

[MDKMDK]

As others have said, it's desolate, but beautiful, and less traveled. Watch out for pronghorn herds along the way, they do stray across the roads in places, when they're not trying to blend in with the cattle. 🙂

[obgraham]

We drove that road years ago -- very nice route.
Plenty of small town CG's along there. Check out reviews

[GordonThree]

agesilaus wrote:
We enjoyed it, it is certainly 'big sky' country. Not much in the way of camping sites that we found. And forget about cell phone signals outside the small towns. The road was in good shape. This is the area where some of those spectacular thunderstorm photos are made. We didn't see a drop of rain tho.

Supercell

Amazing capture!

[agesilaus]

We enjoyed it, it is certainly 'big sky' country. Not much in the way of camping sites that we found. And forget about cell phone signals outside the small towns. The road was in good shape. This is the area where some of those spectacular thunderstorm photos are made. We didn't see a drop of rain tho.

Supercell