Highway 2 Eastern Montana--oil drilling traffic

[bradpoff]

We're planning on taking the high-line from MN to Glacier in August. Plan is I94 to Glendive, then up to Rte 2. I ran into someone at the airport last week that cautioned me about all the oil drilling related traffic in that area.

Anyone been through there this summer?

Comments on taking US 2 vs. a southern route on 200?

Towing a 31' 5er that is 12'3" high. Any height concerns?

Thanks in advance for the help and apologies if this has been covered, I couldn't find anything on a search.

[modmidget]

Hwy 24 was mostly flat with a few rolling hills. No steep climbs or downhill grades. Hwy 2 going west out of Glasgow is also mostly flat.

[bradpoff]

modmidget wrote:
My wife and I just traveled this route in May. We drove from Glendive north on HWY 16 to Sidney, MT. Very little traffic on the highway but the RV parks in Sidney were full of oil workers. Then we traveled west on 200 to 24 north. Crossed Ft. Peck dam and continued north on 24 to Glasgow. There was no traffic on 200 or 24. From Glasgow going wets on 2 there was also no traffic. Seems like most of the oil workers and traffic was from Sidney heading east.

Hwy 24 looks far more interesting that 13. The dams look impressive on Google Earth. How hilly is that route?

[modmidget]

My wife and I just traveled this route in May. We drove from Glendive north on HWY 16 to Sidney, MT. Very little traffic on the highway but the RV parks in Sidney were full of oil workers. Then we traveled west on 200 to 24 north. Crossed Ft. Peck dam and continued north on 24 to Glasgow. There was no traffic on 200 or 24. From Glasgow going wets on 2 there was also no traffic. Seems like most of the oil workers and traffic was from Sidney heading east.

[SRT]

pigman1 wrote:

bradpoff wrote:

pigman1 wrote:
We run US-2 both ways when we go to Alaska every other year. Last ran it in late May this year as far as Shelby, MT. It was a good road and even though there was oil traffic around Williston, ND. Smooth road and very little under repair or construction. We'll run it again in September.

I heard there is far less oil related traffic from Wolf Point westward....true?

Yeah, not even that far. Just shortly after we got into Montana things were back to normal. You'll hit an occasional slow truck as they go down to two lanes there, but with little oncoming traffic, passing is not a problem.

Havre Walmart is a breeze. I've never seen it more than about 20% in use. There's a turnout just at the west end of Malta, MT that they call a weigh station, where we usually stop. No scales, and we've never been questioned. Also there's other rest areas along 2 that we've never had any problems using.

As I said, a great route to travel. Good luck

On the east side of Culbertson there was a large (for Montana) rest area with parking for trucks/RV's and cars.

[SRT]

trailertraveler wrote:
If you are looking for Walmarts, MT-200 is not the route for you. When we drove it a couple of years ago, the campground in Jordon was closed. There is a small no frills spot with full hookups in Winnett. I think you would have to go all the way to Great Falls to find a Walmart.

Yup, MT-200 is one long lonely road. There was free camping sites on the south side of Lewistown at that time.

[SRT]

paulj wrote:
Montana Hi-Line

Its history starts with the building of the Great Northern RR across Marias Pass.

Thanks for the link. I spent my youth living in some towns/cities along the Hi-Line (Shelby, Culbertson, and Havre. Born in Kalispell) as my father worked for the Great Northern. Traveled some of those scenic byways and learned to drive on the back roads. Also learned boating/fishing on Fresno Lake (one silty lake :)).

[bradpoff]

Thanks everyone for the help, feedback and suggestions. We're looking forward to a great trip. I haven't been there since I was 16.....and that was a LONG time ago!!

[pigman1]

bradpoff wrote:

pigman1 wrote:
We run US-2 both ways when we go to Alaska every other year. Last ran it in late May this year as far as Shelby, MT. It was a good road and even though there was oil traffic around Williston, ND. Smooth road and very little under repair or construction. We'll run it again in September.

I heard there is far less oil related traffic from Wolf Point westward....true?

Yeah, not even that far. Just shortly after we got into Montana things were back to normal. You'll hit an occasional slow truck as they go down to two lanes there, but with little oncoming traffic, passing is not a problem.

Havre Walmart is a breeze. I've never seen it more than about 20% in use. There's a turnout just at the west end of Malta, MT that they call a weigh station, where we usually stop. No scales, and we've never been questioned. Also there's other rest areas along 2 that we've never had any problems using.

As I said, a great route to travel. Good luck

[trailertraveler]

If you are looking for Walmarts, MT-200 is not the route for you. When we drove it a couple of years ago, the campground in Jordon was closed. There is a small no frills spot with full hookups in Winnett. I think you would have to go all the way to Great Falls to find a Walmart.

[Pop-Pop_C]

We took hwy. 81 from Medora, ND. to Williston last year. It came out just
west of Williston a couple of miles. Hwy. 2 west is fine. . If you get a chance ck out
Medora.it is a destination. Has a summer musical . Theater is outside and built on
the side of the mtn. In Teddy Rosevelt Natnl. park. Also there is a
RIBEYE PITCHFORK FONDUE there also. Good times.

[bradpoff]

We are planning to Walmart hop. Wanted to go to Dickinson the first night but they don't allow campers anymore so likely will stay in Bismark. Dickinson manager said their parking lot was 1/2 full of campers, mostly people working the oil fields and abusing the privilege, so they have banned it.

Second night in Havre Walmart, then in to Glacier from there. Sound reasonable? (Two drivers)

[bradpoff]

paulj wrote:
Montana Hi-Line

Its history starts with the building of the Great Northern RR across Marias Pass.

Thanks for the link....I did run into that site in my cruising around. Haven't explored everything on there yet but plan on continuing to nose around.

[bradpoff]

pigman1 wrote:
We run US-2 both ways when we go to Alaska every other year. Last ran it in late May this year as far as Shelby, MT. It was a good road and even though there was oil traffic around Williston, ND. Smooth road and very little under repair or construction. We'll run it again in September.

I heard there is far less oil related traffic from Wolf Point westward....true?

[bradpoff]

byways wrote:
If you've never done the high line, then, by all means do it! Everyone needs that experience once in a life time. I'm ready to do it again. The only height restriction is the big Montana sky! No, seriously they haul seriously large farm equipment along that highway. You will be fine on the high line.

Any low clearance getting from Glendive up to route 2?