Route Suggestions --HELP

[vtxbud]

Hi There,

We will be traveling South in October from the Edmonton Alberta area.

We will be leaving in early Oct for Yuma (1st timers) which is not a major concern, as weather should be half decent.... My main concern is returning in March around the 20-25th.

Is there a "a valley route" from Idaho Falls to Helena to avoid the passes??? Please suggest highways to use. We have to have our butts out of the USA before the 182 day mark

I'm triple towing so Washington and Oregon are out of the question...

Thanks again for any help,

Collin

Moved to Roads and Routes forum from Towing.

[paulj]

j3ff9ack wrote:
...
No mountain passes - good 2-lane road all the way.

My guess is that in a storm, I15 will get plowed more.

I know there are chainup areas on I90, such as on the pass east of Butte. Are there chainup areas on I15 around Butte?

[j3ff9ack]

paulj wrote:
I15 Monida Pass doesn't have any unusually steep section. As for snow and cold, wouldn't conditions be similar to Edmonton - higher, yes, but also further south.

There is a 'valley' around around I15 in the Butte area. But if it is storming, I'd prefer to stick with the Interstate.

This 'valley' allows you to stay East of the Continental Divide and avoid crossing it two more times as you do if you go through Butte on I-15. Assuming this is what you had in mind, paulj, on North I-15, take Exit 63 at Dillon and go North on MT 41 to Twin Bridges. Turn left in Twin Bridges and stay on MT 41 North through Silver Star. There is an intersection about 2 miles north of Silver Star - MT 41 goes to the left and the straight road becomes MT 55. Stay straight on MT 55 and go to Whitehall. Avoid I-90 and drive straight through Whitehall - the road becomes MT 69. Stay on MT 69 as it goes by and under I-90. Turn left about one mile past the I-90 underpass where MT 2 splits off from MT 69 and rejoin I-15 in Boulder.

No mountain passes - good 2-lane road all the way.

[paulj]

MT dot road conditions map and cams

ID info on Monida Pass - max 3% grade

[vtxbud]

paulj wrote:
I15 Monida Pass doesn't have any unusually steep section. As for snow and cold, wouldn't conditions be similar to Edmonton - higher, yes, but also further south.

There is a 'valley' around around I15 in the Butte area. But if it is storming, I'd prefer to stick with the Interstate.

Very true about weather around Edmonton. So far I have towed the fifth only during the summer months. To add to the mix, I will be triple towing, have my Atv on a 10' utility trailer behind the fifth. My total scaled weight is 12,400 lbs.

Thanks very much for your input, we are looking forward to getting down there !

[paulj]

I15 Monida Pass doesn't have any unusually steep section. As for snow and cold, wouldn't conditions be similar to Edmonton - higher, yes, but also further south.

There is a 'valley' around around I15 in the Butte area. But if it is storming, I'd prefer to stick with the Interstate.

[bobsallyh]

Not from up there, but we have lots of Canadian friends in the park in Yuma. Just about all use I-15. Just watch the weather for Monida Pass (Idaho/MT. state line). Idaho Dept of Trans has web cams set-up at that location. Between there and Dillon, MT. seems to be their biggest worry, but of course I will ad a disclaimer, it could get nasty anywhere above St.George, UT. But our friends in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, and Sask. use this way. I'm sure there will be more replies offering ideas. By all means have a safe trip and have a good time!