Wisconsin to Glacier National Park

[FFWIFE50]

We are heading from central WI to Glacier National park and aren't sure which route we want to take the "southern" being Souix Falls, Badlands, Billings, Sheridan or the "North" being Fargo, Bismark, Teddy Roosvelt....any thoughts on which would be the most scenic? we are not in a rush just looking for the more scenic of the two with access to campgrounds. We have a 35 ft Motorhome and can dry camp.

[EsoxLucius]

I would avoid US 2 in northwestern North Dakota. The traffic from the Bakken oil fields activity is terrible. I was advised of this when visiting a farmer friend in Agate, ND and went north into Manitoba on my way to the AlCan. Go US 2 if you want to, but you have been forewarned that it may not be pleasant around Williston. If you do, whatever you do, don't stop. It can take 20 to 45 minutes to get a break in traffic to get back on your way down the highway. I'm not kidding!

[SRT]

dodge guy wrote:
The southern route is more scenic than the northern. I know a bunch of people (2 close) that have taken the northern route and say it is a long drive! the southern route (which we have done) is very scenic! and lots of places to stop and check out.

Hiway 2 across Minnesota is basically 2 lane with an occasional 4 lane stretch. Hiway 2 across North Dakota is four lane border to border with heavier truck travel between Minot and Williston. Across Montana it is mostly 2 lane and easy traveling. It's basically a "straight shot" across. We've traveled Minnesota and North Dakota taking a day each and stayed at Ft. Peck dam. It has taken us about 10 hours from Ft. Peck to West Glacier and Apgar campground in the park.

There are scenic areas to visit but after living in Havre in my early years and Minnesota since then we've seen the scenic stuff both on I-94 and Hiway 2.

[SNOPRO711X]

I am planing a trip from MN to Glacier later this month. My plan is to take I-94 across ND into MT. At Glenive MT I will start heading NW towards US 2. I plan on spending the night at the Corps of Engineers campground at the Fort Peck dam.

On the return trip I plan on spending some time in the Little Belt mountains near Great Falls and head home via US 12 or MT 200 to I-94 with a stop in Medora ND. Medora can be an issue for camping if you don't have reservations TR NP can be a problem finding camping sites if you come in late

[dodge_guy]

The southern route is more scenic than the northern. I know a bunch of people (2 close) that have taken the northern route and say it is a long drive! the southern route (which we have done) is very scenic! and lots of places to stop and check out.

[enblethen]

I have not seen that much truck traffic that would be of any major concern. Maybe because I travel closer to the post truck speeds, and those that want to travel automobile speeds get hung up.

[taddyport]

FFWIFE50 wrote:
Tell me more about US 2

I haven't taken it in a long time, but from some other posts I understand that US 2 goes along the gas fields and has lots and lots of truck traffic, some others may be able to give you more up to date info.

[enblethen]

US 2 is good highway with many places to stop. Fort Peck, grand Fork, Minot, Lake Sakawewea.
Great scenery. It varies along the route. Scenery is based on what you want to see and enjoy.
It is a combination two and four lane road.
Speed limits vary as you pass thru cities and towns.
Easier pass then interstates.

[FFWIFE50]

Tell me more about US 2

[enblethen]

US 2 would be my first choice.

[Jayco-noslide]

It's not northern but US 2 is a good route.

[shawdowboss]

If you go the north route, you'll want to check out the campground availability and prices in western North Dakota (Dickinson Area) prior to going. A lot of oil activity in that region and not much availability from the last time I checked 3 months ago and the few that were available were pricey. There will be a lot of "permanent" setups due to the lack of housing for the oil workers in campgrounds.

We stayed in Jamestown, ND at Jamestown Campground, it wasn't very full with long term people. Reasonable prices for overnights. It's a nice park, the county gravel road to the campground needed a little more work, but passable and not very rough.

I-94 is very nice scenery through the badlands area of North Dakota (over by Montana). Would plan a stop at Roosevelt National Park to do some more touring if we had time. It's similar to SD Badlands but not as touristy.

The 2 lane diagonal (US 87, MT 3, US 89, US 12) from Billings to St. Mary (Glacier NP), is scenic and not very steep, it's mainly high plains desert/prairie. We drove that route a week ago, it's all nice 2 lane with good passing opportunities if needed. Couple real good stops for fuel/break throughout.

One idea if you have the time, is to take one route (IE I-90) out and the other back (I-94) since the roads both join again at Billings.

[skipnchar]

I suspect that either route will include a sizable section of very "routine" scenery through South or North Dakota. My own tastes would be for the route that had the most ATTRACTIONS as those would be the high points and I believe the southern route would have more of those type of things for my OWN taste. One thing we nearly ALWAYS do is travel one route when going and another when returning.