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01-15-2017, 05:40 PM
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#1
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New Member
Currently Looking...
Demotte
, Indiana
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 4
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Rt 2 Montana and North Dakota
Traveling from Indiana to Seattle for a wedding this summer. I want to make this trip via highway 2 but I'm concerned about traffic in the northern North Dakota oil fields and road conditions going over the Rocky Mountains. I'll be pulling a 28 foot Avion trailer with a GMC 6000 V8 and a 4.10 rear end. The manual says I should be able to handle up to 9.900 lbs. Anyone have any experience within the last few years on those portions of Rte 2,especially degree slope ? Thanks. Lloyd
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01-15-2017, 07:18 PM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
2016 28' Flying Cloud
Brandenburg
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 275
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This past year we took our new 28 foot Flying Cloud to Alaska. We headed North out of Kentucky to Minot ND and connect with highway 2 there. Surprisingly, it was not a bad as I thought it would have been. We had zero problems with either traffic or hills or mountains. Yes, there are mountains, but the roads are good and and a lot of four lanes. Our second overnight stop after Minot was Fort Peck ND. Nice CoE campground at the dam. Our last overnight stop was Shelby MT before we headed north into Canada. We took our time to make stops to take photos and enjoy the scenery. Hope this helps.
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01-15-2017, 08:46 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,570
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No problem, you can dry camp at any of the small tow city parks.have a nice trip..
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01-15-2017, 09:55 PM
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#4
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Len and Jeanne
2005 16' International CCD
2015 19' Flying Cloud
Creston Valley
, British Columbia
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,793
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We've do the portion of route 2 in western Montana annually to get to Glacier NP. It's better than I-90 so far as the passes go: lower in elevation. You avoid Lookout Pass. Further east HY 2 follows the route of the railroad: BNSF and the Amtrak Empire Builder route (the old Great Northern route.) We've taken this Amtrak trip from Sandpoint, ID to Chicago several times, and it goes through the same towns as HY 2. It looks pretty flat.
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01-15-2017, 10:26 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1998 36' Land Yacht Widebody
Shepherdstown
, West Virginia
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 802
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During 2016 I drove Rt 2 across Montana regularly from Roosville on the west side to Raymond on the east side. Its basically a long flat 2 lane road that has some sections with 3 or 4 lanes in towns like Havre or Glasgo. Never had a problem as long as you stay at or under speed limit. If you continue west crossing over I-15, it starts to have more hills and curves but nothing major. Do not recommend staying around Browning very long. Its a rough crowd to say the least and the wild dogs will pee on your tires!!
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01-16-2017, 11:28 AM
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#6
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2 Rivet Member
2008 27' Classic FB
Ontario
, Oregon
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 32
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Rt. 2 Montana
Just an aside...Fort Peck is actually in Montana.
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01-16-2017, 11:42 AM
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#7
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Len and Jeanne
2005 16' International CCD
2015 19' Flying Cloud
Creston Valley
, British Columbia
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,793
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Speaking of Glacier NP, HY 2 goes right along the south side of the park, with access points in East and West Glacier. Well worth a multi-day visit. Would just advise you to book early for the St. Mary or Fish Creek CGs in the park, or nearby RV park. It is a very popular place during the peak season.
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01-16-2017, 01:10 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Vancouver
, British Columbia
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,566
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In September 2016 we took Route 2 from around Fargo, through to Everett. Always wanted to drive it. We wondered in advance about oil field traffic but found the road mostly deserted. Restaurants and such were mainly empty as well. We were told we missed the rush by a year or so.
Jeff
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01-16-2017, 01:25 PM
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#9
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New Member
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Milpitas
, California
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 1
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I have spent a lot of time in Montana and believe highway 2 is a road that you drive Going to the Sun Road into Kalispell. This is a windy narrow road. I would be take caution if that is in your route. Frank
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01-16-2017, 02:51 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2020 28' Flying Cloud
Upper St Clair
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,943
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We've done the same route twice, most recently over to Glacier only, not an issue with traffic or anything else. Nice two lane road in our opinion.
Bud
__________________
2020 28' Twin Flying Cloud
2021 F350 6.7 King Ranch
USAF Master Training Instructor (TI) & (MTI)- 68-72
Volunteer K9 Rehabilitator & Trainer
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01-16-2017, 05:48 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
South East
, Michigan
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 546
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There is a current post on the IRV2 forum called Ohio to Glacier. Post #10 has a video showing short segments of the drive on Rt 2. Poster goes from Seattle east. The video shows lots of segments of the road.
__________________
Al
2017 29' SOB, 2022 Platinum F-150 SCrew, ProPride
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01-16-2017, 05:57 PM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member
2000 27' Safari
Schaumburg
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 24
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Highway 2 to Montana is an awesome trip. I have traveled that road a dozen times with my 28 ft Safari to glacier National Park. Hwy 2 is easier on the grades than the interstate, which I have traveled also. Damping is easy, and look for the local campgrounds in the small towns, they are around $15.00 with water and electric hookups. Look ahead for your stops, because a late evening rush to camp may take you out of your way, if you do not plan about 5 hours before your intended stop.
If you are heading to glacier Park, St Mary KOA is great. Follow the directions on their web site from Browning to the campground. The recommended route avoids the steep grades that you would encounter from the interstate. My rule of thumb when traveling is: Never leave in the morning without a full tank of gas, and when 1/2 full start looking for a gas station.
Last year I was not paying attention, got real low on gas, and found a small grocery store that sold gas, which I had to hand pump from an above ground tank. Good story, but not worth the stress.
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01-16-2017, 05:59 PM
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#13
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4 Rivet Member
1990 29' Excella
Travelers Rest
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 310
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Rt 2 varies somewhat as you cross Montana, from two lanes with a good shoulder to 2 lanes with very little shoulder, and through Wolf Point in the East and Glasgow and Havre and perhaps some others you will have multi lanes through town. Two lane roads like Hwy 2 are generally 70 mph during the day, and nighttime 65. During the day watch out for ranchers pulling out in front of you slowly, as they check their irrigation ditches, oblivious to approaching 70+ mph vehicles. At night 65 mph is way too fast, with open range, deer, and other critters running across or laying down on the blacktop.
Yes many of the towns have free or cheap municipal camping, but be aware that the Milk River Valley where Rt. 2 runs uses flood irrigation of the fields, and the mosquito population can be incredible day and night. Once to Glacier Park, the Marias Pass over the Rockies is a low pass and easily met with even a modest tow vehicle. I'll be there in June, perhaps traveling on Rt. 2 myself. Used to live in Glasgow and traveled to Malta weekly, and often all the way to Glacier. Roads are better now than back then. Travel well.
__________________
WBCCI 2456 Georgia Unit 32
1990 Excella 29' Centramatics
2016 GMC Sierra Crew Cab 2500 HD 4x4
6.6L Duramax + Allison, 3.73 axles
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01-16-2017, 08:05 PM
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#14
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Long time owner
2004 25' Classic
1974 25' Tradewind
1970 21' Globetrotter
1975 26' Argosy 26
Forrest City
, Arkansas
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 149
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Four years ago I took Route 2 across North Dakota and Montana to Glacier. I found the roads to be good. It was a "nice" drive. Places to eat were an experience in many of the small towns -- good food and unique atmosphere. Enjoy your trip!!!
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01-16-2017, 10:58 PM
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#15
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Len and Jeanne
2005 16' International CCD
2015 19' Flying Cloud
Creston Valley
, British Columbia
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,793
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Orionfc
I have spent a lot of time in Montana and believe highway 2 is a road that you drive Going to the Sun Road into Kalispell. This is a windy narrow road. I would be take caution if that is in your route. Frank
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Going-to-the-Sun Road is inside Glacier NP, and is not the same as HY 2, which skirts the southern boundary of the park. Trailers are not allowed on Going-to-the-Sun Road, but no problem on HY 2.
If Lloyd is thinking about a trip to Glacier, I would recommend doing Going-to-the-Sun over Logan Pass either in your TV alone, or with one of the Park Service's free shuttle buses, or the concession's red touring cars. The road does get very busy in summer at mid-day, with the parking lot at the Logan Pass visitor center too full to accept any more vehicles.
Highway 2 follows the Middle Fork of the Flathead River along the southern park boundary. This is an easy grade.
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01-17-2017, 04:53 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,051
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We drove this several years ago, starting in northern MN and driving all the way to the west coast.
It was pretty, and serene, and America.
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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01-17-2017, 12:16 PM
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#17
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New Member
Currently Looking...
Demotte
, Indiana
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 4
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Thanks for your reassuring help. Wee're looking forward to the trip. Lloyd
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01-17-2017, 02:46 PM
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#18
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Len and Jeanne
2005 16' International CCD
2015 19' Flying Cloud
Creston Valley
, British Columbia
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,793
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Wave if you see Amtrak. We've taken the Empire Builder several times and it goes through the same towns. Next to driving our Tundra towing the Bambi, the train is our second preferred way to travel.
Must be something about aluminum.
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01-17-2017, 02:56 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville
, New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,333
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We've done it a couple of times. Would do it again.
__________________
2014 25' Flying Cloud Rear Twin
2019 Ford Expedition Platinum
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