tjholyoke
Maine
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Hi all,
I know what Mapquest would like me to do, but I am looking to hear from those that have really traveled these roads. First a bit of background.
We have traveled parts of this route before on a 2004 cross-country loop, but are looking for input on comparing some options. We are workamping in St. Mary, Montana on the east side of Glacier National Park this summer. When we toured Glacier previously it was from the west side, and we then traveled south to Yellowstone and came east through South Dakota and southern Minnesota.
We were wondering about traveling west and the differences between 90 and 94. Also considering Route 2 across North Dakota and Montana, or a real different route....through Canada---Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa,and then route 17 to Canadian route 1 across to where we would enter Montana. (although we know Canadian gas would be more..)
Anyone with information on these routes that would care to share would be much appreciated. We would be traveling to Montana at the end of June and returning to Maine at the end of August. We are driving a 24 and a half foot Class C (B+...whatever).
Mapquest says our quickest route is about 43 driving hours. We aren't against slowing down a LITTLE if the scenery is good and the campgrounds are nice. Don't want to take too many extra days, though or we may not make our commitment for our start date. So, if route 2 has 300 small towns where we have to drive 25, that probably isn't for us. Presently we have 5 days factored in for travel each way to allow for unforeseen delays. We figure to really be able to do it in 4. Any thoughts?
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jambo101
Montreal
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tjholyoke wrote:
or a real different route....through Canada---Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa,and then route 17 to Canadian route 1 across to where we would enter Montana. (although we know Canadian gas would be more..)
thoughts?
Looking at a map this appears to be the most direct route,I would re enter the states at Sault ste Marie then head for rt2 via rt28.
"Second star to the right, and straight on till morning."
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kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
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Remember if you are planning to go in & out of Canada that you will need passports next year.
I think 90 would be well out of your way heading to Glacier, but if you have already been along 94 and 2, it might be a good alternative.
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Ruth Lake Duo
Brainerd, Minnesota,USA
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We are from Minnesota and have travelled 2 across Wis and Mich a number of times. Our last trip to Nova Scotia we came across at Port Huron and went north to Big Mack and came home on 2. We said we would never go 90 and 94 around Chicago again. It is a beautiful drive--especially north of Lake Mich and across Wis. Hwy 2 is a major route across MN. There are only a few highways that run cross-state. Trucks from the Dakotas use 2. There are not a zillion little towns up there either to slow down for. One of the neat places to stop is Itasca State Park near Park Rapids. The Mississippi River starts there running out of Lake Itasca. You can walk across the "river" on stepping stones. Plus Itasca is a beautiful state park. A great place to stopover. Going through ND will also take you to the North Dakota Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Just got there for the first time a few years ago. That is some place. The little historic town of Medora is also a lot of fun. Good camping there right on the edge of town or in the national park.
Ruth Lake Duo
2001 2500HD Chevy Short Bed
2003 Titanium 24 ft.
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Ozimo
Resolute/Oz
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I've taken all the routes in the northern half of the USA in recent years and prefer (in order) US2, I94 & US12. They are mostly smooth and without a lot of construction and don't have as many passes as the lower I90-80 routes. TR's park is one I particularly enjoy visiting.
Capt. Abraham Quasuittuq, Jr
Lizard Isl, Great Barrier Reef
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59022
MT
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I would take the Canadian route, if for no other reason than to avoid Chicago. For a different perspective enter the US at Grand Portage, instead of the Soo. The trip, up and over Lake Superior is beautiful.
George
Lifelong tipi, wall tenter/mule packer. 850-ac in Montana.
61 U404, 99 Dodge V10, 79 Airstream www.nativeradio.com
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tjholyoke
Maine
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Thanks everyone...you are confirming what I had originally thought until Mapquest tried to send me through Pennsylvania and Ohio...and then up. It looks like going through Canada is about 400 miles shorter for us in distance, but will take about 4 hours longer in time. We think we will take that tradeoff in order to avoid the high eastern US tolls and the big cities. Thanks also for campground ideas. We love to have some ideas of where we can stop. I've looked at my map and the one thing mentioned that I don't see is "Grand Portage". Where is that located?
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jambo101
Montreal
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Grand Portage is about 50 miles south of Thunder bay,if memory serves its the first town you come to when you cross back into the U.S
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SRT
Head of the Lakes, MN
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Hiway 2 across Minnesota, N. Dakota, and Montana is the most level route. It is partly 4 lane across parts of Minnesota and most of N. Dakota. Montana's part is 2 lane (except through some towns). Except for the first few miles in Montana, hiway 2 is in good shape (good shoulders, etc. but there are several exceptions in western MN).
SRT
2000 32' HR Vacationer with Banks
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tjholyoke
Maine
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Thanks again, and I found Grand Portage on the map. Darn those little inset maps in the corners...who knew they would chop off a corner of the state? It sounds like the Canadian route and then Rt. 2 is the way to go. We are really looking forward to spending the summer at Glacier. Can you tell by the fact that I'm already planning routes? (I won't tell you how many hiking books I just bought and that I started a packing list of "don't forget this" items that aren't regularly with our camping gear) If there is any other information you think we might need, feel free to keep it coming.
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