Any experiences with Route 2 from Montana (Galcier) to Wisc./Mich

[Brian S]

For next summer's trip out west I want to stay north as long as possible. It's darn hot and humid here in FL! Any experiences just traveling on Route 2? Good roads? Good campgrounds/parks? Thanks!

[Leftie Canuk]

We travelled Rte 2 from the WA Cascade Mountains to the U.S. Canada border in MI, and found the highway conditions fine. The highway is often just a two lane, white-lined byway, but much less busy and hectic than interstates. Many of the campgrounds were "mom-and-pop operations, no reservation needed (at least 5 years ago !). A lot of the towns were showing the results of the recession, resulting in less choice in terms of groceries, fuel, etc. The charm and quieter pace more than made up for the reduced variety.

[Ram Montana High Country]

I ran Rt 2 in July from Bonners Ferry to Shelby. Generally good road, not a race track but pretty. Some construction around West Glacier. Stayed in Glacier Meadow RV on the south side. Very convenient to both sides of park. Camped @ Two Bit Outfit in Libby (No frills but great camping. Do the water falls just west of Libby. Doing Glacier is a pain to get pass, just go thru gate after 5p and forget the pass BS.

[Hornet28]

I ran 2 from Cut Bank to Wolf Point in early May and it was fine. There's quite a stretch west of Havre that was completely rebuilt last year.

[77cruiser]

ND is four lane & pretty good road, should be four lane the whole way in MN too.
Only been to Glasgow this year.

[rames14]

One thing I will add. Don’t expect it to be much cooler up north. It gets quite toasty along that route. In fact, the Nebraska CPRR was cooler by far than it was at Glacier and across Montana and North Dakota.

[77cruiser]

It was 104 in Glasgow last week.

[Wisconsin Retiree]

US 2 through Wisconsin to the UP of Michigan is the same being mostly 2 lane highway but absolutely beautiful forest & wild life areas. Lots of small towns and great fishing.

[Al & Sandy]

I would agree that you may not necessarily be beating the heat travelling highway 2, at least through the inland northwest. Although it sounds like you are planning to start your trip west of Spokane, highway 2 comes through Spokane and we have broken a record this year for the most 90 degrees plus days. As of yesterday, we have had 40 90+ degree days, and it is supposed to be 98 today. We have broken numerous daily high temps this year also. We have had many 100+ degree days, and two days with official high temps of 108 degrees, which were all time records.
Many parts of this drive are very beautiful, but if you do this trip, I would recommend to do it before Memorial day, or after Labor day to avoid hot weather. The other thing to think about is the bad smoke conditions we have had throughout the summer season for the last several years. To avoid the smoke and poor air quality you would probably want to travel before Memorial day!

[R.S.O'Donnell]

If you want to beat the heat as soon as possible go up not north as north is no longer any guarantee of cool weather.

When we leave Florida we take the quickest route possible to get to I40 at Amarillo. From there on to Flagstaff the climb, cooler temperatures, and lower humidity are steady. Right now we're boondocking at about 8,600 ft near Buford, WY. Cool temps most of the time, 66° right now 53° tonight.

https://www.wunderground.com/weather/us/wy/buford

[laverdur]

I have towed on US 2 from Glacier to Grand Forks ND. It is a good road.

[buchcapt902@gmail.com]

We came back from there 2 years ago its a nice run on hwy 2