How to Drive Through Montana

Accommodating two major National Parks—Glacier and Yellowstone—Montana is an astonishingly vast and wildly beautiful state. First discovered and explored by members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805, Montana is a scenic remnant of the great frontier and America's expansion westward. For first time visitors, a drive through Montana will be an experience not soon forgotten. Countless adventures and marvels wait just around the corner in Montana.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Planning a Drive Through Montana

1. Determine how much free time you'll have on your drive through Montana based on whether your trip will be for business, pleasure or both. Estimate trip costs based on how many people will be driving Montana with you.
2. Understand how long it takes to drive through Montana since the state is wider than many U.S. states (e.g., St. Regis, MT going west/east across to/from Glendive, MT on main interstates via Billings, MT is approximately 637 miles and takes a bit over 9 hours to drive).
3. Start planning your drive through Montana. Contact "AAA" or another travel agency and ask for Montana information and brochures, maps and guidebooks to read and take with you on your trip.
4. Telephone airlines to book reservations if you plan to first fly to Montana (e.g., Billings, Helena or Missoula). Know that only certain airlines fly in and out of Montana, such as Frontier, United and Big Sky).
5. Reserve lodging well in advance, especially during peak seasons. Recognize that national park lodging fills up very fast, especially around holidays and the summer tourist season.

Montana Interstate Routes

6. Know that connecting highways, Interstates 94/90, provide the shortest and most reliable major route east and west across Montana between North Dakota and Idaho.
7. Understand that Interstate 90 alone is the shortest and most reliable major route for a drive across Montana between Wyoming/South Dakota and Idaho. (Interstate 90 turns south into Wyoming before continuing east to South Dakota.)
8. Plan to take advantage of ample opportunities, time permitting, on your drive through Montana: experience crossing the Continental Divide and enjoy sightseeing while driving Interstate 94 and Interstate 90 through Montana.
9. Remember to exit for side trips, such as a jaunt to "Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument," and for scenic drives, such as "Pintlar Scenic Route" or the famous "Beartooth Highway."
10. Understand that to drive north and south through Montana, you will take Interstate 15. (Interstate 15 intersects Interstate 90 near Butte, MT.) Travel north on Interstate 15 from Interstate 90 to get to roads leading to Glacier National Park.
11. Note that taking Interstate 15 south from Interstate 90 toward Idaho will intersect with roads leading to Yellowstone National Park, or travel east on Interstate 90 from Butte, MT to get to roads near Bozeman, MT leading to the national park.
12. Know that Montana shares Yellowstone National Park with Wyoming along the two states' common border, and the "North Entrance' and "West Entrance" into the park are both in Montana.
13. Drive through Montana. Stop off at visitor and tourists centers along your drive through Montana and ask for special maps and information, especially since certain travel tips are only known by locals.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with various travel agencies, who may offer all inclusive Montana travel packages/deals.
• Contact automobile clubs, like AAA, who will put together a trip itinerary along with maps and exact driving directions free for AAA members.
• Check weather reports and road conditions before a trip to Montana and every day while driving through Montana. Be cognizant of the fact that weather and road conditions can change suddenly leaving no time for official warnings.
• Be prepared and carry a first-aid kit as well as a bag of appropriate supplies in your car in case of emergencies while traveling (e.g., blanket, fire starter, candles, extra water and food).
• Understand that wild animals are wild (including bison/buffalo), and getting out of your car to pet any of them, will likely result in attack and severe injury or worse.
• Realize that wild animals see pets, cats and dogs, as food; wild animals are also more likely to attack children—don't let children roam around campgrounds and picnic areas alone.