Trip from Seattle to Bozeman (Big Sky Resort) (Boise, Clark Fork: motel, safest)
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I will be making a trip around the end of November from Seattle to Bozeman Montana. I think my safest bet is to move through Portland on I5 to I84 into Boise then follow I86 which turns into I15 through West Yellowstone. I'm trying to avoid as many mountain passes as possible. With inclement weather upon us I'm not sure what the safest route is to take. Please help out with more information on how to make my trip safe and avoid those mountain passes, if there is a way?.....
I'd just take I-90 all the way. There are no particularly high passes. Lookout Pass near Idaho / Montana border is only 4700 feet. Monida Pass on I-15 is 6900 feet.
I also don't like the circular crawl up Emigrant / Cabbage Hill on I-84 between Pendleton and La Grande Oregon. Look it up.
The route you mentioned is way longer. I-15 has very limited services / lower traffic. Help probably would be less available than I-90.
The most difficult driving will be from Bozeman to Big Sky. Do you have 4wd or AWD? Snow tires on?
Not the route I would take. It's a really round-about way. According to Google Maps, your route will take 16h49m and 1,079 miles.
From Seattle to Bozeman, I'd just stick with Interstate 90 the whole way. Google Maps show that route taking 10h5m and 400 miles less. Being an interstate, it will be kept open in inclement weather. I think there's only five passes of note with this route, (Snoqualmie, Fourth of July, Lookout, the pass east of Missoula, and the pass east of Butte, which you'll do either route).
[mod note] Moved to the general Idaho forum instead of the Boise forum. More appropriate there. [/mod note]
I appreciate all the replies! My brother mentioned taking I90 as the safest route. My fears have been subsided and I appreciate the feedback! I have a honda crv lx 2wd, with snow tires, hopefully that makes it easier for more replies.
Keep an eye on the forecast. Evaluate options. Drive in daylight / good conditions. Time out when to travel to hit passes at best times. Get a motel before it gets bad and they are all gone. If real bad, canceling may be an option to consider.
Me, I don't do discretionary major drives in winter conditions. Some I had to take were pretty tough.
Here is an alternative: You can bypass the Lookout Pass as well as Fourth of July by going 200 along Lake Pend Oreille and the Clark Fork River all the way to 93 in Montana, and hook up with 90 in Missoula. No passes at all. BUT 200 is a 2-lane road, and black ice is a risk. Plus, daylight is scarce in late November, and there may be animals on the road. And getting up to 200 from 90 on 95 adds another hour. So it all depends on one's priorities.
I appreciate all the replies! My brother mentioned taking I90 as the safest route. My fears have been subsided and I appreciate the feedback! I have a honda crv lx 2wd, with snow tires, hopefully that makes it easier for more replies.
Take I-90, and get off at 4 corners, the exit that goes into Belgrade instead of Bozeman.
Head straight and take no turns, and you're on your way to Big Sky.
Once you're in the Gallatin Canyon, which is only a few miles from 4 corners, you will have to drive slow and careful. The canyon doesn't get enough sunlight to melt snow, so the roadway is always slick in the winters.
If you go into a uncontrolled skid there's no place for you to go except the river on one side and a rock wall on the other. FWD And snow tires will get you there, but don't get in a hurry.
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