Highway US 2.

[moshaffer]

Can anyone, and I know you can, tell me what highway 2 is like from St. Ignace to the international peace park in MT.? What is the speed limit, the actual speed you can expect to make and speculation on the road condition. I plan to make this trip later this year and then onto Polson , also in MT. Also does 2 go through or around all the little towns on the route?? Many thanks.:usa

[37071]

US2 is a great way to get from MI to MT or the reverse. We rode out to the "Going to the Sun" hiway in '89. US2 is quiet but suprisingly not boring. You can run along at 60 - 65 all day except for the towns and occational cities. Last summer after Gillette we went to Calgary to see the kids. We came back on US2 from Havre MT to St Ignace MI. I had a great ride. My wife had a melt down or 2 about the long days. Along the top of Lake Michigan there can be convoys of motorhomes. Riding a BMW allows you to blast past. There are 100 of miles of 4 lane in the plains states. Only the US could afford to pay for infrastucture like that for so few users. US2 goes around many of the small places. There is a bypass around the cities. There was no signifigant construction a year ago and the rode was in great shape.

BONUS Gas is about $1/gal cheaper than in Canada:dance

[Montana]

Hwy 2 will take you to Glacier Park at East Glacier, then through the river canyon to West Glacier, then all the way to Idaho if you want to.

Most of Hwy 2 is the state speed limit of 70 mph days, 65 mph nights. Pay attention to the "suggested" speed signs in the tight corners, once you are in the Glacier National Park corridor. Also, between East Glacier and West Glacier you shouldn't pull over and park or picnic except while in a town. There are grizzly bears. Eat before or after that section. If you like trains, stop at the Izaak Walton Inn; the food is great and the view is better.

There is construction on the Hwy 93 bridge at Polson that is going to lock out traffic and it is the only bridge. When you get out of the river canyon at Columbia Heights on Hwy 2, turn south and set your route plans to Bigfork, then to Polson, going around the East side of Flathead Lake, to avoid the bridge out. Some of this route is slower, 50 mph, but with the summer traffic, the twisties and the views, you won't want to go faster, anyway.

Another wonderful ride is the Swan-Seeley Lake route. It just depends on where you are going, from there.

[108625]

2 around the southern border of the park is a great ride, and the Isaak Walton Inn is in Essex, kind of back in the trees a bit from the road so keep your eyes open.

East of the park, in Montana, law enforcement is a bit more understanding of people perhaps "not paying attention" to their speedometer across the plains (within reason, don't push your luck); Northa Dakota is not so tolerant.
The speed limit in Montana is reduced at night for a reason; deerstrikes and livestock collisions kill people. Slow down at night or better yet, don't ride. The good news is sunset is very late in the summer up here, and it rises early too.
Check out the state's great website for travel info; scroll down to the "helpful links" in the lower left, and explore. The zoom enabled map is similar to the free ones available at visitors centers, also worth picking up.
http://www.mdt.mt.gov/

If you have the time, stop in Havre, MT, and check out "the city under the streets".
Around the turn of the century, half the town burned down in mid winter, and all the businesses moved into the cellars and tunnels underneath town, along with the chinese railroad laboreres who lived there. It's a fascinating way to cool off in the summertime.
http://co.hill.mt.us/museum/beneathstreets/streets.html

[moshaffer]

Many thanks for the great information to all of you. I greatly appreciate the help
and it definately made up my mind about taking #2. Again, many thanks.:thumb