OOPS - I should have said I-90

[BMW Triumphant]

:scratch

Thanks for the replies dealing with my I-80 question. I goofed. My route will be a bit north along I-90. Does that change much?

I'm going west through the US, and returning via Canada. Have always wanted to do this.

Is there much in the way of critters crossing the road? Not likely to be traveling at night, but might want to get early starts. Any recommendations?

Did look at I-80, and may take it some other trip.

[Greenwald]

:scratch

Thanks for the replies dealing with my I-80 question. I goofed. My route will be a bit north along I-90. Does that change much?

I'm going west through the US, and returning via Canada. Have always wanted to do this.

Is there much in the way of critters crossing the road? Not likely to be traveling at night, but might want to get early starts. Any recommendations?

Did look at I-80, and may take it some other trip.

Did an Iron Butt along I-90 a couple of years ago thru Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wyoming. Plenty of gas/lunch/lodging stops along this route, but heed Paul Glave's advice when traversing such open stretches of real estate: gas early and often.

Enjoy! :usa

[w7lej1]

I travel I-90 from Spokane east to MN/IA about once a year, and west to Seattle multiple times a year. (Mostly in a cage.)

The section from Billings, MT south and east through MT/WY to the SD border is pretty desolate. I would think that in most of the other sections either direction, gas/food will be no more than 30 miles (+/-) apart.

Critters on the road? I would be VERY cautious riding that route after dark. I've seen more critters on the road, and the aftermath, than I want to encounter on the bikes. If you come that far west, check out the tall fences on either side of I-90 between Ellensburg, WA and Snoqualmie Summit.

My 2 cents worth. Enjoy the trip, be safe!

[BMW Triumphant]

About what "pretty desolate" means? I will be heading west. I plan on seeing Mt Rushmore and then heading west to Seattle area. Should I plan that leg carefully to ensure I can get accommodation?

Thanks for the response.

[PGlaves]

About what "pretty desolate" means? I will be heading west. I plan on seeing Mt Rushmore and then heading west to Seattle area. Should I plan that leg carefully to ensure I can get accommodation?

Thanks for the response.

No problems across SD. From the SD line across Wyoming it is sparce, with basically Gillette between SD and Buffalo. Then Sheridan. Montana is also sparce in spots. Look at a map that gives a sense of population/size. Some maps show towns with no good way of discerning whether it is 4 buildings at a crossroads or a town of several thousand folks. In doubt, look up the population or use mapping software with points of interest to get a feel for lodging choices.

[Polarbear]

Our West is big, but not so big you should worry so about overnights and gas. Yep, some towns are a lot further apart than Eastern locales, but even our smaller 6 gallon Beemers can find gas easily. Sounds like you've not traveled West much and its good you ask, but worry little my friend, you'll be fine. The 90 corridor is a fine, beautiful ride for Interstate usage. Montana has NO daylight speed limit, safe being the guideline only:). Some speed postings are present, but not enforced IF you are safe and prudent. Most are still 70-80mph, but watch for the occasional fly by:). LBH is a cool National Monument to visit, right on Montana90:). Randy

[widebmw]

Montana has NO daylight speed limit, safe being the guideline only:).

If you should get stopped tell the officer that Randy said it was OK.

http://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/speed_limit.shtml

[BMW Triumphant]

If you should get stopped tell the officer that Randy said it was OK.

http://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/speed_limit.shtml

I have never had a speeding ticket, and at my age, don't even walk fast. I'm sure I'll find a speed that is comfortable and not be holding up traffic, but the trip is not intended to set any records.

Sounds like I-90 will turn out ok for my trip, but I will do lots more map study - not leaving until June, so I have the time.

Sure do wish some of the chain hotels would have a website feature that would let you enter the highway number and get a listing of their locations along the route. Don't web site guys ever travel?

[w7lej1]

+1 on Paul G's advice. Between the SD/WY line and Billings, "sparse" doesn't mean completely uninhabited - just means plan your gas/food/lodging stops ahead. For the rest of the route, you can be more relaxed about planning stops.

Now I am not sure how much time you have, but if it were me (and I've done this) I'd ditch I-90 west of Spearfish and take the less-traveled route. Much more senic but slower (duh...) I've been on 212 and state highways over much of the section between Spearfish and Spokane. Lots to see. PM me if you want ideas.

Oh, and respectfully contrary to Polarbear's comment - I do believe I-90 in MT is now posted at 75 MPH.

Regards,

[PGlaves]

Now I am not sure how much time you have, but if it were me (and I've done this) I'd ditch I-90 west of Spearfish and take the less-traveled route. Much more senic but slower (duh...) I've been on 212 and state highways over much of the section between Spearfish and Spokane. Lots to see. PM me if you want ideas.


Between Whitewood, SD (east of Spearfish) and Billings, MT the two lanes through Belle Fourche and Broadus (34 and then 212) is 60 miles shorter than staying on I-90, and more interesting in a desolate sort of way. Gas at Broadus.

[w7lej1]

Exactly what I had in mind!

And of course, the Beartooth, Yellowstone, some good (as in senic) MT and US secondaries, and US 12 over Lolo Pass are not too far "off course"...

[BMW Triumphant]

I found the 212 hwy on the map. Looks interesting.

I suspect there are plenty of great roads in the area. Will have to do some timing estimates to see how much time I will have in the area.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

[rsbeemer]

Your question is....is there many critters in the road on I 90? The answer is, yes and no. When you are looking down the road and from side to side looking for a critter, there is no critter. When you day dream for just a moment or blink or reach back to see if its warm between your pillon riders legs, that is when there is a critter in the road. I have been down I90 more than once and didn't see a critter until I wasn't looking for a critter. There are big prong horned antelope in Mt. that can jump a 5 foot fence and sprint across the road before you can say, damn. It's a little scary at 90mph. If you leave early in the morning, say at just sun up, you will probably see more critters than if you waited. At night, you are just asking for trouble. Ride safe, ride smart.

[alzyck]

....There are big prong horned antelope in Mt. that can jump a 5 foot fence and sprint across the road before you can say, damn...

This got brought up a while back after somebody here hit a Pronghorn. IIRC, they can't/won't jump a fence. They go under the fence.

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showpost.php?p=585598&postcount=6

[PGlaves]

This got brought up a while back after somebody here hit a Pronghorn. IIRC, they can't/won't jump a fence. They go under the fence.

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showpost.php?p=585598&postcount=6

The Pronghorn around here can jump fences but generally don't jump fences. A wildlife biologist explained to me that they are prone to injuring their rather spindly legs when landing after a jump so they don't jump much. But they can if they decide to do so.

[rsbeemer]

Those experts forgot to tell the pronghorn I saw. I didn't see him jump the fence getting into the roadway but I did see him jump the fence after he passed in front of me. The little honk I gave him might have encouraged him or her a little. I have also seen first hand a brahma cow, and a white tail deer do the same. Bottom line is that you never know what is going to happen, just be attentive to your surroundings. And, adjust your speed to the conditions as usual. Lots of wildlife at dawn , dusk and night. Although, all three of these jumpers were in the middle of the day.

[flymymbz]

If you have the time....

After Mt Rushmore, head west on 16 to I-90. From Gillette, head north on 14/16 towards Arvada. It will loop back to I90, or you can stay on 14 until you get to Sheridan. A couple miles north/west of Sheridan, 14 heads west. Stay on that until you get to Lovell. It is a WONDERFUL alternative to I-90. When you get to Powell, you can either stay on 14 and head for Yellowstone via the east gate, or head north on 310, then west over to red Lodge and over the top of Beartooth Pass and down into Yellowstone through the north gate.

Then from West yellowstone, head down 20 towards Idaho Falls, then over to Arco, ID. Just west of there is Craters of the Moon NP. very cool.

two choices from Arco: Head north on 93 and up through Salmon and into Montana, then over Lolo Pass. Or: Stay w/b on 20 to Mtn Home, and it'll dead end on hwy 78 at Grand View, ID. take 78 north/west up to Homedale and then meet up again with Hwy 20 at Vale, OR. 26 w/b to John Day/Prineville/Madras, OR. Then north up to the WA/OR border at Hood River. Then you can visit Mt St helens and Mt Rainier before the last leg into Seattle.

Did almost all of that route on a 250cc Honda Rebel a couple of years ago (Central WA, then a Guzzi rally in John Day, then up to Duluth MN). Plenty of fuel stops and places to stay. But I have been on all of those roads on a bike.

I hate I-90. :-)

Dee