Don't take route advice from billboards

[okmunky]

Traveling in WY on I-90 north between Gillette and Buffalo, I see billboards that say "best route to Yellowstone, least grade, most scenic, SAFEST, take US16".

Ok, so I do and it takes me thru some beautiful 6% inclines up over mountains still covered in heavy snow. The roads are clear, except at the top where it is snowing with 40 mph winds and whiteout conditions.

Ok, made it thru the snow and head downhill. Snow is gone, easier driving, until I see a road construction sign that states, "pavement ends 1500 feet". Only options are to charge forward or go back over the mountain. So forward I go and sure enough, the pavement ends and for 2 miles, semed like 20, we drive down thru a muddy, potholed winding gully and then back up to pavement. A larger rig or one pulling a toad might not have made it thru.

So, if you are headed to Yellowstone, don't take US 16 west from Buffalo. And I'll NEVER take route advice from a billboard again!!

[W4RLR]

Especially when they tell you about "South of The Border" or "We Bare All". I detest those signs.

[RVThere]

Barb - If you're heading from I-90, Rt. 16 IS the good route. I did Rt. 14 past Sheridan and it was WAY worse.

If you're leaving Yellowstone and going east, I found the best route is Cody to Thermopolis to Shoshoni to Casper.

[JimM68]

16 and 14, or the towns and people along them, have been playing "the best route to yellowstone" game for many years. I think 16 ir the prettiest, 14 the fastest and easiest.

The construction is temporary. and the billboard was there first.

[okmunky]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVThere If you're leaving Yellowstone and going east, I found the best route is Cody to Thermopolis to Shoshoni to Casper.

We are headed west to Seattle, eventually, it's NICE to be retired and not have any deadlines or haf-to-bes

We left Yellowstone late yesterday and are parked in a K-Mart parking lot in Butte, MT. Woke up to thunder and heavy rain and I am a little concerned about snow in the mountains, but I hear they keep I-90 clear. Guess I should check MT road conditions, huh?

[CD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by okmunky We are headed west to Seattle, eventually, it's NICE to be retired and not have any deadlines or haf-to-bes We left Yellowstone late yesterday and are parked in a K-Mart parking lot in Butte, MT. Woke up to thunder and heavy rain and I am a little concerned about snow in the mountains, but I hear they keep I-90 clear. Guess I should check MT road conditions, huh?

It depends on what you call "clear". If open and traffic is getting through OK, then yes they do a good job. If it is bare pavement & no ice, then at times they just can't keep up. Good idea to carry chains.

[Lindsay Richards]

We just left Yellowstone this morning after 5 days there. We saw all that was open. We opted for the easy route through Bozeman and down on 191 to West Yellowstone. Didn't bother the DW who hates mountains in the RV. We got into some very heavy falling snow at Craig's Pass. The snow plow had made a tunnel 8 to 10 feet high in places. That is the way you have to go if you come in the South Gate through the Tetions. Things are clearing quickly it seems. We had sleet this morning as we left though. Some old timers said the snow pack was the thickest in 50 years, but being an old timer myself, I know they exaggerate. I also have had the Work Horse brake problems and try to avoid hills as much as possible.

[okmunky]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindsay Richards Some old timers said the snow pack was the thickest in 50 years, but being an old timer myself, I know they exaggerate. ...possible.

Now what ever gave you that idea? Exaggeration is only from old fishermen.