Community Forums

Deemax · 07-17-2022, 07:10 AM

Anyone done a route like this before? We need to go via Texarkana but open to any recommendations. Will be towing a mini cooper behind our 36ft Tiffin 34pa
Guesstimating 10 days for the trip

MN_Traveler · 07-17-2022, 09:25 AM

I would stay away from both the co front range and also salt lake city (both are a pita to drive in an rv).

If you go through texarcana, from there i would go something like us 71 to i40, west to ok city, then north on i35 and 135 to i70 west to denver. Then north on i25 to billings (picking up i90 along the way). Then west on 90 to missoula, then go north on us 93 to kalispell.

You will hit a little bit of denver and the northern part of the front range, but at least it will be minimalized

Btw, as you go through colorado, keep a close eye on your fuel stops … co seems to have a sparsity of truck stops … wanting you instead to fuel up with diesel at smaller gas stations…

DKRITTER · 07-18-2022, 07:24 AM

Lots of choices.

Out of Texarkana might suggest going to Paris and north on the Indian Nation Turnpike to I-40, if you don't want to pay the toll go to Gainesville and catch 35 to Salina then Denver and I-25.

twogypsies · 07-18-2022, 11:21 PM

10 days from Florida to Montana would not be very enjoyable, in my opinion.

Deemax · 07-19-2022, 06:38 AM

Exactly what we were thinking, thanks for the advice

andy29847 · 07-19-2022, 11:32 AM

Texarkana on 82 to Whitcha Falls, 287 to Amarillo, I-40 through Amarillo to 1061 north to 385 to 87 to 64 to Raton, NM.

I-25 north at Raton to Casper, WY, 20 west to 120 to Cody, north to Laurel, MT, I90, west on I-90 to Big Timber, MT, 191 north to 87 west to I-15 for a short section near Great Falls, to 89 to 2 to Kallispell.

Things along the way:

Palo Duro Canyon, Capulin Volcano National Monument, Pikes Peak, Wind River Canyon, Buffalo Bill Museum.

**hamm2018** · 07-20-2022, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deemax

Anyone done a route like this before? We need to go via Texarkana but open to any recommendations. Will be towing a mini cooper behind our 36ft Tiffin 34pa
Guesstimating 10 days for the trip

Where are you staying in the Kalispell area?

Deemax · 07-21-2022, 07:02 AM

We have a reservation at West Glacier RV Park but also looking for more places to stay from around 18 August if you have any suggestions as things are pretty full. Open to staying on private property as well

**hamm2018** · 07-21-2022, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deemax

We have a reservation at West Glacier RV Park but also looking for more places to stay from around 18 August if you have any suggestions as things are pretty full. Open to staying on private property as well

We spent a week at Spruce Park on the River, it is Evergreen. It is about a
20-minute drive to the West Entrance. The park was never 100% full while we were there. Right across the road from Spruce Park is another RV park, maybe Glacier Pines.
Make sure you have your vehicle reservation to get into the park at West Glacier. If you do not have a reservation, you will not be allowed in until after 4 pm. Right across the road from Spruce Park is another RV park, maybe Glacier Pines. Also due to road construction, Going to the Sun Road is closed 10pm to 6am, also there is one lane restrictions for about 1/4 to 1/2 mile coming in from West Glacier.

We had seen about 1/2 dozen parks along RT 2 going to Glacier from Kalispell area.

F4Gary · 07-21-2022, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy29847

Texarkana on 82 to Whitcha Falls, 287 to Amarillo, I-40 through Amarillo to 1061 north to 385 to 87 to 64 to Raton, NM.

I-25 north at Raton to Casper, WY, 20 west to 120 to Cody, north to Laurel, MT, I90, west on I-90 to Big Timber, MT, 191 north to 87 west to I-15 for a short section near Great Falls, to 89 to 2 to Kallispell.

Things along the way:

Palo Duro Canyon, Capulin Volcano National Monument, Pikes Peak, Wind River Canyon, Buffalo Bill Museum.

Right through downtown Denver?

andy29847 · 07-21-2022, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F4Gary

Right through downtown Denver?

I wouldn't do that. Not unless it was the middle of the night. Otherwisw, I'd do 470 to the east side. I live on the east coast and my Denver driving experiences have been much like Atlanta. The land between Denver and Kansas is nearly a desert. The roads to the west of Denver and in the mountains. If I wanted to avoid Denver, I'd get off I-25 in Pueblo, take 50 west to 9, take 9 north to 14, then 14 north to 125 and into Wyoiming. The mountain route is ~50 miles longer but will be scenic. The route is the steepest near Breckenridge.

shootist · 07-31-2022, 06:38 AM

Don't have any suggestions for getting as far as Billings. I've driven the 90 in from Kentucky and it's flat, high speed and was windy in the spring. Once in Montana you have 3 choices. Going north to the high line, highway 2, and over Marias pass. Takes you by Glacier park's west entrance. Option 2, the 90 all the way to Missoula, then north on the 93. You will pull homestake pass just before Butte. 93 will have several small towns you slow for in the first half, second half is along the west shore of flathead lake. Don't drive the 35 on the east shore. Third and shortest, most scenic option is turning off the 90 at three corners and coming through Helena. You'll pull McDonald pass which is much easier than homestake. The only caution is coming up the 83, the swan valley. It is loaded with deer and elk. Do not drive it at night, early morning or evening. My last time was 2 months ago in the evening and I kept it slow in a car and had at least 4 close calls. Daytime it is smooth sailing.