This Web site is designed to help you plan your trip to Montana. The site is packed with information about Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, and the northern Rocky Mountains. See: major highways; landscape.

 

TRAVEL ROUTES & REGIONS

Yellowstone Country

Southeast and south-central Montana is Yellowstone Country. A major southern route into Yellowstone Country begins at Glendive, near the eastern border of the state. This route follows I-94 and the valley of the Yellowstone River to Billings. Travelers from Wyoming often enter Yellowstone Country on I-90. When driving eastbound on I-90, Yellowstone country begins near Livingston. Some cities in Yellowstone Country are Glendive, Miles City, Forsyth, Billings, Red Lodge, and Livingston.

Gold Country

Southwest Montana is Gold Country. When driving west on I-90, visitors enter Gold Country west of Livingston. When coming into Montana from Idaho on I-90, Gold Country begins near Missoula. When driving north from Idaho on I-15, the first major town is Dillon. Prominent cities in this region are Bozeman, Butte, and Missoula.

Ranchland

Central Montana is Ranchland. This region lies in the drainage basin of the Missouri River. Travelers entering Montana from North and South Dakota can leave I-94 and theYellowstone Valley at Forsyth and take the central route, U.S. Highway 12, to Roundup, Harlowton, White Sulphur Springs, Townsend and Helena. Other major routes into Ranchland are U.S. Highway 87 north from Billings, U.S. Highway 87 east from Great Falls, and I-15 north from Butte.

Discoveryland

Northeast and north-central Montana is Discoveryland. U.S. Highway 2, a northern route into Discoveryland, begins at Culbertson, near the North Dakota border. This route passes through a vast, largely unpopulated region. Cities along the northern route are Culbertson, Glasgow, Havre, and Shelby. Great Falls is the only big city in this part of Montana. Many visitors enter Discoveryland from Canada on I-15.

Wilderness Country

Northwest Montana is Wilderness Country. West of Shelby, on U.S. Highway 2, the plains change rather abruptly to mountains. Important cities in this region are Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Kalispell, Polson, and Ronan. Glacier National Park is a part of this area of Montana. U.S. Highway 93, north from Missoula, is another good route into Wilderness Country.

Map Montana: a free highway map, produced by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), shows highways, cities, and waterways. The map of Montana also shows cultural and physical features. Visit Montana at 1-800-847-4868 also distributes a highway map. Before traveling, it's helpful to check Montana's Road Condition Report and the weather from the Weather Channel. MDT's 511 traveler information system offers 24-hour real-time information on winter driving conditions, a weather forecast, road construction, and road closures and major delays. Call 511 or 1-800-226-7623. Use Google for a digital map of Montana (caution very slow download).

Travel tip: Montana is far away from all major population centers in the U.S. and Canada. Still it is possible for millions of folks to drive to Montana in one day. Sometimes it's a long day! Possible day trips are: Seattle to Bozeman; Minneapolis or Winnipeg to Glendive; Salt Lake City to Kalispell; Calgary to Great Falls; Portland to Missoula; and Denver to Billings.

Visitor centers provide lots of information on things to do and see in Montana. The Wibaux Visitor Information Center is located on I-94 (Yellowstone Country) in Wibaux, near the border with North Dakota.

The Culbertson Visitor Information Center is located on U.S. Hwy. 2 (Discoveryland) at Culbertson near the border with North Dakota.

Other visitor centers are in Hardin, I-90 (Yellowstone Country near the border with Wyoming), in Dillon, I-15 (Gold Country near the border with Idaho), in Shelby, I-15 (Discoveryland near the border with Alberta), in St. Regis, I-90 (Gold Country near the border with Idaho), and at West Yellowstone.

Motoring is FUN in Montana! The speed limit for cars is 75 MPH on the Interstate Highways, outside urban areas. For other highways, the speed limit for cars is 70 MPH during the day and 65 MPH at night. On U.S. Highway 93 the speed limit is 65 MPH day and night. Traffic is mostly light. So there's plenty of opportunity to see and enjoy the spectacular scenery so common in every travel region.

Some folks may choose to fly to Montana. Modern airports are found in Montana's major cities. The Billings (BIL), Bozeman (BZN), Missoula (MSO), Helena (HLN), Kalispell (FCA), and Great Falls (GTF) airports are especially nice and all are served by major airlines and conveniently located near downtown areas. Bus transportation is available for many Montana cities. Check out Greyhound. Another choice, travel across Montana by train on AMTRAK'S Empire Builder.

Travel tip: Montana is in the Mountain time zone. When entering Montana from the east, one's watch should be set back one hour. When entering Montana from the west, one's watch should be set ahead one hour. Don't forget to call 800-847-4868 to get a free map of Montana.

*Source: Mileage data from Montana Department of Transportation. The M DT Web page has a link to the department's mileage calculator for computing mileage between other Montana cities.

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