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Old 06-11-2010, 11:33 AM
 
Location: SE PDX
569 posts, read 1,819,351 times
Reputation: 126

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My girlfriend is making the trip from Chicago to Portland, Oregon and will be traveling west via interstate 94 through Minnesota, the Dakotas, Montana, Washington, and into Oregon. What type of terrain will she expect while traveling on interstate 94 through Montana? Will she have to make mountain passes? Are there large switchbacks or downgrades to expect and where? Any general information would be great!!! Thanks for any help.
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Old 06-11-2010, 12:20 PM
 
Location: Bozeman, Montana
1,191 posts, read 3,001,439 times
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Interstate 94 goes to Billings, then it is Interstate 90 west of Billings. There are mountain passes, but no switchbacks on the interstate. The steep one in Montana that she will drive over is Homestake Pass just east of Butte, but don't worry, she will be fine.

I'm assuming you know I 94 does not go all the way to Portland.

From I 90 in Montana, Idaho and Spokane, Washington, you then go south to I 84 that takes you to Portland. That's assuming she isn't going all the way to Seattle first, then south. There is a state road 395 south of Spokane that cuts off a lot of miles if she wants to take that route.


Hope this helps.
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Old 06-11-2010, 01:00 PM
 
Location: SE PDX
569 posts, read 1,819,351 times
Reputation: 126
Quote:
Originally Posted by happiness is View Post
Interstate 94 goes to Billings, then it is Interstate 90 west of Billings. There are mountain passes, but no switchbacks on the interstate. The steep one in Montana that she will drive over is Homestake Pass just east of Butte, but don't worry, she will be fine.

I'm assuming you know I 94 does not go all the way to Portland.

From I 90 in Montana, Idaho and Spokane, Washington, you then go south to I 84 that takes you to Portland. That's assuming she isn't going all the way to Seattle first, then south. There is a state road 395 south of Spokane that cuts off a lot of miles if she wants to take that route.


Hope this helps.
You got it. Thats the exact route she will be taking. State road 395 south will connect her up to interstate 84 in Oregon. Thanks for the info!
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Old 06-11-2010, 01:13 PM
 
Location: Motown
323 posts, read 1,131,285 times
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It's not a bad drive at all in technical terms - just LONNNNGGGGG. West of Billings is where it starts to get really interesting - IMHO - though all areas have their beauty. Just watch out for animals in the road way!
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Old 06-11-2010, 01:29 PM
 
Location: SE PDX
569 posts, read 1,819,351 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by electric_lady View Post
It's not a bad drive at all in technical terms - just LONNNNGGGGG. West of Billings is where it starts to get really interesting - IMHO - though all areas have their beauty. Just watch out for animals in the road way!
Oh thats good to hear! I'm glad the drive will be scenic. Oh no animals! What kind of animals are we talking about??
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Old 06-11-2010, 02:19 PM
 
Location: Spots Wyoming
18,700 posts, read 42,041,465 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sharkylittleton View Post
Oh thats good to hear! I'm glad the drive will be scenic. Oh no animals! What kind of animals are we talking about??
Deer, antelope, elk, bear, moose are the large ones. Skunks, badgers, birds, porcupine are the smaller ones.
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Old 06-11-2010, 02:20 PM
 
Location: Bozeman, Montana
1,191 posts, read 3,001,439 times
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Usually just deer in some areas, but most often only in early morning or twilight evening hours.
There are "watch for deer" signs in areas where they commonly bolt across the road and in front of a car.
Like this:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/...db3513e584.jpg
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Old 06-11-2010, 09:10 PM
 
Location: NW Montana
6,259 posts, read 14,670,675 times
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Here is a helpful site, good luck
Montana Department of Transportation Traveler Information Map
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Old 10-13-2020, 05:27 PM
 
1 posts, read 2,605 times
Reputation: 12
She'll be fine I've been out there a few times West and eastbound to Boise Idaho and a few times, and into Washington State a few times. I tell you it is Beautiful. Keep your eyes on the road, I always tried to do my daytime driving through there and park for the evening anytime I could. Have a safe journey
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Old 10-13-2020, 10:59 PM
 
7,378 posts, read 12,659,218 times
Reputation: 9994
Quote:
Originally Posted by Annie19560707 View Post
She'll be fine I've been out there a few times West and eastbound to Boise Idaho and a few times, and into Washington State a few times. I tell you it is Beautiful. Keep your eyes on the road, I always tried to do my daytime driving through there and park for the evening anytime I could. Have a safe journey

Welcome to the forum and C-D! Good advice, but the OP's girlfriend (probably) made that trip 10 years ago. I assume she arrived safely. The OP hasn't been active for 7 years. You'll get used to checking the dates of the original posts.

My heart skipped a beat when I read Elkhunter's post --where did those 10 years go?
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