Question about the move to Bozeman (Dillon, Whitehall: home, weather, children)

[KatWrangler]

What is the terrain (drivingwise) from Southern Cal to Bozeman? We are thinking it will take us 2 days to drive (about 1100 miles). Does that sound right? We have two small children and a cat. We don't plan on pushing it, but hope to make Salt Lake City the first night.

[Montanaman1]

I usually stop short of SL. It takes 12 to 14 hours. I usually start out about 4AM. Twelve hours is a long time for adults, much less kids. Take your time. With kids I would take three days and enjoy the trip.

Good Luck.

Rick

[Montanaman1]

About terrain. After the climb out of So Cal it is high desert untill nearly SL. No mountain climbs untill you get to the divide in Montana. If the roads are clear its freeway all the way. You should have no trouble.

Rick

[Montanaman1]

Just checked the Montana Weather cams. There is light snow on the Bozeman Pass on Interstate 90. Monida Pass on I-15 has snow also, but the road is clear.

Rick

[ladyflyfsh]

My friend who moved here from San Diego would drive by way of Las Vegas and St George, Utah and overnight in St George then home the second night. From SLC it is about a 7 hr drive to Bozeman if the weather is ok. Monida Pass is the one you always have to watch for coming from Dubois, Idaho to Montana state line. Then go to Dillon off I-15 and take the road to Twin Bridges and hang a left at the flashing light, go up the valley to I-90 and wave when you pass the big blue silos on Hwy 55 and get on the interstate at Whitehall and you will be 56 miles from Bozeman. By taking the cut off to Dillon, you cut off a big triangle from your drive. All the truckers take this route and you will save lots of time instead of driving all the way up I-15 to Butte and then across. Hope that all makes sense to you.
To lookup highway reports for Montana go to http://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/

[ladyflyfsh]

I meant the cutoff to Twin Bridges from Dillon...sorry