Between Seattle and Billings, where would you stopover?

snoozy · #1 03/04/14, 06:13 PM

So, it's looking like we will be driving to Billings, MT from the Puget Sound region. Where would you stopover on the way? I've never driven east of Sand Point, Idaho. What's there to see?

maddy · #2 03/05/14, 04:33 AM

Don't know when you plan to leave, but if the pass is open, I'd definitely begin my journey by taking the North Cascades Highway (Hwy. 20) from Everett to Colville. Absolutely stunning, approximately 7 hour drive. You won't regret it.

limey · #3 03/05/14, 07:34 AM

I have done that drive in reverse. We stopped in Moses Lake in a motel right on the lake - it was beautiful even in winter.
Limey

Callieslamb · #4 03/05/14, 09:59 AM

Moscow, ID...and see my grandkids!

snoozy · #5 03/05/14, 10:34 AM

The North Cascades Hwy is closed, been over it many times and it is gorgeous. It's not so much Washington State I'd like to know about -- we know what we've got here.

So what's Moscow like, besides being the State Seat of your grandchildren?

What's Missoula like?

Molly Mckee · #6 03/05/14, 10:50 AM

Missoula would be a good stopping place. It's a great town with just about everything you could want. Some good restaurants, the U of MT is there.The traffic can be bad, but not compared to Seattle. Do you want to sight see or just sleep? Moscow is out of your way.

bajiay · #7 03/05/14, 11:00 AM

I live about an hour from Billings. May I ask why Billings?
Missoula is nice. Have great stuff in the summer. A really neat carousel and park on the river. Not too much in the winter that I know of. Other than avalanches...

They have a really cool compound pharmacy there. If you're into that sort of thing. But I'm the medical geek!

bluefish · #8 03/05/14, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bajiay

May I ask why Billings?

Hehe, I've been wondering that, too.

bajiay · #9 03/05/14, 11:55 AM

Yeah...it's the armpit of Montana...
I was just there yesterday...

snoozy · #10 03/05/14, 12:33 PM

We're going to pick up a doggie!

snoozy · #11 03/05/14, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Molly Mckee

Missoula would be a good stopping place. It's a great town with just about everything you could want. Some good restaurants, the U of MT is there.The traffic can be bad, but not compared to Seattle. Do you want to sight see or just sleep? Moscow is out of your way.

I really wonder what the concept of traffic can be in Montana, when the biggest city has all of 162K people...

I know somebody in Missoula, and it is about halfway there.

bluefish · #12 03/05/14, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snoozy

I really wonder what the concept of traffic can be in Montana, when the biggest city has all of 162K people...

It's awesome! I've been in Seattle a few times and I love having tiny 'big cities'!

bajiay · #13 03/05/14, 12:39 PM

Ok a doggie is worth it.

If you get lost or need something just holler!

bluefish · #14 03/05/14, 12:42 PM

Yeah, wave as you go by!

Molly Mckee · #15 03/05/14, 11:18 PM

The problem in Missoula is the rivers and bridges--or lack of bridges. They haven't build new bridges as the population grew. The U is there so there are lots of students 9 months of the year and tourists in the summer. Not being able to cross the rivers without traffic backing up is a problem. There is a huge fabric store that is kind of hidden and the Elk Foundation which has a great museum in Missoula.

I spent time in Seattle while I lived outside of Houston and worked in Houston. Houston is easier to get around in. Again, lots of water, not enough bridges.

cfuhrer · #16 03/05/14, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snoozy

The North Cascades Hwy is closed, been over it many times and it is gorgeous. It's not so much Washington State I'd like to know about -- we know what we've got here.

So what's Moscow like, besides being the State Seat of your grandchildren?

What's Missoula like?

Moscow is Pullman's sister city. It has the National Appaloosa Museum and the National Lentil Museum.

I would suggest trending north through Spokane and Cour de Lane (sp). There is a Cabella's in Post Falls. Plenty of casinos along the route if that is something you're into.

Not sure where it falls on the route between Puget Sound and MT but there is an old silver mining town in Idaho. I think it is actually called Silver City.

bajiay · #17 03/05/14, 11:42 PM

There's a Cabela's in billings as well. Off of south blvd I believe.
There are a lot of one way streets there that do not make ANY sense at all since there were three different men that designed the road system. It can be a pain if you're downtown...just a warning!
Kinda neat to go up airport road to the lookout of the city...when it's a clear day. So much pollution from the refineries that doesn't happen often though.
Some decent places to eat off of King Avenue. Texas Roadhouse, Hu Hot, Johnny Carinos, Ribs n Chops....yum...
Hope you have fun!

LisaInN.Idaho · #18 03/06/14, 12:10 AM

I would head up thru Bonner's Ferry, Idaho and into Montana through the beautiful Kootenai country by Libby and into Kalispell and Whitefish, stop by Glacier (if this is a summer trip) for sure. Gorgeous drive.

And if you're in the neighborhood by Sandpoint, check out the world's most beautiful lake: Priest Lake. Absolute paradise.

Fat Sheep Farm · #19 03/06/14, 01:19 AM

I'd have to agree that Missoula would be a good stopping point for a very long day. I've made that drive from Kitsap County to Missoula in one day before. Howdy, by the way. I live near you somewhere here in KC.

farmerj · #20 03/06/14, 03:08 AM

I drive a semi so my requirements are a bit different.

650-700 miles is a long day. But doable on a regular basis.

Realistically if your goal is to make tracks, going out, you can make butte Mt in a day and then get to billings and back to Missoula with Seattle finished the third day.

Little under 1650 miles round trip Seattle to Billings and broken into 3 easy days.
That's how I'd plan it out.