There are many great motorcycling roads in Montana, but if you want to make the most of a cross-state ride, U.S. Route 2 across the northern part of the state offers the most variety on a single stretch. From the Idaho border on the west side to North Dakota on the east, this road takes riders from Rocky Mountain forests and whitewater rivers to the wide-open plains of Big Sky Country, skirting away from big cities in favor of small towns and communities.
U.S. Route 2 crosses 665 miles through Montana, and much of it follows the Hi-Line railroad. Riding from west to east gives riders immediate sights and mountain riding followed by a final laid-back cruise through the plains. Ride the other direction for a gentle start and rewarding finish.
On the western side of the state, the first stop should be Kootenai Falls. This was the filming site of the waterfall drop scene in the 2015 movie The Revenant, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio as Hugh Glass dropping down the falls to escape his pursuers. For views of the Kootenai River, ride a little farther to the Swinging Bridge.
Continue east through Kalispell, the largest town on the highway, before entering Glacier National Park. The road through the park follows the Flathead River and offers grand mountain views and shaded forests. Here, U.S. 2 climbs up to Marias Pass and the Continental Divide at 5,220 feet. At this point, you’ll find monuments to Theodore Roosevelt, in honor of his preservation efforts, and John F. Stevens, who routed the Great Northern Railroad over the pass.
As you exit the park and continue east, the mountains fade in your rearview and the plains open up around you. From here on, you’ll enjoy big skies and stops at small towns teeming with history. Browning, home of the Blackfeet Indian Nation, offers the Museum of the Plains Indian and the Blackfeet Heritage Center and Art Gallery. A little farther on is Shelby, home of the Marias Museum of History and Art.
Continue through the towns of Chester, Inverness, and Rudyard, where you can visit the Depot Museum and Dinosaur Museum. In Havre, you’ll find the Wahkpa Chu’gn Buffalo Jump archeological site and attractions like Havre Beneath the Streets, which takes visitors on a tour of the underground city used by businesses as Havre was being rebuilt after it was destroyed by a fire in 1904.
Other stops worth visiting as you ride through the open plains are the Bear Paw Battlefield just outside of Havre, the Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge, and the Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs in Saco. As you approach the North Dakota border, signs of human habitation become scarce, giving way to a peaceful and meditative end to your journey through Montana.
Location: Northern Montana
Distance: Approximately 665 miles
Ride Time: 12 hours (not including overlooks and stops)
Speed Limit: 25-70 mph
Best Direction to Ride: Eastbound or westbound
Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate
Best Bike Type: Sport-touring, touring, sportbike, cruiser