OT - road report on Highway 2

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: OT - road report on Highway 2
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tyrone Thomas - Topeka KS on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 04:19 pm:

Grandson and I have been building our Model A Speedster to drive from Everett, Wa to Bar Harbor, Me along hwy 2. Looking at hwy 2 on google earth and youtube the hwy looks like a good road.
I would like to ask anyone who drives or has driven hwy 2.
What is the speed limit?
Is it a safe road or accident prone?
Lots of big trucks?
Good all weather condition?
Does it have wide shoulders?
Anything else?
Plenty of camp sites or motels?

Thank you for any help.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stan Howe Helena, Montana on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 04:50 pm:

Hwy 2 in Montana is close to 700 miles long, goes across the northern edge of the state. It ranges from a river valley in the west across the mountains south of Glacier park to the prairies of eastern Montana where towns are 25 to 75 miles apart. It is a good road all the way. More truck traffic in the east as you get closer to the oil fields in North Dakota and Montana. Speed limit is 70, traffic will be running 75-80. Lots of camp site, motels, whatever you want. Do not plan to stay anywhere east of Wolf Point, Montana until you get close to Minot, North Dakota. $200 will barely get you a room and there may not be any available. That's the Bakken oil field. If I were you I would swing south down to Circle, Montana, go east on the Interstate to somewhere in central Dakota and then get back on HWY 2. You will get run over in a speedster around Williston.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Walt Berdan, Bellevue, WA on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 05:22 pm:

I am not a fan of Highway 2 in Western WA for any vintage vehicle. I've done it with my speedster in years past but the traffic is getting a lot worse and the road is no better.

I'd head north from Everett on Highway 9, then take Highway 20 East over the North Cascades (great scenery and far less traffic). Catch Highway 97 South in Okanogan, then Highway 17 South to get back on Highway 2 East near Coulee Dam.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Walt Berdan, Bellevue, WA on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 05:29 pm:

Speed limits in WA will range from 50 to 60 on these 2 lane highways. Highway 20 closes in the winter while 2 is open with minor exceptions for snow clearing or avalanche control. Highway 2 and the reasonable alternatives are all northern and go through some beautiful mountain ranges with all of the joys and weather that you might expect.

Towns and parks/campgrounds are pretty plentiful along the way in WA.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kenneth W DeLong on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 05:45 pm:

2 is a great road to go slower and see more!Been from western WA to the east end of da up of Mi but are you going to drop down or go through Canada?? It would also be a shame not to see Glacier and you can go through instead of around? Bud.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Walt Berdan, Bellevue, WA on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 06:15 pm:

Bud is right about Glacier. The Going To The Sun road across Glacier National Park is simply SUPER in an open car.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Seth - Ohio on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 06:20 pm:

Can you post a road map of which Highway 2 you are following? There are a couple of different ones across different states


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tyrone Thomas - Topeka KS on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 11:03 pm:

Dennis I wish I was smart enough to be able to give you a map. The best I can say is Hwy 2 going from the west coast to Mackinaw city, mich. Hwy 23/46/25 south and East to Port Huron/Sarnia into Ontario. Through Ontario to Niagara. Then North and East along hwy 11 to Northern Vermont, pick up Hwy 2 again and follow it into Maine and then veer off to Bar Harbor.

Hope this help gives you and idea. To my way of thinking this is the most direct route with towns spaced decently for night stops and mostly for avoiding big cities.

I have been on Hwy in Vermont. I liked it for the scenery, only slow going because of all the small towns you have to slow down for.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By brass car guy on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 11:05 pm:

Have driven hiway 2 for many years both east and west. You will not have any issues going east bound even going up the west side of Stevens Pass.

Depending on the time of year (it's a mt pass and there is snow)4500 ft elevation. Wide shoulders lots of turn outs up and over. After you leave Wenatchee, the road becomes a typical 2 lane country road, slim shoulders but not a lot of traffic. The Waterville hill will be your biggest challenge short up and a bit steep but doable, has wide shoulders and only about 5 miles long until you are up and now mostly flat and no traffic.

All the way to Spokane the roads are good and less travelled. When you get to Davenport Wa look up Mike Stormo, great model t guy. In Spokane stop at Antique auto Ranch a great place to stop and browse and they are great model t guys, they run the Montana 500 every year.

There are plenty of places to camp and stay in some are off the road a bit but easily reached. From Spokane east thru Idaho and Montana roads are good and not heavily traveled. you will encounter big rigs mostly agriculture related.

When do you plan to take this adventure?

brasscarguy


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tyrone Thomas - Topeka KS on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 11:21 pm:

Kenneth, The sun road will be part of the trip. Going to take two days break there, Duluth, Niagara. Basicly driving 3-4 road days, stopping for two days, etc with oil change and tune up half way through - Duluth.

Figuring 71 +/- road hours (excluding off day driving), 3200 +/- miles (excluding off day miles).
313 miles longest day, 110 shortest day. 266 average day miles. 13 road days, 6 off days to relax and be a tourist. Will have support vehicle run ahead to secure night stops. The time of year(2015) will be determined by averaging past yearly weather records.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tyrone Thomas - Topeka KS on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 11:24 pm:

I want to go East to West because of the greater population in the East. I want to be fresh figuring the east route will have the greatest volume of traffic and small towns to slow for.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tyrone Thomas - Topeka KS on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 11:27 pm:

Thank you brass guy. Great info.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 11:49 pm:

Just so we're all on the same page, the highway under discussion is US 2, not any of the many state highways with that number. The speed limit will vary from state to state. If you're anything like me, not a fan of cold weather, I'd say go in late July during what folks in more southerly states call the dog days of summer. Northern summers, especially at higher altitudes, are short. I've been snowed on in the Rockies in the middle of August.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric Hylen- Central Minnesota on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 11:54 pm:

US 2 in Minnesota is pretty busy with truck traffic. It's two-lane from Duluth to Grand Rapids and that will be difficult, unless you can average 60 mph. People will pass you at unsafe times. From Grand Rapids to Grand Forks, it's mostly four-lane divided, with a 65 mph speed limit. That should actually work a little better as you'll be able to cruise along in the slow lane. The scenery is great, I drove it a lot when I was a heavy haul driver.

Be sure to stop in Shevlin for a visit with Mike. He's a nice guy and he'll probably show you the killing floor where all the '26/27 parts are harvested.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Alexander in Albion, Maine on Thursday, October 16, 2014 - 06:26 am:

In Maine it is a major E-W highway. Lots of commercial traffic. Good road with lots of recently rebuilt sections from VT thru ME.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kevin Whelihan on Thursday, October 16, 2014 - 06:57 am:

I'll pick it up from Eric Hylen. Currently there construction on the RT2 bridge in Superior. South bound lanes are open, but that may change here soon. The alternative route is take I-35 to Blatnik Bridge (Hwy 53) and take that south to RT 2 again. RT 2 in WI carries a lot of logging truck traffic. Plus, depending what time of year you are travelling, Lake Superior can cause some issues. An alternative route might be to take RT 27 at Brule, WI down through Hayward, WI to RT 70 at Stone Lake, WI. You can take 70 to Iron Mt. Michigan and pick up RT 2 there. Less traffic, fewer trucks. If you are serious about planning this, PM me when you are ready to head through this country and I'll update you on road conditions here.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tyrone Thomas - Topeka KS on Sunday, October 19, 2014 - 10:06 pm:

thank you all for the info. i was looking for a reason not to do this and you supplied me of this. Not that i will not do it but you have made me aware of the hazards and plan accordingly.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lance Sorenson, Hector, Minnesota on Sunday, October 19, 2014 - 11:50 pm:

Highway 2 wasn't that busy when my brother needed a ride.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Burger in Spokane on Monday, October 20, 2014 - 12:16 am:

Why are we stuck on US 2 ? Get the State Gazetteers for those you'll cross and take the road less traveled !
You can almost always find a near parallel route on county roads that are often as good or better than the
highway, AND you get to drive at YOUR pace and without all the nutjobs.

Call me weird, but when I travel and the reason is "good time", my emphasis is on "good" more than "time". :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Monday, October 20, 2014 - 01:44 am:

Sounds like fun. I grew up just south of highway 2 in Northern Minnesota. Erick and Kevin gave good advice. Beware of the speed trap in Cohasset and have breakfast at the cafe in Deer River. Bemidji and Grand Rapids are the only towns of any size between Fargo and Duluth. A good place for lunch is Dotties in Grand Rapids. Order the California Burger with a slice of cheddar cheese. You won't want to leave. Floodwood's truck stop use to be a good place to eat. Try to drop south through Duluth and avoid the Miller Hill area. Trucks aren't allowed on the hill because it's so steep and they follow a route down around the South side. Plug your nose when you go through Cloquet. The paper mill pretty much stinks up the whole valley. Northern Wisconsin is beautiful. It's always been one of my favorite places to visit. Most of all have fun. If any trouble arises let us know. Most of us are only a couple hours from there at the most.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Monday, October 20, 2014 - 01:46 am:

Sorry Eric. The k just seemed right.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Monday, October 20, 2014 - 09:00 am:

Burger is correct. Many times the county and township roads are a better Model T choice than the main highways.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Dufault on Monday, October 20, 2014 - 09:18 am:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/us2.cfm

AND

http://www.roadtripusa.com/routes/greatnorthern/greatnorthern.html

(Message edited by Adave on October 20, 2014)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Dufault on Monday, October 20, 2014 - 09:25 am:

So..learning curve here...steep...can't edit the edit!
must "copy and paste" the black link above - cannot make it an "active" link.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Burger in Spokane on Monday, October 20, 2014 - 10:01 am:

Another suggestion is to ask (as you are doing here) about places along the way that others think are worthy of seeing,
and keep a file that you can take with you. I always find it tough to remember all the good tips people have suggested
when I am out on the road, and seem to only remember those great spots when they are 200 miles behind me !


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By brass car guy on Monday, October 20, 2014 - 10:59 am:

If you do decide to use Hi way 2 I suggest that those of us along the route, prepare a more detailed list of road conditions and add any relevant information, regarding road conditions and places to visit, club members along the way.

If we do this Tyrone can print them off and carry them with him for reference for his adventure. We can add phone numbers in case of an emergency.

just sayin,

brasscarguy


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Miller, Sequim WA on Monday, October 20, 2014 - 12:58 pm:

Tyrone, here is the Washington DOT website for Stevens pass on Hwy 2. It is the best way to watch the weather since snow is common in the Cascade Range. It did start snowing a little a few days ago in the mountains around here and the DOT keeps Hwy 2 pretty clear in the winter. Have a great time.

http://www.wsdot.com/traffic/passes/stevens/


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John H. Nichols on Monday, October 20, 2014 - 02:40 pm:

If you take Rt. 11 north into VT, then that tells me you are coming thru not far from me in NYS. I live about 10 miles from FT Drum NY, and Rt 11 is
real good condition thru Jefferson Co., NY as it is thru St Lawrence Co Also.

When you get near me, about 1 day after Niagara, Falls, be aware if you need assistance let me know.

Enjoy the scenery and do you realize how many you are making envious?

John


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By brass car guy on Monday, October 20, 2014 - 03:35 pm:

We used to have a circle tour around the perimeter of the State Of Washington. What made this tour fun was anyone could jump in and go on the tour as short or far as they wanted.

My point is why not join in on Tyrone's tour when in your area. Sorta cheer them on and enjoy some touring at the same time.

just sayin,

brasscarguy


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Walt Berdan, Bellevue, WA on Monday, October 20, 2014 - 07:02 pm:

Brass Car Guy -

I'd be interested in the route you used for the circle tour. Here is fine if it's simple or an email to wberdanatcomcastdotnet if that is more convenient.

Thanks,
Walt


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tyrone Thomas - Topeka KS on Monday, October 20, 2014 - 09:37 pm:

the trip will be in late summer. Hopefully after school starts and before the grain trucks begin.
With good weather this weekend I'm going to see how far it travels on two gallons of gas along a flat and rolling hill back highway. I'm guessing 23-25 plus mpg @ 50 mph. The car carries 12 gallons of fuel.
Next need to decide how far I can travel in one day comfortable. 200 or 300 miles. Will do that next year after new tires are installed. Will do that driving around kansas in three days.
With your guy's info, I'll look for lesser traveled roads in high volume areas.

You have provided all valuable info.


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