Which route into montana

[thomasinnv]

I'm going to be leaving New Plymouth Idaho in a few days heading for Stevensville Montana. I am looking at 2 possible routes and would like some suggestions.

Route 1: hwy 95 north to Grangeville, hwy 13 to kooskia, then 12 east to 93 and down.

Route 2: head east through horseshoe bend and garden valley to hwy 21, north to hwy 75 then north to 93 and up.

Either way is about the same in mileage, and I know theres a lot of mountains. Is one way horribly worse than the other?

[luvrbus]

I would catch 62 over to Emmet then catch 55 at Horseshoe bend 55 to New Meadows then 95 to 13 @ Grangeville and 12 @ Kooskia. 55 is the best route for a bus with plenty of pull off and a cool drive then you can stop in Emmet and load up on fresh cherries,not many options for you going North in Idaho.We are headed to Garden Valley next week to our place I can't wait to get out of the AZ heat

Safe Travels        

[opus]

I would not go 93 up through Salmon...not a chance.  Go the western route up 95.  That will be a slow ride too but not near as slow as 93.

[luvrbus]

Keep in mind on 95,21 or 93 if you have 4 vehicles behind you have to pull over at the marked pullout and stop so they can pass it's the law, you don't have that 55 it's mostly 4 lanes now all the tour buses run 55 fwiw.For the drive 21 is the best it runs along the river but the 30 mph is a killer and there are some good 2nd gear mountains between Garden Valley and Stanley and last year with the construction it made for a long day with all the blasting and rock removal