Bill On The Road
  • ROAD TRIP IDEAS
    • SIGHTSEEING
    • AMERICA
    • ROAD QUIRK
  • Interviews
  • Get My Books
  • Tips
  • Appearances
  • About Bill On The Road
    • About Bill Clevlen
    • Media Kit Request
    • Booking Information
  • Contact
REDISCOVER AMERICA
Road Trip To San Antonio, Texas
Finding The American Dream – Why I Wrote...
This is the Covered Bridge Capitol of the...
This Is The Most Beautiful Drive In America
Covington Georgia is the Hollywood of the South
Columbia: A Gateway To South Carolina
Tennessee’s Country Music Passport
Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas
Quincy, Illinois – An Authentic River Town
Things To Do In Little Rock Today
  • ROAD TRIP IDEAS
    • SIGHTSEEING
    • AMERICA
    • ROAD QUIRK
  • Interviews
  • Get My Books
  • Tips
  • Appearances
  • About Bill On The Road
    • About Bill Clevlen
    • Media Kit Request
    • Booking Information
  • Contact
0

Bill On The Road

AMERICAFeatured

This Is The Most Beautiful Drive In America

by Bill Clevlen July 26, 2020
by Bill Clevlen

The most scenic drive in America is located between Red Lodge and Cooke City, Montana. The Beartooth Highway is an all-American road that winds through both Montana and Wyoming, ending up at the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The highway first opened in 1936 and has also been noted as one of the most dangerous drives in America because of its zigzags and switchbacks.

Of course “most beautiful” is certainly in the eye (or car) of the beholder, but you don’t have to take my word for it. Long time road trip expert and legendary CBS broadcaster Charles Kuralt agreed that the Beartooth is the greatest drive in the U.S.  Kuralt, who was first to use the phrase “on the road” during his travel broadcasts with Walter Kronkite, called the Beartooth “America’s best scenic route.”

The most beautiful drive in America is the Beartooth Highway

The highway, or “scenic byway” is about 68 miles and can be accomplished in two hours. However, you’re likely to stop for photos more than a handful of times. You’re also likely to drive round-trip depending on where you’re lodging. In other words, mark off an entire day to do the experience justice. Some of the steep roads and sharp turns will require you to take your time regardless. This is not a drive I’d recommend for an RV or extra large vehicle. While not likely, it’s possible to even encounter a freak snowstorm in the middle of summer because of the high altitudes along the way! At its peak, the Beartooth Highway climbs nearly 11,000 feet. If you’re prone to altitude sickness, you may want to keep this in mind.

So what makes the Beartooth stand out among the best drives in America? For me, it’s the only place I’ve been around the United States where you get the feeling that you’re on another planet. That’s hard to explain to someone that’s never taken the drive. I frequently mention the Beartooth Highway when I speak to groups about travel, and you can tell when someone in the audience has experienced the drive for themselves – they smile and nod in agreement.  The colors are amazing and landscape is so unique. You’ll want to plan your trip between Memorial Day and the middle of October because the weather can make it impossible to pass through the rest of the year. While I didn’t spot any wildlife during my drive, the area is home to black bears, grizzly bears, moose, goats, and more.

If you’re looking for places to stay, the nearest big city is Billings. Red Lodge also has places to stay and a really fun little downtown with shops and places to eat.  Cooke City, at the other end of the highway, is much smaller. You’ll find some gift shops and a couple of places to eat but overall, it’s very small.

 

Another thing to plan for is phone reception. While it may have been upgraded since my last visit, I recall the area being mostly a dead zone for Verizon which tends to have great coverage in most places. In fact, the nice people at the Cooke City tourism office were nice enough to let me use their “wi-fi” connection so I could do a radio broadcast while I was in their town. Be safe and pack some extra food, water, blankets, and other items you would tend to pack for any other unpredictable drive. Odds are you’ll be just fine, but it’s always good to be prepared just in case! Check ahead for any road closures before you start your journey.

If you’d like to learn more about the Beartooth Highway, including places to camp, ski, hike, etc – you can visit beartoothhighway.com.

1
FacebookTwitterPinterest
Bill Clevlen

Bill Clevlen is a travel journalist, broadcaster and freelance writer based in Saint Louis, Missouri. His stories can be heard on radio and television, including on SiriusXM Satellite Radio or read in traditional media outlets like The Los Angeles Times. He's the author of four travel books - 100 Things To Do In America Before You Die, Driving Across America An American Road Trip For Kids, and Finding The American Dream.

previous post
A Saint Louis Union Staycation
next post
Safely Visiting The Smokies In 2020

1 comment

Gary July 26, 2020 - 6:17 pm

I’ve been reading about that road for years Bill – looking for the greatest drives in America – and it’s always right near the top – along with the Going to the Sun Road up in Glacier NP and The Tail of the Dragon out in the Smokies. It’s on my “get there soon list” and if you recommend it, that surely makes it a “must do”!

Comments are closed.

Buy My Latest Travel Book!

Finding The American Dream

Follow Bill On Instagram!

billontheroadusa

Happy 75th birthday to Dolly Parton! Was there any Happy 75th birthday to Dolly Parton! Was there anything cooler than being in her presence back in 2019? Uh.. no. The photo with her statue was from 2016. #travel #dollyparton #dollywood #pigeonforge #ontheroad #birthday #tnvacation #2021 #dollyblog
Martin Luther King, Jr lived here as Pastor of Dex Martin Luther King, Jr lived here as Pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama from 1954-1960. I featured the house, which you can still tour, in my latest book, Finding The American Dream. 

While I was there in February 2019, I happened to notice a man from the neighborhood walk by the house and stop in his tracks. He dropped to his knees and said a quick prayer, before continuing his walk. It was pretty touching, and a reminder of what MLK meant to many people who grew up in that generation.

#travel #mlk #famoushomes #history #ontheroad #martinlutherkingjr #montgomeryAL #visitalabama  #america #usa #roadtripping #civilrights #holidays
Howdy gals, I’d like to wish you a happy Nationa Howdy gals, I’d like to wish you a happy National Hat Day! 😉  Flashback to filming a fun segment on how cowboy hats are made in Bryan, Texas. Yee haw! #travel #cowboys #nationalhatday #texas #bcs #visittexas #roadtrips #usa #fashion
Fun interview today with @chicagopizzatours! Be su Fun interview today with @chicagopizzatours! Be sure to watch our conversation about all things pizza and learn about their guided tours in @choosechicago! You can find the full segment on our Facebook, YouTube, and Rumble channels. #pizza #chicago #pizzatours #roadtrips #food #ontheroad #yum #interviews
Flashback to the night I played the washboard at a Flashback to the night I played the washboard at a bar in Lafayette, Louisiana. What a fun night in America’s happiest city! 😁🇺🇸 #travel #ontheroad #lafayette #america #music #cajan #instruments #louisiana #ontheroad
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a 35 mil Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a 35 mile stretch of coastline along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Just don’t roll down the hill, or you’ll spend an entire day trying to get back to the top. #travel #michigan #traversecity #roadtripping #findyourpark #outdoors #america #water #lakemichigan #puremichigan
So much fun interviewing the Founder of @natdaycal So much fun interviewing the Founder of @natdaycal - the #1 trending social media topic of all-time! Marlo Anderson is a stand up guy who turned a blog into a huge enterprise and found his own American Dream. Happy to call him a friend. You can see our segment on my Rediscover America YouTube channel. #travel #nationalday #holidays #ontheroad #livestream #america #fun #northdakota #interviews #roadtrips
For me, the worst part of 2020 was not being able For me, the worst part of 2020 was not being able to speak to audiences in-person. I have so much fun telling stories and talking about travel to great people all over the country. Hoping that I get back to that soon! #travel #ontheroad #usa #america #roadtripping #libraries #books #KC #traveling #meetingsandevents #2021
Just finished the first live video of 2021! I must Just finished the first live video of 2021! I must be part Italian because I can’t talk without waving my hands around. And I love lasagna. So, there’s that. 😁 #travel #ontheroad #livevideo #midwestteavel #2021 #roadtrippin #usa #visitamerica #bill #livestreaming
Ready for another year of adventure. I’m excited Ready for another year of adventure. I’m excited about the places I’ll be visiting in 2021, including some cool outdoor experiences. #travel #parks #roadtrippin #stl #moparks #usa #outdoorsy #hikesofinstagram #newyear #midwest #travelblogger #freshair
First “live” of 2021 happens on Monday afterno First “live” of 2021 happens on Monday afternoon! Join me for a look at 20 road trip ideas that start in St Louis! Based on my top performing post of 2020, I’ll share some other advice and ideas for your travel plans! RSVP now on my Bill On The Road Facebook page, or watch later on our new YouTube channel. 🇺🇸🙄 #stlouis #stl #roadtrips #travel #missouri #midwest #usa #2021 #traveling #facebook
Let’s try this again... Happy New Year! Here’s Let’s try this again... Happy New Year! Here’s hoping to less BS and more road trips in 2021! 😉🇺🇸 #travel #roadtrips #2021 #nye2020 #traveling #usa #overitalready #newyears #midwest #new #america #ontheroadagain #freshstart
I’ve seen my share of waterfalls but this will a I’ve seen my share of waterfalls but this will always be one of my favorites. Bond Falls is so beautiful, and can’t be truly captured on camera. It’s located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.  #waterfalls #daup #travel #midwestravel #water #ontheroad #nature #hiking #usa #michiganphotographer #bondfallsmichigan
Celebrating the end of this stupid year by giving Celebrating the end of this stupid year by giving you 20% off everything in my online store until the stroke of midnight 2021! Get all four of my travel books for a great discount to say good riddance to 2020! Link to site is in profile! 🇺🇸 #travel #books #ontheroad #endoftheyear #midwesttravel #2021 #travelingram #roadtripping #sales #newyears #usa #american
This cherry filled French toast from Door County m This cherry filled French toast from Door County may be the only good thing to come out of 2020.  #travel #foodies #doco #frenchtoast #doorcounty #wisconsin #roadtrippin #yum #foodphotos #2020sucks
One of my favorite spots in San Antonio, Texas is One of my favorite spots in San Antonio, Texas is The Pearl! You can find a local farmers market, some good BBQ, and shopping. #travel #texas #roadtrips #usa #lovetexas🇨🇱 #thepearlsanantonio #travelingram #sanantoniotx
Happy one year anniversary to the Saint Louis Aqua Happy one year anniversary to the Saint Louis Aquarium! #stl #travel #underthesea #explorestl #fish #unionstation
How about a Gulf Shores sunset? #travel #gulfshore How about a Gulf Shores sunset? #travel #gulfshores #ontheroad #usa #sunsets #alabama #beautiful #roadtrippin #2020
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! 🎄 #christma Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! 🎄 #christmaseve #travel #ontheroad #midwesttravel #2020 #happyholidays #seasonsgreetings #usa
This was so fun to be a part of! Thank you to HEC- This was so fun to be a part of! Thank you to HEC-TV and longtime friend, Victoria Babu for featuring me in this long form interview. It was fun to share my story and talk about my latest book. If you’ve watched the segment, let me know! #travel #ontheroad #hectv #stlouis #visitmo #books #reedypress #interviews
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Have You Seen These Stories?

  • 1

    Top 20 Road Trips From Saint Louis

  • 2

    Top 20 Road Trips From Kansas City

  • 3

    Top 20 Road Trips From Dallas

  • 4

    How To Tour The White House

  • 5

    A Look Inside The National Corvette Museum

LATEST TRAVEL TIPS

Subscribe for the latest road trip ideas, behind the scenes updates, travel tips & videos from Bill On The Road!

viagra here kamagra kokemuksia here
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Email

@2021 - Bill On The Road | Rediscover America


Back To Top