Montana Highway 200

Montana Highway 200 is a state highway in the United States that spans across the state of Montana, connecting the Idaho state line to the North Dakota state line. The highway passes through various Montana counties, including Sanders County, Montana, Missoula County, Montana, Granite County, Montana, and Fergus County, Montana. It intersects with several major highways, such as U.S. Route 93, U.S. Route 12, and Interstate 15. The highway is maintained by the Montana Department of Transportation and is an important route for both local and regional travel, passing through cities like Thompson Falls, Montana, Missoula, Montana, and Lewistown, Montana.

● Route Description

Montana Highway 200 begins at the Idaho state line, where it connects with Idaho State Highway 200, and travels east through the Rocky Mountains, passing near Glacier National Park and the Flathead National Forest. The highway then continues through the Missoula Valley, where it intersects with U.S. Route 93 and Interstate 90, before entering the Great Plains region of Montana. Along the way, it passes through the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge and the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, which is home to the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. The highway also intersects with U.S. Route 191 and Montana Highway 16, which provide access to Yellowstone National Park and the Beartooth Mountains.

● History

The construction of Montana Highway 200 began in the early 20th century, with the first sections of the highway being built in the 1920s and 1930s. The highway was initially designed to connect the Idaho state line to the North Dakota state line, providing a direct route for travelers and commerce. Over the years, the highway has undergone several improvements and realignments, including the construction of new bridges and the widening of existing roadways. In the 1950s and 1960s, the highway was upgraded to a modern paved road, with the installation of new guardrails and traffic signals. Today, Montana Highway 200 is an important transportation artery for the state of Montana, providing access to Billings, Montana, Great Falls, Montana, and other major cities, as well as popular tourist destinations like Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and Big Sky Resort.

● Major Intersections

Montana Highway 200 intersects with several major highways, including U.S. Route 93, U.S. Route 12, and Interstate 15. The highway also intersects with Montana Highway 28, which provides access to Flathead Lake and the Flathead Indian Reservation, home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation. Additionally, the highway intersects with Montana Highway 35, which connects to Polson, Montana and the Flathead National Forest. Other major intersections include U.S. Route 2, which connects to Glasgow, Montana and the Fort Peck Dam, and Montana Highway 200S, which provides access to Circle, Montana and the Makoshika State Park.

● Traffic Volume

The traffic volume on Montana Highway 200 varies depending on the location and time of year. According to data from the Montana Department of Transportation, the highway carries an average of around 1,000 to 5,000 vehicles per day, with higher volumes near major intersections and urban areas like Missoula, Montana and Lewistown, Montana. The highway is also an important route for truck traffic, with many commercial vehicles using the highway to transport goods and commodities, such as wheat and cattle, between Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota. The highway's traffic volume is also influenced by tourism, with many visitors traveling to Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and other popular destinations in the region, such as Big Sky Resort and Whitefish Mountain Resort.

● Junction List

The junction list for Montana Highway 200 includes several major intersections, such as U.S. Route 93 near Missoula, Montana, U.S. Route 12 near Garrison, Montana, and Interstate 15 near Shelby, Montana. The highway also intersects with Montana Highway 28 near Elmo, Montana, and Montana Highway 35 near Polson, Montana. Other notable junctions include Montana Highway 200S near Circle, Montana, and U.S. Route 2 near Glasgow, Montana. The highway's junction list is maintained by the Montana Department of Transportation and is updated regularly to reflect changes in the highway's route and intersections, including those with Idaho State Highway 200 and North Dakota Highway 200.

● Geography

Montana Highway 200 passes through a diverse range of geographic regions, including the Rocky Mountains, the Great Plains, and the Missoula Valley. The highway traverses several major rivers, including the Clark Fork River, the Blackfoot River, and the Musselshell River, which are popular for fishing and boating. The highway also passes through several national forests, including the Flathead National Forest and the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, which offer opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. Additionally, the highway passes near several notable geographic features, such as Glacier National Park, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, and the Beartooth Mountains, which are popular tourist destinations and offer stunning natural beauty, as well as access to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Teton National Park.