📷 Photo by Michael Kirsh on UnsplashGoing-to-the-Sun Road, west to east
Fifty miles of cliff-edge road across Glacier National Park. Check vehicle size limits first.
- Distance
- approx. 82 km (51 mi)
- Driving
- 0 h 55 min
- Suggested days
- 2
- Stops
- 3
- States
- MT
- Best time to go
- June–September
- Tolls and vignettes
- None expected
- Updated
- August 23, 2026
At a glance: 2-day road trip of about 82 km (51 mi) with 3 stops, from Whitefish to Many Glacier Campground. About 0 h 55 min of driving in total. Best time to go: June–September. No toll roads expected for a car. Mountain passes: Going-to-the-Sun Road (Logan Pass) (2,026 m, usually open July–September). Size limits for motorhomes: Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier NP (MT) (length 20 ft 12 in (6.4 m), height 10 ft 0 in (3.1 m)).
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Photos along the route
Route description
From Whitefish, US-2 leads east through the Flathead Valley to West Glacier, the western entrance to Glacier National Park. Going-to-the-Sun Road first follows the long shore of Lake McDonald through cedar forest, then climbs along the cliffs of the Garden Wall with the valley dropping away below. The road tops out at Logan Pass at 6,646 feet, where the visitor center and trails into the alpine meadows make a natural stop.
Between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun, vehicles or combinations longer than 21 feet, wider than 8 feet including mirrors or taller than 10 feet are not allowed, so larger motorhomes must drive around the park on US-2 over Marias Pass. The road is usually fully open only from late June or July to mid-October, and in some years a vehicle reservation is needed in summer, so check the park website before you set off. Parking at Logan Pass fills early in the morning.
From Logan Pass the road descends the east side past St. Mary Lake, where the land opens toward the plains, to the village of St. Mary. From there, US-89 runs north to Babb and the road west into the Many Glacier valley, ending at a trailhead campground among lakes and peaks. This is grizzly country, so keep bear spray within reach on every trail and store food as instructed.
Which stops are on the route from Whitefish to Many Glacier Campground?
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Whitefish
MT - 268 km
Logan Pass – Going-to-the-Sun Road
ViewsWest Glacier, MTThe high point of Glacier's cliff-hugging road at 6,646 feet. Vehicle size limits apply, and reservations may too.
- 314 km
Many Glacier Campground
CampingBabb, MTA trailhead campground on Glacier's wild east side. Keep bear spray within reach.
How do you drive the route from Whitefish to Many Glacier Campground in 2 days?
2 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Whitefish → Logan Pass – Going-to-the-Sun Road · 42 mi · 0 h 45 minOvernight nearby, for example: Heart of Glacier RV Park & Cabins (14 mi); Johnson's Campground and RV Park (14 mi).
- Day 2: Logan Pass – Going-to-the-Sun Road → Many Glacier Campground · 9 mi · 0 h 09 minOvernight at the campsite itself.
When is the best time for the route from Whitefish to Many Glacier Campground?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Cold, short days in November–March. Mountain passes on this route are usually open July–September. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
What should you know before driving the route from Whitefish to Many Glacier Campground?
No toll roads expected for a car. Mountain passes: Going-to-the-Sun Road (Logan Pass) (2,026 m, usually open July–September). Size limits for motorhomes: Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier NP (MT) (length 20 ft 12 in (6.4 m), height 10 ft 0 in (3.1 m)).
- Going-to-the-Sun Road (Logan Pass) (2,026 m). Usually open July–September; outside that window the road can be closed by snow. Alternative: US-2 goes round the south of the park all year.
- Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier NP (MT). Size limits for motorhomes and trailers (length 20 ft 12 in (6.4 m), height 10 ft 0 in (3.1 m)). Alternative: US-2 goes round the south of the park, or take the park shuttle.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
More routes for the best months
Practical guides for this route
Photo by Malivez on UnsplashDriving in the US: The Rules European Visitors Most Often Get Wrong at the Wheel
Photo by Aleksandr Dalakian on UnsplashFuel, Tolls and Distances: Practical US Driving Math for Motorhome and Camper Travelers
Photo by Tracy Zhang on UnsplashUS national parks: entry fees, passes and reservations in plain terms
Themes
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FAQs
How long is Going-to-the-Sun Road, west to east?
2-day road trip of about 82 km (51 mi) with 3 stops, from Whitefish to Many Glacier Campground. About 0 h 55 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Going-to-the-Sun Road, west to east?
We suggest 2 days: about 0 h 55 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Going-to-the-Sun Road, west to east start and end?
It starts in Whitefish and ends in Many Glacier Campground.
Which states does Going-to-the-Sun Road, west to east pass through?
Montana.
Where can you camp along Going-to-the-Sun Road, west to east?
OpenStreetMap lists 37 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Montana Basecamp, Kalispell North KOA and Mountain Meadow RV Park & Cabins.
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