On day 103 of “The Ultimate USA Road Trip” we drive from Gardiner to Billings, Montana. In addition to this route, there is another route to Billings, which depends on the season and winter conditions. You can drive back to Mammoth and take the Grand Loop Road, US-212 and the Beartooth Highway to Billings. The Beartooth Highway is open from Memorial Day (the last Monday in May) through October 15, weather permitting. The Beartooth Highway is absolutely spectacular, you drive through several national forests, past the highest peaks of Montana, numerous mountain lakes and waterfalls. Take winter temperatures and the chance of snow into account. Plan ahead and bring warm clothes. More information about the Beartooth Highway is included with a link in this review.

We drive north to Livingston. The first 30 kilometers we drive on US-89 and then take the East River Road, which runs parallel to the Yellowstone River. We drive through a valley at an altitude of approximately 1400 meters with snow-capped mountain peaks on either side that reach heights of more than 3000 meters. The surroundings are beautiful and there are several parking spaces along the route to stop and enjoy the view.

A coffee break is planned in Livingston before we take Interstate I-90 towards the airport, which we leave after about 9 miles to take the beautiful winding Mission Creek Road, Swingley Road and West Boulder Road that follows the course of the West Boulder River. follow it to State Highway 298 near the town of McLeod, where we take a short break at the Holly's Road Kill Saloon, a nice stop in “the middle of nowhere”.

We continue the drive on the S-298 to Big Timber, where after refueling we take the “Old US Route 10, later US Highway 10, (US 10). It was a State Highway in Montana from 1926 to 1986. It was largely replaced by Interstate 90 (I-90) and I-94. This road winds through beautiful Montana along the Yellowstone River.

In Reed Point we stop for lunch at “The Waterhole Saloon,” which has been a Reed Point staple since 1975. From the moment you walk through the front door, you are a friend. They encourage you to make your mark, just as those before you have done, by punching change into the wooden beams, or nailing a license plate to the ceiling, or posing for a picture framed and hanging on the wall . Take your time and enjoy all your lunch and all the items hung, nailed, stapled or mounted in this salon. It's not luxurious, but it's authentic Montana. The next stop is only a 45-minute drive but highly recommended, in the town of Laurel we stop at the "Caboose Saloon", an authentic saloon that is popular with motorcyclists.

We drive to Billings via a small detour past the Canyon Creek Battlefield Monument. The monument commemorates the Battle of Canyon Creek, which was a military engagement in Montana Territory between the Nez Perce Indians and the 7th Cavalry of the US Army. The battle was part of the larger Indian Wars of the latter 19th century and the immediate Nez Perce War. It occurred on September 13, 1877, west of present-day Billings in Yellowstone County, in the canyons and banks around Canyon Creek.

After we scored another Poker Chip at Beartooth Harley-Davidson we drive to Billings where we spend the night. Billings is a nice town with a historic Down Town Area, cozy restaurants and bars. There are also a number of museums in the city.