frontage road from billings to livingston

[big blue cat]

I've been planning multiple trips for 2014. Can anybody help getting from Billings to Livingston, Mt. without getting on I-90. How's the scenery? will be coming from Red Lodge, Mt.
Thanks for any help.
Scott

[indyfabz]

Use Google bike directions. Routes you on some unpaved roads (including one called Convict Grade Rd.). What you can see on Street View looks pretty good. Could be an adventure.

Problem is that it's 122 miles. You could stop in Big Timber (86 miles from Billings). There is a campground in town. Looks like nothing but a school in between so plenty of food and water would be advisable.

[jamawani]

Why?

First off, you don't seem to be making any sense - coming from Red Lodge - then heading west unless you are doing some kind of loop.  In which case, why ride along I-90??

Second, Old US 10 has been cut off in a number of places - so even where there seems to be a service road alongside I-90, it dead ends and you have to climb over a barbed wire fence and, maybe, dash across the interstate to get to the shoulder to ride on for a while.

If you are doing a loop, I would suggest heading up to US 12, then down thru Wilsall.

[CMajernik]

If you are starting in Red Lodge you can use Hwy. 78 from there to Columbus (on I-90). Between Columbus and Livingston, a distance of 77 miles, there are several places you will have to use I-90 because there are no other roads to ride.  Between exits 400 and 392, between exits 354 and 350, and between exits 343 and 337, a total of 18 miles, you'll have to be on I-90. The remainder of the distance you can use frontage roads, sometimes on one side and then on the other side of the freeway.