This 2,600-mile highway is one of America's longest and prettiest with national parks, small towns, and stunning views

THERE'S something undeniably nostalgic about an American road trip — small towns come and go like mirages, and dramatic shifts in scenery make you feel like you’re passing through multiple countries in a single drive.

American roadtrippers have thousands of miles of road to choose from, but one of the most overlooked—and beautiful—routes in the U.S. runs from the East Coast to the West: U.S. Highway 2, aka “The Great Northern.”

While it may not be as famous as, say, Route 66, it’s just as special and gorgeous—best of all, it's delightfully uncrowded. The Great Northern still delivers all those classic, open-road feelings travellers are hungry for, and is the perfect antidote to interstate travel. It is slower, more scenic, and has tons of charming small towns, mountains, and even national parks along the way.

To fully complete this journey, you would have to drive into Canada part of the way. So, officially, U.S. Highway 2 is divided into two segments. There’s the 2,100-mile western stretch from Washington to Michigan, and a roughly 460-mile eastern portion from New York to Maine. Together, the route totals more than 2,600 miles, running through some of the country’s most iconic landscapes.

Here’s what you need to know before planning a drive along Highway 2, aka The Great Northern.

Best Time to Drive

In total, Highway 2 takes about 70 hours to complete—but you shouldn’t do it all in one go. Instead, give yourself about 10 to 14 days to take it all in, and budget plenty of time to explore, hike, and even camp along the way. The best time to drive it is from late June through early October, when mountain passes are clear and seasonal services are open throughout the highway. July and August are considered peak seasons in popular mountain areas, so accommodations can get expensive.

For a quieter, more visually appealing experience, September is ideal, with fewer visitors and early-fall colors emerging across the Great Lakes region. Winter can bring heavy storms and, more importantly, unexpected road closures, especially in the mountains.

Know Before You Go

Highway 2 crosses 11 different states: Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan in the west, before jumping over to New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine in the east. 

Road tripping on this quiet highway requires more planning than a typical interstate because there are long stretches of asphalt where towns, gas stations, and restaurants are far and few in between. It is especially important to top off on fuel whenever you can and keep extra food, snacks, and water in the car, since you can’t always count on finding services quickly. 

Cell phone reception can also be unreliable in remote areas, so don’t rely solely on apps for directions. Instead, go old school and pick up physical copies of maps at visitor centers across different states as a backup, and download routes directly to your phone.

Much of Highway 2 is designed for slow travel because much of it runs through small towns, crosses railroad tracks, and narrows into two-lane sections in some areas. You will also find locally owned restaurants like Lehto’s Pasties in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula or Spud’s Waterfront Grill in Sandpoint, Idaho, instead of your typical fast-food chains and big highway rest areas.

In the eastern portion of the highway, you’ll be able to stop in charming enclaves such as Burlington, Vermont, known as the headquarters of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and lovely New Hampshire towns like Lancaster and Gorham, the latter of which has a fun train museum.

Camping is another major highlight. The highway passes vast wilderness areas such as the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest in Washington, which has campsites and cabins. There are also multiple state parks along the way, including Montana’s gorgeous Whitefish Lake State Park, a quick detour off Highway 2 that’s famous for its idyllic scenery.

And, of course, there’s Glacier National Park, famed for its towering peaks, turquoise-blue waters, and majestic wildlife—it’s located directly off the highway. Although it isn’t located immediately on the highway, Acadia National Park is an easy detour to tack onto a Highway 2 road trip. Just drive about an hour south of Bangor, Maine, to reach some of the most scenic coastal sites on the Eastern Seaboard.

Stops Along the Route

The western part of Highway 2 begins in the coastal town of Everett, Washington, known for its gorgeous views of the Puget Sound, and quickly heads into the Cascade Mountains. There, you’ll find dramatic lookouts, especially at the 4,061-foot-high Stevens Pass. 

Further east, Wenatchee, Washington, dubbed the “Apple Capital of the World,” has plenty of hiking if you want to take a break and stretch your legs. “Our scenic trails running along both sides of the Columbia River are beautiful in every season, but in the spring, they are covered in native wildflowers that thrive in our high-desert climate,” says Ashley Sinner, director of Visit Wenatchee. “You can run, stroll, or bike while taking in the stunning views of the mountains and the river.”

For big city entertainment, Spokane is an easy stop at the intersection of Highway 2, Highway 395, U.S. 195, and I-90. This Pacific Northwest hub has a constantly growing culinary scene, a charming downtown filled with turn-of-the-century architecture, and Riverfront Park, a sprawling green space in the heart of the city. “To experience quintessential Spokane, ride the Numerica SkyRide for views of Spokane Falls and book a night at the historic 1914 Davenport Hotel, known for its restored Gilded Age elegance,” says Kate Hudson, public relations director at Visit Spokane.

As Highway 2 continues east, some of the route’s more iconic views can be found in Montana. Here, Highway 2 goes through the town of Cut Bank, a gateway to Glacier National Park. “Stop at the Glacier County Historical Museum & Archive for the area’s homesteading past or hike the easy, 2.3-mile Coulee Trail, with interesting geological features, rock spires, and a view of the Cut Bank Creek,” says Lucy Beighle, director of communications for Western Montana’s Glacier Country. “And, of course, in the park, you can’t miss the 50-mile-long Going-To-The-Sun Road, which takes you to magnificent lake views, historic lodges, mountains, waterfalls, and epic wildlife.”

In North Dakota, Highway 2 goes through the state’s northern plains, and you can pause at the Geographic Center of North America Monument in the town of Rugby for a quick photo stop. 

After entering Michigan’s Upper Peninsula toward the tail end of the western segment, you’ll come upon Manistique and Escanaba, two scenic port cities known for their Lake Michigan views and Midwest charm. “When I visit, I always stop by Upper Hand Brewery in Escanaba," says Becca Downs, a Denver-based writer who has driven Highway 2 solo more than a dozen times. “Highway 2 ends in St. Ignace, Michigan, where you must take in views of the Mackinac Bridge and a ferry ride to Mackinac Island, one of the most memorable end points of any American highway.”

After a 600-mile detour through Canada, the road picks up again in Rouses Point, New York, and winds its way to Lake Champlain at the Vermont border. With the Green Mountains on one side and the Adirondacks on the other, this stretch of Highway 2 feels like a quintessential East Coast drive as it passes through small towns and historic sites that date back to the American Revolution.

In New Hampshire, you will pass through White Mountains National Forest and sections of the famous 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail—the town of Gorham is a good place to stock up on any supplies, both for hikers and road trippers, before entering the last stretch of Highway 2 in Maine. Although you will certainly want to make some time for Acadia, you shouldn't pass up an opportunity to explore Houlton, Maine, the terminus of Highway 2. While here, you can take in quintessential inland Maine scenery at Houlton Riverfront Park, visit the Aroostook County Historical and Art Museum to learn about the local history, and treat yourself to a well-deserved slice of ‘za at Market Pizza.