Driving from Livingston to Bozeman

[dianerippe]

Originally Posted by hamilton6

I was wondering how the drive from Livingston to Bozeman was during the winter? My husband was offered a job in Big Sky but rentals are outrageous there and Bozeman is also high. Livingston has lower rent but is a distance away. Driving does not bother us. We drive about 50 miles to work now but... was curious about HWY 90 during the winter.

Thanks

Hi, I love Livingston and I am thinking of relocating there and realize I would need to work in Bozeman, I hear it is really windy on the Bozeman Pass, however lots of people do it everyday. Maybe speaking to the Sherrifs Office might help. That is my next move as I too am wondering about the winter drive.gues I was not much help...

[MTer]

Originally Posted by dianerippe

Hi, I love Livingston and I am thinking of relocating there and realize I would need to work in Bozeman, I hear it is really windy on the Bozeman Pass, however lots of people do it everyday. Maybe speaking to the Sherrifs Office might help. That is my next move as I too am wondering about the winter drive.gues I was not much help...

I don't believe the wind is the big concern at the pass itself. Rather, the pass and road to/from it can get pretty slick. Going up to the pass from Bozeman, the road winds quite a bit for a number of miles. I've seen vehicles who have lost their tow load (over on their sides) around some of those curves, for example, and those were when the roads were dry. Past the pass, going down to Livingston, there are also some pretty sharp curves for a number of miles.

The wind is really bad towards, in, and beyond Livingston (so some miles east of the actual pass). I've heard that area called the windiest spot in the U.S., and I believe it. I've had the feeling more than once that my vehicle door would be ripped off upon opening it in Livingston. Even driving a 1/2 ton pick-up, I've been pushed by the wind heading down towards the Livingston exits. I don't know if the wind gets that strong when the highway is icy (I stay off the roads when they're icy), but if it does, I would NOT want to be on that road then.

Be aware also that mountain passes occasionally get shut down when the snow is too bad. That could mean you get stuck on one side or the other until the road opens again.

The pass is on the interstate, which means too many people think 75 is a safe speed to go anytime. It's not, especially in winter. And any time of year, those curves require a slower speed as well.

[mtopenrange]

They've just started a bus service from Bozeman to Big Sky. There's more info in this article, it looks like a great thing! http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/11/29/news/state/40-bus.txt (broken link)

I live in Livingston and commute to Bozeman. We sometimes have work in Big Sky in the summer and winter, although it's not a daily thing. In the summer it's about a 1 1/2 hour drive and the winter more like a 2 hour drive, so I wouldn't recommend it as a daily commute. Also, if you're considering Belgrade, I have a nice smaller house (1-2) BR that I rent for $650, which might come available in the spring.

The wind is definately a consideration for Livingston, especially the last couple days! If you don't like the wind, you may not like Livingston. The worst part of the winter driving, for me at least, is when the wind blows the snow sometimes causing white-out conditions, then when semi's come by, it's even harder to see. When it gets like this, I've come to the point where I don't make the drive, it's too dangerous.

[Larkin]

We live on the Bozeman Pass (between Livingston and Bozeman) and it never lives up to its reputation. Though there are chain up areas, I've never seen chains required in the 15 years I've been here. It's less than three miles over the pass, and if you are sensible you won't have any problems. Once in a great while, it is closed (sometimes due to an accident) but it's no worse than any other interstate anywhere eles. The drive to Big Sky is something else. I wouldn't take a job there unless they also provided housing. The bus thing looks like it might make it possible, but I would check it out thoroughly before committing to employment and a move. (i.e. make sure the schedule matches up... often these things are provided for the convenience of skiiers, which is not the same as a workingperson's schedule at all at all.)