Montana’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster: Lessons from a Well-Traveled Survivalist

I’ve driven through nearly every rugged corner of the continental United States, from Arizona’s sunbaked deserts to Alaska’s icebound highways. But when it comes to raw, untamed terrain—and unpredictable weather—Montana takes a special kind of grit. Under normal conditions, Big Sky Country already challenges most drivers. Add a disaster scenario, and you’ve got yourself a real test of survival skills.

Whether it’s a wildfire racing down a valley, a blizzard burying entire routes, or infrastructure collapse from earthquakes or floods, your vehicle becomes your lifeline. Knowing how—and where—to drive during a crisis in Montana is the kind of knowledge that can mean the difference between escape and entrapment.

Let me take you through Montana’s worst roads during a disaster, then arm you with 15 critical survival driving skills and 3 DIY hacks for when you’ve run out of gas, but not out of options.

The Worst Montana Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

1. Beartooth Highway (US-212)
   Beautiful? Yes. Deadly in a disaster? Absolutely. This high-altitude road climbs over 10,000 feet, with steep switchbacks and few guardrails. In a snowstorm or wildfire, it’s a death trap. Rockslides and zero visibility make it one of the first roads to avoid.
2. Going-to-the-Sun Road (Glacier National Park)
   Spectacular views, but it hugs cliff edges like a drunken mountain goat. It’s often closed by landslides or snow, and it’s far too narrow for panicked evacuations. In any kind of emergency, steer clear.
3. Montana Highway 200
   This is the state’s longest road, stretching over 700 miles through isolated terrain. Flooding, forest fires, or infrastructure failure out here could strand you hours from help. Not a place to get caught without a backup plan.
4. I-90 Through Homestake Pass
   One of the busiest and most mountainous sections of I-90, this pass near Butte is treacherous in winter. Pileups, black ice, and poor visibility are common. During a mass evacuation, this would quickly bottleneck.
5. MT-38 (Skalkaho Highway)
   This dirt-and-gravel back road over the Sapphire Mountains is gorgeous in summer but closed in winter. In an emergency, it can easily become impassable from downed trees or mudslides.
6. US-93 Through the Bitterroot Valley
   Often the only north-south option in western Montana. In a regional disaster, this could become a traffic-clogged artery with few alternative routes.
7. US-191 in the Gallatin Canyon
   Between Bozeman and West Yellowstone, this road runs alongside a river and between cliffs. Avalanches, falling rocks, and flooding are all hazards, especially in spring.
8. Montana Highway 35 Around Flathead Lake
   This narrow, curvy route hugs the eastern edge of Flathead Lake. Accidents and landslides are common, and there are few escape routes.
9. US-287 Between Three Forks and Helena
   Wind-swept plains and long, empty stretches. In a fuel shortage or snowstorm, you’re very exposed here.
10. Pintler Scenic Route (MT-1)
    This detour from I-90 between Anaconda and Drummond winds through thick forests—prime wildfire country. It’s beautiful but risky in fire season with limited cell coverage and few exits.

15 Survival Driving Skills That Could Save Your Life in Montana

1. Off-Road Navigation
   Know how to read a topographic map and drive without GPS. Trust me, satellites fail in disasters.
2. Manual Transmission Mastery
   Stick-shift vehicles offer more control on slick, steep, or icy terrain.
3. Engine Braking
   On Montana’s mountain roads, knowing how to downshift to slow down saves brakes and control.
4. Water Crossing Techniques
   Learn how to assess depth and current before attempting to drive through floodwaters. Most vehicles float—and stall—after just 6 inches of water.
5. Tire Patching on the Fly
   Sharp shale, debris, or fire-damaged roads can chew tires. Know how to plug a leak quickly.
6. Understanding Your Drive System
   Know if you’ve got AWD, 4WD, or 2WD. Use it properly—or risk getting stuck.
7. Fuel Efficiency Driving
   In a crisis, every drop counts. Ease off the gas, coast downhill, and avoid idling.
8. Driving Without Headlights
   In certain disaster zones, stealth is key. Practice low-visibility or night-vision-compatible driving.
9. Quick Egress Techniques
   Practice getting your vehicle turned around fast—without a 3-point turn.
10. Emergency Repairs
    Jury-rigging a fan belt with paracord, fixing a coolant leak with epoxy—small tricks, big payoff.
11. High-Centered Recovery
    Know how to get unstuck when you bottom out in deep ruts or snow.
12. Defensive Maneuvering
    Avoid panicked drivers, animals, or debris. Quick reflexes and awareness save lives.
13. Winch and Tow Strap Use
    Even a compact SUV can haul itself free with the right gear and technique.
14. Driving in Whiteout Conditions
    Slow, steady, and watch for snowbanks. Follow reflective markers or natural road edges.
15. Reading the Road Ahead
    From flash flood signs to frost heaves, learn to scan for danger like a hawk.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You’re Out of Gas

1. The Alcohol Trick
If you’ve stored isopropyl alcohol (91% or higher) or even certain spirits like Everclear in your survival kit, a small amount can be mixed with gas or used in portable alcohol-burning stoves for cooking—and very carefully, even to heat an engine block in winter. Don’t run your engine on it, but it can help warm components or clear fuel lines frozen in deep winter.

2. Gravity Siphon from Abandoned Vehicles
Carry a siphon pump and hose in your kit. In a grid-down disaster, siphoning fuel from other vehicles might be your only option. Choose trucks, RVs, or old farm vehicles—they’re less likely to be tamper-proof.

3. DIY Solar Still for Emergency Fuel
If you have small amounts of contaminated gas, a makeshift solar still using clear plastic sheeting, a container, and sunlight can help you distill usable vapors back into liquid. It’s slow, but when you’re desperate, it’s better than hoofing it 50 miles.

Final Word From the Road

Montana doesn’t mess around. Its breathtaking beauty hides real danger, and the state’s remoteness can turn minor problems into life-threatening crises fast. You can’t count on cell towers, gas stations, or AAA. What you can count on is your preparedness, your skills, and your attitude.

The old-timers and ranchers out here know the truth: if you don’t bring it, you won’t have it. If you don’t learn it, you can’t use it. Every time I set out into Montana’s backcountry—whether it’s for a weekend or to test a new bug-out route—I remind myself: Plan like everything will go wrong. Drive like your life depends on it. Because one day, it just might.