Our family is driving from San Francisco to Hamilton, Montana, about 50 miles south of Missoula. Can anyone suggest a town that is about two thirds the way through where we can stay over night in a basic motel? Also, any suggestions for what driving route we should take would be appreciated. We will have two teenagers in the car and our objective is to make the drive as quick as possible.

Thank you.

Jennifer

Your best route is taking I-80 to Wells, Nevada and then head north on US 93 to Hamilton. You could spend the night in Elko or Wells, Nevada or drive another hour and half to Twin Falls, Idaho. Twin Falls would be closer to two thirds - about a 10 hour drive from SF.

But in Elko, you could stop to see the world's largest dead polar bear.

that's gotta smell bad

thanks everyone. I think we'll stop in Twin Falls and stay at whatever motel is convenient to the hwy, we are not real picky.

You could also consider Jackpot, NV in between Wells and Twin Falls. Altought staying on 80 to Salt LAke City and then I-15 to I-90 to Missoula might be a bit quicker. Stay in Pocatello or Idaho Falls.

I've driven from the East Bay (Danville) to Montana (Bozeman) many times to visit family and tried various scenic and less scenic routes (via Jackpot, via Salt Lake City, via the Tetons/Yellowstone). I agree that the quickest route to Hamilton is I80 to 93-N through Twin Falls. My advice is to really focus on making it to Twin Falls as the motel selection on I-80 (and in Jackpot) can be rough.
Maybe we're unlucky but every time we've gotten out of town later than we wanted and had to stop somewhere in Nevada, it has not been fun. Several times we have made it to Winnamucca, Elko, or Wells and found motels booked - I guess we just assumed we could stop and easily find a room available but I think because there are so few towns on I-80 through Nevada the nicer hotels actually book up (nice being defined in this case as a clean no frills travelodge, Motel 6, or local version thereof, etc). One time in Winnamucca, we arrived at 9pm and started with the newest/nicest motel (that being the Holiday Inn express) and called the next 7 motels in order of niceness (per the Holiday Inn desk clerk) and even though we got a room on the 8th try, let's just say I didn't touch the floor with my bare feet and slept in my clothes. On the other hand, we've always found decent little motels in Twin Falls and beyond in Idado with vacancy. Also, we just prefer to get through Nevada as quickly as possible because the I-80/N093 route is long and boring but watch out becauses the Nevada highway patrol apply the speed limit rigorously!