#The Great Butte to Matthews Road Trip: A Guide to the Best Routes and Pit Stops
If you're looking for a road trip full of natural scenery, small-town charm and exciting pit stops, the 2,218-mile drive from Butte, Montana, to Matthews, North Carolina, is one of the best routes out there. There are several ways to travel between the two towns, and each one allows you to experience different parts of the US. Here's a friendly guide to all the routes, drive times, and things to see and do along the way.
##Route 1: The Northern Route If you're a nature lover, this route will take you through some of the most picturesque parts of the US. Starting in Butte, take I-90 East for 1069 miles and then merge onto I-94 East towards Bismarck. After nearly 173 miles, merge onto I-29 South towards Brookings and then onto US-81 South. Continue on US-81 South for another 223 miles and then merge onto I-80 East. Continue on I-80 East for nearly 1273 miles before merging onto I-77 South towards Columbia. Matthews will only be a 13 mile drive from I-77 South.
This route will take about 34 hours to complete and covers about 2218 miles. As you drive through Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina, you'll get a chance to see wide-open plains, rolling hills, lush forests, and historic districts. We recommend taking a break at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois, or checking out the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio.
##Route 2: The Central Route For those who prefer a more urban route, this is the way to go. Starting in Butte, take I-15 South for about 311 miles before turning right onto Route 91 and then left onto I-80 East towards Salt Lake City. After driving 1047 miles, turn right onto I-76 East towards Fort Morgan, and then merge onto I-70 East. After about 718 miles, turn right onto I-77 South towards Columbia, and from there Matthews is only 13 miles away.
This route will take about 31 hours to complete and covers about 2218 miles. You'll pass through Montana, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina, and as you do, you'll come across some of America's most iconic cities, including Denver, St. Louis, and Lexington. We recommend checking out the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, or the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza in Dallas, Texas.
##Route 3: The Southern Route If you're looking for a road trip full of historic sites and Southern hospitality, take the southern route. Starting in Butte, take I-15 South for about 311 miles before turning right onto Route 91 and then a sharp left onto US-89 South. From there, take US-89 South for 940 miles until you merge onto I-10 East towards Tucson, and then onto I-20 East towards Atlanta. After nearly 938 miles, merge onto I-77 South towards Columbia. Matthews is only 13 miles away from there.
This route will take about 36 hours to complete and covers about 2218 miles. As you drive through Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina, you'll come across some of America's most iconic historical sites, including the historic Mission San Xavier del Bac in Tucson, Arizona, and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta, Georgia.
##Conclusion No matter which route you choose, you'll be in for an unforgettable road trip. However, it's essential to remember to take regular breaks and stay hydrated during the long journey. We recommend stopping by the Badlands National Park in South Dakota, where you can observe rock formations and wildlife or take a famous hot springs bath in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Whatever your interests might be, we have got you covered with a guide to the best routes and pit stops en route to Matthews, North Carolina. Happy travels!