I'm trying to figure out an accessible midpoint between the west coast and Duluth, MN. I envision finishing a "section" ride across the continent if I can string together two ~1000 mile legs over the next couple of summers. Getting to Duluth is key. I have done the ride, in sections between Duluth and the east coast.

Havre seems like an acceptable midpoint and I can access it by way of Amtrak. That's convenient since I can pick up, or be dropped off by, an Amtrak train not far from home. If I did the Havre to Duluth leg next summer I would take the train out to Havre, ride to Duluth, and take the bus (or fly) back home. If I did the left coast to Havre leg the following summer I could fly out west, ride to Havre, and take the train home.

It doesn't have to be Havre or even a U.S. location but so far that's what it seems to be looking like for the best fit. Any beta on Havre or alternative suggestions are appreciated.

I've been through there on two trips to Portland and back but it has been a few years. From what I remember it is a stop where all passengers can get off the train for 20 minutes or so. Therefore it is a good stop to get the bike box on or off.

You can test the wind and if it is from the East get back on the train and head for the coast to start out 😀 I don't think there are many baggage option stops to the east but you have East Glacier or Whitefish to the west.

Amtrak stops at East Glacier, MT, which seems nicer to me. Probably makes the two legs more equal in terms of effort. Shorter distance but more climbing in the West. Longer but flat in the Plains. West Glacier or Whitefish MT would work too for the same reason. Be sure to visit The Park.

+1.

I would build in the time to ride Logan Pass in Glacier National Park. Not sure if W. Glacier has checked baggage service but Whitefish certainly does. Once you get to St. Mary on the other side of the pass it's not that hard to make your way to Cut Bank and continue east, passing through Havre. Relatively short day from Whitefish to the west side of Glacier N.P. St. Mary the next day. Cut Bank the next. From there, it's 126 miles to Havre, which can easily be done in two days. I did Cut Bank to Chester then Chester to Havre. There was camping with bathrooms and showers at the city park in Chester, but that was 16 years ago. It might be worth buying the relevant map sections of ACA's Northern Tier route. I can map out St. Mary to Cut Bank for you. In any event, you are talking about 5 extra days versus starting in Havre. Glacier is well worth it. If you can swing some additional days, you could follow the ACA route into Canada and stay at Waterton Village, the towne campground of which is in a dramatic setting:



There are some day hike opportunities from the village, including one that involves a boat ride. From there it's maybe two days through Canada and then over the border to Cut Bank.

If you insist on starting in Havre, I believe Badger is correct about the extended stop. There is a fuel pad on the east end of town, then the train pulls into the station to take on supplies. Passengers can get off and stretch their legs. According to my sleeping car attendant, on occasion people wander off to buy things like cigarettes and get left behind.

I rode the Amtrak Empire Builder in July 2012 both ways and one way in May 2014. Arrival time at my destination varied from 3 to 15 hours late. But, with reduced traffic in Williston area (things are slow around there now), that may get better with reduced rail traffic? My point is have a plan B if you arrive at your destination at an absurd hour.

Plan B would be a motel in Havre. You can also camp here, but it is far from ideal:

Emporium

It's right near the railroad fuel pad, and the place was infested with mosquitoes when our group was there. We ended up getting motel rooms at the Duck Inn, which is owned by the same people.

There are also motels in East Glacier (Sears Motel there also has camping) and Whitefish. The closest campground in Whitefish is a state park a bit out of the center of town. From what I have heard, it's close to a rail yard and thus noisy.

I haven't been to Havre, but have cycled from Portland OR to Whitefish and taken the train back. I've also cycled from there via East Glacier and then southwards. A few quick thoughts:

1. I like the notion of cycling not too far from an Amtrak line. It might even give you some flexibility where you board the train. For example, if you started on the Pacific Coast and headed eastwards you could board in Whitefish, East Glacier or Havre depending on how you got in that first trip. I did something similar ~20 years ago on the East Coast. I bought a ticket that started in Jacksonville FL but also let open options of Savannah and Charleston. I actually got to Savannah and was able to change my Amtrak ticket to board in Savannah (on same train as originally planned), rather than Jacksonville. Try that one with an airline flight

2. I find Amtrak a comfortable way to travel and sometimes fun when the train parallels routes you've otherwise cycled. You do need to occasionally allow some extra time. Over course of ~dozen long haul trips the train has been on time (i.e. within an hour) about 60% of the time. However, when it is late, it has occasionally been rather late. As an example, my trip from Whitefish (in 2011) was delayed ~5 hours. This year there had been considerable flooding in the Dakotas and the train line was even shut there for a while. It was open, but trains would get delayed. Delays accumulate, so you are more likely to have a delayed train near the end of the line that at the start of the route.

My first ever tour was ACA's unsupported Northern Tier tour. We started in Seattle and picked up the route around Mt. Vernon. I took Amtrak to the start. From Chicago to Seattle I had a sleeper. At the end of the ride the sleeping car attendant gave me a schedule to see if we could meet up one day at one of the stations. I did, in fact, get to see her in Havre during the train's break there. I tried a couple of other times along the route but couldn't make the timing work.