TIP #1- always practice pack before the morning you're leaving!!
We got a late start because we got everything down to the car and, in the words of Padre Bear, "grossly overestimated the amount of space in the car." Oh, I have a correction from the first post on that subject- it's a convertible COUPE not sedan as stated. That should help explain our dilemma this AM... So it was critical decision time. Leave the food basket or the cooler, because they both wouldn't fit. Even without BAGS in there, they wouldn't both fit! So after some thought, we surrendered the cooler and opted for a soft-sided thermal grocery bag. We played some Tetris with the stuff, and departed about an hour and a half later than planned. THEN got gas and coffees....
TIP #2- gas up the night before so it's coffees and freeway ;)
Finally on the road, with the starting seating arrangement... Bears in front, cubs in back. 
Traffic was good, there was the normal rest stop and the gas stop.., which we extended a bit to enjoy the air conditioning in the grocery store. Itwas HOT. It was 92 degrees at this time of day. After our cool down, we had lunch in the shade at a rest area, and let Giant Cub have a turn in the front seat. This is where I learned how windy it is at 70 mph on the interstate in the back seat of a convertible!!! Not unbareable, but windy and loud. Much cooler back there with the wind though. Headphones are a blessing in this situation :)
TIP #3- if you have a child who can be a little overstimulated with too much sensory action going on, bust out the noise canceling headphones! This kept the wind out of Youngest Cub's ears and calmed him significantly.
TIP #4- be prepared for the bitchiness that accompanies the kids being unplugged from their game machines. We allowed headphones and music, but no screens. This made for a rough first half of the day, but they adjust. And it's good for them... Just keep reminding yourself of that during the cranky spells!!!
After a few more hours of driving, we rearranged again and gave Youngest Cub his turn in the front seat. Equipped with new gas station sunglasses since his first ones broke and headphones AND less wind, he was a calmer camper :) We made it through the Idaho passes, and entered Montana to cooler weather (only 88 and shade!!) for a pleasant and beautiful evening drive. Even sang a family version of Bohemian Rhapsody, started by Giant Cub!
Since today is my birthday, I got to pick the dinner spot in Missoula. We had the made the time zone change we had sorta forgotten about, so it was 9:20.... I chose Fuddruckers for burgers. Yum! Giant Cub was starving, so he ordered the ONE POUND BURGER... Holy moley!! Check it out... And he has HUGE hands! 
Yes... Big! But yummy dinner. Cool place. So, we left the top up since it was dark now for the last leg of the day to Butte... Rearranged again for my turn driving. Oh, yeah... CRAZY AMOUNT OF BUGS AT DUSK. I totally should have cleaned the windshield... Bummer and hard to see.
We finally arrived at our hotel in Butte about midnight. Nothing fancy, but it had ice to put in our cooler bag, beds and showers, and isn't scary! Right off the freeway too.
Well, today's tally was 608 miles and 19 states for license plates! Tomorrow is Yellowstone :) I'm off to bed.
Ciao....
Mama Bear
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