Stopped asking for directions at gas stations, started asking the guy at the feed store instead

Christopher Martinez · 2026-09-25T08:20:04.321922+00:00

I used to pull into whatever gas station looked busy and ask the cashier how to get somewhere, and half the time they were just as lost as me or gave me a route that added 20 minutes. About a year ago I was trying to find a fishing hole outside of Bozeman and the kid behind the counter had no clue, so I walked next door to a feed store and the owner drew me a map on a receipt in like 30 seconds. Turns out locals who actually work the land or drive the same roads daily know the shortcuts, the seasonal closures, and which bridges wash out in spring. Now I skip the chain spots and look for hardware stores, diners, or anyone standing around a truck bed. Last month a guy in overalls saved me a 40 minute detour just by telling me the county road by the grain elevator was open again. Where do you all go when you need real directions in a town you don't know?

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Stopped asking for directions at gas stations, started asking the guy at the feed store instead | Ask The Locals - Topic Shares