The area's philosophy is to provide all visitors with an opportunity to experience the scenic majesty and historic character of the park through a wide range of visitor activities. The road was opened in 1932. In 1983 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1985 it was declared a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark and in 1997 it was designated as a National Historic Landmark. Its character including width, scenic vistas, and classic stone masonry walls contribute to that designation and will be preserved. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is the only route through the park that directly links the east and west sides, and its scenic value and diverse visitor experiences are unparalleled. Each year approximately 2 million visitors are drawn to the area and drive this scenic route. Local and regional economies have become dependent upon the visitors drawn to Glacier National Park.

Because the road is the park's primary automotive route, it defines the circulation pattern. The road accesses principal points of interest and offers many stunning views. Use has increased from fewer than 40,000 cars in 1933 to approximately 475,000 cars annually. At peak times during July and August, increased traffic volume causes crowding at pullouts and parking areas along the road. Visitors who are frustrated by the lack of parking and who want to stop to experience the park, pull off and park in undesignated areas, causing resource damage, congestion, and safety problems.

Previous economic reports indicate that Glacier National Park generates approximately $145 million and 2,100 jobs annually in Montana. Much of this economic activity takes place during the 4-5 month period that the alpine and sub-alpine sections of the Going-to-the-Sun Road are accessible. Plowing the road and finally opening it each spring is a major feat; plowing begins in April and is usually completed in June. Since the road was opened in 1932, the upper reaches have not been substantially repaired or rehabilitated. Today, that section of the road is in need of major repair work.

Before 1982, funding for road repairs was minimal and came entirely from the park's annual operating budget. In 1982, Congress passed the Surface Transportation Assistance Act, which included funding for federal road reconstruction/rehabilitation projects. In partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, the National Park Service established a road improvement program. Since then, approximately $18 million has been spent to rehabilitate the road. The rehabilitation has been mostly at lower sections; less than 1 mile of the high-mountain section has been rehabilitated (Logan Pass-Oberlin Bend 1995-1997).