Dallas to Yellowstone- best non mountainous route

TexasShadow wrote:
we like the rock springs, wy, to pinedale, wy, hoback junction, then up to Jackson, Tetons and into yellowstone from the south. Jackson will have some white water rafting on the Snake River, and a ski lift and a shootout on the square every afternoon.
Yellowstone will have horse back riding, wagon ride, hiking, boat excursions on the lake.
wi fi will be iffy in the parks, but available around the lodges and visitor centers and up by Mt. Washburn. Take binoculars.

2X on these directions. Spend some time in Tetons (Gros Ventre Campground is great). From North Texas you will have to cross some mountains at Raton Pass. Not a bad pass, just go slow and enjoy the 25 minutes of this journey. The drive thru Denver should be schedule during off-peak hours. Sunday early AM is not bad. Watch the wind direction on I-80 as 20+ mph winds from the North or South will cause a little arm strain and nervous tension. The mountain drive in southern Yellowstone Park is exciting, just keep your eyes on the road and on the vehicle in front of you. It will stop, a lot!

Ivylog wrote:
I would suggest a slight different route than Busskipper...at Rawlins take 287 to Moran Junction/Tetons. Yes, you go over a fairly high pass put the climb up to it is a easy straight pull on a very good road. The view of the Tetons is spectacular and by manually gearing down the steeper decent is no big deal.

We like that route too. In fact, you can get on US 287 at Fort Worth and stay on it all the way to Grand Teton and Yellowstone, That's the reason it was once known as the "National Parks Highway"--in addition to Grand Teton and Yellowstone NPs, it also takes you to Glacier NP. On US 287, you avoid even Raton Pass on I-25. It passes through some pretty desolate (read "ugly") country, but it's definitely not a mountain road.

If you don't like mtns, stay away from Dunraven Pass once in Yellowstone.

Yellowstone is a giant plateau. A lot of it is over 8,000 feet. You cannot get there with out driving through some mountains. Stay on the interstates and major state highways which are built with easier grades and more sweeping turns. If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

padredw wrote:

Ivylog wrote:
I would suggest a slight different route than Busskipper...at Rawlins take 287 to Moran Junction/Tetons. Yes, you go over a fairly high pass put the climb up to it is a easy straight pull on a very good road. The view of the Tetons is spectacular and by manually gearing down the steeper decent is no big deal. This will give more coincidence in tackling mountains. 287 will take you into Yellowstone and all the way to West Yellowstone by way of Old Faithful.

This is also my favorite route. Agree completely with the recommendation. Great first view of the Tetons from Togwotee Pass--a nice roadside park. Great place for lunch.

Our favorite route as well.

Ivylog wrote:
I would suggest a slight different route than Busskipper...at Rawlins take 287 to Moran Junction/Tetons. Yes, you go over a fairly high pass put the climb up to it is a easy straight pull on a very good road. The view of the Tetons is spectacular and by manually gearing down the steeper decent is no big deal. This will give more coincidence in tackling mountains. 287 will take you into Yellowstone and all the way to West Yellowstone by way of Old Faithful.

This is also my favorite route. Agree completely with the recommendation. Great first view of the Tetons from Togwotee Pass--a nice roadside park. Great place for lunch.

Have you discussed with the `kids' whether they want to take several days to get there and back and what they will do while there?
How about an option to Cedar Point the roller coaster capital of the world where you could spend an equal amount of time and the kids would love it.
Mountain Directory West is a good resource.

Welcome to the forums...it would help if we knew what you are driving, you can even put that info in your profile. I would suggest a slight different route than Busskipper...at Rawlins take 287 to Moran Junction/Tetons. Yes, you go over a fairly high pass put the climb up to it is a easy straight pull on a very good road. The view of the Tetons is spectacular and by manually gearing down the steeper decent is no big deal. This will give more coincidence in tackling mountains. 287 will take you into Yellowstone and all the way to West Yellowstone by way of Old Faithful.

I always recommend a stop in Lander to see Sinks Canyon SP...excellent small visitor center and a river going underground and coming back up a 1/2 mile away is something your children will not see anywhere else.

Try an app called "InRoute"

http://carobapps.com/products/inroute/

Amazing options to select the least hilly, winding, windy, whatever your heart desires route.

Also give mile by mile wind speed info... super helpful for us high profile folks.

Happy travels,

Mike

Mountains are half the fun.