Forum Discussion

Gambit80's avatar
Gambit80
Explorer
Aug 15, 2016

Florida to Yellowstone 2017

My wife and I are starting to plan our 20th wedding anniversary trip for next year. We are planning to go from Jacksonville, Florida to Yellowstone, leaving on August 19th and traveling for two weeks.

We know this is a tight timetable, but it is the trip we want to do. What I am interested in is any information/input on routing. There are few stops we would like to hit, however, we aren't tied to any besides Yellowstone.

We would like to hit:

St. Louis Arch
Mount Rushmore
Yellowstone

The route back is still being decided, but we are trying to get an idea on all of this as we have never been out there before. Thanks for any advice!
Roads and Routes
  • Acampingwewillg's avatar
    Acampingwewillg
    Explorer II
    Aug 15, 2016
    The "arch" is worthy of seeing but in my opinion, it can be done as a drive-by. Sure you can take the elevator up into it but it didn't do much for me. Standing in the Park next to the Arch was Great for Pic taking. If time is limited and your wife wants to go....you'll still have a ball. Oh....Mount Rushmore, may I suggest seeing it both in daylight and at the Lighting Ceremony.
  • Gambit80's avatar
    Gambit80
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2016
    Would any of your folks be of the opinion that the Arch isn't worth a trip to?
  • Gambit80's avatar
    Gambit80
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2016
    I understand folks, I know it is tight. Only giving us 4-5 days days in Yellowstone, but it is the trip my wife wants to do.

    I appreciate the input on flying/renting, but not what we want to do. I don't anticipate being able to do Yellowstone "properly", but I have to work with what I have.
  • TexasRangerRzR's avatar
    TexasRangerRzR
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2016
    Going to be at least 5 days driving each way, so that is 10 of your 16 (I'll assume) days. Yellowstone is B-I-G, and everything in Yellowstone is so far apart, speed limit in the park is low, and traffic is pretty bad during peak season.

    Not what you asked, and not what you want to hear I am sure.

    We took 4 weeks from PA to Yellowstone, with multi-night stops in Sioux Falls and Rapid City SD and time in Big Horn Mtn WY. Still wasn't enough time to do Yellowstone properly.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Aug 15, 2016
    Assuming 500 miles/day that's 9-10 days of just traveling. Does not leave much time for anything else assuming you have the energy to do anything else. If it's just the two of you I'd fly to maybe SLC and rent a class C for ten days.

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