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RVcrazy's avatar
RVcrazy
Explorer
Jul 22, 2014

West Yellowstone to I84 in Idaho?

Any issues with highway 20 from W Yellowstone to I84?
Thanks!
  • We camped in Idaho (Henry's Lake State Park) and made day trips to Yellowstone using Highway 20. No problems at all. If you're driving South to I84 be careful of the mule deer that are seen frequently in the very early morning and at dusk.
  • It's a good four lane highway. You will encounter Ashton Grade - about 6 or 7 miles of 6% grade, but it's minor compared to some other grades we've traveled. Enjoy the scenery and seeing the West side of the Tetons.
  • There are some nice, very scenic campgrounds at Mack's Inn and Buffalo River near Pond's Lodge in Island Park on your way south. Both on a rivers edge, less than 35 mi. south of W. Yellowstone. I would stay at one of those places, rather than a RV park in W.Y.

    The Ashton Hill grade is nothing to worry about. The grade itself is at most 2 mi. long, but that will be down hill going south. The road from W.Y. to Ashton is mostly 2 lane with passing lanes. From just south of Ashton to I-15, it is 4 lane.
  • There is - or at least last month there was - major construction on Ashton Hill. Narrow lanes, rough no-pavement areas, etc. It's not a huge issue, but was certainly interesting to tow through! It's possible it's better now, but just a heads-up. Otherwise, 20 is a great road, and very scenic.
  • kknowlton wrote:
    There is - or at least last month there was - major construction on Ashton Hill. Narrow lanes, rough no-pavement areas, etc. It's not a huge issue, but was certainly interesting to tow through! It's possible it's better now, but just a heads-up. Otherwise, 20 is a great road, and very scenic.
    x

    Ditto. Check with DOT Idaho. Or you can take the Scenic Mesa Falls Byway that bypasses Ashton Hill. Turn to the East in the town of Ashton.
  • ReneeG wrote:
    It's a good four lane highway. You will encounter Ashton Grade - about 6 or 7 miles of 6% grade, but it's minor compared to some other grades we've traveled. Enjoy the scenery and seeing the West side of the Tetons.


    Note that our signature picture is taken at a pull out heading South on Hwy 20 before you descend Ashton Grade.
  • ReneeG wrote:
    ReneeG wrote:
    It's a good four lane highway. You will encounter Ashton Grade - about 6 or 7 miles of 6% grade, but it's minor compared to some other grades we've traveled. Enjoy the scenery and seeing the West side of the Tetons.


    Note that our signature picture is taken at a pull out heading South on Hwy 20 before you descend Ashton Grade.


    Here's Ashton Hill - before any construction mentioned.
  • It's a beautiful drive.

    There is a 2 mile ~6% grade just out of West Yellowstone climbing out of Montana into Idaho, and then the mentioned Ashton Grade. You will have a short 5% grade, going south, to the top of Ashton then up to 7% on the decent for ~4.5 miles.
  • RVcrazy wrote:
    Any issues with highway 20 from W Yellowstone to I84?
    Thanks!


    Are you also talking about 20 between Idaho Falls and Mountain Home as I thank this would help with the answers you get.

    I have gone from West Yellowstone to I-84, but by the way of down I-15 from Idaho Falls to I-86 at Pocatello and across to I-84. Just about every time I have run into construction of some type on the interstates 86&84, this was 2 and 4 years ago.