Kansas City to Yellowstone best route
I’ve made our reservations for two weeks of awesome camping at Fishing Bridge RV Campground at Yellowstone for Summer FY15. Now all I need to do is plan the route and complete the fuel/food/cost esti...
Forum Discussion
Well, nothing is really flat, but the flattest route there is likely via I-90 to Bozeman, Montana, then south along US 191 to West Yellowstone, then east into the park. However, that would be the long way around.
Other routes you could consider, which we have taken, would be I-90 until just west of Billings, Montana, south on US 310 to Bridger MT, then MT 72 to Belfry, which becomes WY 120 south of the state border. That will take you to Cody. Good 2-lane roads and not a lot of traffic between Billings & Cody that way, relatively flat. Gas up in Billings or near I-90 before heading south; you should be able to get to Cody fine, where you can fill up again. The drive into Yellowstone from there is scenic, and will be mountain driving - lots of turns, some places a bit harrow, but many of us have trailered along that route and it's do-able, just take it easy.
If you would prefer to do I-80, which for the most part is flat, just a loooooong gradual uphill across Nebraska, with a good pull between Cheyenne & Laramie, you can cut off on I-84 in eastern Utah, missing the climb over the Wasatch into SLC. From there, head north to I-15 across southeast Idaho - take US 20 from Idaho Falls to West Yellowstone, or take US 26 from Idaho Falls to Jackson WY. Either is a relatively flat route. Gas up in Idaho Falls and then Alpine, WY if needed on US 26; for US 20 you'll find stations in Idaho Falls, Rexburg, Ashton and Island Park before reaching West Yellowstone.
Other routes you could consider, which we have taken, would be I-90 until just west of Billings, Montana, south on US 310 to Bridger MT, then MT 72 to Belfry, which becomes WY 120 south of the state border. That will take you to Cody. Good 2-lane roads and not a lot of traffic between Billings & Cody that way, relatively flat. Gas up in Billings or near I-90 before heading south; you should be able to get to Cody fine, where you can fill up again. The drive into Yellowstone from there is scenic, and will be mountain driving - lots of turns, some places a bit harrow, but many of us have trailered along that route and it's do-able, just take it easy.
If you would prefer to do I-80, which for the most part is flat, just a loooooong gradual uphill across Nebraska, with a good pull between Cheyenne & Laramie, you can cut off on I-84 in eastern Utah, missing the climb over the Wasatch into SLC. From there, head north to I-15 across southeast Idaho - take US 20 from Idaho Falls to West Yellowstone, or take US 26 from Idaho Falls to Jackson WY. Either is a relatively flat route. Gas up in Idaho Falls and then Alpine, WY if needed on US 26; for US 20 you'll find stations in Idaho Falls, Rexburg, Ashton and Island Park before reaching West Yellowstone.
