yellowstone

Just remember to go down the hills in the same gears and speed as would be required to go up the hill. In a Ford E450 V10 that is a MAX of 50 MPH using second gear. IMO.

You do realize that Cody Wyoming is 80 miles from the main loop of Yellowstone? In my opinion, Cody is a fantastic destination of it's own. The Rodeo is great and the Buffalo Bill Historic Center is a Museum Complex that is probably second to none for western history and art. But as a base for Yellowstone, it is a bad choice. Much better to stay in the Park or at one of the gateway cities that actually adjoin the park (West Yellowstone and Gardiner). As for the route, Interstate 25 will be your best bet for no grades. The only pass of note would be Raton pass and though it is fairly high, being an interstate pass the grade is very moderate. Your choice will come in the route into Cody. You can exit the interstate at Casper, take the two lane road to Shoshone and then go through Thermopolis to Greybull and then into Cody. That route has a canyon section but no grades of note. The two routes over the Bighorn mountains are a different story, Buffalo to Ten Sleep to Worland to Greybull has some steep grades and Ranchester to Greybull is steeper. Many RVers drive those two routes, but if you have big concerns about mountain driving, take the other route.

As far as routing from ABQ to Cody I would recommend I25 to Casper and then Hwy 20 and Hwy120 to Cody. There are several campgrounds between Cody and the East gate to Yellowstone all of which will require traveling some distance to visit Yellowstone.

When you get to Albuquerque you must ride the tram.

Park Entrances http wrote:
South & East Entrances - Open to wheeled vehicles from mid May through early November, and to tracked-oversnow vehicles from mid December to early March for the East Entrance and mid March for the South Entrance.

West Entrance - Adjacent to the town of West Yellowstone, MT, the West Entrance is open to wheeled vehicles from late April through early November, and to tracked-oversnow vehicles from mid December to mid March.

North Entrance - Near the gateway community of Gardiner, MT, the North Entrance is the only park entrance open to wheeled vehicles all year.

Opening & Closing Dates of Facilities

What I have on Sights & Sites between ABQ & Yellowstone (plus many others). Santa Fe has some neat Must See & is on the way to Cody or Moran. IMHO.

I'd not want to do the drive from Cody into the Park more than once. It's a long drive & once in the park slow. It is closer to get to Moran by about 10 miles as well. Still a good drive from the Tetons into Yellowstone proper. Might not be too much difference between the drives in distance, but more mountain to cross via Cody.

Cody is a neat town. Might consider checking out the Thermopolis, WY area as well. Should be on your way to Cody via Casper. Pretty easy route from Casper to Cody by the way.

We live 90 miles from the park, been there many times. Roads are narrow, and lots of bicycles to slow you down. Don't charge around a blind corner, you may find someone stopped in the middle of the road looking at a buffalo. I've seen a van and a motorcycle drive right into the river looking at animals. The motorcycle had a kid on the back. There was a Ranger in front of me so I let him take care of it.

In September, we took our Class C V-10 through Jackson Hole, Grand Teton Park, and Yellowstone Park over the Continental Divide three times, 8 to 9 thousand feet each time. Road is two lane with pull-outs but no problem V-10 hardly knew it was working.

Cody is my favorite place. The Buffalo Bill Museum does not take a back seat to the Smithsonian, I've been to both. The museum is huge and will take a day to see it.Check it out online. Cody has plenty of places to eat and stay, but it is a tourist town cut off in the winter so they have to make it in the summer, and about 60 miles from Yellowstone entrance at Fishing Bridge camp ground, the only full hookup camp ground in the park.

Know this, if you plan on taking an RV to a park camp ground, or West Yellowstone, make your reservations early. They fill up real fast. At Madison camp ground, the biggest one in the park, people are waiting to pull in as others leave in the morning.

I would not stay in Cody just to far out. Staying at a hotel in the park is very expensive. We don't stay in the park. I would suggest Grizzly camp ground in West Yellowstone, make reservation early very nice place. Take your time a lot to see and do in the park so you want to be close, or in the park.

you go into the park the pass is good for 7 days to come and go

Depending when in May you plan on getting to Yellowstone. It may still be winter. Friends of ours work camped there a few years ago. Park had to clear 4' of snow from there campsite with a front end loader.

We did Yellowstone & Cody on our 97 day trip from Virginia to Alaska and the Arctic Circle This year(2013). You might want to consider doing the lower loop of Yellowstone, camping inside if space is available. Leaving and heading to Cody for a couple of days and returning to do the upper loop of Yellowstone. Cody Has a great museum (we took 2 days just at the museum). Yellowstone has something new & interesting around every curve in the road. We found site inside Yellowstone Each time we entered the park.

By all means stay in the park if at all possible and stay in or around Cody at least two evenings. It took us two full days to see the museum. Well worth it. We also enjoyed the Big Horn Mountains although the motor home didn't like the uphill grade in 97degree weather. Only time it has over heated. We entered from the south and stayed at the Bridge Bay campground. We are not hikers, but it took us two full days just to drive around the park and see the touristy sites. Don't cut your stay short.