Route from Yellowstone to Grand Tetons

Any other way is 2-3 times the distance and time and not as scenic. I can't imagine going any other way. It is mostly downhill.

2gypsies wrote:
Go straight through the park. It's the best way and doesn't require much time. This is especially true since you're staying in Coulter Bay. Have a good trip!

Yup, that way.

+1 for through the park.

They had the road mostly closed when I was there in early June. Pilot car to follow to get they and long wait. Going thru the park us still the best idea.

If you are staying at W Yellowstone and visiting the park, you'll have plenty of time to evaluate the roads, traffic and construction for yourself.

Also you can tweak a Google Maps (or other GPS) route to see how many miles and time this detour adds. I think it's still less than the time and distance involved in driving outside the parks.

Going by way of US26 into Jackson is 230 miles. That's a big difference from the 87 miles direct through the parks.

Hi Again--just looked at the Yellowstone NP website and the Grand Loop will be closed from Old Faithful to West Thumb for construction beginning Sept. 2. We will be staying in West Yellowstone and moving to Grand Tetons (Coulter Bay) during that time. I asked this question before and you guys recommended going through the park and taking Rockefeller Parkway. Do you still think this is the best way to go with 5th wheel trailers even if we have to go around through Fishing Bride and Lake Village or is there a better way to avoid the closure? Your advice is always appreciated. Thanks

j'sgypsybuggy wrote:
Okay--seems the consensus is to go through the park. We will be coming from Minnesota and the Good Sam Router suggested we take Highway 212 off the freeway at Spearfish,SD. They suggest going north to Belle Fouche and take 212 up and over to meet the freeway just south of Hardin. This looks like it cuts off lots of miles but we've always taken the freeway. Anyone familiar with this route?

We have been over Hwy 212 from Belle Fourche to I-90 twice this summer. It is a good two lane road, not much traffic, better scenery than I=90 through Wyoming which has miles of construction going on. Be sure to fuel up in Belle Fourche. The next reliable fuel available is in Broadus, MT. If you are reluctant to go through the Park, Hwy 16 over the Big Horn Mountains will curl your hair. (JMHO)

Another vote for going through the park. Traffic is light in Sept, especially in the morning. All the kids are back in school.

X4 driving to the Park - FOR SURE!

As for Hwy 212 over I-90... ehhh. It's a good road, straight, flat, little traffic. And very little scenery. I wouldn't recommend it, but neither would I try to talk you out of it. Depends on what you want.

l'd normally recommend staying on I-90 to Sundance, then making a run to Devils Tower (good place to camp too), then head to Moorcroft and I-90 to Buffalo. From there take Hwy 16 over the Bighorns. (More good camping spots, very scenic, good all-weather highway, not too steep or curvy.) Hwy 16 will take you to Worland, hang a right to Greybull, then a left to Cody and through the Park. Cody is a great little town to explore, and it would be a shame to miss the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. It deserves most of a day by itself.

Tourism will be gasping its last breath in September so traffic will be light. Snow will be possible in late September, but that's true just about anywhere in Wyoming or Montana. It's unlikely that it will last long or amount to much; however, last Oct.1 we had enough snow throughout most of northern Wyoming and South Dakota to kill thousands of cattle and sheep, and it destroyed the three biggest trees in my yard. Still, it was here one day and gone the next.

X3 on go through the Park. Yes, there are some up and downs but not long steep grades or switchbacks.

If you want a flatter drive (but longer) go down 20 to Idaho Falls then 26 to Alpine Junction and 189 up to Jackson.

Route 33 that you mentioned takes you to route 22 over the Teton Pass with 10% grades and sharp curves before getting to Wilson. Been there, done that, never again!