Wyoming Road Trip: 3 Epic Routes to Yellowstone & Grand Teton

The Best Road Trip Itineraries to Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks

A trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks is one of the classic all-American adventures. Filled with majestic mountain scenery, exploding geysers, rushing waterfalls and unbelievable wildlife encounters, there’s a reason this national park vacation is at the top of so many people’s must-do lists.

But getting there can be just as unforgettable. We’ve mapped out three scenic road trip routes—from Seattle, Denver, and San Francisco—highlighting the best stops for food, fun, and fresh air along the way.

Plan for 2–3 days to slow down, explore, and make the drive to Yellowstone and Grand Teton a memorable part of the adventure. Nothing beats a good old fashioned road trip to Wyoming.

1) Orange Route | Seattle to Gardiner, Montana

Trip Length: 756 Miles, approximately 11-12 hours driving

Recommended Route: From Seattle, follow I-90 East through Spokane and a short stretch of Idaho, then continue on to Missoula and Bozeman, Montana. From Bozeman, head south on US-89 to enter Yellowstone through Gardiner and the North Entrance near Mammoth Hot Springs.

Highlights: Explore the heart of downtown Spokane’s Riverside district, cool down on a Clark Fork River float trip in Missoula and visit T. Rex in Bozeman.

Get the full itinerary here: Yellowstone and Grand Teton Road Trip from Seattle

2) Purple Route | Denver to Cody, Wyoming

Trip Length: 493 Miles, approximately 8-9 hours driving

Recommended Route: From Denver, take I-25 North to Casper, then head west on US-26/US-20 through Thermopolis. Continue on WY-120 to Cody, and follow US-14 west to enter Yellowstone through the East Entrance.

Highlights: Paddle Lake Alcova before strolling through Casper, Wyoming’s Old Yellowstone District, take a dip in a hot spring in Thermopolis and check out a real deal rodeo in Cody, Wyoming.

Get the full itinerary here: Yellowstone and Grand Teton Road Trip from Denver

3) Green Route | San Francisco to Jackson, Wyoming

Trip Length: 1,011 Miles, approximately 15-16 hours driving

Recommended Route: From San Francisco, follow I-80 East through Reno to Salt Lake City. From there, take I-15 North into Idaho, then head east on US-30, north on ID-34, and finally US-89 to Jackson, Wyoming—your gateway to Grand Teton National Park.

Highlights: Stroll Reno Nevada’s revitalized Riverwalk District, discover off-the-beaten path Salt Lake City, see a Guinness Book of World Record-holding geyser and hike at the top of the Tetons.

Get the full itinerary here: Yellowstone and Grand Teton Road Trip from San Francisco

Need some help planning your Yellowstone and Grand Teton trip? Check out: The Best of Yellowstone and Grand Teton if You Only Have a Week. For more road trip inspiration, check out our library of itineraries from some of the West’s biggest travel hubs.