Yellowstone National Park Road Trip Planner

Yellowstone National Park covers more than two million acres of land. That's a lot of ground to cover on your Yellowstone National Park road trip, so we're going to help you plan your itinerary to ensure you don't miss a thing. Get ready for geysers, mudholes, wildlife wonders, and so much more. 

Getting to Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park’s official address lists its state as Wyoming, but it encompasses three states total, including Idaho and Montana. There are five entrances to the park: north, northeast, east, south, and west. 

The roads into Yellowstone are two-lane highways through mountainous areas impacted by weather year-round. Have your favorite weather app ready and sign up for road alert text notifications by sending 82190 to 888-777, but keep in mind that mobile service is limited in the park. Yellowstone National Park is open 24/7, 365 days a year, but winter poses weather challenges.

What Is the Best Month to Visit Yellowstone National Park?

Though mesmerizingly beautiful, winter is tough at Yellowstone National Park. Most roads in the park are closed from early November through late April due to heavy snow on the ground. Only the north entrance has a route open to vehicles year-round. 

This is not the best time of year to go on a road trip and experience the full park. However, in the winter, there are still guided tours to Old Faithful.

Roads inside the park are fully open in the spring, starting mid-April through May. Check the park website for exact opening dates for your preferred entrance.

June, July, and August are the most popular months to visit Yellowstone. With 62% of the park's annual visitors coming during the time, it's when all the amenities and roads are open. May and October bring less visitors, with just 15% of the yearly visitors. During this time, there’s a good chance roads will still be open. 

Can You Just Drive through Yellowstone National Park?

Driving through Yellowstone National Park is very easy. There are 466 miles of road, 310 of which are paved, in the park. There's a grand loop that winds in a circle across 142 miles of the beautiful mountainside, with stopping points to see the major natural attractions. Gas stations are situated throughout the park, so you don't need to worry about running out of fuel. Pets are allowed in cars and on some trails in the park, but bringing a pet will limit the number of places you can visit. 

Can you Drive Around Yellowstone in a Day?

You can drive through Yellowstone National Park in one day, but it's not advised. There's a lot to see and do in the park, and with such a large area to cover, you'd be mostly driving and not doing a lot of sightseeing. The main attractions are spread out throughout the park, so you'll need time to get to them. 

The highest speed limit you'll find in the park is 45 mph. To cover all 310 paved roads of the park, assuming you can drive consistently at that speed, it will take seven hours. However, traffic and slow zones will add hours to that timeframe. It's not much of a getaway if you’re that rushed. 

Experts recommend at least two days for your Yellowstone National Park road trip, ideally giving yourself three to five days. 

How Many Days Do You Need in Yellowstone & Grand Teton?

If you've got the time and want to double up your Yellowstone visit with a Grand Teton National Park visit, it's well worth it. Travel itineraries range from three to seven days to get the best of both parks. 

The drive time between the two parks is about an hour, depending on traffic, and you'll enter or exit Yellowstone through the south entrance. 

What Should You Make Sure to See in Yellowstone National Park?

Here are some must-see stops on your Yellowstone National Park road trip:

• Canyon Village & Grand Canyon: Not the actual Grand Canyon, but the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. There’s also a mud volcano along with several waterfalls.
• Old Faithful: Don’t miss the most famous geyser in Yellowstone. You can download the NPS Geysers app to get predictions for the next eruption. Also, stop by the Morning Glory Pool found in this part of the park.
• Fishing Bridge & Lake, Bridge Bay:  Even in a dry climate, there's a chance to see some water. Check out the fish in Yellowstone Lake as well as land wildlife. See a mud volcano bubbling up from under the earth. 
• Mammoth Hot Springs: This area of the park is open year-round and brings warmth to the chilly winter air. Boardwalks let you walk above steaming land and water. You can also tour historic Fort Yellowstone while you're here. 
• Firehole Canyon: Here, you'll drive past a lava flow that’s 800-feet thick on Firehole Canyon Drive. While you’re in this part of the park, check out Fountain Paint Pot where four of the park's hydrothermal features (fumaroles, geysers, hot springs, and mudpots) can be seen in one place. 

Book Now

There are Wyndham Hotels & Resorts near all the major park entrances. Book the first stop of your Yellowstone National Park road trip on our website or app and plan ahead as rooms fill up quickly during the summer months.