West Yellowstone to Cody

[HDrider]

We plan to stay at Henrys Lake State Park or Grizzly in West Yellowstone and from there work our way to Cody. I understand going through Yellowstone with a 40' 5h wheel is not suggested so I imagine taking hwy 191 or hwy 287 back up to I-90 to Columbus and then 310 down to Cody is the best way?
Anything through that stretch worth killing a couple days at because that's 300 miles and more than we normally travel in a day.

[Mike8253]

I don't have a 5th wheel, but I have driven Yellowstone East to West thru the center of the park in a 37 ft Class A and towing. It was 4 years ago, but I don't recall any specific issues with the drive. We were coming from Cody to a RV park in the Henry's lake area.

[Agesilaus]

I've driven thru with a 34 ft fiver, no problems at all. Slow but no road problems. And we have been thru west to east and south to north and vice versa. Whoever told you that is mistaken.

[yeloduster]

There is a construction project currently underway on the route that HDrider is talking about. The construction is on a section of the road from just west of the Fishing Bridge and extends about 4 miles to the east. The project started in 2018 and is slated to be completed in 2020. See this: https://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/projects/wy...ce/gallery.htm

The road is not and will not be closed. There will be periods of traffic delay however. When the road is open for travel a 40' fifth wheel should not have any problems. The route through the park is a LOT shorter and the construction delays will certainly be less time consuming than driving 200 miles out of your way.

The project looks mostly complete and may not impede your progress very much. Note the dates on some of the pictures. Looks like paving was well underway in August 2019. Construction probably continued until mid October.

[gladecreekwy]

When?

[HDrider]

Originally Posted by gladecreekwy

When?

End of JUly

[oakcreekeric]

Originally Posted by HDrider

End of JUly

I traversed the park last year in my 36ft towing my HD trailer in July - I encountered the construction mentioned above - there were some minor delays, but nothing worth worrying about.. I'd take the route thru the park, just be patient !!

Good Luck

[gladecreekwy]

I drive through the park 10-15 times a summer. You’ll have no issues. I’ve seen bigger rigs than yours up there.

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by HDrider

We plan to stay at Henrys Lake State Park or Grizzly in West Yellowstone and from there work our way to Cody. I understand going through Yellowstone with a 40' 5h wheel is not suggested so I imagine taking hwy 191 or hwy 287 back up to I-90 to Columbus and then 310 down to Cody is the best way?
Anything through that stretch worth killing a couple days at because that's 300 miles and more than we normally travel in a day.

IMHO you have been misinformed.

While it might take all day it is a Drive I would Not Miss!

This is one of the most Beautiful areas In the World - Drive it - Enjoy It!

Sorry I have no opinion on the alternative as I would never even think about not staying and Driving in YNP.

JMHO,

[Lv2Roam2]

Drove east to west from Cody to West Yellowstone in September w/our coach and toad (62' overall) - no problems. Short delay at the construction site ...

We like Grizzly (and grizzlies when we can see them)...

[Isaac-1]

While I will not say it is an easy drive, the lanes are a bit narrow and you will meet a lot of oncoming Cruise America RV drivers that don't know where there side of the double yellow line is, the speed limit is mostly 45 mph which helps. There will also be few pull off areas that will accommodate your length, however saying that it is certainly doable, and I am sure a number of people do it every day, I would probably opt for the southern end of the loop road and not try the middle crossing, it adds a few more miles, but I think it is a slightly better road.

[twogypsies]

We've always driven through the park with our 40' MH with no issues. If there's construction just enjoy the wait while looking for animals! It sure beats going around. Try to leave your campsite early morning before the majority of others are on the road.

Henry's Lake is nice!

[Agesilaus]

Originally Posted by yeloduster

There is a construction project currently underway on the route that HDrider is talking about. The construction is on a section of the road from just west of the Fishing Bridge and extends about 4 miles to the east. The project started in 2018 and is slated to be completed in 2020. See this: https://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/projects/wy...ce/gallery.htm

The road is not and will not be closed. There will be periods of traffic delay however. When the road is open for travel a 40' fifth wheel should not have any problems. The route through the park is a LOT shorter and the construction delays will certainly be less time consuming than driving 200 miles out of your way.

The project looks mostly complete and may not impede your progress very much. Note the dates on some of the pictures. Looks like paving was well underway in August 2019. Construction probably continued until mid October.

Well there are always construction projects in any of the mountain west northern parks and the roads up there.



Summer is construction season for obvious reasons construction ends when the snow flies. But frost heave starts undoing the work done in summer. It's a never ending problem.



The interstates seem to be somewhat immune to this cycle, probably because of the much more intensive, and expensive roadway preparation. The interstates are designed for tank traffic after all and secondary roads that you find in parks are not.

[Trapper2022]

Go shortest route through park. Did it several times with 45’ rig towing 4 door wrangler with no problem. You just need to be comfortable towing on some roads with small or no shoulders. If that is a problem it is a long way around the park. Safe travels.

Enjoy the journey