West Yellowstone, Wy

[Ricardito]

In June we will be travelling from Omaha, Ne to West Yellowstone in our 38ft. Class A towing our Jeep. We need experienced advice on the best route to use taking mountain ranges into consideration. Thanks

[oakcreekeric]

As with most answers, it depends...

I just googled the route options - you have three

I've done two - I've come up thru the Tetons and thru Jackson Hole - either is fine, both have steep grades to deal with, both are very doable in the rig you have. I've never gone via the northern route from Bozeman - but I'd think the view would be just as incredible from that route as the other two routes

I don't know if there is a "right way" - I will say, taking I-80 to Rock Springs up to Jackson Hole will be pretty boring until you're about an hour away from JH - we just came back that way a couple years ago - but I'm no fan of I-80

As for the northern route - I think that'd be my preferred choice because I've never gone that route - I've never gone up thru Montana, so that would be of interest to me - not sure of your previous travels

I don't normally worry too much about routes with my rig, as long as it appears I'm staying on verified roads, I try to take into consideration the scenery as a deciding factor.

Good luck !!

[Cousin Ed]

I think the easiest for you would be I/80 to US 287 at Rawlins to US 191 through the park to West Yellowstone. You can't avoid mountains but there is nothing scary on that route.

[gladecreekwy]

All of the highways up to West Yellowstone are no problem. Avoid Teton Pass

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by Ricardito

In June we will be travelling from Omaha, Ne to West Yellowstone in our 38ft.

Class A towing our Jeep.

We need experienced advice on the best route to use taking mountain ranges into consideration.

Thanks

Funny, when I read this it might mean "Let's get into some Mountains on the way to West Yellowstone"

But no matter what it's supposed to mean you are going to be in the Mountains, Period.

Being that you are on Omaha, I'd just head to Cheyenne - then up to Shoshoni and then to Cody - Driving across the Park to West Yellowstone. Also would allow Beartooth as a day drive along with Chief Joseph Highway while in Cody.

This accomplishes a few things - Avoids the mountains till you arrive at YNP - Lets you drive through Wind River Canyon - see Shoshoni and Thermopolis, before getting to resupply in Cody - Wal*Mart there so fill everything up and get into Yellowstone.

I'd personally get off the Interstate in Cheyenne and start enjoying the Foothills. Depending on your time frame there are many options for the drive North.

MAP of easy/simple route - https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=3de01...=2&form=S00027

Hope this is of some help,

[FL420]

Again, avoid Teton Pass west out of Jackson unless you want to lead a long parade of unhappy participants as slow as 30 mph while closely monitoring and managing your coolant temperatures.

[twogypsies]

You have many good choices - depends if you want to see anything on the way. By the way, W. Yellowstone is in Montana.

Teton Pass is Hwy 33 out of Jackson, WY to Victor, ID. You don't want to get on that. It would be a nice Jeep ride!

1091 miles - I-80 to Rock Springs, WY; north on 191 to Hoback Jct.; 89 south to Alpine, WY then 26 west to Idaho Falls, ID and north on 20 to W. Yellowstone is the alternative of Teton Pass.

1066 miles - Omaha - North on I-29; West on I-90 to Bozeman, MT and south on 191

If you're going to do a lot in the West you may want to get the 'Mountain Driving for Truckers & RVers'. It will give you a heads up on the highways - even interstates.

I hope you'll be staying in Grand Teton Nat'l Park, also. It's a beauty and completely different in looks and things to do from Yellowstone. Hiking is awesome - for all abilities. Rafting the river in the park is fun and you just may see a moose in the water with you. We did!

Here's a good description of all roads coming directly into Yellowstone.

http://www.rvcruzer.com/ystonervroutes.php

Keep in mind that coming in from the east you can get to Cody, WY and drive right through the park. Recommend you stay in Cody (the museum is great) and drive through the park in the morning to avoid vehicle congestion later in the day. You'd see possible animals early morning, also.

You can also get to Bozeman, MT and take 191 south to W. Yellowstone. Lots of ways!

[yeloduster]

Originally Posted by Busskipper

Funny, when I read this it might mean [I]"Let's get into some Mountains on the way to West Yellowstone"[/I]

But no matter what it's supposed to mean you are going to be in the Mountains, Period.

Being that you are on Omaha, I'd just head to Cheyenne - then up to Shoshoni and then to Cody - Driving across the Park to West Yellowstone. Also would allow Beartooth as a day drive along with Chief Joseph Highway while in Cody.

This accomplishes a few things - Avoids the mountains till you arrive at YNP - Lets you drive through Wind River Canyon - see Shoshoni and Thermopolis, before getting to resupply in Cody - Wal*Mart there so fill everything up and get into Yellowstone.

I'd personally get off the Interstate in Cheyenne and start enjoying the Foothills. Depending on your time frame there are many options for the drive North.

MAP of easy/simple route - https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=3de01...=2&form=S00027

Hope this is of some help,

Busskipper has been EVERYWHERE! His advice is excellent. I've been to Yellowstone possibly 35 times in the last 50 years and have driven every road in and out of Yellowstone. His advice defines the easiest, most direct and least mountainous route to get from Omaha to West Yellowstone.

If we presume that Busskipper's statement highlighted in red is really what you meant you might consider my favorite route into Yellowstone. See this map: https://mapquest.com/directions/from...st-yellowstone

This takes you into Yellowstone via the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway. I have lived in the Rocky Mountain West all my life and there aren't many roads that I haven't traveled! The Chief Joseph Scenic Highway may be the most spectacular drive you will find that you can negotiate with your 38' motorhome and jeep toad.

This picture from the top of Dead Indian Pass gives a little taste of the scenery:

[JakenJo]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

You have many good choices - depends if you want to see anything on the way. By the way, W. Yellowstone is in Montana.

Teton Pass is Hwy 33 out of Jackson, WY to Victor, ID. You don't want to get on that. It would be a nice Jeep ride!

1091 miles - I-80 to Rock Springs, WY; north on 191 to Hoback Jct.; 89 south to Alpine, WY then 26 west to Idaho Falls, ID and north on 20 to W. Yellowstone is the alternative of Teton Pass.

1066 miles - Omaha - North on I-29; West on I-90 to Bozeman, MT and south on 191

If you're going to do a lot in the West you may want to get the 'Mountain Driving for Truckers & RVers'. It will give you a heads up on the highways - even interstates.

I hope you'll be staying in Grand Teton Nat'l Park, also. It's a beauty and completely different in looks and things to do from Yellowstone. Hiking is awesome - for all abilities. Rafting the river in the park is fun and you just may see a moose in the water with you. We did!

Here's a good description of all roads coming directly into Yellowstone.

http://www.rvcruzer.com/ystonervroutes.php

Keep in mind that coming in from the east you can get to Cody, WY and drive right through the park. Recommend you stay in Cody (the museum is great) and drive through the park in the morning to avoid vehicle congestion later in the day. You'd see possible animals early morning, also.

You can also get to Bozeman, MT and take 191 south to W. Yellowstone. Lots of ways!

We went the opposite direction from West Yellowstone to Omaha last summer. Agree with the Gypsies about route via Cody and East Gate. Once we got by Fishing Bridge construction we saw the most wildlife of our whole GT/YS stay including Group of Big Horn Sheep and two different grizzlies all within yards of the Coach before exiting to the East. Cody fun also. Also echo Tetons. Took the raft float and did see moose and small herd of elk mommas and young ones. Great relaxing float.

[WyomingTA]

Lived in Wyoming for 15 years--if you are in Omaha, i would take 29 north to Sioux Falls,SD and head west on 90 till you get to Buffalo,Wy then take 14 thru the Big Horns and to Cody--Teddy Roosevelt said Cody to Yellowstone up the North fork of the Shoshone River is the most Scenic 52 miles in AMERICA and i AGREE---then you are YNP Go to fishing bridge turn left and take the loop to OLD FAITHFUL the on to West Yellowstone---- JMO !!!Stop at the Irma In Cody--BEST PRIME RIB you will ever have--All you can eat !!!!!

[cataska]

If your into guns don"t miss the firearms museum in Cody

[WyomingTA]

Originally Posted by cataska

If your into guns don"t miss the firearms museum in Cody

[tzensen]

Yeloduster is right on. There is no more beautiful drive from Cody up the Chief Joseph into Cook and the NE Entrance. Its like going back in time with the Buffalo grazing in the huge grassy valleys and Traffic Manageable to Gardner. . Stop at the pullover at the first summit to read about Chief Joseph. The road East to Red Lodge at the Beartooth Y I avoid. After Red Lodge only Prairie.
Cody museum is a must stop along with the Old West Town in Cody. Plan a day to.

[Belgique]

I hate this and the Custer thread! Brings back so many nice memories of our trip out there last year and anxiety over can we do it again this year!

Second the praise of Mr. Busskipper! Super helpful to us flatlanders on last year's trip.