bigdogger wrote: Sheridan to Billings to Bozeman to West Yellowstone is faster, by a lot. Sheridan to Billings to Livingston to the North Entrance and stay there is the fastest way to Yellowstone. Taking I-90 as far as possible and then dropping down from the north is just a whole lot easier and faster than over the Big Horns, through Cody, through the park and out to West Yellowstone. It will save you about 3 hours even though it may be 50 miles further.
If available time is the issue, this is the fastest way to W.Yellowstone.
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We're coming in from the Spoknane on Rt 90 stopping to visit a friend in Missoula, then through Butt, Bozeman then down 191 to our RV camp Yellowstone Grizzly Park in West Yellowstone..made those reservations months ago for the last week in July and they were already nearly full. Any recommendations for RV parks enroute to there from Spokane? We love RV.NET..you guys are the best resource for RV traveling..many thanks!
bigdogger wrote: Sheridan to Billings to Bozeman to West Yellowstone is faster, by a lot. Sheridan to Billings to Livingston to the North Entrance and stay there is the fastest way to Yellowstone. Taking I-90 as far as possible and then dropping down from the north is just a whole lot easier and faster than over the Big Horns, through Cody, through the park and out to West Yellowstone. It will save you about 3 hours even though it may be 50 miles further.
Amen to that. Ive traveled all routes to get to YNP and "beyond"....and for me...I'll take the easiest and most comfortable.
I, too, must agree, especially for anyone not used to mountain driving. I grew up driving in the mountains, and crossing the Bighorns is, shall we say, "thrilling" to me!
The freeway is quicker and easier!
But, not as much FUN nor as picturesque........we are the same length as the OP and we had no problem. Beautiful countryside. Currently at Buffalo Bill State Park, which just reopened May 15th with new water and power. Excellent stop for a week or so before heading into Yellowstone....one has to choose...quick, convenient and sterile....or slower, more picturesque and interesting....we avoid Interstates if possible and stop at most of the small towns along the way..but, we are retired and not in a hurry....JMHO...YMMV....Dennis
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Is that pic of BBill SP? They have grass now? First time I pulled in there was 1977 and it was a total DUST BOWL...terrible place.
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bigdogger wrote: Sheridan to Billings to Bozeman to West Yellowstone is faster, by a lot. Sheridan to Billings to Livingston to the North Entrance and stay there is the fastest way to Yellowstone. Taking I-90 as far as possible and then dropping down from the north is just a whole lot easier and faster than over the Big Horns, through Cody, through the park and out to West Yellowstone. It will save you about 3 hours even though it may be 50 miles further.
Amen to that. Ive traveled all routes to get to YNP and "beyond"....and for me...I'll take the easiest and most comfortable.
This by far the best route to take. I would avoid the Bighorns if it was me and I run mountain passes all the time, living halfway between YNP and Glacier. Saving three hours is a very good estimate IMHO.
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Along the same lines, we are traveling from Fort Collins, CO to West Yellowstone. Am torn on which route to take?
Option A: Fort Collins-> I80-> Ogden, UT-> I15 North-> Idaho Falls, ID-> US 20-> West Yellowstone
Option B: Fort Collins-> I25-> I90(Sheridan)-> Billings-> Bozeman-> US 84-> US 287-> West Yellowstone
Just did the math. If you take the route through Cody going through Bighorns, trips is 569 miles. If you take the Option B route, its 765 miles.
bigdogger wrote: It will save you about 3 hours even though it may be 50 miles further.
Not sure where you are getting 50 miles? My math says 196 miles further. Don't get me wrong, I trust your wisdom and advise on this, but 196 miles is a solid 4 hrs of extra driving.
Also did the math from Cody to West Yellowstone, its 133 miles. I would assume one cant manage to average any faster than 30 mph? Which makes the that leg a 4 hrs drive anyway.
So it certainly does seem that the freeway route is the easiest driving route, but it also seems that both routes will take the exact same time to drive.
The highway from Cody to the park is very good with no problem driving 45-50 most of the distance. The pass you climb to the Yellowstone entrance is slower going of course but it's no problem. Overall a very nice relaxed drive with great scenery. It's slower going inside the park but the road is good.
We got to YNP yesterday. We took 80 west out of Fort Collins to 287 and stayed on 287 all the way in. Drove through Grad Teton NP, was a great dive. Was able to run 65 mph almost entire way with occasional grades that slowed us down to 40. Speed limit on most of the roads was either 75mph or 70mph with tons of passing lanes all the way. Once inside the parks (Grand Teton & YNP) the speed limit is 45, so that part slowed us down.
Sure glad we went through Grand Teton, was an incredible view coming down from the mountains looking at the valley and the mountain ranges. If we had gone any other way, would have missed some great sights. Roads were all very good with the exception of one 5 mile stretch that they were working on.
I have heard the route up to Billings then Bozeman and then south to West is the fastest but I like to get off of the interstates as much as possible and enjoy the scenery going through the small towns and country roads.
We have taken Hwy 14/14A several times and it is steep but very pretty and scenic. We have also taken Hwy 16 to Ten Sleep then up to Cody and it is not a bad pull at all yet still quite scenic.
We have done these routes in a 30' gasser towing a Jeep as well as our 38' Beaver DP and our current 40' DP towing Jeeps without any issues. Some of the turns/curves on the 14/14A route are a little tight but very doable in a large rig.
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