123 Main Street, New York, NY 10001

3 epic routes to Yellowstone and Grand Teton – Paddle

3 epic routes to Yellowstone and Grand Teton – Paddle

The best road trips in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park

A trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park is one of the classic adventures in the United States. Filled with majestic mountain scenery, blasting geysers, hasty waterfalls and incredible wildlife encounters, there is a reason This national park holiday is the top of the list that many people have to do.

But getting there may be just as memorable. We have drawn three scenic road trip routes – from Seattle,,,,, Denverand San Francisco– Best stops for food, fun and fresh air in the process.

Wyoming Road Trip: 3 epic routes to Yellowstone and Grand Teton
The best road trip routes from Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park, three major travel hubs in the United States.

Plan 2-3 days to slow down, explore and drive to Yellowstone and Grand Teton, a memorable adventure. Nothing is better than the old-fashioned road trip in Wyoming.

1) Orange Route | Seattle to Gardner, Montana

Clark Fork River in Missoula, County Mitra, an interesting stop on a trip to Yellowston and Grand Teton in Wyoming
Clark fork tube in Missoula. |Photo courtesy Destination Missoula

Stroke length: 756 miles, approximately 11-12 hours of driving

Recommended routes: From Seattle, follow I-90 eastward along Spokane and Idaho, then continue to Missoula and Bozeman, Montana. From Bozeman, south from the US 89, enter Yellowstone through the northern entrance near Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs.

Highlights: Explore the heart of downtown Spokane Riverside, calm down on a Missouri Clark Fok River Floating Tour and visit Bozeman’s T. Rex.

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

2) Purple Route | Denver to Cody, Wyoming

Two musicians at dinner and performance at Cody Cow Company
Dinner and Cody Cow Company performance. |Photo courtesy Parker County Travel Commission

Stroke length: 493 miles, about 8-9 hours of driving

Recommended routes: From Denver, take the I-25 north to Casper and then cross the Thermopolis at US-26/US-20 and head west. Continue with WY-1220 for Cody and follow US-14 West through the East Entrance into Yellowstone Park.

Highlights: Before strolling in Casper, Wyoming, Alcova paddled a lake, snatched in one of the hot springs, and checked out a real deal rodeo in Cody, Wyoming.

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

3) Green Route | San Francisco to Jackson, Wyoming

View of the skyline of the city center of Salt Lake, a pit stop for the Wyoming road trip from San Francisco to Yellowstone and Grand Teton
Salt Lake City Center. |Photo courtesy Visit the Salt Lake

Stroke length: 1,011 miles, approximately 15-16 hours of driving

Recommended routes: From San Francisco, go east along I-80 along Reno to Salt Lake City. From there, take I-15 north to Idaho, then head north to ID-34 and finally head north to Jackson, Wyoming on U.S. 34 – you arrive at the gateway to Grand Teton National Park.

Highlights: Stroll Reno Nevada’s revitalized river district, discover the preferred paths of Salt Lake City, view the Guinness World Record geysers and hikes at the top of the tetons.

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

3 epic routes leading to Yellowstone and Grand Teton
Grand Canyon in Yellowstone. |Photo: James Kaiser

Need some help planning your trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton? Check: Yellowstone and Grand Teton are the best if you only have one week. For more road trip inspiration, check out our Itinerary library From some of the largest travel hubs in the West.

Cari Morgan Heashot

Carrie Morgan

Cari Morgan is the content marketing manager for paddles. She has managed the company’s blog The Eddy since 2014 and has been the main “voice” behind the brand’s social media space.

Read resume