From the city by the bay, San Francisco, head east on I-80 towards California's capital Sacramento. Be aware, as the lows can drop as far as -15 Fahrenheit. Temperatures during the winter season lie between 4 degrees and 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The road distance is 1392.2 miles. Take this route early in the morning for at dusk for the best opportunities to see bears and wolves. The colder months see fewer people and are still very beautiful. You will stay in Yellowstone or West Yellowstone for two nights. Make your reservation in advance. And with the gardens and interior decor, this property is beautiful. Along the way to Yellowstone, weve included fun attractions, great places to eat and other national park sites that offer different experiences than Yellowstone. Rushmore and the Grand Tetons Yellowstone, Mt. I dont want to go as far south as the Grand Canyon as we have done that before (Grand Circle in 2018 by car). Every year, tens of thousands of tourists come to the region's ski slopes to enjoy the world-famous snow and slopes. Or get a full Los Angeles to Mt Rushmore flight plan. Overview of this Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore itinerary, with Grand Teton NP, the Bighorn Mountains, Custer State Park, andd Badlands NP. From Provo, your travels take you to the cowboy town of Jackson and Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, Cody and then to the Black Hills of South Dakota. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. This small restaurant serves gourmet food that is outstanding. From Denver to Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone. It takes about 2 hours to thoroughly explore this area.Get full details on how to plan your visit in our Guide to the Geyser Basins. One of the most popular things to do in Grand Teton is to take the boat across Jenny Lake and hike up to Inspiration Point. A visit here can last as little as 30 minutes, if you just want to walk up and snap a selfie with Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. Back Basin is the larger of the two basins. Suggested Overnights: Crescent City, Eureka, Benbow, Mendocino, Santa Rosa. Salt Lake City and Area 51 on the way back to Vegas. The Chamberlin Inn. From West Thumb Geyser Basin, continue the counter-clockwise drive on Grand Loop Road until you get to Hayden Valley. For the drive through the Bighorn Mountains, taking the Cloud Peak Skyway is your better option, since this road has fewer tight turns/switchbacks. If you prefer the southern route, scroll down to the Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone route. You can enjoy tons of amenities and opportunities to relax after a long day of driving, including indoor and outdoor pools, a gym, and a five-star spa. I do have two weeks budgeted and would like to include Glacier as well. This beautiful city and its surrounding area offer endless activities and stunning natural landmarks including the Great Salt Lake. Suggested Days: 4-6. day 2 driving 8 hours. Keep this in mind when planning your trip. When translated to driving times, it will be around 16 hr 30 min to 16 hr 45 min. Road Trip from San Francisco to Mount Rushmore - LazyTrips The Ultimate South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary: Where to Stop - Leisure From here, you have the option to hike to Fairy Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in Yellowstone. We stayed here on our most recent visit. The Rocket Motel is a nice pick if you are looking for a budget property that gets good reviews. Below, we've chosen our favorites for you to choose from. This itinerary is a one-way, point-to-point road trip. The cheapest way to get from California to Mount Rushmore costs only $308, and the quickest way takes just 6 hours. Western-style cabins come equipped with a private bathroom and a kitchenette. The Only Southwest Road Trip Itinerary You Need - Eternal Arrival How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers (points of interest and the walking route). Day 3: Yellowstone NP. Sacramento to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore - Road Trips Forum * Hotel accommodations for 9 nights, including 2 nights in Yellowstone National Park. On the South Rim, visit Artist Point (one of the most photographed spots in Yellowstone National Park), Canyon Overlook, and Uncle Toms Trail (if it is open). There is a third section, Brink of the Upper Falls, which is nice, but I recommend skipping it in order to give yourself enough time to visit the other sights today. Thank you, Julie. If this sounds like something you would like to do, stay in Wall the night of day 8. Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone via Bighorn Scenic Byway Distance: 441 miles Time Required: 9 hours This route runs for 441 miles, starting at Mt. This route is about 419 miles and will take you around 7.5 hours if you drive straight through with no stops. There are two routes to drive to Cody, which adds another 2 to 3 hours of driving. Its best to fly home from Glacier, since it is located so far from Rapid City (it would take about a full day to backtrack to your starting point). If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each point of interest. Trip Guides. You will spend one night in Cody. For the next three nights, you will stay in the Black Hills of South Dakota or Rapid City. By starting here first thing in the morning, you get to avoid the midday crowds. Denver, Colorado. You can email us at [email protected] but we get so many emails every day that sometimes it takes us a week to get to them. Choose The Salt Lake City Route (via Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests), covering 1,500 miles over 23 hours of driving without overnight stopovers for a shorter, more direct route. Rome2rio displays up to date . All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Mt. Rushmore, the Badlands, & Yellowstone - Vacations By Rail Once at Devils Tower, you will have a few hours to spend here. From the East Entrance, it is a one hour drive on Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway, another beautiful drive through the mountains. Click here to read more about Spearfish Canyon and to see more photos from the drive. Best Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park. After living it up in one of the world's party capitals, continue on I-15 until you reach UT-9. . If you plan to do this road trip in the opposite direction, here is the itinerary in reverse order, with a few modifications. Southern California to Mount Rushmore - 6 ways to travel via - Rome2rio In May this year we drove from Minneapolis to San Francisco via the Badlands, Mt. These road trips to Yellowstone are complete resources with itineraries, maps and unexpected stops on the way including authentic small Western towns and undiscovered natural wonders that will make your trip unique. Immediately past the entrance station is the Big Badlands Overlook. Surrounding its multicolored waters is the Spiral Jetty, a famous sculpture made by the famous sculptor Robert Smithson. Stay in Yellowstone through day 5 of this itinerary and use one of these days to day trip to Grand Teton National Park. On the Road: 42 miles on the scenic loop plus extra driving time and distance depending on where you are staying. Mammoth Hot Springs is a large complex of hot springs that is located in north Yellowstone. Here are a few suggestions for cool things . I will go into this in greater detail later in this itinerary. You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. Los Angeles to Mt Rushmore drive - plan a road trip After exploring the area, drive east into South Dakota to see the iconic Mount Rushmore. Visit Mormon Row at sunrise and then spend the morning driving the 42-mile scenic loop drive. Was hoping to do Mt, Rushmore, then Crazy Horse, then Needles Highway and Wildlife Loop, then Iron Mt Road and short visit to Keystone. Ideally, stay in West Yellowstone, Canyon Village, or Old Faithful Village. These road trips to Yellowstone are complete resources with itineraries, maps and unexpected stops on the way including authentic small Western towns and undiscovered natural wonders that will make your trip unique. Today, you will visit the most popular sites. May, September and October are less busy and popular months to visit as well. You can begin at the southern end of the Shenandoah National Park, near Waynesboro, VA, and wind along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Freedom Ridge Cabins and the Black Elk Resort are two of the highest rated properties in this town. Read our one day Grand Teton itinerary for full details on how to do this. Road Trip from California to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore On the way, stop at Craters of the Moon National Monument, a unique natural attraction that boasts an ocean of blackened lava and unique rock formations. Take the All-American Road Trip to Yellowstone, starting in Chicago. It is home to various animals such as wildebeest, elk, and moose. 5%. If you dont have to travel during the summer months, the end of September into early October is an awesome time to visit Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore. This is a jaw-dropping view of the hot spring and a must-do on a trip to Yellowstone. Below, we've included our picks for the best overnight stops so you can get the most out of your trip. Rooms can accommodate up to four people and there is a gym and indoor pool onsite. The Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mt. This shorter and more direct route will take you through two major cities: Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. Activity level Natural Explorer. There are a few national parks here that you could visit, and places like Aspen, Boulder, and Denver are nice to visit. For recommended hotels and locations, both inside and outside of Yellowstone National Park, read our article, For more details on visiting the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, read our. Experience the mystique of Devils Tower Monument, see Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park and take in the majesty of Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole. Robins Nest Bed & Breakfast. 3. Really great road trip! Leads claim to fame is its history in gold mining. Required fields are marked *. How to Drive between Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. This annual park pass costs $80 and is valid for one year. On the Road (to Lamar Valley): 110 miles, 3 hours from Old Faithful Village, 66 miles, 2 hours from Canyon Village, 106 miles, 3 hours from West Yellowstone. Another option is Panorama Point, our favorite sunset spot in the Badlands. Best of all, you'll If you want an upscale experience in the city center of Jackson, the Wort Hotel gets rave reviews. This is our favorite of the two routes through the Bighorn Mountains. With the recent flooding in Yellowstone, some park roads are closed. If you are doing well on time, you have the option to add on a visit to the Crazy Horse Memorial. You can either ride the Aerial Tram to Rendezvous Peak at Teton Village or have lunch in Jackson. Best Times to Visit Yellowstone | U.S. News Travel In the evening, continue to Cody, Wyoming. For something quicker, hike the short but sweet Rankin Ridge Trail for panoramic views over the Black Hills. Last year myself and my wife took our first road trip driving the California coast from San Fransico to San Diego and fell in love love with road trips. drive for about 2 hours. The shuttle operates daily from 5:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. Taxis cost $25.00 to $30.00 and take 20 minutes. Road Trip Itinerary Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park: Day 1: Rapid City, South Dakota Day 2: Mount Rushmore (Custer State Park) Day 3: Badlands National Park Day 4: Buffalo, Wyoming Day 5: Billings, Montana (Optional) Day 6 & 7: Yellowstone National Park Day 8: Grand Teton National Park Day 1: Rapid City, South Dakota Mount Rushmore is a days drive past Yellowstone, plus any time to see other things in the area. Hot, steaming water spills out over travertine terraces, making this one of the most unique geothermal areas in the park. The map will be part of the document. Chicago to Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone Road Trip, Seattle to Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks Road Trip, Texas to Wyoming Yellowstone Cowboy Road Trip. For more information about how to visit Devils Tower, check out our, To learn what to do and how to plan your time, read our post, For a full list of things to do and many more photos, read our, More Information about Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Devils Tower & South Dakota. Take a detour to explore the coastline and mountain scenery of Lake Tahoe. Is there a printable version of this itinerary or even just the map? Parts of the park close during the winter! ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Yes, you can do this trip in an RV. If you cant get a hotel or campsite inside of the park, West Yellowstone is also a great place to stay for this itinerary. The city boasts some stunning architecture and unique cultural attractions that give an interesting contrast to the natural attractions in Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore. If you stay within the park, Old Faithful Village and Canyon Village are the two most convenient place to stay. Driving directly, it might take around 8 hours of driving time from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone. So it looks like at a minimum, you'd need 10 days to two weeks. Today, you will visit a few more sights in Yellowstone. About; Roadtrippers Plus; Magazine; Contact; Help; Did you know: If you use the Roadtrippers . We have been to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and the Black Hills of South Dakota in September and early October and love being here at this time of year. 29 AMAZING Road Trips USA: Scenic (& Underrated) Routes You'll Love Here are ideas of where to stay in and around Grand Teton National Park. To get to the northeast entrance of Badlands National Park, it is an hour and forty-five minute drive from the Black Hills and an hour and fifteen minute drive from Rapid City. How far is Mount Rushmore from Seattle, and how long will the road trip take? On a clear day you can also see out to Badlands National Park. I dont seem to be able to print or save a copy from earthtrekkers.com/yellowstone-devils-tower-mount-rushmore-road-trip-itinerary. Miazgas has a wide range of food. EO Bungalows is one of the highest rated properties and your room comes with a kitchenette. Save. Sioux Falls. Yellowstone Lake is a large alpine lake in Montana, USA. When their flight to Chicago is abruptly canceled, Steve Martin and John Candy embark on a comedic road trip adventure as two clumsy yet lovable characters in this 1987 film: Answer: "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." 13. Who wrote the classic road trip novel "On The Road"? Porcelain Basin is our favorite of the two basins. You can simply view the monument from afar, from the terrace of the Welcome Center, or you can take a van ride to the monument for a closer view. Julie Last updated: February 4, 2023 United States 17 Comments. If I turn my computer off I need internet access to load it again. The 1,840-mile road trip from California to Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore will take about 30 hours to drive. Coastal Redwoods Road Trip. LEARN MORE: Grand Prismatic Spring and the Fairy Falls Hike. View Dates & Pricing. Day 2: Colter Bay. So, for many people, it would even be doable to drive from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone in one day! Road Trip Ideas To Start Planning Today - rvlife.com Start in Chicago on this incredible route through some of the nation's most. Your Guide to a Mount Rushmore Road Trip | Reader's Digest Coming in from Nebraska, what road is - Mount Rushmore National Memorial Spend the afternoon in and around Jenny Lake. Completed in 1941, Mount Rushmore features the 60-foot high faces of four United States presidents intricately carved out of a granite mountainside. On the Road: 165 miles, 3.5 hours from Devils Tower; 105 miles, 2.5 hours from Spearfish. Rooms are large, clean, and quiet and decorated with a western theme. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Today, I'll take you on a road trip from Bozeman, Montana, to Bismarck, North Dakota, to Rapid City, South Dakota, and then on to Cody, Wyoming, before heading for a stop in Yellowstone National Park back in Montana. It is the southern route through the Bighorn Mountains. It starts in Spearfish and ends in Savoy. I have been looking for a trip like this and so glad I found your site. PLACES TO GO IN SOUTH DAKOTA: Here are 15 great things to do near Rapid City, South Dakota. You'll get to visit Zion National Park and Dixie National Forest along the way as well as the small but beautiful city of Idaho Falls. Im sorry you are having trouble saving/printing this. The busiest months are June, July and August. We can I purchase the itineraries for Yellowstone to Rushmore and the Washington Road Trip? Mount Rushmore is only an 80 minute morning scenic drive away. 9:00 am leave from Mount Rushmore. If you are looking for a bit of luxury, this is a highly-rated historic hotel in Cody. Deadwood is a National Historic Landmark District, since it preserves its Gold-rush architecture. Julie, We are planning on driving an RV. You'll pass strikingly beautiful mountain scenery and desert landscapes that will make any professional or amateur photographer fall in love. On the Road (from Keystone): 240 miles, 5 hours. Mount Rushmore National Memorial: Amazing when you really think about it - See 11,784 traveler reviews, 7,905 candid photos, and great deals for Keystone, SD, at Tripadvisor. Hop onto Teton Park Road, headed south towards Jenny Lake Lodge. Flying into here will save you some driving today. From Dayton, it takes 3 hours to drive to Devils Tower (185 miles). Explore the map. For a complete list of what to do in the park, take a look at our post Best Things to Do in Badlands National Park. However, since we are making a return trip, do you have another similar itinerary where we would be seeing other sites on the way home? The Fossil Exhibit Trail and Saddle Pass are two more walks/hikes to consider doing. Elk, bison, pronghorn deer, bear, coyotes, and wolves can all make appearances. Make a pitstop at the Shell Falls Interpretive Site to see Shell Canyon. Amazing when you really think about it - Review of Mount Rushmore Route #1: Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone on Bighorn Scenic Byway Distance: 441 miles Driving Time (without stops): 7.5 hours This driving route starts at Mount Rushmore and ends in Cody, Wyoming. For suggestions on how to plan your time today, read our post One Perfect Day in Grand Teton National Park. Along the way, you can make a quick visit to Jackson Lake, since you will drive right past it before exiting Grand Teton National Park.