How long does it take to drive through Yellowstone?

Simply driving the entire distance, whether going clockwise or counter, could take four to seven hours. And even if the speed limit is 45 mph, you'll want to take your sweet time, especially around the winding turns, epic scenery and stopped traffic due to wildlife in or near the road.



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It can take 7 hours to drive around the Grand Loop Road Two days for a quick trip to Yellowstone is feasible; one day for the upper loop and one day for the lower loop. But if you want to take your time and enjoy the beauty around you, planning for the detours you may experience, we suggest allotting four days.

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The ultimate Yellowstone road trip Driving the Grand Loop will bring you to many of the park's most popular geothermal areas, including Old Faithful, Midway Geyser Basin, Norris Geyser Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs, and West Thumb Geyser Basin.

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Grand Loop Yellowstone National Park's main roads create a figure-eight shape, so driving around the exterior of both loops to make a Grand Loop is a great way to hit many of the park's highlights. Two or three days is reasonable, but the park can keep an avid explorer busy for far longer.

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Simply driving the entire distance, whether going clockwise or counter, could take four to seven hours. And even if the speed limit is 45 mph, you'll want to take your sweet time, especially around the winding turns, epic scenery and stopped traffic due to wildlife in or near the road.

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Our Locations. Yellowstone Park Service Stations has seven locations in the Park with over 80 seasonal employees. Yellowstone Park Service Stations, Inc. (YPSS) operates seven convenience store/fuel facilities, four automotive repair shops and a central office/warehouse in Yellowstone National Park.

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From Moose, drive up the inner park road to Jackson Lake Junction and follow the outer park road through Moran Junction back down to Moose. The loop is 42 miles long, and depending on how many points of interest you chose to explore, plan for at least a one to two hour drive.

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Rockefeller Jr. Highway up to Yellowstone. Plus, if you are staying in Jackson, Wyo., the South Entrance is the easiest entrance to access Yellowstone. Jackson itself is an incredible mountain town that attracts skiers to its steep slopes in the winter and throngs of tourists in the summer.

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Yellowstone has areas with winding roads and wildlife crossing can be a road hazard, especially for a speeding car. Beware of bear, buffalo, and traffic jams. Yellowstone's wildlife is certainly one of the things that make the park attractive to its visitors.

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Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone The two most popular attractions here are the Upper Falls and the Lower Falls. The impressive Lower Falls drops approximately 300 feet, while the Upper Falls drops slightly over 100 feet. This picturesque area of Yellowstone is filled with alpine trees, hot springs, and steam vents.

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Yellowstone National Park can get very crowded during peak season (June, July, and August). The best months to visit Yellowstone are April, September, and October. These “off season” months provide more chances to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife and enjoy thinner crowds.

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Yellowstone is open 365 days per year, 24 hours per day. However, only the road from the North Entrance (Gardiner, MT) to the Northeast Entrance (Cooke City, MT) stays open year-round. If the roads are open, you can enter and exit the park as you please, even if the entrance stations aren't open and collecting fees.

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Flights to the nearest major airport — that of Jackson Hole, Wyoming — are typically cheapest between November and March, which is the park's low season. Prices for lodging begin to drop after Labor Day, once the summer crowds have diminished and children are back in school.

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Does it cost money to see Old Faithful? No, but Yellowstone does require a $35 entrance fee that's valid for 7 days. The pass allows you to view all attractions within the park, including Old Faithful.

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The Bottom Line While they are located adjacent to each other, they offer distinct experiences for visitors. Yellowstone is known for its geothermal features, abundant wildlife, and hiking trails, while Grand Teton is famous for its high peaks, pristine lakes, and historical buildings.

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With its magnificent mountain peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and abundant wildlife, there is so much to see and do here but honestly, you only really need one day in Grand Teton National Park.

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