How to: Yellowstone Road Trip from Seattle

Erupting geysers, alpine lakes, glaciated peaks, sprawling landscapes, and amazing wildlife certainly made our roadway trip from Seattle to Yellowstone National Park extremely special. While the national park itself is an icon, the Pacific Northwest also boasts some of the most pristine outdoors in the country. That’s why we loved every bit of our Yellowstone road trip from Seattle, which spawned three states, Washington and Idaho, and finally came to a stop in Wyoming. We not only explored Yellowstone’s gorgeous icons like Old Faithful and Mammoth Springs but also amazing towns like Lake Coeur d’Alene, Missoula, and more along the way. Are you excited to make this trip? Here’s a detailed guide to where we visited and stayed and which sights and attractions we saw. Adventure, here we come!

Planning our trip

We were already in Seattle when the idea of the Yellowstone trip struck us. So, while we explored the many amazing things to do in Seattle, we also planned the trip down to the T. This included everything from snacks and winter clothes to hiking gear and heated blankets. Even though we were traveling during the shoulder season of summer and fall, Yellowstone could get cold during early mornings and nights. Did we mention it’s also one of the best US winter vacation destinations? Yes!

The shortest, most direct, and most popular route from Seattle to Yellowstone is 740 mi (~1,200 km). Interestingly, the route from Seattle to Yellowstone National Park took us directly to West Yellowstone, the western entrance to the park. Not only is it the most popular entrance, but it’s also the closest entrance to Geyser Paradise in the park. While it takes around 12 hours to navigate, we took 2 days, making amazing stops along the way.

This is what our journey looked like:

• Drive from Seattle
• Make a stop at Spokane
• Spend the night in Coeur d’Alene
• Make a stop in Missoula
• Spend two nights in West Yellowstone
• Spend two nights in North Yellowstone
• Drive to Bozeman
• Fly back home

Starting from Seattle

Exploring Seattle took us three days, as it is home to amazing sights like Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, and a gorgeous waterfront. And, of course, this is the birthplace of Starbucks, which we couldn’t get enough of. Since this was our first visit, we couldn’t explore every bit of Emerald City. So, we’re certain we’re going to land up here again. Pro tip: It was very rainy when we visited, as it rains here for more than half of the year. So, don’t forget to pack rain jackets and travel umbrellas.

Staying at the Thompson Seattle was everything we imagined our stay in the city would be like. We were right next to Pike Place Market and the waterfront, and the rooftop boasted spectacular views of the city and the water. Don’t miss The Nest, its amazing rooftop bar and lounge. It also offers a unique igloo dining experience on the rooftop, which is very romantic. The Thomspon was also one of the best Seattle Downtown boutique hotels, so what more could we want?

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That said, there are many other staying options, such as Seattle, WA’s best cheap hotels for travelers on a budget and even 420-friendly Seattle hotels for those who want to explore the city’s famed recreational marijuana scene.

Since our overnight stop at Coeur d’Alene was just five hours from the city, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before checking out around 11 am. After loading our bags in our rented car, we set out eastward from the city toward the Washington-Idaho border, where we’d make our first stop at Spokane.

Stopping at Spokane

It took us just 4.5 hours to reach Spokane via the I-90, with Coeur d’Alene sitting right across the border via Spokane Bridge. After a long drive, we were thrilled to lay our eyes on the scenic views of downtown Spokane, especially the 100-acre-huge Riverfront Park. We had many options for lively restaurants around, especially since they all had outdoor or patio seating and served delicious food and drinks. Later on, we headed to Spokane Falls and even enjoyed the 15-minute Numerica SkyRide right over the waterfalls. As darkness fell, we headed to Coeur d’Alene.

Stop for the night: Coeur d’Alene

The northwestern Idaho city of Coeur d’Alene, just 40 minutes from Spokane, was our stop for the night. Since we arrived quite late, we headed straight to our hotel, the highly recommended Coeur d’Alene Resort on the banks of the Harrison Slough. Even though it lay off the I-90, it wasn’t far from it. Plus, it sat right next to Tubbs Hill, where we were going hiking the next morning, so it couldn’t be more perfect for us. The coolest bit was that the resort is home to the world’s longest floating boardwalk! It ran from one end of the resort to another, so we could walk it in 20 minutes. In fact, it was the first activity we did right after checking in!

Since we’d had a long day, we headed straight to the infinity pool at the golf course and enjoyed a relaxing swim, followed by a trip to the spa. After a hearty dinner at the lakeside restaurant, we retired to our Lake Tower room, which not only had a balcony with lake views but even a fireplace. At the end of the day, unwinding with a glass of wine cozied up in front of the fireplace was picture-perfect.

Staying alternative

If you’re looking for a more budget alternative, we highly recommend the La Quinta by Wyndham Coeur d`Alene. Since it’s a Wyndham chain property, it’s not only excellent value for money but also boasts many amenities. For those looking for a smaller, more personal experience, the Roosevelt Inn on the lakeshore is ideal. It even has rooms with views of the lake.

Mesmerizing Missoula

Since we were still 7 hours away from West Yellowstone, we decided to make a full day of it by starting off early at 8 am and exploring the ultra-outdoorsy college town of Missoula. The lovely town lies less than 3 hours away in Montana, just beyond the Lolo National Forest. It sits at the confluence of four rivers: the Rock Creek, the Clark Fork, the Bitterroot, and the Big Blackfoot Rivers. Plus, it’s surrounded by as many as seven wilderness areas. So, we certainly had a hard time deciding how to spend a few hours here!

We started our adventures with a quick 20-minute hike to the “M” point along the gorgeous Mount Sentinel trail, which offered amazing views. In fact, the summit is another hour away and offers all the more spectacularly sweeping views of the region. Later, we even enjoyed a tubing adventure on the Clark Fork River right through the town center before grabbing a late lunch.

Some of the other things to do and places to see in Missoula include the Missoula Art Museum, the Historic Downtown, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the verdant Caras Park.

Reaching and exploring West Yellowstone

From Missoula, West Yellowstone is just over a four-hour drive, and the entrance to the park is barely 15 minutes from the town. Since the geysers are closest to the western entrance and we wanted an immersive experience, we stayed at the Old Faithful Inn, a Yellowstone icon and a National Historic Landmark. In fact, this 1903-4-built structure is also the largest log structure in the world. However, its USP is its unbeatable location – it was a mere five-minute walk to Old Faithful Geyser! Since we reached the inn after the day visitors had left, we walked along the Observation Point trail to the geyser, soaking in the views in absolute peace and serenity.

The inn might not be the swankiest of digs, but it’s spacious, clean, and has sweeping views of the geyser. Our Junior Suite, for instance, had phenomenal geyser views and was more lavish than the other rooms. The next day morning, we were treated to all the more spectacular views of the geyser before the crowds arrived. After that, we dug into a hearty breakfast and explored the Kepler Cascades and the Morning Glory Pool, which were just 3 mi (4.8 km) from the inn. That’s why it was the best place to stay and experience the western region of Yellowstone.

Another epic thing to do is visit Grand Prismatic Spring, a hot spring surrounded by a nice boardwalk that took us past the vibrant hues. Since we wanted a bird’s eye view of the hot springs, we even hiked up the 1.5-mi-long (2.4 km) Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail.

Staying alternative

If you want to stay outside the park, then we cannot recommend the 1872 Inn enough. One of the best hotels near the Yellowstone West Entrance, this upscale, boutique, and adults-only hotel even has a sauna, a fitness center, and amazing continental breakfasts. What’s more, all rooms boast huge bathrooms and even fireplaces. It’s the perfect combination of modern luxury and old-world charm.

Pro tip: Consider entering the park very early in the morning to avoid hoards of tourists since West Yellowstone is an extremely popular, accessible, and year-round entrance.

Next stop: North Yellowstone

After spending two nights in West Yellowstone, we decided to explore the national park from another angle. So, we headed to the next closest entrance, North Yellowstone, which lies 53 mi (85.2 km) away along US 191 South.

We added North Yellowstone to our road trip itinerary for many reasons. For one, the entrance is open throughout the year, making it perfect for us to visit at any time. Secondly, the town closest to the north entrance, Gardiner, lies just 10 minutes from the park and the famed Mammoth Hot Springs. Moreover, it’s also where the Boiling River lies, which is one of the park’s only two sanctioned swimming areas. Last but not least, the region is famed for incredible wildlife in the expansive Lamar Valley, which lies 33 mi (53 km) from Mammoth Hot Springs along the northernmost Grand Loop Road. It’s very easy for time to pass quickly here, as you’ll see when you visit!

So, where did we spend the night here? That would be the Yellowstone Hot Springs Resort on the Yellowstone River, just 10 minutes north of Gardiner. We chose it for its amazing location on the river between two magnificent mountain ranges. But the highlight here was the presence of the mineral-rich pools, where we got to relax and rejuvenate. That, along with free Wi-Fi everywhere, gardens, and modern units, some even with kitchens, make it one of the best hotels near the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

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Adios, Yellowstone

Spending more than five days in Yellowstone left us thirsty for more adventure, but all good things do come to an end. Luckily, Bozeman International Airport in Montana lay just 1.5 hours north of Gardiner, so we packed up and checked out after a leisurely breakfast and some last-minute photo ops.

The seven-day adventure that brought us from Seattle to Yellowstone might have been over for all intents and purposes, but in our minds, the replaying of memories over and over had just begun. Seeing the world’s first national park and one of the most amazing national parks on earth is a journey, and we made sure that our journey was as interesting as the destination itself.

Tips for an unforgettable experience

While visiting Yellowstone is absolutely thrilling, there are a few important tips you need to keep in mind. Here they are:

• Even in summer, Yellowstone’s temperatures could hover near freezing. Plus, Seattle is rainy for most of the year, so dress in layers and pack for multiple seasons.
• There are limited food options on the road besides the main towns. So, pack a lot of road trip-worthy food with you and choose things that don’t need to be kept cold.
• Getting up and about early is a great way to beat the heat, the crowds, and the traffic.
• Allow for stops along the way to stretch your legs and to see many scenic viewpoints.

What’s the best time of the year for a road trip from Seattle to Yellowstone?

The shoulder seasons of fall (September-October) and spring (late April-May) are an excellent time to do this road trip. Not only is the weather a bit cooler, but the crowds are also less, and you don’t need to worry about weather-related road closures. 

Can you drive through Yellowstone at any time?

While the North entrance is accessible throughout the year, the West Entrance usually opens in mid-April, and the other three entrances don’t open until mid-May.

Do you need to pay to drive through Yellowstone?

Yes, there’s an entrance fee to access Yellowstone National Park, but vehicle reservations aren’t required. All visitors must have one of the three passes: the Standard, the Annual, or the “America the Beautiful” passes. Check out the details here.