Yellowstone from Seattle

Hi,

We are travelling from seattle to yellowstone during memorial day weekend and I think we may not be able to drive for 12 hours without stop. We are looking for a place around 8-9 hours from seattle where we can make an overnight stop. Any advice?

Thanks

Yellowstone from Seattle

Boise should be at about that range..maybe on the early side. We did it from Puyallup as our first day many times. I-90 then I-82 to Tri-Cities and cut down to I-84. If you drive a little faster perhaps reach Mountain Home or Twin Falls going east because the big hill to the Snake River near Ontario is all downhill going that way.

Boise may offer more lodging choice in different price ranges so the trade off might be pushing an extra hour or two versus cost and choices further on. Then again Twin Falls would make second day in to Yellowstone a little easier.

Alternatively via I-90 Missoula or Butte. Of the two I would recommend Butte and an early start over Homestake Pass to Bozeman the next day (if entering Yellowstone from north). A lot depends on exactly where at Yellowstone you are headed.

The trouble with both routes is they go too far north or south and have to come back to the middle due to mountains (and lack of roads) in Idaho.

Yellowstone from Seattle

Thanks for the reply Sequim88

I posted a similar question. Could you recommend where you ended up staying?

USTraveller9,

I wouldn%26#39;t go from Seattle to YNP via the Boise route unless you want to add miles and time to your drive. I would go I-90 and plan to stop at either Missoula (7.5hrs) or Butte (9hrs) and both are well equiped to accomodate the Yellowstone traveller.

The route through Boise takes you way south and adds over 140 mles. Not to mention tha the drive through Montana is very scenic compared to the high desert of east Oregon and western Idaho.

Seattle to West Yellowstone:

via Montana - 750 miles and about 10-11 hours

via Boise - 890 miles and about 12-13 hours

I have done both of these trips too many times as I have all my family in Seattle and I live an hour or so from the park entrance. If I never drive through Boise again I will be happy, it never saves me anytime and I get bored with the plain scenery. Also if you start an one of the Montana entrances you can exit by another for a different view (In through North/ out through West or vice-versa).

I-90 is in pretty good shape other than the annual summer road construction you will find anywhere in the Rocky Mountain states.

Let me know if you ahve any questions,

- Kery

Thank you for the reply Fly%26#39;s%26amp;Foto%26#39;s. I actually posted the question last year. I took the same route you mentioned and ended up staying in Missoula. I had hard luck that day finding a room as most of the hotels were booked because of a conference going on in Missoula. I was able to get a room in LaQuinta Inn just of I90 and it was good enough for one night. I hope this answers kaykaySeattle%26#39;s question.

Thank you! I will look into Missoula.

One more thing - we are taking some out of town guests and they are 4 (with 2 teenage kids) and we are 2. Is it better to book one room with roll away beds or book two rooms? Sorry for the stupid question but I havent booked a room for more than me and my husband before :)

kaykay- some motels/lodging offer adjoining or ';family'; type rooms that make it easier to accommodate teens %26amp; parents. Most places have only a limited number of cots and unless you reserve one ahead of time, there may not be any left. After a full day of driving together, those parents might appreciate a little space!

I think 6 will be too much for a room. I would go for 2 room.s

It seems too many for one bathroom, particularly if teenagers are involved. I%26#39;d just ask the other couple what their family would prefer.

Thanks all. You guys have been a big help.