compact car

I decided on and booked a compact car due to cost factors. It is just two of us and we often get upgraded anyway, but we always look at gas mileage before we accept another car. This summer gas cost will indeed be more than we had anticipated when we first booked.

After much thought, I chose to pay more for many reasons to pick up the car in Denver and drop in SLC. That part is done. Our trip is RMNP-Mt. Rushmore- Black Hills-Badlands-Cody-Beartooth-YSNP-GT-SLC. Lots of driving!

Am I going to have trouble with the mountainous terrain in a compact car?

compact car

Hi prac,

You are wise to choose economically especially this summer.

My only thought is this. I have read that if you plan to drive the Beartooth Highway the entire length , that at least a 6 cylinder vehicle is the best way to go. Now, that said, we have driven our old Tomota Corolla up NH%26#39;s Mount Washington Auto road and have not had a problem. Perhaps a local will chime in here.

pozj

compact car

No, you are not going to have trouble.

You won%26#39;t have any trouble with a compact car and you don%26#39;t need a larger engine to tackle Beartooth Pass unless you want a Ferrrai experience.

I drove my wifes four cylinder Accord over the pass for many summers to go fly fishing in YNP and it zipped right up the pass just like everybody else.

I think you will find the your plans to get an upgrade r two from the smallest car to a mid-size or something won%26#39;t hit your gas mileage too much and it will still probably be a four cylinder as well. Remember to make sure you have enough room for your gear, you want to be comfortable with all that driving and hopefully you won%26#39;t have to unpack the entire care everytime you are looking for something.

Drive safe,

- Kery

i don%26#39;t fore see you having any power problems, but please do be mindful that in a compact car the view from the smaller windows will be just that, smaller. this is why we opted for a suv and were glad we did even though we never used the 4 wheel drive. just something to consider, hope you enjoy your trip!

Hi prac1,

We drove to Yellowstone in a 4 cylinder Nissan Altma and had no problem. Our problem on the Beartooth Highway was getting behind big slow RV%26#39;s.

Gas prices are a concern to all of us planning vacations this year. It is only March and gas prices have already hit $3.25 per gallon here.

I do not belive your choice of car will be a problem. You will not be the first up the mountain, but you will want to stop and smell the flowers(and take some pictures) on the way up!

You are going to have a great trip! Enjoy it!

That%26#39;s good to know. I%26#39;m not sure where I read that but obviously it is inaccurate.

Thanks to all. I will stick with my compact car and enjoy the gas mileage. We will not have a lot of gear so space should not be a problem. We have driven compacts (maybe one was upgraded to a mid-size 4 cyl.car) on two out west road trips. Space and views were acceptable. As long as we can get up and down the mountains without a problem then we%26#39;ll be fine.

If you are worried about gas prices do not plan on filing up near Cooke City, Montana. The gas prices there last summer were $3.80 in July. In West Yellowstone and Jackson Hole and YNP when we were there the price was around $3.20 for regular unleaded.

Come on Prac. We already drove the European Alps with our Citroen 2CV aka ';The Duck'; 40 years ago and believe me, they were a lot steeper than Beartooth and the roads were a lot narrower. I must admit, uphill driving was slower than walking sometimes-lol-

And please excuse me, but USA gasprizes make me smile.. We just broke a record in Holland with Euro 1.55 per liter. That%26#39;s Euro 5,90 per gallon or $ 8,42.........

A compact will do. Biggest problem will be trunkspace. Use lower gear in the mountains, up and down.

Have a great and safe trip.

Tet

Tet14: I am no longer worried about getting up the mountains. One post sometime back said something like they had trouble getting up the mountains.When I saw posts about SUV%26#39;s I started to wonder. I don%26#39;t like to drive fast anyway.

I guess you put things into perspective for us about gasoline prices. We just are not used to it. You must feel you are getting a bargain here. No wonder you travel in the U.S. so much!