A road trip through Yellowstone National Park should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Even though spending multiple days here is ideal, I know a lot of people only have the chance to drive through Yellowstone in one day.
With 5 entrances covering over 3500 square miles, it can be a bit tricky and overwhelming planning a road trip itinerary through Yellowstone National Park, especially if you only have one day.
My husband and I spent 5 days exploring Yellowstone National Park. We entered and exited through multiple gates and drove the entire park to see every attraction on the map!
Based on our experience, I’ve laid out the 7 best road trip itineraries to see Yellowstone in one day from different start and end points.
Choose the road trip that best aligns with your arrival and departure destination. I’ve listed the best attractions, a map, and suggestions on where to stay at each start and end destination.
You can still see a lot of Yellowstone in just one day, so a quick road trip through the park is definitely worth it!
And if you have more than one day but want itinerary suggestions, check out this post on the ultimate 1-5 day Yellowstone itinerary!
Yellowstone National Park Overview
Yellowstone is a huge park. It is larger than both states of Delaware and Rhode Island combined!
There are 5 entrances into Yellowstone National Park and each entrance has a “gateway town” outside the entrance along with an in-park “village” with lodging, food, and gas stations.
An Overview of Driving in Yellowstone
The roads in Yellowstone form a figure 8 that connect all the main attractions in the park. Grand Loop Road is the main road on the outside, and Norris-Canyon Road divides the Grand Loop Road into a figure 8.
You’ll often hear the roads referred to as the “North Loop” and “South Loop.” The North Loop is slightly smaller than the South Loop. It will take you 2-2.5 hours to drive the North Loop alone (without any stops) and about 2 hours and 45 minutes to drive the South Loop.
Attractions on the North Loop are the Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Geyser Basin, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Tower Fall.
Attractions on the South Loop include Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Lower Geyser Basin, Norris Geyser Basin, West Thumb Geyser Basin, Hayden Valley, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
We didn’t have any problems with traffic when we visited Yellowstone at the end of June and July, but there can be “bison jams” and construction that sometimes cause delays.
Check the NPS website for the latest updates on road closures and construction plans in Yellowstone National Park.
The Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park
The best time to visit Yellowstone National Park is in the summer. Most of the park roads are closed from October to May, so it’s really tough to see the best attractions if you travel during this time (check hours for each region on the NPS website here).
Yes, the summer will have large crowds, but the weather will be amazing and the direct sunlight will really make the colors in the hot springs pop!
A happy medium between crowds and good weather is to visit in September after Labor Day.
Related: 12 Essential Tips for Visiting Yellowstone in the Summer
7 Best Yellowstone in One Day Road Trip Itineraries
All of these one day Yellowstone itineraries assume you are starting at one area of the park and ending in another.
I have recommendations for places to stay at each starting and ending point. You can also reverse each itinerary if you’re coming from the other direction.
Most people drive through Yellowstone north to south, or vice versa on their way to Grand Teton or Glacier National Parks. Therefore, most of the routes listed below will end at either the north or south entrances, but I’ve also included 1 east-west route for those of you coming to or from the midwest or west coast.
Seeing a lot of the highlights in Yellowstone National Park will be a long day. I recommend getting started as early as possible and packing plenty of water and snacks with you in the car.
All 7 of these Yellowstone road trip itineraries are for the summer, as most of the park roads are closed October through May.
Related: The Ultimate Yellowstone Bucket List: Top 17 Things to See & Do
Route #1: Gardiner to Jackson
Total Drive Time: 193 miles / 5 hours
Road Trip Itinerary
Morning
Head into the park and walk the Mammoth Hot Springs boardwalk terraces first thing. This area is divided into the Upper and Lower Terraces for a total of 1.75 miles of boardwalks. For the sake of time, I’d walk just the 1 mile of Lower Terraces.
Head over to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone next. Drive the one-way road along the North Rim first and stop at the viewpoints. There are some short, steep hikes along the North Rim, but you probably won’t have time for them.
Visit the Brink of the Upper Falls and then drive the South Rim and stop at the 2 viewpoints.
This area gets really busy midday, but if you got an early start you should be finishing up with your visit as the crowds start rolling in!
Related: Yellowstone National Park North Entrance: A Complete Guide
Midday
Have lunch at Canyon Village and drive to Old Faithful. You will drive through Hayden Valley on your way, one of the best places to see wildlife.
Afternoon
Watch Old Faithful Erupt and walk the Geyser Hill Loop at Upper Geyser Basin. You can also add on the short but steep hike up to Observation Point to get a bird’s eye view of Old Faithful.
Geyser Hill combined with Observation Point is 2.5 miles long (AllTrails link here) and will take you about an hour and a half to complete.
Unfortunately, you won’t have time to walk all 5 miles of boardwalk trails at the Upper Geyser Basin, but you’ll see a lot in the Geyser Hill Loop.
Next, visit the Grand Prismatic Spring via the Midway Geyser Basin boardwalk trail. This is a short 0.8-mile boardwalk that will only take 30 minutes to walk.
If you’re doing well on time, head to the Fairy Falls Trail parking lot and hike the 1.5 miles up to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook.
Note: The parking lot at Midway Geyser Basin is way too small for the amount of visitors this area gets. Skip the lot and just park along the street and walk. Trust me, it’s much faster this way!
Evening
Have dinner at Old Faithful before driving down to Jackson. If you’re doing well on time, stop at West Thumb Geyser Basin on your way out of the park. A visit here is short and sweet, and you’ll see geothermal features right on the Yellowstone Lake!
Where to Stay
Lodging near the north entrance:
- Inside the Park: The Mammoth Hotel
- Gardiner: Yellowstone Gateway Inn or Yellowstone Village Inn
Lodging near the south entrance:
- Inside the Park: Grant Village
- Colter Bay Village (north side of Grand Teton National Park): Colter Bay Cabins
- Jackson: Elk Refuge Inn or The Lodge at Jackson Hole
If you choose to stay in Grant Village instead of Jackson, you’ll cut almost 2 hours off your total drive time for the day.
Route #2: Cooke City to Jackson
Total Drive Time: 206 miles / 5.5 hours
Road Trip Itinerary
Morning
Get an early start and head to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone first thing (hopefully you also got to drive the Beartooth Highway on your way into Cooke City!). You’ll drive through Lamar Valley as soon as you enter the park, a great place to see hundreds of bison grazing in the distance.
Stop at the Tower Fall and Calcite Springs overlooks on the way if you’d like. Between Tower-Roosevelt and Canyon Village, you’ll drive over Dunraven Pass.
Visit the viewpoints on the North Rim, South Rim, and Brink of the Upper Falls at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Midday
Grab lunch at Canyon Village and drive to Old Faithful. You will drive through Hayden Valley on your way, one of the best places to see wildlife.
Afternoon
Watch Old Faithful Erupt and walk the Geyser Hill Loop at Upper Geyser Basin. You can also add on the short but steep hike up to Observation Point to get a bird’s eye view of Old Faithful.
Next, visit the Grand Prismatic Spring via the Midway Geyser Basin boardwalk trail. This is a short 0.8-mile boardwalk that will only take 30 minutes to walk.
If you’re doing well on time, head to the Fairy Falls Trail parking lot and hike the 1.5 miles up to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook.
Evening
Have dinner at Old Faithful before driving down to Jackson. If you’re doing well on time, stop at West Thumb Geyser Basin on your way out of the park.
Where to Stay
Lodging near the northeast entrance:
- Inside the Park: Roosevelt Lodge and the Canyon Lodge & Cabins
- Cooke City: Silver Gate Lodge or Skyline Guest Ranch
Lodging near the south entrance:
- Inside the Park: Grant Village
- Colter Bay Village (north side of Grand Teton National Park): Colter Bay Cabins
- Jackson: Elk Refuge Inn or The Lodge at Jackson Hole
If you choose to stay in Grant Village instead of Jackson, you’ll cut almost 2 hours off your total drive time for the day.
Route #3: West Yellowstone to Gardiner
Total Drive Time: 177 miles / 5 hours
Road Trip Itinerary
Morning
Head straight to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone first thing in the morning and explore the North Rim, South Rim, and Brink of the Upper Falls viewpoints. Grab an early lunch or supplies for a picnic lunch in Canyon Village.
You will drive the entire Lower Loop in the clockwise direction on this road trip.
Midday
On your way to Old Faithful, drive through Hayden Valley and along Yellowstone Lake via Grand Loop Road. Feel free to make the optional stop at West Thumb Geyser Basin.
Related: All 11 Geyser Basins in Yellowstone Ranked
Afternoon
Watch an Old Faithful eruption (this a good place to eat your picnic lunch if you brought one), and explore the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalks.
Visit the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook and the Midway Geyser Basin.
Evening
Drive to Mammoth and visit the Mammoth Hot Springs if you’re doing well on time and still have energy. Have dinner at the Mammoth Hotel.
Where to Stay
Lodging near the west entrance:
- Inside the Park: Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Snow Lodge, and Old Faithful Lodge Cabins
- West Yellowstone: The Historic Madison Hotel or the Yellowstone Inn
Lodging near the north entrance:
- Inside the Park: The Mammoth Hotel
- Gardiner: Yellowstone Gateway Inn or Yellowstone Village Inn
Route #4: West Yellowstone to Jackson
Total Drive Time: 195 miles / 5 hours
Road Trip Itinerary
Morning
Head straight to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone via Norris-Canyon Road and explore the North Rim, South Rim, and Brink of the Upper Falls viewpoints. Grab an early lunch or supplies for a picnic lunch in Canyon Village.
Midday
On your way to Old Faithful, drive through Hayden Valley and along Yellowstone Lake via Grand Loop Road. Skip West Thumb Geyser Basin for now, and head straight to Old Faithful.
Afternoon
Watch an Old Faithful eruption (this a good place to eat your picnic lunch if you brought one), and explore the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalks.
Visit the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook and the Midway Geyser Basin.
Related: Visiting the Old Faithful Area of Yellowstone (How to Beat the Crowds, Tips, & More!)
Evening
Have dinner at Old Faithful and then backtrack a bit to head south toward Jackson. Stop at West Thumb Geyser Basin if you’re doing well on time.
Where to Stay
Lodging near the west entrance:
- Inside the Park: Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Snow Lodge, and Old Faithful Lodge Cabins
- West Yellowstone: The Historic Madison Hotel or the Yellowstone Inn
Lodging near the south entrance:
- Inside the Park: Grant Village
- Colter Bay Village (north side of Grand Teton National Park): Colter Bay Cabins
- Jackson: Elk Refuge Inn or The Lodge at Jackson Hole
If you choose to stay in Grant Village instead of Jackson, you’ll cut almost 2 hours off your total drive time for the day.
Route #5: Cody to Gardiner
Total Drive Time: 205 miles / 5 hours
Road Trip Itinerary
Morning
Make your way into the park on the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway (this stretch of road connects Cody with the east entrance of Yellowstone).
Make a quick stop at the Lake Butte Overlook before driving through Hayden Valley on your way to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Explore the viewpoints on the North Rim, South Rim, and Brink of the Upper Falls.
Midday
Have lunch in Canyon Village and drive to Old Faithful. Make a quick stop at West Thumb Geyser Basin if you’re doing well on time.
Afternoon
Watch an Old Faithful eruption and explore the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalks.
Visit the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook and the Midway Geyser Basin.
Evening
Drive to Mammoth and visit the Mammoth Hot Springs if you’re doing well on time and still have energy. Have dinner at the Mammoth Hotel before making your way to your accommodations near the north entrance.
Where to Stay
Lodging near the east entrance:
- Inside the Park: Canyon Lodge & Cabins and the Lake Hotel
- Cody: Hampton Inn & Suites Cody or Best Western Premier Ivy Inn & Suites
Lodging near the north entrance:
- Inside the Park: The Mammoth Hotel
- Gardiner: Yellowstone Gateway Inn or Yellowstone Village Inn
Staying at Canyon Lodge or the Lake Hotel instead of in Cody will cut down your total drive time by over 2 hours.
Route #6: Jackson to Cody
Total Drive Time: 233 miles / 5.5 hours
Road Trip Itinerary
Morning
Enter Yellowstone from the south entrance and head straight toward Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin. Make a quick stop at West Thumb Geyser Basin on your way.
Watch an Old Faithful eruption and explore the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalks.
Midday
Have lunch at Old Faithful and then visit the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook and the Midway Geyser Basin.
Afternoon
Drive to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone by going north on Grand Loop Road and turning right onto Norris-Canyon Road. You’ll pass Norris Geyser Basin, but you won’t have time to stop.
Explore the viewpoints on the North Rim, South Rim, and Brink of the Upper Falls at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Evening
Grab dinner in Canyon Village and head out toward Cody on the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway (this stretch of road connects Cody with the east entrance of Yellowstone).
You will drive through Hayden Valley on your way, so keep your eyes peeled for bison!
Make a quick stop at the Lake Butte Overlook as your final stop out of the park.
Where to Stay
Lodging near the east entrance:
- Inside the Park: Canyon Lodge & Cabins and the Lake Hotel
- Cody: Hampton Inn & Suites Cody or Best Western Premier Ivy Inn & Suites
Lodging near the south entrance:
- Inside the Park: Grant Village
- Colter Bay Village (north side of Grand Teton National Park): Colter Bay Cabins
- Jackson: Elk Refuge Inn or The Lodge at Jackson Hole
Cody and Jackson are the furthest gateway towns from Yellowstone, so I highly recommend staying in the park for at least one of the locations. You will have a very long day doing this itinerary if you don’t!
Route #7: Cody to West Yellowstone
Total Drive Time: 206 miles / 5 hours
Road Trip Itinerary
Morning
Make your way into the park on the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway (this stretch of road connects Cody with the east entrance of Yellowstone).
Make a quick stop at the Lake Butte Overlook before driving through Hayden Valley on your way to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Explore the viewpoints on the North Rim, South Rim, and Brink of the Upper Falls.
Midday
Have lunch in Canyon Village and drive to Old Faithful. Make a quick stop at West Thumb Geyser Basin if you’re doing well on time.
Afternoon
Watch an Old Faithful eruption and explore the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalks.
Visit the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook and the Midway Geyser Basin.
Evening
Have dinner at Old Faithful and head north on Grand Loop Road toward West Yellowstone. If you’re doing well on time, make your way north to Norris Geyser Basin before returning to your accommodations near the west entrance.
Where to Stay
Lodging near the east entrance:
- Inside the Park: Canyon Lodge & Cabins and the Lake Hotel
- Cody: Hampton Inn & Suites Cody or Best Western Premier Ivy Inn & Suites
Lodging near the west entrance:
- Inside the Park: Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Snow Lodge, and Old Faithful Lodge Cabins
- West Yellowstone: The Historic Madison Hotel or the Yellowstone Inn
Yellowstone in One Day FAQs
Can You See Yellowstone in One Day?
It is possible to see a lot of Yellowstone in one day, but you won’t make it to everything.
With one day in Yellowstone, you can see the major highlights at Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Can You Drive Through Yellowstone in a Day?
Yes, you can drive through Yellowstone in one day. With 5 entrances, there are a ton of different combinations for a road trip through Yellowstone National Park.
It will take you 2-4 hours to drive through Yellowstone, not counting stops.
Is it Worth Driving Through Yellowstone National Park?
Yes, it is definitely worth driving through Yellowstone National Park! With just one day in Yellowstone, you can see a lot of the highlights.
Do you plan to use any of these Yellowstone in one day itineraries on your next trip out west? Let me know in the comments below!
-Megan
More Information on Yellowstone National Park
Check out my other posts on Yellowstone to help you make the most of your visit!
- The Ultimate 1-5 Day Yellowstone Itinerary
- The Ultimate Yellowstone Bucket List: Top 17 Things to See & Do
- The Ultimate 9-Day Yellowstone and Grand Teton Road Trip Itinerary (+ Maps, Photos, & More!)
- The Complete Guide to All 5 Yellowstone Entrances
- Visiting the Old Faithful Area of Yellowstone (How to Beat the Crowds, Tips, & More!)
- The Ultimate Guide to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Yellowstone National Park North Entrance: A Complete Guide
- All 11 Geyser Basins in Yellowstone Ranked
- 12 Essential Tips for Visiting Yellowstone in the Summer
- Beartooth Highway Scenic Drive Guide (With Tips & Photos!)
