Yellowstone from Salt Lake City: Distance & 2027 Dates

It is roughly 320 road miles from Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone, Montana, which is about a 5 to 6-hour drive on I-15 and US-20 without stops. That puts Yellowstone in range of a two-day trip from Utah's main airport, though most visitors give it at least three days inside the park.

Road dates and park facts checked against the National Park Service on November 9, 2026, by the Private USA Tours planning team. The Salt Lake City distance is approximate; check a live map before you drive.

Can you fly from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone?

Partly. The NPS says the West Yellowstone, Montana airport is served from Salt Lake City from early May to mid-October. Commercial airlines serve Cody and Jackson in Wyoming, Bozeman and Billings in Montana, and Idaho Falls in Idaho all year round. There is no train service to Yellowstone; the nearest depots are in southeast Idaho, Salt Lake City and northern Montana. Public transport inside the park does not exist, so you need a vehicle or a tour.

When does Yellowstone open in 2027?

Most park roads close to regular vehicles from early November to late April. The only road generally open all year to regular vehicles runs from the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, through the park to Cooke City, Montana. The NPS has projected these 2027 dates:

April 16 to October 31: West Entrance to Madison, Madison to Old Faithful, Madison to Norris, Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris, Norris to Canyon Village
May 7 to October 31: East Entrance to Fishing Bridge (Sylvan Pass), Canyon Village to Bridge Bay
May 14 to October 31: South Entrance to West Thumb, West Thumb to Old Faithful, West Thumb to Lake Village, Tower-Roosevelt to Tower Fall
May 28 to October 11: Canyon Village to Tower Fall (Dunraven Pass), Beartooth Highway, Chief Joseph Scenic Byway

All dates depend on weather. From Salt Lake City, the usual entrance is the West Entrance at West Yellowstone, which opens first.

Drive times inside the park

Yellowstone covers nearly 3,500 square miles. The speed limit is 45 mph, and wildlife regularly stops traffic. The NPS gives these average drive times:

Segment	Minutes
West Entrance to Madison Junction	30
Madison Junction to Old Faithful	35 to 45
Old Faithful to Grant Village	40
Grant Village to Lake Village	45
Lake Village to Canyon Village	35
Canyon Village to Norris Junction	30
Canyon Village to Tower Junction	50 to 60
Tower Junction to Mammoth Hot Springs	40

Around 50 miles of road separates Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, so base yourself in two places if you have more than two nights.

Fees for overseas visitors

Yellowstone is one of the 11 parks where non-US residents aged 16 and over pay a $100 nonresident fee in addition to the entrance fee. Read our guide to the America the Beautiful pass for international visitors to see when the $250 pass is cheaper.

A simple Salt Lake City to Yellowstone plan

Day 1: Drive or fly to West Yellowstone. Enter at the West Entrance and see Madison and the Norris Geyser Basin.
Day 2: Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring area in the morning, then Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone via Canyon Village.
Day 3: Hayden Valley at dawn for bison, then Lamar Valley and Mammoth Hot Springs.
Day 4: Return to Salt Lake City, or continue south to Grand Teton.

For a longer route that takes in Mount Rushmore and Grand Teton, see our Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Mount Rushmore itinerary.

FAQ

How far is Yellowstone from Salt Lake City?

Roughly 320 miles to West Yellowstone, about 5 to 6 hours by car.

When does Yellowstone open in 2027?

West Entrance roads open April 16, the East Entrance on May 7, the South Entrance on May 14 and Dunraven Pass on May 28, per NPS projections that depend on weather.

Is there a train to Yellowstone?

No. The nearest depots are in southeast Idaho, Salt Lake City and northern Montana.

Can I fly into Yellowstone?

You can fly to West Yellowstone from Salt Lake City from early May to mid-October. Cody, Jackson, Bozeman, Billings and Idaho Falls have year-round airline service.

What is the speed limit in Yellowstone?

45 mph unless posted otherwise.

Plan Yellowstone with a specialist

Yellowstone is part of our American Horizons journey from Chicago to Los Angeles. We also build private Yellowstone trips from Salt Lake City with a driver-guide and lodging inside the park. Talk to a USA specialist.

Sources: Yellowstone directions and transportation, NPS; Yellowstone park roads, NPS; Nonresident fees, NPS.

Cover photo: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.