Bozeman, MT to Bend, OR

Hi, We are a family of four (two adults, two children under 10) and we have 2-3 days available in July to travel from Bozeman to Bend, OR and are having a difficult time deciding which route to take. For all of you NW US experts, do you have any advice as to whether it would be better for us to travel from Bozeman via the route of Missoula, Couer d%26#39;Alene, Spokane or head south on the route through Yellowstone and then Southern Idaho?

We have never seen this part of the country and we are really looking forward to seeing the beauty of this area. We will most likely be following the interstate but would like to travel a bit off it as well, as time will allow. Also, I%26#39;ve read that the traffic in Yosemite can be difficult during the summer but I don%26#39;t know if this should play a part in our decision or not...

Thank you so much for any advice you can offer...

Bozeman, MT to Bend, OR

If you are staying in Bozeman, will you have already made a day trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks?

If not, I have to vote for that route. Yellowstone and Grand Teton are beautiful and amazing. Get up early and make a circuit through Yellowstone. Drive through Grand Teton Park and then west to the freeway at Idaho Falls.

When you get to Ontario OR you would get off the freeway and drive Hwy 20 to Bend. This will give you a lot of time to see wide open spaces and is relatively straight and uncrowded.

Welcome to the Northwest.

Bozeman, MT to Bend, OR

I too would opt for Yellowstone. One of my favorite places, and Grand Tetons also very good. I would go east from mammoth then south to Yellowstone Falls then west and turn south to Old Faithful, then south to Grand Teton. several stops you could make.

When you reach Ontario another option is Hwy 26, through John Day. It is a bit longer than hwy 20 but prettier in my view. from Unity on, first 60 miles not that great.

Thank you so much for your replies. It looks like as we have never been to Yellowstone that this will probably be the route that we choose.

I do have one other specific question, as I am a bit clueless when it comes to estimating summer driving times in Yellowstone. As we will be in Bozeman until mid-afternoon and then starting our drive down to Yellowstone after that, where would you suggest that we try to find a hotel? Does the summer traffic make it difficult to get to Teton Village or Jackson before nightfall?

Again, thank you for all of your help and feel free to ask me any questions if you are traveling to Italy. :-)

mammona - I would strongly suggest that you ask that question right away on the Yellowstone forum in Wyoming. I haven%26#39;t actually been in many, many years.

Lodging in the park, I would guess, fills up very fast, but locals may be able to advise you about a reasonable alternative.

Will do - Thanks ILuvOregon!

Last summer we treid to get reservatiuons in Park 3 or 4 months in advance, no luck, but we could get them in West Yellowstone. For you Gardiner might be better if you can get room there. You can try the Park, but good luck

Here is the official lodging source for in the park facilities; do not use others, they charge a fee:

Official Lodging and Tour vendor for Yellowstone National Park

(NOTE: Call them frequently, cancellations occur. Tell them your needs, after they finally answer the phone - be patient.)

http://www.travelyellowstone.com/

West Yellowstone is adjacent to the west entrance, Gardiner to the north entrance. Reserve lodging as soon as possible. Don%26#39;t worry about a pool; the park will provide plenty of geyser and wildlife entertainment.

Buy a large, cheap, cooler for beverages and snacks so you don%26#39;t have to return to a cafeteria for food just when things get interesting.

Try to plan on maximum time you can in YNP; you and the kids will be galvanized by what it offers.

If you have binocular(s)even better.

Thank you so much for all of your replies. I think that staying in West Yellowstone will be best for us and then we can enjoy the day there starting from the West entrance and heading to Old Faithful and then south.

All the best to all of you!

Done this drive a few times with kids. I agree to Yellowstone route and then getting off interstate at Ontario (fill tank). This will be a long drive and you are giving up the Gorge, but it%26#39;s a nice change from the Interstate. Have lots of cold drinks and snacks. It will be hot in July. Plan those potty breaks!

If I can talk YELL on the OR board:

be prepared for traffic. Whether it be a ';bear jam'; or just too many cars. Also, check the NPS site for Yellowstone (www.nps.gov) because a section of the park loop is always under construction and this could mean you may have to go ';the long way.';

Plan carefully whether you want to enter via the north entrance (beautiful drive from Livingston) or the west. Also, there is so much to see in YELL. I would devote as much time as possible to YELL (out of the car) and then prepare for the long drive to Bend. As for going down to Grand Tetons...that%26#39;s a long drive--how much extra time in the car can your kids stand?