Car rentals from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport provide the most flexible access to the park's North and West entrances. The 90-mile drive takes under two hours.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Renting a vehicle gives you full control over your route across 310 miles of paved park roads. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport sits 90 miles north of the park boundaries. You will enter through either the North Entrance at Gardiner or the West Entrance. Fill your gas tank in Bozeman before driving south. Six stations operate inside the park, but distances between them stretch for miles and prices run high. High-altitude weather changes fast, and snow can fall in July. Most park roads close to wheeled vehicles from early November to late April. During those months, only the road connecting the North and Northeast entrances stays clear.
Karst Stage and Old Faithful and Friends operate direct routes from the Bozeman airport down to West Yellowstone. The 91-mile drive takes up to three hours depending on traffic and unpredictable mountain weather. Passengers board right outside the arrivals terminal near the baggage claim. Advance booking guarantees a seat during the July and August peak season when nearly 5 million annual visitors crowd the region. Once dropped off in West Yellowstone, you rely on private tours or walking to navigate the immediate area. Book your return trip at the same time to secure your spot back to the airport.
Salt Lake Express runs daily service covering the 321 miles between Salt Lake City and West Yellowstone. Passengers board at the Salt Lake City Intermodal Hub or directly outside the airport terminals. The journey takes eight hours and requires a mandatory transfer in Rexburg, Idaho. Expect long stretches of highway driving through high desert terrain and agricultural fields. Delays occur frequently during sudden snowstorms or heavy summer construction. Pack a cooler with food and water for the ride, as rest stops are brief and options remain limited. Arrive at your designated pickup location 15 minutes before departure.
Taxi2Jackson provides direct rides from Jackson Town Square straight to the South Entrance. The 57-mile trip north takes 80 minutes and passes directly through Grand Teton National Park, offering views of the jagged peaks. Drivers charge a flat rate of $257 for the vehicle. This route operates only during the summer season, as the South Entrance closes entirely to cars from November to April. Cell service cuts out completely 10 minutes outside of Jackson. Arrange your exact pickup time and location by phone at least 24 hours in advance to ensure driver availability.
The $35.00 vehicle entrance fee covers parking at all major sites, though lots at Grand Prismatic and Old Faithful fill completely by mid-morning. Arrive before 9:00 AM or after 6:00 PM to secure a spot near the wheelchair-accessible boardwalks. Taxis bypass internal parking entirely, dropping passengers at the South Entrance for a $257 flat rate from Jackson.
| From | Mode | Time | Cost | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) | Car Rental | 1 hour 45 minutes | $50-$150 per day | Drive 90 miles to the North (Gardiner) or West Entrance. Fill your gas tank before entering the park boundaries, as the six interior stations are spaced far apart. |
| Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) | Shuttle Bus | 2-3 hours | $175.00 per person | Karst Stage and Old Faithful and Friends run this 91-mile route dropping passengers in West Yellowstone. |
| Salt Lake City, UT | Public Bus | 7-8 hours | $76.00-$95.00 | Salt Lake Express runs daily to West Yellowstone. Expect a passenger transfer in Rexburg, Idaho during this 321-mile trip. |
| Jackson, WY | Taxi/Private Transfer | 1 hour 20 minutes | $257.00 | Taxi2Jackson charges a flat rate from Jackson Town Square to the South Entrance. The 57-mile drive drops you directly at the park boundary. |
Cell service drops completely outside developed areas like Mammoth and Canyon Village. Save the Yellowstone section of the official NPS App for offline use before arriving. Lodge Wi-Fi averages a sluggish 1.5mbps.
Wheeled vehicles cannot access most park roads from early November to late April. Only the road connecting the North and Northeast entrances stays open year-round. Check the NPS 'Current Conditions' page the morning of your drive to avoid sudden closures from snow or construction.
Gas costs more inside the park boundaries. Six stations operate within the 3,472-square-mile area, leaving long stretches of empty road between pumps. Fill your tank completely before crossing the entrance gate.
Park at Grand Prismatic or Old Faithful before 9:00 AM or after 6:00 PM. Midday arrivals guarantee massive crowds and full parking lots. The 310 miles of paved roads also experience frequent delays from herds of hundreds of bison blocking traffic.
Non-U.S. residents aged 16 and older face a $100 per-person surcharge starting January 1, 2026. This fee applies on top of the standard $35 private vehicle entrance pass. No vehicle reservations are required for entry through 2026.
Vehicle reservations are not required for entry between 2024 and 2026. You must purchase an entrance pass at the gate. Private vehicles cost $35.00, while motorcycles are $30.00.
Renting a car offers the fastest route, covering 90 miles to the North or West Entrance in 1 hour and 45 minutes. Shuttle buses run by Karst Stage or Old Faithful and Friends take 2 to 3 hours and cost $175.00 per person. Car rentals range from $50 to $150 per day.
Salt Lake Express provides daily bus service from Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone. The 321-mile trip takes 7 to 8 hours and costs between $76.00 and $95.00. Passengers must transfer buses in Rexburg, Idaho.
Only the road connecting the North and Northeast entrances remains open to cars all year. Most roads close to wheeled vehicles from early November to late April due to snow. Winter access requires booking a guided snowcoach or snowmobile tour.
Starting January 1, 2026, non-U.S. residents aged 16 and older face a $100.00 surcharge per person. This fee applies on top of the standard $35.00 vehicle pass.
Taxi2Jackson offers a flat-rate private transfer from Jackson Town Square to the South Entrance. The 57-mile drive takes 1 hour and 20 minutes. Expect to pay $257.00 for the ride.
Fill your gas tank before crossing the entrance gates. Six gas stations operate inside the 3,472-square-mile park, but they sit far apart and charge higher prices. Always check the official NPS 'Current Conditions' page for sudden closures caused by snow or construction.
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