How Far Is Driggs Idaho From Yellowstone? Routes and Times
How far is Driggs Idaho from Yellowstone? Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours of driving to the West Entrance via Ashton and about 2 hours to the South Entrance via Jackson, or roughly 105 to 127 road miles depending on your endpoint. Old Faithful and other interior stops add more time inside the park.
Key Takeaways
The West Entrance in West Yellowstone, Montana is the closest gate from Driggs, at about 1.5 hours in our experience on a clear day and just under 2 hours in a Vrbo listing estimate.
The South Entrance via Jackson, Wyoming takes about 2 hours and crosses Teton Pass, which reaches roughly 8,431 feet and can close during severe winter storms.
Calculators return 112 miles in 2 hours 34 minutes (Trippy) to 126.9 miles in 2 hours 53 minutes (Rome2Rio) because they end at different points. The straight-line distance is only 55 miles, but no road follows it.
Old Faithful and the geyser basins add substantial park driving, so a day trip from Driggs leaves roughly five to six hours on the ground. Lamar Valley wildlife trips justify a night in the park.
Yellowstone road openings follow date-specific schedules; in 2026 the West Entrance to Old Faithful road was scheduled to open April 17, so check National Park Service road status before you leave.
Teton Basecamp, a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo in Driggs that sleeps 6, puts Grand Teton about 60 minutes away and Yellowstone about 90 minutes away in best-case conditions.
Search results disagree on this question because every calculator picks its own endpoint. One tool ends at a gate, another ends at a geyser, and a third drops a pin somewhere inside a very large park. The numbers below separate those cases so you can plan with the right one.
At The Peak Properties, we manage Teton Basecamp in Driggs, and guests ask how far Yellowstone really is before almost every booking. Our listing quotes about 90 minutes, which holds on a clear summer morning with no stops. Plan on closer to two hours once you add fuel, coffee, and a line at the gate.
This 2026 guide covers the closest entrance, a route you can follow by highway number, how much park time a day trip gives you, seasonal road openings, and whether Driggs is the right base for your trip.
How Far Is Driggs Idaho From Yellowstone by Car?
Driving distance from Driggs to Yellowstone is the road mileage to a specific entrance or attraction, and it runs from about 104 miles to the West Entrance up to roughly 147 miles to the North Entrance. A drive to a gate usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours; a drive to a geyser basin takes longer.
Endpoint | Road distance | Typical drive time | Source and caveat |
West Entrance (West Yellowstone, MT) | about 104 miles | 1.5 to 2 hours | Our own estimate is about 1.5 hours; a Vrbo listing estimate shows 103.7 miles and 1 hour 59 minutes |
South Entrance via Jackson, WY | varies by route | about 2 hours | Vrbo listing estimate of 2 hours 1 minute; Teton Pass and Grand Teton traffic add variance |
Yellowstone National Park (no entrance named) | 112 to 127 miles | 2 hours 34 minutes to 2 hours 53 minutes | Trippy (112 miles) and Rome2Rio (126.9 miles) |
North Entrance | about 147 miles | about 3 hours 31 minutes | Rome2Rio |
Straight line | 55 miles | not drivable | Trippy lists a 37-minute flight time |
The Vrbo figures are estimates attached to a single listing, so treat them as rough guides. Wanderlog lists 122 miles and 3 hours 22 minutes in normal traffic, which shows how much the assumed endpoint changes the answer.
The 55-mile straight-line figure misleads most. No road follows that line, so plan with road mileage to the gate you will actually use.
Which Yellowstone Entrance Is Closest to Driggs, Idaho?
The West Entrance in West Yellowstone, Montana is the closest Yellowstone gate from Driggs for most trips, reached by driving north through Tetonia and Ashton. The South Entrance takes a similar amount of time, about 2 hours, but adds Teton Pass and Grand Teton National Park traffic.
Choose the West Entrance if your priority is Old Faithful and the geyser basins. The route is mostly open highway, it avoids the mountain pass, and the entrance sits right at the edge of West Yellowstone. If you finish the day there, the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is a short stop for bear and wolf viewing.
Choose the South Entrance if you want Jackson and Grand Teton National Park on the same day. You trade a faster, simpler drive for scenery, and you will share the road with summer wildlife jams and Jackson traffic. A full loop in through one gate and out the other is possible, but it fills most of a day with driving. We recommend splitting it across two days if you can.
For a Yellowstone-only day, take the West Entrance. For a mixed Teton and Yellowstone trip, take the South Entrance one day and the West Entrance another.
Driggs, Idaho to West Yellowstone
What Is the Simplest Driving Route From Driggs to the West Entrance?
The simplest route from Driggs to Yellowstone's West Entrance follows ID-33 north to Tetonia, ID-32 to Ashton, and US-20 north through Island Park to West Yellowstone, Montana. We find the trip takes about 1.5 hours depending on season and conditions.
From Driggs, drive north on ID-33 to Tetonia.
In Tetonia, continue on ID-32 toward Ashton.
At Ashton, join US-20 heading north.
Follow US-20 through Island Park into West Yellowstone, Montana, where the entrance station sits at the edge of town.
Before you leave, check the Yellowstone road status page for closures.
Some local guides route you through Idaho Falls and Ashton, while others go north through Tetonia and US-20. Both reach US-20, so compare your navigation app's estimate before departure and pick the shorter one that day.
This route also avoids Teton Pass, which helps travelers prone to motion sickness. Fill your tank in Driggs or Ashton before reaching Island Park, and download offline maps because cell coverage can be patchy. In summer, aim to reach the West Yellowstone gate before mid-morning, when entrance lines tend to build.
How Long Is the Drive From Driggs to Yellowstone's South Entrance via Jackson?
The route from Driggs to Yellowstone's South Entrance runs east over Teton Pass on WY-22 to Jackson, Wyoming, then north through Grand Teton National Park, and takes about 2 hours without stops. Trippy's sample itinerary puts the first leg to Jackson at about 52 minutes.
Teton Pass reaches roughly 8,431 feet and is steep on both approaches. It can close during severe winter storms, so carry traction devices or drive a four-wheel-drive vehicle from late fall through spring. In July and August, downtown Jackson traffic can add 10 to 15 minutes on afternoon drives.
Here is our honest opinion: skip the South Entrance if you only care about Old Faithful. The scenery through Grand Teton is excellent, but you spend extra time on a two-lane park road behind wildlife stops before you ever reach Yellowstone. The South Entrance makes sense when Grand Teton is already on the itinerary and you want one long, scenic day rather than two separate trips.
If anyone in your car is sensitive to winding roads, the northbound Island Park route is the gentler alternative. It has long straight stretches instead of switchbacks, and it avoids the pass completely.
How Far Is Driggs From Old Faithful, and How Much Park Time Do You Get on a Day Trip?
Old Faithful sits deep inside Yellowstone, so the drive from Driggs is roughly 2.5 to 3.5 hours each way once you add park roads to the West Entrance trip. This is our estimate rather than a posted figure, and park speed limits plus wildlife stops can stretch the total.
Here is a sample day. Leave Driggs at 6:00 a.m., reach the Old Faithful area by about 9:00, and head home by mid-afternoon. That gives you roughly five to six hours on the ground, enough for an eruption, the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalks, and lunch. We recommend allowing a full day for any meaningful Yellowstone visit from Driggs.
A day trip works well for the geyser basins near Old Faithful. It works poorly for Lamar Valley, which sits in the park's northeast corner and is a long way from either entrance you would use from Driggs. If wolf and bear viewing is the goal, sleep in the park and be in Lamar Valley at dawn.
Check the Yellowstone lodge opening and closing dates before you commit to an overnight; in-park lodging is seasonal and several properties close for winter.
When Do Yellowstone Roads and Entrances Open for Driggs Visitors?
Yellowstone entrance and road openings follow date-specific National Park Service schedules, so the drive from Driggs depends on the season as much as the miles. In 2026, the West Entrance to Old Faithful road through Madison was scheduled to open April 17 at 8:00 a.m.
That is a schedule, not a guarantee. Yellowstone roads can close without notice because of weather, animal activity, or plowing delays. Before any drive, check the National Park Service Yellowstone park road status page for current openings and closures.
The park also runs a recorded road-conditions line and a text alert service. Get the current numbers from the National Park Service, since contact details change.
In winter and early spring, confirm that your chosen entrance is open before you leave Driggs. Winter also adds Teton Pass to the South Entrance route, which is another reason the northern Island Park route is a reliable fallback. Shoulder-season visitors should also check which in-park lodging is open before booking, since many properties run on short seasons.
How Close Is Driggs to Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park?
Driggs is about 50 minutes to an hour from Jackson, Wyoming, and about 45 to 60 minutes from Grand Teton National Park in summer. Our Teton Basecamp listing quotes Grand Teton at roughly 60 minutes by car, with Jackson on the way.
Driggs sits in Teton Valley on the Idaho side of the range, which is the quieter side compared with Jackson Hole on the Wyoming side. You can see the Teton Range from Driggs; the peaks rise directly to the east of the valley. The valley floor sits high, over 6,000 feet by most maps, so hydrate on your first day.
Both parks draw heavy traffic. The Teton County Economic Plan Update 2026 reports that Grand Teton National Park recorded 4,655,546 visits and Yellowstone recorded 4,446,508 visits as of October 2023 year to date. The practical result is early starts and patience at entrance stations in peak summer.
For skiing, Grand Targhee Resort is the closest resort to Driggs, while Jackson Hole Mountain Resort sits on the Wyoming side. Grand Teton National Park information is available on the National Park Service Grand Teton page.
Is Driggs a Smart Base for Yellowstone, or Should You Stay Closer to the Park?
Driggs is a smart base for Yellowstone only if you also plan to use Grand Teton and Jackson Hole, because it adds 1.5 to 2 hours of driving each way compared with sleeping in West Yellowstone. For a Yellowstone-only trip, staying in or next to the park saves hours.
If your plan is mixed, Driggs earns its place as a middle ground between the two parks, and you avoid Jackson Hole lodging prices. Our own seasonal guidance is that the area works best when you treat Yellowstone as a long day rather than the whole trip. For more options across the region, see our guide on where to stay near Grand Teton National Park.
This 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo sleeps up to 6 across 1,530-plus square feet. It has a fully stocked kitchen with a MoccaMaster coffee machine, new stainless steel oven and dishwasher (installed in Spring 2026), an in-unit washer and dryer, and a patio BBQ grill. The dining table seats six, so you can pack a park lunch before a 6 a.m. start. Ski racks are available for Grand Targhee days.
It also has limits you should know. There is no air conditioning, though summer evenings in the valley typically drop into the 40s and 50s and ceiling fans run in every room. Pets are not allowed under HOA rules. You will want a car, with two free parking spaces outside the unit. If your group is bigger than six, the identical condo below shares the entrance and may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Driggs from Jackson Hole, Wyoming?
Driggs is about 50 minutes to an hour from Jackson, Wyoming, via Victor and WY-22 over Teton Pass. Trippy's sample itinerary lists 52 minutes for the leg. Allow extra time in winter storms and on July and August afternoons, when Jackson traffic can add 10 to 15 minutes.
How far is Driggs from Grand Teton National Park?
Driggs is about 45 to 60 minutes from Grand Teton National Park in summer. Our Teton Basecamp listing quotes about 60 minutes. The drive goes over Teton Pass and through Jackson traffic, so winter conditions and peak-season crowds can lengthen it.
What is the elevation of Driggs, Idaho?
Driggs sits a little over 6,000 feet above sea level, so most visitors notice the altitude on their first day. Teton Pass, on the route to Jackson, climbs much higher, to about 8,431 feet. Drink plenty of water, and confirm the exact figure with the U.S. Geological Survey if you need it.
What is there to do in Driggs, Idaho?
Driggs works as a four-season base. Summer activities include biking, hiking, rafting, fly fishing, and golf, while winter brings skiing at Grand Targhee and snowmobiling. Downtown Driggs and nearby Victor have restaurants, boutique shops, and breweries, and Jackson is an easy drive for a night out.
What is the best place to stay near Yellowstone in Driggs, Idaho?
The Peak Properties offers Teton Basecamp, a renovated 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo in Driggs that sleeps up to 6 and sits about 90 minutes from Yellowstone and 60 minutes from Grand Teton in best-case conditions. If you only want Yellowstone, compare it with lodging in West Yellowstone or inside the park. If you also want Grand Teton and Grand Targhee, Driggs is the stronger base.
Can I book Teton Basecamp directly?
Yes, you can book Teton Basecamp directly through The Peak Properties and save up to 15% compared with third-party platforms. Check-in is self-service, and we are available by app or phone during your stay.
Do I need four-wheel drive to drive from Driggs to Yellowstone?
In summer, a reliable two-wheel-drive car handles the routes. In winter, carry traction devices or use four-wheel drive, because Teton Pass is steep on both approaches and can close during severe storms. The northern Island Park route avoids the pass.
So How Far Is Driggs Idaho From Yellowstone, and Is the Drive Worth It?
The short answer to how far is Driggs Idaho from Yellowstone: about 1.5 to 2 hours to the West or South entrance, and 2.5 to 3.5 hours to Old Faithful. The West Entrance via Tetonia, Ashton, and US-20 is the simplest route. The South Entrance via Teton Pass and Jackson fits best when Grand Teton is on the same trip.
Plan for a long day or an overnight, and check National Park Service road status before every drive. Heading into the 2026 season, that single habit prevents most closure surprises. Browse all properties at The Peak Properties to compare bases across our mountain markets.
If your plan pairs Yellowstone with Grand Teton, Teton Basecamp sits in the middle of that map, and the fully stocked kitchen means you can pack a park picnic before an early start. Check availability for your dates.
Written by Michael Leonard, Owner & Manager at The Peak Properties
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