Las Vegas to Yellowstone: ~700 Miles, 12 Hours Driving

The drive from Las Vegas to Yellowstone National Park is a classic Western road trip: ~700 miles (1,125 km), 11–13 hours behind the wheel depending on entry point.

Distances to Key Yellowstone Entrances

Primary Route

I-15 N (Las Vegas → Idaho Falls) → US-20 E (Idaho Falls → West Yellowstone). Alternative: I-15 → I-90 (Butte) → US-89 (Livingston → Gardiner/North Entrance). Similar time.

Recommended Itinerary (2.5 Days)

• Day 1: LV → Idaho Falls (4.5 hr) → overnight.
• Day 2: Idaho Falls → West Yellowstone (1.75 hr) → enter park, geyser basins.
• Day 3+: Explore loop (Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, Canyon, Mammoth, Lamar).

Tips

• Enter early (before 9 AM) to avoid entrance lines.
• Buy pass online ($35/vehicle, 7 days).
• Fuel up in Idaho Falls / Rexburg — limited in park.
• Check NPS.gov/yell for road closures (spring opening, construction).
• Bear spray, layers, binoculars, patience.

It's a long haul — but the transition from Mojave to Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is one of America's great ecological gradients.