RV Road Trip: Sacramento to West Yellowstone (3-Day Itinerary)

**Distance:** ~750 mi (1,200 km). **Drive time (RV/towing):** 16–20 hrs. **Recommended: 3 days** for comfort, scenery, and safety.

Day 1: Sacramento → Susanville (~300 mi, 6–7 hrs driving)

1. Take **I-80 E** to **Reno, NV** (~135 mi, 2.5 hrs). Fuel, groceries, stretch.
2. Continue **US-395 N** from Reno (~165 mi, 3.5 hrs) through **Honey Lake Valley**, **Lassen Volcanic National Park** vicinity.
3. Overnight: Susanville, CA – RV parks (Diamond Mountain, High Desert), full hookups.

Day 2: Susanville → McArthur-Burney Falls (~200 mi, 5–6 hrs driving)

1. **US-395 N** through **Eagle Lake** (scenic pullouts).
2. Detour **CA-44 W / CA-89 N** to **Lassen Volcanic NP** (if open, seasonal) – Bumpass Hell, hydrothermal areas.
3. **CA-89 N** to **McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial SP** – 129-ft spring-fed falls, year-round flow.
4. Overnight: Burney Falls campground (reserve early) or Burney RV Park.

Day 3: Burney Falls → West Yellowstone, MT (~250 mi, 6–7 hrs driving)

1. **CA-89 N / US-395 N** to **CA-299 E** → **I-5 N** (Weed) → **US-97 N** (Klamath Falls, OR).
2. **OR-140 E / US-20 E** through **Lakeview, OR** → **US-20 E** across **Idaho** (Island Park, Ashton).
3. **US-20 E / US-191 N** into **West Yellowstone, MT** (west entrance to Yellowstone NP).

Alternate Faster Route (Less Scenic)

**I-80 E → I-84 E → I-15 N → US-20 E** (Salt Lake City → Idaho Falls → West Yellowstone). ~700 mi, 12 hrs driving—better for 2-day push.

RV-Specific Tips

• Grades: US-395 & CA-89 have 6–8% grades—use lower gears, monitor temps.
• Fuel: Fill in Reno, Susanville, Klamath Falls—long stretches sparse.
• Weather: Check **Caltrans QuickMap** (CA), **511.idaho.gov**, **Wyoming 511** for passes (Lassen, Island Park).
• Reservations: Book Yellowstone campgrounds (Madison, Bridge Bay) 6 mo ahead.

Why 3 Days Wins

Less fatigue, time for Lassen/Burney Falls, safer mountain driving, and you arrive in West Yellowstone refreshed—not road-weary.