Driving Distance: Kansas City, MO to Gardiner, MT

Distance: ~847 miles (1,363 km) via fastest route.
Drive time: ~12 hr 30 min (no stops, ideal conditions).
Realistic trip: 14–15 hours with fuel/food/rest breaks.

Primary Route

1. I-29 N from Kansas City → Council Bluffs, IA
2. I-80 W → I-76 W (brief) → I-80 W across Nebraska
3. I-25 N at Cheyenne, WY → Casper
4. US-20/US-26 W → US-16/US-20 W across Wyoming (Wind River Canyon)
5. US-14/US-16/US-20 W → WY-120 N → US-14A/US-16/US-20 W into Montana
6. US-89 S → Gardiner (Yellowstone North Entrance)

Alternative

I-90 W from Sioux Falls → Billings → US-89 S. Similar mileage; I-90 higher speed but more mountain weather exposure.

Considerations

• Yellowstone weather: check NPS alerts; Gardiner sits at 5,259 ft, accessible year-round but winter driving requires prep.
• Fuel stops: plan in WY (long stretches).
• Wildlife: dawn/dusk caution (elk, bison, pronghorn near road).