When it comes to American road trips, this one sits right at the top of the list. While Yellowstone is the big-ticket national park here, this drive winds temptingly close to three other incredible parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon and Teton.
Take the temptation, build in a few extra days to see it all, and hit the road for a journey that explores everything from towering red cliffs and plunging canyons, to the orange shards of the hoodoos, the shimmering Great Salt Lake and even the fanfare of Las Vegas.
Then comes the main event of Yellowstone. A landscape of heart-swelling beauty, where geysers erupt with vigour, hot springs steam against the sky, and bison casually wander the valleys. It’s a multi-week adventure through some of the country’s large-format landscapes, and with a campervan, you set the pace. So buckle up and adjust your rear-view mirror, because as far as Los Angeles road trips go, this one has unforgettable stamped across it.
Why renting a campervan for a Los Angeles to Yellowstone road trip is a great idea – expert advice
“What I like about renting a campervan on a trip like this is that it takes the pressure off planning. You’re not locked into a fixed schedule of hotel bookings, so if the weather changes or you just want an extra morning at Yellowstone, you can have it. You’ll be surprised by how quickly the world is left behind on a trip like this when you just go with the flow.” – Harrison Greig, Social Media and Marketing Content Manager
How far is Los Angeles to Yellowstone and how long is the drive?
From LA to Yellowstone National Park, it’s about 1,040 miles and roughly 16 to 17 hours of driving one way. From LA, you can choose to enter through the West Entrance or the South Entrance. Either way, this is a multi-day trip, not a single day’s drive. To cover the expanse of this national treasure and do justice to the stops along the way, you’ll need to allocate at least five days each way, or 10–14 days for the full return loop.
Best route from Los Angeles to Yellowstone
The main and most direct route runs north on Interstate 15 through Las Vegas, Utah and Idaho Falls to Yellowstone’s west or south entrance. If one national park isn’t enough, then you can always extend your trip with a scenic route that takes in Utah’s Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park and Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. That’s four iconic parks in one drive! You can also add a day in Salt Lake City to pick up supplies and enjoy some cosmopolitan vibes before you make your final run to Yellowstone, which is about 320 miles from the capital.
How many days do you need for the trip?
You will need to give yourself at least 5 days one way. Given the distances covered and the sheer scale of Yellowstone, this will likely still feel rushed. If this is your first time to Yellowstone, you’ll definitely want to give it more time. Taking 10 to 14 days lets you enjoy the parks and loop back to Los Angeles. You might spend your first couple of days driving to and exploring Zion National Park, then allocate another two days each to cover Bryce Canyon and Grand Teton, then add three or four days for enjoying Yellowstone, before returning over three days.
Best stops on the Los Angeles to Yellowstone drive
This is a truly epic road trip and one that shouldn’t be rushed through to reach the destination. Make sure you pad out your itinerary with extra days to explore these must-see stops along the way.
Las Vegas
At 270 miles from Los Angeles, Las Vegas makes a convenient first-night stop. This neon-lit Nevada city has a reputation for fun and excess with its dazzling lights that draw visitors from all over the world. The legendary Las Vegas Strip, lined with opulent casinos, hotels, nightclubs, restaurants and all kinds of entertainment, will turn your head in almost every direction as you try to take it all in.
When you’ve had your fill of the lavish Las Vegas streets, head to Red Rock Canyon. Less than 30 minutes from the city, this conservation area set within the Mojave Desert is strewn with vivid and richly colored sandstone rock formations. Take the 13-mile scenic drive, where you can pull into lookouts along the loop for some dramatic photo ops.
Don’t miss a drive to Lake Mead before you head off. A reservoir formed by the incredible hydroelectric powerplant, Hoover Dam, the lake is fed by the Colorado River and is a fantastic recreation area for swimming, boating and hiking. Covering a huge 1.5 million acres with 750 miles of shoreline hemmed by rich-red rocks and slot canyons, you can easily lose a day here.
Zion and Bryce Canyon, Utah
If you have room in your schedule, the drive between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City offers the chance to swing through two of Utah’s most spectacular national parks, Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. They are small deviations from the route, but they are absolutely worthy ones and together, make an easy one- or two-night addition to the drive
About 160 miles from Las Vegas, Zion National Park is marked by soaring, pink-and-cream-hued sandstone cliffs and narrow slot canyons cut-through with streams. Take one of the easier hikes in Zion Canyon, the most-visited attraction in the park.
After Zion, continue on for about 100 miles to take in thousands of hoodoos at Bryce Canyon. This is the largest concentration of these irregular rock pillars anywhere on earth, making the sight of them all huddled together in natural amphitheaters along the Paunsaugunt Plateau nothing short of amazing. If you’re pressed for time, a good look from the Bryce Canyon National Park Sunset Point will be enough to take in their jagged beauty.
Salt Lake City and Park City
About halfway between Las Vegas and Yellowstone, Salt Lake City makes a natural place to break up the drive. West of the city, the Great Salt Lake stretches toward the horizon, a vast mineral-rich remnant of ancient Lake Bonneville. It’s the largest salt water lake in the Western Hemisphere and with water that’s five times saltier than the ocean, floating atop its surface is a popular activity. If you don’t have time to visit the lake, you can get a good view of it, and the city itself, from Ensign Peak, just 10 minutes from the center.
Just 30 minutes from Salt Lake City is the mountain town of Park City. In winter, Park City is a veritable wonderland of snow sports with 400 ski slopes and two resorts, Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain, both of which attract powder-chasers from across the globe. The alpine town is geared for apres ski with loads of bars and restaurants in the historic Main Street to keep you entertained off-mountain. But even if you’re visiting outside of snow season, there’s plenty to get you outdoors with hiking, biking and fly fishing.
Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls is the last major town before you reach Yellowstone, which makes it a good stop for fuel and to stock up on any dwindling supplies ahead of reaching the park.
Hemming the pretty Snake River, Idaho Falls is three hours onward from Salt Lake City and just under two hours from Yellowstone. But before you rush off to your destination, spend some time here exploring the town and wandering the river’s edge. The Greenbelt Trail meanders for five miles on both sides of the river and takes you by shops and restaurants, as well as to the impressive 600-foot-wide waterfall that stretches across the river.
Grand Teton National Park
Serving as somewhat of an appetizer to Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park is just south of Yellowstone and will get you primed and ready for the main event.
Spend some time exploring the national park that takes in the majestic Teton Range and swing into Jackson Hole, a mountain town set in a 42-mile long valley that is well-known as a premier ski resort.
Things to do when you reach Yellowstone
You’ve made it to Yellowstone, so now that you’re here, you likely have a hit-list of sites to tick off in the national park, such as Old Faithful, the geyser basins, Grand Prismatic Spring, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and, of course, just absorbing the natural beauty and all that wildlife-spotting. To make sure you see it all, allocate at least two, but more likely four days, to really get into the park.
Arriving from Idaho Falls, the West Entrance to the park is the best access point. If you’re coming up the scenic route from Grand Teton National Park, the South Entrance will suit better. But if you’re staying around for a few days, mix it up and take the other entrance another day.
Best time of year for the trip
The best time to go is between May and October, as this is when all roads and entrances will be open. While Yellowstone is open every day, 24 hours a day, there are some road closures during fall and winter. Come summer, things can get crowded and you will need to book well-ahead for campgrounds. It’s a good idea to arrive early in the day to ensure you can hit the trails before they get too busy.
Get the Best Rates on Campervan Rentals Across for your LA to Yellowstone road trip
This is a big road trip, so you want to make sure you’re comfortable in your vehicle. Renting an RV or campervan from Los Angeles suits this multi-week trip perfectly, because not only is your accommodation covered with the option to camp in or near the parks, but it saves the high cost of booking hotels along the way. You can choose the perfect vehicle to suit your trip when you book with Travellers Autobarn and every rental comes with free unlimited miles, so you can just relax, kick back and follow the road.
Get excited for more Los Angeles road trips
Renting a campervan from Los Angeles puts you in the perfect position to hit the road, whether you’re keen to head north, south or east into the desert. Start planning your next adventure by checking out these bucket list trips.
- LA to Sacramento road trip
- LA to Grand Canyon road trip
- LA to San Francisco road trip
- LA to Chicago Route 66 road trip
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FAQs
The drive from Los Angeles to Yellowstone takes about 16 to 17 hours one way, spread over several days.
To truly do the drive justice, you’ll need a minimum of 5 days one way minimum and 10 to 14 days for the loop.
The best route is following the I-15 north via Las Vegas, through Utah and Idaho Falls.
The best months to go are May to October. While the park is open year-round, access is limited in the fall, winter and spring.
The south entrance (via Grand Teton National Park) or the west entrance at West Yellowstone.
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