How to Plan a Road Trip from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park

If you’re planning a trip from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park, you’re in for an unforgettable road trip.

Many families visit Mount Rushmore before continuing west to Yellowstone National Park. That’s exactly how our road trip began.

After visiting Mount Rushmore the evening before, we spent the next morning exploring downtown Rapid City before beginning our drive to Yellowstone.

Along the way, we stopped at family-friendly attractions, scenic overlooks, and a few unexpected places that ended up becoming some of our favorite memories.

There’s no one “right” way to make this drive.

The best route really depends on how much time you have and what your family wants to experience along the way.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the route we chose, the stops we made, places we considered but decided to skip, and tips to help you decide what makes the most sense for your family’s trip.

Whether you’re looking for scenic viewpoints, interesting roadside attractions, or simply wondering if you should spend the night in Cody, this guide will help you plan the drive with confidence.

Planning more time in the Black Hills? My Black Hills & Badlands with Kids guide has everything you need to plan that part of your trip, including our favorite family attractions, where to stay, and tips from both of our family trips to the area.

A quick note: Our family of six made this road trip after visiting Mount Rushmore and spending the night in Rapid City. We drove through Bighorn National Forest, spent the night in Cody, and entered Yellowstone through the East Entrance the following morning.

Everything in this guide is based on our firsthand experience, along with the stops we researched while planning our own trip.

Interactive Map: Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone Road Trip

Use the interactive map below to see the route we took from Rapid City to Yellowstone, including our stops along the way and a few optional detours to consider.

Should You Drive from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park?

Absolutely! In fact, I think the drive is part of the adventure.

The route from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone is filled with beautiful scenery, interesting roadside attractions, and plenty of places to stop and stretch your legs.

Rather than looking at it as six hours in the car, think of it as another day of your vacation.

We chose to spend the night in Cody before entering Yellowstone the next morning, and for our family, it was the perfect way to break up the drive.

It gave us time to enjoy several stops along the way, explore a little bit of Cody, and wake up refreshed for our first day in Yellowstone.

Could you drive all the way to Yellowstone in one day? Absolutely. But if your schedule allows, I wouldn’t rush it.

There were already more stops than we had time to fit into one day.

If we had another day, I would have loved to take an extra detour to Devils Tower National Monument or spend more time exploring Cody before heading into Yellowstone.

No matter which route you choose, I think this is one of those road trips that’s worth slowing down for.

Our Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone Road Trip Route

We left Rapid City around 10:30 a.m. and followed one of the most scenic routes to Yellowstone through Bighorn National Forest.

We spent the night in Cody before entering Yellowstone through the East Entrance the following morning.

The interactive map above shows the exact route we took along with every stop we made. Below, I’ll walk you through each one in the order we experienced it.

Family-Friendly Stops Worth Making Between Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone

One of my favorite things about this drive is that it doesn’t have to be just about getting from Point A to Point B.

There are plenty of opportunities to stop, stretch your legs, and experience a little more of Wyoming along the way.

These are the stops we made (or seriously considered) that I think are worth adding to your road trip.

Welcome to Wyoming Sign

As soon as we crossed into Wyoming, we pulled over at the Welcome to Wyoming sign for a family photo.

It might seem like a simple stop, but since it was my first time visiting Wyoming, it was exciting to officially check another state off our family’s goal of visiting all 50 states.

There was a safe pull-off nearby, making it easy to stop for just a few minutes before continuing on our way.

Northeast Wyoming Welcome Center

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect much from the Wyoming Welcome Center.

We originally planned to stop for a quick bathroom break and maybe pick up a few travel brochures before getting back on the road.

Instead, we ended up staying much longer than we expected.

If it’s your family’s first time visiting Wyoming, I think this is a fantastic stop. It’s a great place to stretch your legs, use the restroom, and have a little fun before continuing your drive.

Our boys especially loved the interactive photo opportunities. They climbed into a whitewater rafting display complete with life jackets and paddles, sat on a horse for another photo, and enjoyed looking at the Wyoming wildlife displays throughout the visitor center.

It was much more engaging than a typical roadside stop.

While we were there, I also learned about the nearby Vore Buffalo Jump.

If you have a little extra time, it’s worth looking into. During the summer, they offer affordable guided tours that give visitors a fascinating look at one of North America’s best-preserved buffalo jumps.

We didn’t have time to fit it into our itinerary, but it’s definitely on my list for a future trip.

If you’re looking for a place to take a break during the drive, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend stopping here.

What we expected to be a quick stop ended up being one of the most enjoyable breaks of the day.

Best for: Families looking for a fun place to stretch their legs, use the restroom, and learn a little about Wyoming.

Time needed: 20–30 minutes

Stop for Lunch at the Sinclair Travel Center in Gillette

We originally pulled into the Sinclair Travel Center in Gillette because we needed gas.

By that point, it was also well past lunchtime, and it looked like a good place to grab a bite to eat before continuing toward Cody.

It ended up being so much better than we expected.

The travel center was incredibly clean, the employees were so kind, and the food court had plenty of options.

Our family ordered everything from chicken and biscuits to burgers and sandwiches, so everyone was able to find something they wanted.

What really made this stop stand out, though, was how family-friendly it was.

Outside, there was a small fenced playground where the kids could run around and burn off some energy before getting back in the van.

Inside, there was a small coloring area for younger kids. Our four-year-old colored a picture and was rewarded with a free cookie, which absolutely made his day.

Sometimes the best road trip stops aren’t the ones you plan months in advance.

They’re the places that give everyone a chance to eat, stretch their legs, and reset before the next stretch of driving.

That’s probably the best compliment I can give this place. We liked it so much that we intentionally stopped here again on our drive home.

Best For: Families looking for a convenient lunch stop with clean restrooms, a small playground, and plenty of food options.

Time Needed: 20-30 minutes

Scenic Drive Through Bighorn National Forest

One of the most beautiful parts of the drive between Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone was passing through Bighorn National Forest.

As we climbed into the mountains, the landscape changed almost instantly.

Rolling prairie gave way to towering pine trees, winding mountain roads, and beautiful overlooks.

It was one of those stretches of road where we found ourselves looking out the windows the entire time.

One thing to keep in mind is that we did encounter quite a bit of road construction through the mountains, which slowed us down in several places.

While construction projects can change from year to year, it’s a good reminder to leave a little flexibility in your schedule and not plan every minute of your day.

Even with the slower traffic, I wouldn’t have wanted to skip this route. It was one of the most scenic drives of our entire trip.

Best For: Families who enjoy scenic drives and mountain views.

Time Needed: Plan for extra driving time, especially during construction season.

Stop at Meadowlark Lake

After driving through Bighorn National Forest, we came across Meadowlark Lake and decided to pull over for a quick break.

It wasn’t a stop we had planned ahead of time, but after several hours in the van, it was the perfect place to stretch our legs and enjoy the mountain scenery.

The lake is surrounded by beautiful pine trees and mountains, and there are several places where you can pull off the road to take in the views.

Our boys immediately started throwing the small rocks along the shoreline into the water and climbing on the large boulders while we soaked in the scenery.

Sometimes, that’s all you need.

It wasn’t a famous attraction or a stop we had researched before our trip.

It was simply a beautiful place to pause, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and enjoy a few quiet moments before finishing the drive to Cody.

If you’re looking for a scenic place to break up the drive, I think Meadowlark Lake is well worth a stop.

Best For: Stretching your legs, enjoying the mountain scenery, and letting kids explore the shoreline.

Time Needed: 5–30 minutes

Spend the Night in Cody

We chose to spend the night in Cody, Wyoming, before entering Yellowstone the following morning, and it was the perfect way to break up the drive.

For one night, we stayed at the Best Western Sunset Inn.

While Best Western isn’t a hotel brand we typically choose, we were pleasantly surprised.

It was clean, comfortable, and worked really well for our family of six.

Breakfast was included the next morning, and one of the highlights was having pancakes on the outdoor deck.

For dinner, we ate at Bubba’s Bar-B-Que, which had a good kids’ menu and was an easy choice after a long day on the road.

After dinner, we spent a little time walking around downtown Cody and stopped for ice cream at The Big Chill. The downtown area was charming, and it was a relaxing way to end the day before our Yellowstone adventure began.

If we had another day in Cody, I would have loved to visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, watch the Cody Nite Rodeo, or stop by the Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center. We simply didn’t have enough time to fit everything into this trip.

Looking back, I’d absolutely choose to overnight in Cody again.

It gave us the chance to enjoy both the drive to Cody and the drive into Yellowstone instead of feeling like we had to rush through either one.

Best For: Families looking to break up the drive before entering Yellowstone.

Time Needed: One overnight stay.

Driving from Cody to Yellowstone National Park

The next morning, we woke up knowing we were only about an hour away from Yellowstone.

We had no idea that hour would end up being one of the most beautiful drives of our entire trip.

As you leave Cody, you’ll drive through Buffalo Bill State Park, passing the beautiful Buffalo Bill Reservoir before following the winding road toward Yellowstone’s East Entrance.

The scenery along this stretch of highway is incredible.

Towering rock formations, mountain views, tunnels carved through the rock, and the sparkling blue water of Buffalo Bill Reservoir made it feel like we had already entered a national park.

Of course, we couldn’t resist pulling over a few times.

One of our favorite stops was along the shoreline, where our boys spent time throwing rocks into the water while we stood there taking in the views.

It wasn’t marked as an attraction or planned on our itinerary. It was simply one of those moments that reminded me some of the best memories happen when you decide to pull over and enjoy what’s right in front of you.

It was peaceful, beautiful, and ended up being my favorite unplanned stop of our entire road trip.

Not long after, we arrived at the Yellowstone National Park entrance sign.

Stopping for a family photo there made everything feel real. After months of planning, we had officially arrived.

If you’re driving from Cody into Yellowstone, don’t rush this last stretch of the drive. It truly is part of the adventure.

Best For: Families who love scenic drives and don’t mind making a few spontaneous stops along the way.

Time Needed: About 1 hour without stops, but I’d allow 1½–2 hours to enjoy the scenery.

Other Stops to Consider Along the Way

Even with everything we packed into one day, there were still several places we simply didn’t have time to visit.

If your schedule is a little more flexible than ours, these are the stops I’d consider adding.

Consider a Detour to Devils Tower National Monument

If I had an extra day on this trip, Devils Tower National Monument would have been at the top of my list.

I’ve always wanted to visit.

It’s one of the country’s most recognizable natural landmarks, and I’d love to hike the trail around the tower, see this incredible geological formation in person, and add another National Park Service site to my National Park Passport.

We seriously considered making the detour but ultimately decided it wasn’t the right fit for this itinerary.

While the detour only adds about 40 minutes of driving time, we knew it would turn into a much longer stop once we arrived.

After leaving Rapid City later than planned and knowing we’d already be making several stops throughout the day, we didn’t want to arrive in Cody exhausted.

Instead, we chose to save that time so we could enjoy our evening in Cody, get a good night’s rest, and wake up refreshed for our first day in Yellowstone.

Looking back, I think it was the right decision for our family.

If you have an extra day to work with, especially if you’re planning to spend two nights in Cody or can leave Rapid City earlier in the morning, I absolutely think Devils Tower is worth considering.

Best For: Families with an extra day who enjoy hiking, unique geological landmarks, and collecting National Park Passport stamps.

Time Needed: Allow at least 2–3 hours, plus the additional driving time.

Visit Vore Buffalo Jump

Before this trip, I had never even heard of Vore Buffalo Jump.

As we were driving through northeastern Wyoming, I noticed the sign and found myself wondering what it was.

Later, while exploring the Northeast Wyoming Welcome Center, I learned more about it and was surprised by how fascinating it sounded.

From what I learned, Native Americans once used this natural sinkhole to hunt buffalo, and today you can take guided tours during the summer to see the site and learn more about its history.

As much as I would have liked to visit, we simply didn’t have enough time to fit it into our itinerary.

Between the stops we had already planned and wanting to arrive in Cody at a reasonable hour, something had to be saved for another trip.

If you’re looking for a unique stop along the drive or enjoy learning about the history of the places you visit, I think Vore Buffalo Jump would be worth adding to your itinerary.

Best For: Families interested in history and unique roadside attractions.

Time Needed: Approximately 1–2 hours.

Stop at Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center

The Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center was another stop I had thought about making prior to our trip.

Since we were spending the night in Cody, I knew it would fit naturally into our drive to Yellowstone the following morning.

In the end, though, I decided to skip it because I didn’t want to feel rushed getting into Yellowstone.

That day wasn’t just about driving to the park. It was also our first full day exploring Yellowstone, and I wanted to give our family as much time there as possible.

Looking back, I think we probably could have made the stop without setting ourselves too far behind. But I also have no regrets.

Instead, we slowed down later in the drive, pulled over along the shoreline, and had one of my favorite unplanned moments of the entire trip. Had we been watching the clock more closely, we may have skipped that stop altogether.

If you have a little extra time on your way from Cody to Yellowstone, I think the Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center would be a worthwhile addition to your itinerary.

For us, though, leaving room for the unexpected ended up being the right choice.

Best For: Families looking to add one more scenic or historic stop before entering Yellowstone.

Time Needed: 30–60 minutes.

Visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West was another stop I researched while planning our trip.

From everything I read, it looked like a fantastic museum and one of Cody’s top attractions.

I seriously considered adding it to our itinerary, but I knew we simply wouldn’t have enough time.

The morning we left Cody, our goal was to get to Yellowstone and spend the rest of the day exploring the park.

Visiting the museum would have taken several hours, and I didn’t want to cut into our time in Yellowstone.

If we had been spending two nights in Cody instead of one, I absolutely would have added the Buffalo Bill Center of the West to our itinerary.

It seems like one of those attractions that’s worth taking your time to enjoy rather than trying to squeeze into an already full day.

Best For: Families spending more than one night in Cody or anyone interested in the history of the American West.

Time Needed: Plan on at least 2–4 hours.

Watch the Cody Nite Rodeo

The Cody Nite Rodeo was another experience I looked into while planning our trip and would have loved to do.

In the end, though, we decided not to add it to our itinerary.

After two full days of driving and sightseeing, we knew we needed a slower evening.

Rather than trying to fit in another attraction and staying up late, we chose to enjoy dinner, walk around downtown Cody, get some ice cream, and get to bed at a reasonable time.

The next morning, we were refreshed and ready to spend a full day exploring Yellowstone.

If you’re spending two nights in Cody or have more flexibility in your itinerary, I think the Cody Nite Rodeo would be a fun addition.

For our family, getting a good night’s sleep before our Yellowstone adventure ended up being the better choice.

Best For: Families spending two or more nights in Cody or anyone looking for an authentic Western experience.

Time Needed: Approximately 2–3 hours.

Lessons We Learned on Our Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone Road Trip

Leave More Time Than You Think You’ll Need

Even though the drive from Mount Rushmore to Cody isn’t terribly long, the day goes by much faster than you might expect.

Between scenic stops, lunch, stretching your legs, and simply enjoying the drive, the hours add up quickly.

If you’re traveling with kids, I’d encourage you to build extra time into your schedule.

One of the best parts of this road trip is having the flexibility to stop when something catches your eye instead of feeling like you have to keep driving.

Don’t Let Your Gas Tank Get Too Low

One lesson we learned the hard way was not to let our gas tank get too low.

There are stretches of this drive where towns and gas stations are few and far between. At one point, we realized we had waited a little too long to fill up, and it made for a pretty stressful stretch of driving while we wondered if we’d make it to the next gas station.

Thankfully, we did.

After that, we made it a point to fill up well before we actually needed gas. It’s a simple tip, but it’ll give you one less thing to worry about so you can simply enjoy the drive.

Staying Overnight in Cody Was Worth It

Looking back, I’m really glad we chose to spend the night in Cody instead of trying to drive all the way to Yellowstone in one day.

It gave our family time to relax after two full days of driving, enjoy a nice dinner, explore downtown Cody, and get a good night’s sleep before our first full day in Yellowstone.

Starting Yellowstone feeling rested instead of exhausted made the entire experience more enjoyable.

Leave Room for the Unexpected

Some of our favorite memories weren’t part of our itinerary.

Whether it was stopping at Meadowlark Lake, discovering how much we loved the Wyoming Welcome Center, or pulling over to throw rocks along the shoreline on the way to Yellowstone, the unplanned moments ended up being some of the most memorable.

Don’t be afraid to leave a little flexibility in your schedule. You never know what unexpected stop might become your family’s favorite memory.

Take Your Time Driving from Cody to Yellowstone

It’s easy to think of the drive from Cody to Yellowstone as simply the last hour before you reach the park.

In reality, it’s one of the highlights of the trip.

The drive through Buffalo Bill State Park is absolutely beautiful, with mountain views, tunnels, rock formations, and the stunning Buffalo Bill Reservoir.

It’s one of the most scenic parts of the entire trip and deserves to be enjoyed just as much as the destination itself.

Final Thoughts on Driving from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone

Looking back, I wouldn’t change much about this road trip.

Sure, there are a few places I’d still love to visit someday, like Devils Tower and Vore Buffalo Jump.

But choosing not to do everything gave us the time to enjoy what we did experience without feeling rushed.

Some of our favorite memories came from the stops we never planned.

Throwing rocks along the shoreline, discovering an unexpectedly fun Wyoming Welcome Center, and finding a travel center we’d happily stop at again reminded me that road trips are about so much more than checking attractions off a list.

If you’re planning to drive from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone, I hope this guide helps you feel confident planning your own adventure.

Take your time, leave a little room for the unexpected, and enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

Because in the end, some of the best memories are the ones you never planned.

Ready to Plan Your Own Family Road Trip?

If you’ve ever wondered how I organize family road trips like this one, my Ultimate Family Itinerary Planner is the exact planning system I use for every family vacation.

Over the years, it’s become my go-to planning system for keeping everything in one place, from hotel reservations and must-do activities to daily itineraries, packing lists, and our travel budget.

Whether you’re planning this Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone road trip or another family adventure, it’ll help you feel organized, confident, and excited long before you ever leave home.

👉 Grab the Ultimate Family Itinerary Planner here.

May you LOVE your adventure! KW