AboutPeggy Scott Expertise I live 90 miles south of Yellowstone Park I can give solid information about West Yellowstone and the area around Island Park, Idaho
Expert: Peggy Scott Date: 5/7/2008 Subject: Driving from Seattle to Yellowstone Park
Question My husband and I plan to drive from Seattle to West Yellowstone in 1 day in
the middle of June. We understand that the drive will be long. However, I'd
like to know about the type of highway terrain that we will encounter (ie. lots
of mountainous drive, smooth and straight, narrow/wide roads...etc.).
If possible, please suggest which parts of the drive is the easiest so I can
drive parts of the way (as I'm uneasy at high speeds).
Thanks!!
Answer Well it all depends on your route. The fastest and easiest would be to hook up with I-90 in Seattle and stay on it until you get to Belgrade, Montana. At Belgrade you would head south on US 191. I am not too familiar with the route from Washington to Spokane but the only bad part I can think of there is Snoqualmie Pass. The road is winding after you get past Coeur d'Alene and Wallace, Idaho over Fourth of July Pass. After that it is smooth sweeping curves. It isn't bad again until Missoula, Montana and then there are some slower curves there. But keep in mind this is all four lane interstate so bad is a relative term. The road from Spokane on is mountainous and tree covered. Coeur d'Alene is one of the prettiest towns in Idaho in my opinion so this route is not hard on the eyes either. After Belgrade south the road is two lane and well maintained as I remember but I haven't been on it for several years. Some of the route runs through Yellowstone Park so the speed limit is lower. If you arrive on this stretch late in the evening the slower limit is not a bad thing as there may be critters on the road, deer, elk or moose. If you are looking for the easier parts to drive I would suggest eastern Washington before Spokane and Montana after Missoula right around Drummond. Hope this helps. If you need more info feel free to ask again. Peggy Scott
