From Yellowstone’s expansive landscapes, hot springs, and dancing geysers to Glacier’s striking mountains, hiking trails, and wildlife, a whole lot of natural beauty is up for grabs in these gems.
Two of America’s phenomenal national parks provide an opportunity for you to take an epic journey from one park to another. If you’ve ever considered a trip to Glacier National Park, why not make it an amazing road trip adventure from Yellowstone?
This post has got the information you need to ensure you enjoy the most memorable Yellowstone to Glacier National Park road trip. After visiting both, I’m going to call myself a self-proclaimed expert on the parks (LOL) and tell you everything you need to know for your best trip ever.
Let’s begin!
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Your Yellowstone to Glacier Itinerary Breakdown
- Day 1 – Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
- Day 2 – Big Sky, Montana
- Day 3 – Livingston, Montana
- Day 4 – Great Falls, Montana
- Day 5 – Glacier National Park, Montana
With that snapshot of the stops you’ll be making, it’s time to get down to business.
The Eastern route is the most scenic route from Yellowstone to Glacier.
And from my experience, you’ll enjoy this route so much more! Considering these are two of the prettiest US National Parks, you’ll see why.
To make things easier to digest, this itinerary is divided into activities to do in the first and latter part of the day.
Insider Tip: Bring your camera gear for some pics!
Day 1 – Yellowstone National Park to Big Sky
- Total Drive Time: 55 minutes (51 miles)
- Time Exploring: 1 day
- Stay: The Lodge at Big Sky, Big Sky Resort Village Center, Whitewater Inn
- Eat: Proud Cut Saloon, The Cabin Bar & Grill, Horn and Cantle
- Fees: $35 or an America the Beautiful pass
Morning
After flying into Wyoming and picking up your rental car, make your first stop at Yellowstone National Park.
This 1872 landmark was America’s first national park.
Two million spectacular acres of land are home to different hoofed mammals, thousands of plant variations, and hundreds of geysers and waterfalls.
Yellowstone is so full of astonishing natural attractions that it needs its own four-day itinerary.
But you’re an explorer on the go. You’ve got many exciting places to see and things to do.
So take a quick dip in the Boiling River Hot Springs (it’s safe, I promise).
You can’t forget a few gorgeous snaps against exquisite mountain backdrops at Trout Lake for the Gram.
Insider Tip: Also make sure you explore Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River!
Afternoon
I mean, where do I even start with what to do in Yellowstone National Park?
There’s so much and it’s so colorful! But these are a few of the must-sees and my top recommendations:
Grand Prismatic Spring — A famous hot spring in Yellowstone National Park known for its colors and size.
Old Faithful Geyser — The most famous geyser in the park that goes off every 30 to 120 minutes.
Hike Electric Peak — A scenic and challenging backpacking hike in Yellowstone.
Lamar Valley — The perfect place to watch sunrise and spots thousands of bison.
Morning Glory Pool — Another colorful and famous hot spring you can reach by taking Upper Geyser Basin Trail.
Next Read: Your time here might inspire you to plan a separate trip to Yellowstone National Park. If so, it’s totally understandable. She’s an undeniable beaut! This guide has everything you need to do Yellowstone like a pro.
Afternoon to Evening
Drive onwards to Big Sky for your first overnight stay.
You might like an afternoon horseback ride at the 320 Guest Ranch to enjoy the crisp Montana air in nature.
In the evening, you’ll finally see why this area has its name.
The clear, unpolluted night skies of Big Sky are exceptional for star-gazing.
Grab a blanket and some snacks, and delight in the twinkling lights above.
Read Next: Grand Teton to Glacier National Park Road Trip
Day 2 – Big Sky to Livingston
- Total Drive Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (68 miles)
- Time Exploring: 1 day
- Stay: Fairfield Inn & Suites, Super 8, Econo Lodge Livingston
- Eat: Pinky’s Café, Gil’s Goods, Livingston Bar and Grille
- Fees: None
Morning to Afternoon
Before heading to your next stop, shop in the Big Sky downtown area.
You can buy small trinkets and your favorite travel supplies at the Big Sky Town Center and Meadow Village.
Walk around the village, mix with the friendly locals, and get a taste of the town (literally).
Big Sky Noodles (for Vietnamese cuisine) and Big Sky Scoops (for delicious ice cream) are very popular among visitors.
Sweet Buns and Tres Toros Tacos & Tequila offer mouth-watering dishes as well.
You’ll leave Big Sky feeling satisfied, overly eager, and all geared up for more Montana travel missions.
Afternoon to Evening
Make your way to Livingston, Montana’s southwestern gem.
There, you’ll find quaint shops, galleries, and restaurants.
Squeeze in a museum visit to Yellowstone Gateway Museum or Livingston Depot Center for an art-inspired cultural experience.
Then grab dinner downtown before retiring for the day.
Day 3 – Livingston to Great Falls
- Total Drive Time: 3 hours (170 miles)
- Time Exploring: 1 day
- Stay: The Great Falls Inn, Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites, Best Western Plus Riverfront Hotel and Suites
- Eat: The Montana Club Restaurant, Clark & Lewie’s Restaurant, Roadhouse Diner
- Fees: $8 (for Giant Springs State Park)
Morning to Afternoon
Get an early start and continue your journey from Livingston to Great Falls.
If you know anything about this region, it’s full of hot springs galore, like the Spa Hot Springs in White Sulphur Springs.
Great Falls is a little over halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Park.
When you arrive, it’s time for a picturesque hike or a chilled picnic.
Insider Tip: Giant Springs State Park is the perfect place to enjoy both activities.
Afternoon to Evening
You can spend the afternoon doing a history-inspired activity.
Learn about the famous American Old Western artist Charles Marion Russell at C.M. Russell Museum.
Then hit the ice rink for skating fun at the Wheels Of Thunder Family Roller Skating rink.
When night falls, the coolest place to dine in town is Sip ‘n Dip Lounge.
The lounge has a buzzing vibe to it, complete with a retro tiki bar and swimming mermaid.
Yep, there are real-life aqua women just casually swimming in a pool behind the bar. Fabulous, right?
Day 4 – Great Falls to Glacier National Park
- Total Drive Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (146 miles)
- Time Exploring: 1 day
- Stay: Evergreen Motel, Meadow Lake Resort & Condos, Grouse Mountain Lodge
- Eat: Stageline Pizza, Norm’s Soda Fountain, Glacier Highland
- Fees: $8
Morning to Afternoon
Before putting the tire to tar again, check out the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.
This fascinating history museum is dedicated to the pioneering expeditions of the early 19th-century Great Falls explorers.
The advantage of taking a scenic drive from Yellowstone to Glacier is all the immaculate terrain you get to witness along the way.
Insider Tip: Become an adventure photographer and capture as many stunning natural shots of the Montana landscape as you can.
Afternoon to Evening
Can you feel the excitement yet?
You’re inching closer to Glacier National Park at this point, where exhilarating escapades are calling.
Make your journey from Great Falls to Glacier National Park.
You’d be spoiling yourself with a wonderful treat if you stopped at the Montana Dinosaur Trail and Flathead National Forest on your way to Glacier.
Take a guided tour at the Montana Dinosaur Trail and be childlike in your wonder of the dinosaur exhibits.
Flathead National Forest is a prime destination for hiking, picnics, wildlife spotting, and water sports.
Insider Tip: Keep the activities moderate, however, because the next day is about high-action, non-stop fun at Glacier National Park.
Day 5 – Glacier National Park
- Total Drive Time: N/A
- Time Exploring: 1 day
- Stay: Belton Chalet, Glacier Haven Inn, Wonderstone at Glacier
- Eat: Josephine’s Speakeasy, Eddie’s Cafe & Mercantile
- Fees: $35 or an America the Beautiful pass
Morning to Afternoon
You’ve finally made it to the grand destination, the wondrous Glacier National Park.
The park features majestic mountains, peaks, and valleys.
Not to mention the mesmerizing alpine views.
There’s so much to do. Choose between cycling, hiking, wildlife watching, and so much more.
Seven hundred miles of magnificent Montana trail territory are yours to explore.
It wouldn’t be a road adventure worth going on if you didn’t include a trip to the highest elevation point, Logan Pass, on the highly acclaimed Going-to-the-Sun Road.
The elevation is over 6,500 feet tall (more than 2,000 meters).
Insider Tip: Going-To-The-Sun Road is one of the most scenic drives in the world, so make time to drive and explore it!
Afternoon
Can a trip to Glacier National Park really be deemed complete without an adrenaline-inducing water activity?
Nope! This is why the best way to round up your trip is to revel in a white-water rafting adventure.
You’ll be navigating eight thrilling miles of the Flathead River’s Middle Fork route while also taking in the unmatched beauty of Glacier National Park.
The park is so entertaining that you might find yourself considering a return trip or even spontaneously adding a few more days to this road trip.
Either way, here’s a Glacier National Park itinerary teaser to help you savor the very best of Glacier.
Alternative: Find out why Grinnell Glacier Overlook is one of the most awe-inspiring hikes to take at Glacier National Park.
Evening
If you’re looking for an amazing sunset hike to cap off your trip, I can’t suggest Hidden Lake Overlook enough.
The hike takes place behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center.
You’ll ascend a boardwalk and end your hike along some incredibly scenic vistas.
Keep an eye out for mountain goats on trail!
Bring good hiking boots and trekking poles if you’ll need them!
Alternative: If a hike isn’t your jam, Going-To-The-Sun Road has amazing sunset stops!
Depart
As your trip draws to a close, you have a couple of options.
You can travel back to the Yellowstone area on the same route.
Alternatively, you can drop off your rental car (provided you organized the relevant pick-up and drop-off arrangements beforehand) and fly out from Montana.
Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, Montana, is a mere 30 miles from Glacier National Park’s West Entrance.
Yellowstone Glacier National Park Trip Map
It’s always super useful to get a good visual of your road trip so you can see how your journey will unfold.
Here’s a map you can use as a guide for your travels— you’re welcome!
Click here for a live version of the map!
Planning Your Yellowstone to Glacier Road Trip Must-Knows
Here’s the 411. Everything you need to know for your Yellowstone National Park to Glacier National Park road trip.
- When to Go: September to early October. For fewer crowds, beautiful weather, and full access to all the open roads in the parks.
- Distance from Yellowstone to Glacier National Park: 440 miles (depending on the route).
- Trip Length: Five days.
- Fly: Check flights and get the best deals on KAYAK. Your trip will start in Wyoming. It’s best to fly into the airports closest to the park, namely Yellowstone Airport or Jackson Hole Airport.
- Rental Car: You can also check KAYAK for affordable car rental deals.
- Rental Campervan: Use Outdoorsy as your go-to for campervan rentals.
- Stay: Get top accommodation recommendations in the itinerary breakdown below.
- Fees: Standard private vehicle National Park entry passes cost $35. You can save cash by opting for an $80 America the Beautiful pass for multi-park access.
A drive from Yellowstone to Glacier is doable in one stretch, but experiencing the journey over a few days is your chance to claim an unforgettable adventure.
Your trip of thrills, rolling hills, and spectacular Insta-worthy stills awaits.
Quick-Fire Info | Driving From Yellowstone to Glacier National Park
Here are five quick-fire snippets to remember as you plan your drive from Yellowstone to Glacier National Park.
How Far Is Glacier National Park From Yellowstone?
The distance from Yellowstone National Park to Glacier National Park is between 360 and 440 miles, depending on the route and your traveling pace. There are remarkable places to see and fantastic travel activities en route. The aim of the travel game is to have a ball while on the road.
How Long Does It Take to Drive From Yellowstone to Glacier?
A road trip from Yellowstone to Glacier National Park takes up to eight hours if you travel straight through without any stops or overnights. But that’s boring, isn’t it? Take full advantage of being on a holiday break.
Why not make your road trip a five-day traveling fiesta of sightseeing, extraordinary activities, and memory-making?
How to Get From Yellowstone to Glacier National Park
Forget a flight. Do things differently. Enhance your overall travel experience.
One of the best ways to get to Glacier National Park from Yellowstone is by embarking on a multi-day road trip. You can rent a campervan or a car for a smooth, comfortable, private ride from Wyoming to Montana.
Things to Do Between Yellowstone and Glacier National Park
As you’ve seen in the itinerary above, there are loads of things to do while making your way from Yellowstone to Glacier. Activities include hiking, water sports, museum hopping, and unique culinary experiences along the way. Mix it up by balancing the activities you enjoy and entirely new ones to make your trip meaningful.
Where to Stay Between Yellowstone and Glacier National Park
While planning a trip to Yellowstone and Glacier National Park, book comfortable, convenient accommodations to rest and re-energize during the journey. The suggestions above are excellent lodging options for you to consider.
Parting Words | Yellowstone National Park to Glacier National Park Road Trip
Rest assured that any trip that includes Yellowstone and Glacier National Park is a marvelous opportunity to appreciate America’s glorious natural beauty. You get the best of multiple locations when you can road trip from one national park to another.
Now that you’ve got the travel scoop, start planning for a Yellowstone Glacier Road Trip that’ll trump all others.
When you’re ready for more road miles and memories, check out this five-day Arizona road trip from Phoenix to Sedona to Grand Canyon for another incredible excursion to add to your bucket list. I also recommend spending one day in Grand Teton National Park.
