Chief Joseph H'way vs Beartooth H'way
 

Our family is planning a YNP/GTNP vacation from Aug 12-24(possibly a couple of days longer).
We plan to fly in/out of Jackson, as rental car options are too expensive for pick up in 1 location and drop-off in another.

Since we plan to visit Cody for the rodeo and Buffalo Bill museum, should we focus our touring efforts on the Chief Joseph or the Beartooth on our way back to YNP??

I'm not sure how to configure our driving so we avoid a lot of backtracking.

Any suggestions?

Beartooth.

"the most beautiful drive in America," by late CBS correspondent Charles Kuralt

I should have added that we rented a car in Billings and dropped it off in Jackson and it wasn't that bad of a price, but certainly drop fees can be a ton. I have never figured out why they sometimes do this and other times don't. There is no way this far out they could know inventory at either place.

If I understand your situation, I would drive to Cody on Highway 16/14, which is quite scenic from the east entrance of YNP to Cody.

After a second day of sightseeing in Cody, I would drive to delightful town of Red Lodge for a night and the next day drive the Beartooth Highway into Yellowstone (and on to Jackson, if that is your destination).

HTTY

Best drive I've taken anywhere in the world is Beartooth. Chief Joseph is a nice drive but, IMO, cannot come close to matching the beauty of Beartooth.

We will have this decision to make too, ljv, on our trip from Rapid City, to Sheridan,WY. and then to Big Sky, as part of a much longer Denver to Denver trip in June & July. We are not staying in Cody, but I'll have to decide there which road to take. We just don't have big mountains Down Under, so they are special for us.

If we choose Chief Joseph that day, I'm thinking we could do a day trip along the Bear Tooth, from Big Sky through Yellowstone, another day. We've been to Yellowstone, but never on the Beartooth Highway - it's always been closed. Maybe it will be this time too!

Beartooth--no question

As I recall - I think you can combine bits of both in a day - or as you are thinking take a day to do each one. Did the Beartooth from Billings (it's very beautiful - but I have had the pleasure of driving in many beautiful mountain areas) - and wanted to get over to the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody - but didn't have enough time.

Thanks, everyone, for your replies!! The Beartooth it is!

NOW...one last ?
I will be a passenger in the vehicle, with my husband driving. I am acrophopic and agoraphopic.
Which route on the Beartooth is least "frightening"...Cooke City to Red Lodge, or vice versa?

To put my fears in perspective....I was whiter then Casper the F.G. when we reached the summit of Mt Washington in NH, and when we reached Silverton from Ouray ,Co. I was shaking.

Thanks!!