What is the fastest/best way from West yellowstone to Mount Rushmore. Where is the best place to stay halfway?

Hi Jinpak,

I think you posted on the wrong question?

Yellowstone is huge, 8000 square kilometers, it would help to know just WHERE in Yellowstone you are starting from. Jackson Wyoming maybe? from there you head south through Casper to Douglas and then head north to Mt. Rushmore.

You're going next week? Check your weather forecasts diligently, you could hit thunderstorms, snowstorms, a number of different scenarios. Are you hiring a 4 wheel drive vehicle?

Hi Debbie,

As I said it is west Yellowstone. Thought maybe go north and head to Cody as it looks like a nice place. We had already been through Jackson & stayed a couple of nights by then. No not a 4wd!

You might not need a 4wd since most roads in Yellowstone will be closed until late April. The road from Mammoth to Cooke City is open and should be clear but you do need to watch those weather forecasts especially if you don't have experience driving in snow and ice and especially if you plan to drive all the way to Mt Rushmore and then into Colorado.
Hopefully someone who has more experience driving that route in early spring will comment.

FYI jinpak didn't post on the 'wrong' thread. He was advertising his business

You know that you can't drive into Yellowstone from West Yellowstone at this time of year right? The only road that's open in winter is the route from Gardiner to Cooke City. You'd be better off staying in Gardiner, MT. They try to keep the northern road clear but it can snow at any time. We've been to Yellowstone in February and May and even in May we've encountered snow. Do you know how to drive in winter weather conditions?