How Far Is It from Yellowstone to Glacier National Park?
Get all the drive times and distances from Yellowstone to Glacier National Park in this comprehensive guide. Read on for travel tips, a complete itinerary, plus must-see stops for your epic vacation between these two iconic national parks!
Planning Your Drive: Yellowstone to Glacier Tips
The drive from Yellowstone to Glacier National Park is between 6–8 hours (372–392 miles), depending on where you enter and exit each park.
Road construction, traffic, and weather conditions are always factors to plan for when driving in Montana. Check the Montana Department of Transportation’s road map before you go.
Glacier National Park now requires vehicle registrations at several entrances during peak seasons to limit crowds. If you plan to visit between May 24 and September 8, get your Glacier vehicle reservation as early as possible.
The journey between these two awe-inspiring national parks can be done in one long day, but consider adding at least one stop to make your adventure more enjoyable. Even better: Give yourself five or more days to get the most out of your road trip.
Best Times to Visit Yellowstone & Glacier
The ideal time to visit Yellowstone National Park (YNP) is late spring and early summer (May–June). Baby animals are easy to spot, early season wildflowers are starting to bloom, and crowds are much smaller. Be sure to check that roads and facilities you plan to use are open. See our post about visiting Yellowstone in May.
Road accessibility and wildlife viewing are best in the height of summer (July & August), but it's also the busiest season, so add in a buffer for drive times.
The best time to visit Glacier National Park depends on what you want to do and see. June–September is the most popular time, with optimal weather for hiking, boating, and driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road. For fewer crowds and stunning fall foliage, visit September–October. Many roads and facilities close October 15–May 15.
Yellowstone to Glacier Distances and Drive Times
Begin in Bozeman, MT, which is about 1 hr, 45 mins from Yellowstone’s West Entrance.
Distances and drive times for each leg of your trip:
Bozeman to West Yellowstone, MT (West Entrance to YNP): 89 miles; 1 hr, 45 min
YNP West Entrance to North Entrance in Gardiner, MT: 54 miles; 1hr, 40 min
Gardiner, MT to St. Mary Entrance in Glacier National Park: 375 miles; 6 hrs, 15 min
St. Mary Entrance to West Glacier Entrance (via Going-to-the-Sun Road): 50 miles; 2 hrs
West Glacier to Bozeman: 325 miles; 5–6 hrs
Remember: that’s with no stops.
Yellowstone to Glacier Itinerary
Stop 1: Bozeman, MT
Start your road trip in the thriving town of Bozeman, MT. Whether you fly or drive in, we have a locals-approved list of fun things to do in Bozeman.
Your Yellowstone to Glacier RV rental is ready!
Stop 2: West Yellowstone Entrance
Bozeman to West Yellowstone, MT: 89 miles
The two-hour drive on Highway 191 from historic and charming Bozeman to the popular and amenity-rich West Yellowstone, MT is filled with dramatic natural beauty, as you wind your way through Gallatin Canyon along the Gallatin River.
Fun Stops Along the Way
Consider stopping in the mountain town of Big Sky. The ski resort offers hiking, biking, ziplining, shops and restaurants in the warmer months.
For outdoor fun, check out Ousel Falls Park (a short hike to a great waterfall oasis), Hebgen Lake (near West Yellowstone and offers fishing, boating, hiking and more), and Gallatin River rafting (many outfitters offer wonderful guided raft trips of varying skill levels that are quite memorable and fun).
Where to Camp
You’ll find several scenic campgrounds near Big Sky, MT including our favorite Red Cliff Campground.
For a great RV campgrounding near West Yellowstone, consider Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park & Resort or the KOA Yellowstone/West Gate.
For those wanting to camp inside Yellowstone National Park at one of its 12 campgrounds, be sure to book early and check for RV length and generator usage limits.
Stop 3: Yellowstone National Park
West Yellowstone, MT to North Entrance in Gardiner, MT: 53 miles (90 minutes).
Drive east on US-191 S/US-20 E/US-287 for 13.5 miles, then turn left on US-89 until you reach the North Entrance in Gardiner. To fully appreciate the beauty along the way, allow for at least half a day or more.
The drive from West Yellowstone to Gardiner is one of the most scenic routes in the park. This journey showcases the varied landscapes and geological wonders of Yellowstone as well as great wildlife viewing.
Some of the park’s most iconic sites are also on this route including Gibbon Falls, Norris Geyser Basin, Roaring Mountain, Obsidian Cliff and the famed Mammoth Hot Spring.
Insider Tips
Yellowstone’s gates and roads get congested in the busy summer season. Try entering the park at 7 or 8am to avoid crowds. Cell service in the park is pretty much zero, except for at a few visitor centers.
The northern part of the park—Lamar Valley, a 1-hour detour—is known for having the best and most abundant wildlife, hence its nickname, the “American Serengeti.” Consider hiring a trained, private wildlife guide from Good Trip Adventures to help you better spot and understand the wildlife in Yellowstone.
Stop 4: St. Mary, MT – East Entrance to Glacier National Park
Gardiner, MT to St. Mary, MT: 360 miles (7–8 hours).
This drive from Gardiner to the East Gate of Glacier National Park at St. Mary is yet another gorgeous overland adventure through some of Montana's most stunning landscapes.
Best Places to Stop Along the Way
This scenic route through Big Sky country takes you on US-89, I-90, US-287, I-15, then back to US-89. Consider breaking up the long drive with an overnight stop at one of these great places:
Bozeman: As you head north on US-89 and then west on I-90, you’ll loop back through Bozeman. If you haven’t checked out its Main Street, enjoy its shopping, dining, and culture. The Museum of the Rockies, with its extensive collection of dinosaur fossils including a T. Rex skeleton, is a must-visit for history and science enthusiasts.
Helena: About 100 miles from Bozeman, the historic and charming capital city of Montana, is a good place to stop. Tour the Montana State Capitol and the Cathedral of St. Helena. For outdoor enthusiasts, Gates of the Mountains Wilderness is a short drive away, offering boat tours through towering limestone cliffs along the Missouri River.
Great Falls: About 90 miles from Helena, the small city of Great Falls is known for its rich art scene and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, which offers insights into the famed explorers’ historic expedition. Don't miss the chance to see the series of waterfalls on the Missouri River that gave the city its name, particularly the impressive Ryan Dam.
Where to Camp Near Glacier
If you prefer a developed campground, stay in St. Mary at the East Glacier KOA Holiday, East Glacier RV Park, or Johnson’s Campground.
For camping inside Glacier, stay at St. Mary Campground, Two Medicine Campground, Many Glacier Campground, Rising Sun Campground, Avalanche Campground, Apgar Campground, Fish Creek Campground or Sundance Campground.
For these Glacier National Park campgrounds, reservations are typically required.
Stop 5: Going-to-the-Sun Road
Distance from St. Mary to West Glacier, MT via Going-to-the-Sun Road: 50 miles.
Unlike at West Glacier, access to the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the St. Mary Entrance does not require a vehicle reservation in 2024 (see more about Glacier’s vehicle reservations). But the maximum vehicle length for the Going-to-the-Sun Road is 21 feet, including bumpers.
Plan to check out these 6 “jewels” of eastern Glacier National Park: St. Mary Visitor Center, St. Mary Lake, Two Medicine Valley’s Sinopah Peak, the cruise to Twin Falls on Two Medicine Lake, Cut Bank trail head, the Many Glacier area, and Wild Goose Island.
Drive the full 50 miles of Going-to-the-Sun Road (about 2 hours without stops) and exit through the popular West Glacier gate.
For those whose RVs exceed 21 feet, or who prefer to leave their RV at their campsite, use the Going-to-the-Sun shuttle system to explore the route. Or you may drive around the park to the West Glacier entrance (just under 2 hours).
Stop 6: West Glacier, Montana
Glacier’s western side is quite popular for experiencing the park’s beauty with easy access to services and amenities. The village of West Glacier, Montana is just outside the park’s gate and has dozens of casual shops, restaurants, and stores as well as proximity to many fun and adventurous activities and campgrounds outside the park.
The charming towns of Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls are less than an hour away.
Things to Do on Glacier National Park’s West Side
Besides the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier offers plenty of things to do:
Apgar Visitor Center
Logan Pass Visitor Center (on Going-to-the-Sun Road)
Hidden Lake Overlook hike
Lake McDonald (with its many amenities and bike/boat rentals)
Avalanche Lake hike
Bowman Lake
The challenging but beautiful Highline Trail
Things to Do Near West Glacier
There are many non-park activities both in West Glacier and the nearby towns of Whitefish, Kalispell, and Columbia Falls:
Soar on the Glacier Highline zipline course
Bike the Whitefish Trail
Explore the Whitefish Mountain Resort (a ski resort with several summer activities)
Fly fish on one of the many rivers and lakes
Enjoy the water on Whitefish Lake
Hike in the Flathead National Forest
Sample breweries and distilleries in Whitefish
Where to Camp Near West Glacier
Finding a camp spot at one of Glacier's 13 front-country campgrounds can be challenging given their popularity. Some allow reservations six months in advance while others are on a first-come/first served basis.
For those needing or wanting to stay outside the park, the town of West Glacier offers a wide range of good options. Three of our favorite campgrounds are the West Glacier KOA Resort, the West Glacier RV Park & Cabins, and the Moose Creek RV Resort & Bed & Breakfast.
Each of these campgrounds can help you find fun activities nearby.
Stop 7: Bozeman, MT
Distance from West Glacier to Bozeman: 325 miles, 5–6 hours
Fun Stops Along the Way
There are several different driving routes from West Glacier to Bozeman, each of which has great places to stop as well as stunning Montana vistas.
If you want to break up your drive to Bozeman, consider one of these for a quick stop or an overnight stay:
Whitefish and Columbia Falls (30 miles from West Glacier; 325 miles from Bozeman)
Kalispell (40 miles from West Glacier; 300-400 miles from Bozeman)
Flathead Lake (42-85 miles from West Glacier; 275 miles from Bozeman)
Seeley Lake (114 miles from West Glacier; 200 miles from Bozeman)
Missoula (140 miles from West Glacier; 200 miles to Bozeman)
Helena (216 miles from West Glacier; 00 miles from Bozeman)
Anaconda (230 miles from West Glacier; 110 miles from Bozeman)
Butte (250 miles from West Glacier; 90 miles from Bozeman)
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park (290 miles from West Glacier; 50 miles from Bozeman)
Madison Buffalo Jump State Park (300 miles from West Glacier; 32 miles from Bozeman)
Three Forks (300 miles from West Glacier; 31 miles from Bozeman)
Plan Your Trip from Yellowstone to Glacier National Park Now
For a memorable and comfortable road trip, rent a premium, low-milage and impeccably maintained RV from Blacksford in Bozeman. We’ll answer all your questions so you can hit the road with confidence, knowing our team is available 24/7 during your vacation.
Ready to take your epic Yellowstone to Glacier getaway?