Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Fuel & Spare Parts
Gas prices inside the park are slightly higher than elsewhere in Wyoming and Montana.
Prices rise as you get closer to the park, peaking at Red Lodge and Cooke City. Most gate-
way towns have an auto-parts store (Napa or Checker) and bicycle shop. Yellowstone has
a car-repair garage in Bridge Bay, next to the gas station, but if your car is struggling, it is
best to take it to a shop outside the park.
Road Conditions
Harsh winter conditions create frost heaves and potholes that mar even recently repaved
roads. Grand Teton National Park's roads are generally in better condition than Yellow-
stone's. At Yellowstone, there's usually one section of the Grand Loop under construction,
causing delays of up to an hour. Sometimes sections of road are closed between certain
hours; make sure you check the parks' newspapers or websites for current road condi-
tions.
For road closures and conditions outside the parks, contact
www.fhwa.dot.gov/traffic
info/index.htm or state agencies:
Idaho
(
888-432-7326;
www.511.idaho.gov
)
Montana
(
800-226-7623;
www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo
)
Wyoming
(
800-996-7623;
www.wyoroad.inf
o
)
Road Rules
Practice courteous driving etiquette. If you're driving a slow vehicle, use one of the nu-
merous pullouts to let faster traffic pass. If you don't want your open driver's side door
torn off by a passing bus, pull off the road fully when watching wildlife. Wildlife always
has the right of way.
Speed limits in the park are generally 45mph, dropping to 25mph or less at popular pul-
louts or junctions. Hwy 191 in Grand Teton National Park has a limit of 55mph. Roads
outside the park generally have limits between 55mph and 65mph, with highways up to
65mph or 75mph.
The use of seat belts and child-safety seats is required. On motorcycles, helmets are re-
quired for anyone under 18 in Montana and Idaho or under 19 in Wyoming.
