Road trip from pa to yellowstone national park

The fly or drive score is:

666  /  1386

What is the fly or drive score?

The fly or drive score is an estimate of the true cost of travel. A lower score is better. Our score includes factors like airline prices and fuel costs, but it also takes into account the value of your time spent traveling. If you're taking time off work because you have to drive an extra day, it might be better to fly even if driving is technically cheaper. Tap on a blue or green value to customize it.

driving is cheaper

Number of travelers = 1 person

Cheapest airfare = $590.00 round trip

Total airfare for all travelers = $590.00
Extra costs (transportation) = $0.00

Number of passengers = 1 person
Number of cars = 1 car

Gas for each car = $575.15 round trip
Fuel efficiency = 25 mpg

Current gas price = $3.87

Total fuel costs for all cars = $575.15

flying is shorter

Flight distance = 1,579 miles one-way

Driving distance = 1,857 miles one-way

flying is faster

Getting to PIT airport = 39 minutes

Pittsburgh International Airport
Check-in/wait at the airport = 60 minutes

Flight time = 3 hours, 39 minutes
Jackson Hole Airport
Leaving JAC airport = 171 minutes

Total travel time = 7 hours, 39 minutes

Driving time = 28 hours, 56 minutes
2 hotel nights = $150.00

Extra time for stops =

Extra costs (tolls, rental car) =

Wear and tear cost = $0.10 per mile

Total wear and tear = $371.40

flying is better

Value of time factor = $76.49

Value of time factor = $289.46

flying is the winner

Fly Score = 666

Drive Score = 1386

Cost to fly or drive

You can adjust any of the settings above to customize the calculation for your exact trip. We assume some simple default values to get a quick answer to start.

The Fly Score is an estimate of how much it would cost you to take a flight, including factors to account for the value of your time getting to the airport, checking in, and waiting for the plane to take off and land. The default fly score is 666 from Pittsburgh, PA to Yellowstone National Park.

The Drive Score is a comparable calculation that estimates the total cost of doing a road trip. You might spend less on gas than the price of airfare, but it could take you longer to get there if you're driving. So we include the value of your time spent in the car, as well as additional costs for things like hotel, tolls, food, and whatever else you want to include. The default drive score from Pittsburgh, PA to Yellowstone National Park is 1386.

So in this case, it's better to fly from Pittsburgh, PA to Yellowstone National Park. It's significantly cheaper to fly on this trip, unless you made adjustments to the numbers above to alter the calculation.

These results are based on the actual driving distance from Pittsburgh, PA to Yellowstone National Park, which is 1,857 miles or 2 989 kilometers. You can also check the cost of driving from Pittsburgh, PA to Yellowstone National Park.

 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Is it better to fly or drive to Pittsburgh, PA from where I am now?

 Yellowstone National Park

Should I fly or drive to Yellowstone National Park?

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• Planning Summer RoadTrips
• Summer trip from PA to Yellowstone and more

1. Summer trip from PA to Yellowstone and more

   I am trying to plan a 16 day trip for my husband and 2 adult children. We are not rver's, so we will be needing lodging along the way. Mt. Rushmore, the badlands, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons have made the list of destinations. However, I am trying to get as much in as possible since we are out that far. I suggested Glacier National Park, is that too far out of the way? Would it be better to head to points south of Yellowstone when we are done there. Also, how much time to allow for Yellowstone. We will need to drive out of the park for lodging each day since I am told lodging in the park is booked at least one year in advance.

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2. 

   Welcome to the RTA Forum!

   Where you should stay and which route you should take will depend a bit on where exactly in PA you are starting from and exactly when this trip will take place. If this trip is happening in early August, you'll have to keep in mind the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally that brings thousands of people to Western South Dakota.

   I would say that I would probably skip Glacier, as it is probably too much for the time you have.

   Generally speaking, you're going to need 4 days each way just for the drive, so that's half of your trip. I'd give at least 3 days for Yellowstone, a day for Grand Teton, and at least 2 days for the Badlands and Black Hills. That still gives you a couple days to play with, either for stuff to do along the way, or for a little more time at your main destinations.

   I wouldn't immediately give up on the idea of finding a room inside Yellowstone - check frequently as there can be cancellations. If you can't find a room in the park, West Yellowstone is generally the most centrally located area outside the park.

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3. It depends.

   Hello and welcome to RTA !

   You should check the Yellowstone website for lodging options and if non available you can keep checking as cancellations do come up due to their free cancellation policy. West Yellowstone has lodging options if you have no luck. I would recommend at least 3 days to explore the park and the nearby Tetons and as it's so big you could choose different bases to do so. With close to 4 days driving each way that will only leave 5 days 'free' for sight seeing as you go. Glacier isn't too far out of the way, you just need to prioritise where you would like to spend your time.

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4. 

   We are in Central PA near Harrisburg. I was hoping to leave in early June but am a bit concerned about snow in Yellowstone when we get there: not the snow but the road closings that result. Any extra stops along the way would probably not be until a few states away from us as we can do that on another shorter trip. Any thoughts?

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5. 

   Everything in Yellowstone is usually (but not always) open by Memorial Day. From the NPS site:

   2016 Spring Road Opening Dates

   April 15: Mammoth to Old Faithful; Madison to West Entrance; Norris to Canyon.
   May 6: Canyon Junction to Lake; Lake to East Entrance (Sylvan Pass).
   May 13: Lake to West Thumb, West Thumb to Old Faithful (Craig Pass), and South Entrance to West Thumb; Tower Junction to Tower Fall.
   May 27: Tower Fall to Canyon Junction (Dunraven Pass); Beartooth Highway

   Highly recommend you either enter the park or leave the park via the Beartooth Highway if possible.

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6. 

   June should be a fine time to make this trip. Snow is a possibility, but unlikely to cause you any serious problems.

   If you just want to focus on getting west to start, then I'd plan to take I-70/I-74/I-80/I-680/I-29/I-90 out to South Dakota. That will keep you off of the toll roads and avoids Chicago traffic. Your first two overnight stops on this route would be the west side of Indianapolis/Crawfordsville, and then Sioux City, Iowa. That would set you up nicely to see the Badlands at the end of your 3rd day.

   On your way back from Yellowstone, leaving through Grand Teton and then south back to I-80. It's possible that you'd have time to make a quick detour down into Rocky Mountain National Park for a short stop on your way back.

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7. 

   Thanks for all the info. It is tremendously helpful. Your insights make me feel better about planning this trip.

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8. 

   Another question regarding my Yellowstone/Teton trip. Aside from the amazing scenery, do you suggest anything like a river float or guided tours or other activities that might cost money?

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9. If it works for you............

   That's a matter of personal opinion really, but the pure natural beauty is enough for me, although as an example you can take a boat tour on Jenny lake[ I think it is] in the Teton's.

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10. 

    The boat trip across Jenny Lake at the Tetons is one I would recommend, as it takes you to a very nice set of trails and overlooks in the mountain on the other side of the lake. You can also walk around the lake, but that would take quite a bit more time.

    I also did a Float/Whitewater trip with Mad River Rafting in Jackson, and I would highly recommend them if you want to try a little whitewater. The float trip was nice too, but not something I would necessarily do again.

    But as Dave said, something like that really is optional, there is so much to do inside the parks that you could easily fill up your entire trip, and more.

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