Is it better to drive or fly to Yellowstone?

Is it worth driving through Yellowstone?

Yellowstone. A whisper of geysers, a vast, breathing landscape. The Grand Loop, a figure eight etched onto the earth itself. Time slows there, stretching, yawning. Days melt into sunsets painted in fire.

Three days? A mere blink. I spent a week, lost in its immensity. Each curve a revelation. The air, thick with the scent of pine and something ancient, something primal.

• Old Faithful, a reliable heartbeat in the wilderness.
• Grand Prismatic Spring, a jewel box spilled across the land. Its colours, impossible.
• Mammoth Hot Springs, terraces of alabaster, sculpted by time itself.

The road unwinds, a ribbon of asphalt through a world untouched. Or so it seems.

Driving through Yellowstone is not just a journey, it is a pilgrimage. A stripping away of the superficial. It’s essential. Each mile, a meditation. You feel small, insignificant, yet utterly connected. The vastness overwhelms, but soothes.

I remember the bison, massive and indifferent, their eyes ancient pools of knowing. I remember my breath catching in my throat, watching a grizzly bear fish, a creature of myth made real.

It is worth it. More than worth it. A lifetime isn’t enough. It changes you, somehow. You leave a piece of yourself there, amongst the pines and steaming vents, and yet you carry Yellowstone within you, always. The scent of sulfur, the echo of silence. Everlasting.

My heart aches still, for that wild, impossible beauty. 2024. The memory remains vivid, sharp, clear.

What is the best way to get around Yellowstone National Park?

Car. Yellowstone demands it.

Guided tour? Waste of funds, frankly.

• Drive. Only way.
• Size? Brutal.
• Tours? Not for me, nope. My wallet disagrees.
• Roads? Surprising good, better than 89 south near my place.

Car. Yellowstone. End of story.

Additional Information:

• Timing matters. July/August? Expect crowds. Early morning trumps all.
• Wildlife. Keep distance. Bison are not cuddly.
• Gas. Fill up before entering. Really.
• Maps. Download offline. Cell service is spotty. Don’t get lost like my cousin did.
• Reservations. Lodging? Book months ahead. It’s war out there. Campsites, too. Don’t skip the online reservations.
• Thermal features: Stepping off boardwalks? Instant Darwin Award.
• Bear safety: Bear spray. Learn to use it. Seriously, practice it.

Yellowstone? My backyard, basically. Trust me on this.

When visiting Yellowstone where should I fly into?

Fly into Yellowstone? Ha! You can’t just drop outta the sky like a confused pelican right into Old Faithful, ya know? But here’s the real dirt:

• West Yellowstone (WYS): Closet airport to Yellowstone. It’s so close you could probably throw a bison burger and hit the entrance.

• Jackson Hole (JAC): Fancy schmancy airport. More flights than a flock of geese headin’ south for winter. Plus, Jackson Hole’s scenic like a postcard.

• Bozeman (BZN): Bigger airport with way more flights than you can shake a stick at. Easier to get in and out, unless you’re stuck behind a tour bus!

Think of it this way: WYS is like your local mom-and-pop store, super close. JAC is the boutique option, all swanky. And BZN is the big box store – convenient but maybe not as personal, or something. Depends if you are like me; I prefer Bozeman!

Also, remember to pack your bear spray! Seriously. It’s like pepper spray, but for bears! And trust me, you don’t want to argue with a bear.

Speaking of Bozeman, I once saw a guy there try to pay for his coffee with a buffalo nickel. The barista looked at him like he’d just landed from Mars! Bozeman’s changed, man.

How many days does it take to drive through Yellowstone?

Yellowstone? Two days, minimum. Grand Loop it, figure-eight style.

• Highlights only: Two days.
• Avid explorer: Forget it.
• Bring bear spray. Seriously.

Additional Information

• Geothermal Features: Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic. Don’t fall in.
• Wildlife: Bison, elk, maybe a wolf. Respect boundaries.
• Lodging: Book months ahead. It’s a zoo.
• Traffic: Expect delays, especially summer. Pack snacks.
• Elevation: Adjust. Altitude sickness sucks.
• Bring good shoes. Trails aren’t paved. Saw a guy in flip flops. Idiot.
• Check road conditions. Snow happens. Even in June.
• Cell service? Spotty. Get a map. Actual paper map.
• Did I mention bear spray? Get some.

Is it better to travel by plane or car?

Planes versus cars, eh? It’s like asking if Nutella is better than… well, slightly less good Nutella.

Road trips: Freedom, baby! Snacks are key, I tell you. Think less “gourmet” and more “gas station jerky chic.” Split gas… and sanity! Hotel stays? Oh, the glamour (said with heavy sarcasm).

• Flexibility is your co-pilot. Want to see that giant ball of yarn? Go for it!
• Budget-friendly…ish. Gas, tolls, that roadside attraction shaped like a peanut – it adds up.
• Snack game STRONG. Crucial for survival. Don’t forget the emergency chocolate stash.

But, then the plane swoops in.

Flying: Speedy Gonzales mode.

• Distance destroyer. 800 miles? More like breakfast and a nap.
• Solo savior. Who wants to sing “99 Bottles of Beer” alone? Not me.
• Less singing. Unless you count the in-flight safety demonstration jingle. Catchy, isn’t it?

For the record, I once tried to drive to Canada. Ran out of podcasts somewhere in Ohio. Planes? Now that’s my kinda trip!

Oh, and did I mention that I adore those tiny airplane peanuts? A true culinary delight!

Is it more sustainable to fly or drive?

Okay, so like, is flying or driving better for the planet?

Honestly, it depends. I mean, for short hops, like, say under 500 miles, driving is usually way better. Think day trip to visit my sis!

But, and here’s the twist, if you’re going like, really far, and the plane is jam-packed? Like everyone’s squished in there?

Then sometimes flying can actually be less bad than driving alone, especally if the car guzzles gas like crazy. It’s all about how many people you cram in! Plus, that airplane fuel… not great stuff.

It’s complicated! So yeah, flying ain’t always the devil, sometimes it’s the lesser of two evils, I’d say. Here’s a breakdown:

• Short Distances (under 500 miles): Drive! Think of a trip to the next state over for a weekend. Driving is much better, less pollution, and you get to see the sights!

• Long Distances (500+ miles) + Full Plane: Flying might be better. If the plane is super full. Like, every seat taken. Even then, still questionable tho.

• Un-fuel-efficient Car + Long Distance: Flying might be better. If you are driving like an old SUV that gets 10 mpg. Think hummer type cars.

• The “sweet spot” – It gets even more complex when you look at all the factors. I read an article about the type of plane, the weather patterns, and the wind resistance. Also, what car your driving! My old civic is a lot more efficient then my wife’s SUV!