A Great American Road Trip through the Rocky Mountains
With epic outdoor adventure at every turn, a Rocky Mountain road trip is the perfect cure for your wanderlust
Famous for more than 100 distinct mountain ranges, extreme geographic diversity, breathtaking vistas, unmatched outdoor recreation and more fantastic experiences than one could cram into a single vacation—the majestic Rocky Mountains offer a one-of-a-kind road trip with miles of fun for the whole family to enjoy.
"To get a taste of that Rocky Mountain high, first be aware that this 1,600-mile (or more) trek through varied landscapes, harsh elevation changes and endless side trip opportunities requires some thoughtful planning."
In order to make this trip a success, not only will you need a plan, you’ll need to be adaptable to unexpected changes in the weather, be ready to tackle spur-of-the-moment hikes for those perfect vacation photos, and—most importantly—be flexible enough to take it slow and take it all in. This great American road trip is one you won’t soon forget.
Tips for traveling through the Rocky Mountains
The Rockies can make for a tough trek to tackle, so be sure you have a plan (and a backup plan) in place before you hit the road.
- Pack accordingly and pack well. You can never be “over-prepared” for a Rocky Mountain road trip. Ankle-high hiking shoes and quality wool socks, sturdy walking poles, sunglasses, SPF 30 or higher sunscreen (even on cloudy days), lip balm, a weatherproof jacket, sweaters (for colder seasons), bug spray, insulated water bottles, and a small emergency first aid kit are all must-haves. And don’t forget the camera! Planning on trekking deep into the wilderness? Consider a quality whistle or air-horn, as well as bear mace—just in case.
- Set aside a minimum of five full days. Your adventure through the Rockies will take, at the very least, 5-6 days just to get from start to finish—with only minimal stops in between. Depending on the route and how many side trips you decide to make, this epic road trip could take anywhere from 8-12 days to get the full experience.
- Paper maps are your friends. In this digital age, when everything is done on mobile, it’s easy to forget there are a lot of backcountry and high-elevation spots where cell service is many miles away. Don’t just rely on your phone apps to get you there—purchase a quality paper map or atlas and plot out your route. It could make for a great learning experience for the kids, too!
- Make lodging reservations in advance. While most of the routes through the Rockies are well-traveled, the distance between where you want to be and where you want to stop for the night could mean a far greater chance to run into a dreaded “no vacancy” sign. Book a Choice hotel in advance to be sure you have a place to stretch out and rest before heading back on the road.
- Stop for gas often. With some of the most extreme elevations changes in the country, expect your MPGs to be reduced significantly. Never settle for half a tank—stop for gas as often as possible. This is especially true if you plan to make several side trips or take long, scenic drives through national parks and forests.
First Leg, Opt. 1: Spokane, WA to Bozeman, MT – 399 mi.
Take a stroll down Centennial Trail along the Spokane River to kick-start your adventures.
Your first starting point option places you in Washington’s second-largest city, sitting a mere 90 miles from the foothills of the Rockies. If you do nothing else while here, be sure to take one of America’s top scenic cable rides on the Numerica SkyRide Over the Falls. Take a seat in your all-weather enclosed cabin and enjoy a 15-minute ridge through downtown to snap a pic of the second longest urban falls in the country. If you have the time, visit the John A. Finch Arboretum, explore the family-friendly exhibits at the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, or take a leisurely stroll down any stretch of the 37-mile Centennial Trail, which winds its way along the beautiful Spokane River.
Side Trip Alert! Adds 148 miles and 2-3 days to your trip. Take Exit 33 on the I-90 and head north. Stay near Kalispell for a couple of nights and spend your days exploring the over 700 miles of hiking trails, alpine forests, craggy peaks and azure lakes of the “Backbone of the World” at Glacier National Park.
First Leg, Opt. 2: Twin Falls, ID to Bozeman, MT – 355 mi.
A tranquil hike to witness the majesty of Shoshone Falls is great way to start your trip.
Your second starting point option places you on the banks of the picturesque Snake River in Twin Falls, ID. Some anglers say this Rocky Mountain river is where you can catch the biggest fish ever, like monster catfish and sturgeon. If you’re not looking to break a fishing record, the Snake River Canyon Trail is a tranquil hike that even a beginner could handle. Serene just not your speed? Try parachuting off the Perrine Bridge, near the spot where Evel Knievel famously tried (and failed) to jump the quarter mile-wide canyon. While exploring the Snake River, be sure to snap a photo of Shoshone Falls, also known as the “Niagara of the West.”
Side Trip Alert! Adds 16 miles and 2-3 hours to your trip. Swing north up US-93 and US-26 and stop by the Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve to explore the seemingly otherworldly landscapes punctuated by sweeping dormant lava fields and dark cinder cones.
Get a Quick Mountain City Fix in Bozeman
Keep your Rocky Mountain road trip rockin' into Bozeman.
Wherever you choose to start, your first day ends in Bozeman. Besides having some of the best rainbow trout fishing in the U.S., Bozeman is a quaint mountain town with a happening arts scene and an energetic vibe—the perfect place for getting a quick city fix between all your time spent in the great outdoors. Home to Montana State University and a booming tech economy, Bozeman maintains its cool-kid status out of pure originality and unequivocal beauty. The highly regarded Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture features multiple rotating galleries and hosts special events. For Rocky Mountain road trip bonus points, visit Montana State’s Museum of the Rockies, which features exhibits that detail the region’s history.
Unlock Rental Car Deals
Renting a car for your next adventure? Choice Privileges® members can get up to 25% off base rates on qualifying Avis® and Budget® rentals. Plus, you can earn 1,000 points for renting a car! Simply provide your Choice Privileges number when you book or at the counter at the time of rental.
Second Leg: Bozeman, MT to Cody, WY – 204 mi.
Experience the Old West in Cody before hitting up nearby Yellowstone National Park.
Make your way over to Cody, Wyoming, where you’ll be knocking on the door of two national parks, Yellowstone and Grand Teton, and more museums per capita than most large cities. Fascinated with the Old West? Head over to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which operates five different museums to satisfy the art lover, history buff or even firearm enthusiast in you. Finish up your day with a walk back through time at Old Trail Town, an authentic recreation of a historic 1890s frontier town just begging to be explored.
Side Trip Alert! Adds 46 miles and 3-5 hours, depending on stops. Instead of heading east on the I-90, take US-89 south and circle most of the Yellowstone Grand Loop (be sure to snap a few pics along the way) before hopping onto the US-14 east into Cody.
Extended Stay Alert! You can’t stay this close to the world’s most dependable geyser and not stick around to experience Yellowstone National Park and all its iconic canyons, lakes, falls and hot springs as far as the eye can see. The east entrance is only about 50 miles from Cody, making it easy to spend 2-3 days exploring all of America’s greatest national park.
Third Leg: Cody, WY to Denver, CO – 490 mi.
In addition to visiting nearby mountain towns, spend 1-2 days exploring the Mile-High City.
You’ll want to get up early to start the next, and longest leg of your Rocky Mountain road trip. This scenic drive through Wyoming takes you south into Denver, the gateway to the Rockies. From here you’ll be well placed to experience all the best wilderness hikes, national parks, and iconic small towns spread throughout Colorado’s Rocky Mountain region. And while in town, you won’t want to miss exploring the Denver Botanic Gardens, taking the kids on a wildlife adventure through the Denver Zoo, and experiencing the world-renowned Denver Museum of Nature and Science. You can also get in a little retail-therapy time at historic Larimer Square in downtown. Or, spend some time browsing the world-class installations at the popular Museum of Contemporary Art.
Side Trip Alert! Adds 47 miles and 2-3 hours, depending on stops. If you start early enough, consider stopping in Estes Park for a quick walk through its historic downtown area while soaking in majestic sunset views of the surrounding peaks. And if it feels too late to drive down into Denver, you could stay near Estes Park and continue your adventure well-rested in the morning.
Extended Stay Alert! Take a Rocky Mountain town tour by visiting Dillon, Silverthorne, Copper Mountain, Breckenridge and more. Expect to travel 150-180 miles/day round trip, while adding 1-2 days (depending on the number of stops) to your total trip time. Or, you can stay near Dillon to save on miles, gas and time, and then hop on the next leg of the road trip from there.
Fourth Leg: Denver, CO to Santa Fe, NM – 392 mi.
Try catching a dazzling sunset as it paints the sky over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
On the last leg of your Rocky Mountain road trip, you can either take the quick route down I-25 or soak up even more sights by taking a (shorter, but slower) detour down US-160. Just be sure to time your journey into Santa Fe to arrive by sunset. During alpenglow, an optical phenomenon when the horizon opposite the sunset glows red, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains become a feast for your eyes and soul. Extending from Colorado down into northern New Mexico, this range marks the southern edge of the Rocky Mountains. A portion of Santa Fe National Forest encompasses the southern tip and contains snow-capped peaks, rivers, lakes, campgrounds and hiking trails to suit all types of outdoor recreation. As the Southwestern art capital of the world, Santa Fe is also one of the best towns for art lovers. Take a stroll through the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum or discover local Native American history and art at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture.
Side Trip Alert! Adds 85 miles and 3-4 hours, depending on stops. If you drive the more scenic route down US-160, consider taking another detour around the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway—offering stunning alpine scenery made famous in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” several iconic towns with plenty of boutique shops and museums, and endless colorful photo ops.
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