Seattle to Yellowstone RV Trip — 10-Day Cross-Pacific Northwest Route
Typical rate: $3,800-$4,800 all-in for two people, 10 days
Seattle to Yellowstone via the Cascades, central Idaho, and the Tetons is one of the great 10-day mountain RV trips. The route covers four Western states and dramatic transitions from rainforest to alpine.
The route at a glance
- Length: 10 days
- Origin: Seattle, WA
- Destination: Yellowstone NP (return to Seattle or one-way Jackson)
- Distance: ~1,400 miles round trip
- Recommended class: Class C 26-30 ft (fits all NPS campgrounds, manageable on mountain grades)
- All-in budget: $3,800-$4,800 for two people
- Best months: July-August (full road access; Yellowstone interior open)
Day-by-day route
Day 1: Seattle pickup → Mt. Rainier NP
- Morning: Pick up RV at Seattle rental (see Seattle city guide)
- Drive: Seattle to Cougar Rock Campground in Mt. Rainier — 95 miles, 2h 15min via I-5 South and WA-7
- Afternoon: Set up at Cougar Rock
- Evening: Reflection Lakes sunset
- Camp: Cougar Rock Campground ($25/night)
Day 2: Mt. Rainier full day
- Morning: Paradise area; subalpine wildflower walks
- Afternoon: Skyline Trail hike (5 miles round-trip)
- Evening: Paradise Inn dinner
- Camp: Cougar Rock
Day 3: Mt. Rainier → Spokane
- Drive: Cougar Rock to Spokane — 290 miles, 5h via I-5 South and I-90 East
- Afternoon: Arrive Spokane; set up at Riverside State Park
- Evening: Spokane River walking
- Camp: Riverside State Park ($25-35/night)
Day 4: Spokane → Idaho’s Sawtooth NRA
- Drive: Spokane to Stanley, ID — 280 miles, 6h via I-90 East and US-95 South
- Afternoon: Arrive Stanley; set up at Stanley Lake or Redfish Lake Campground
- Evening: Stanley Basin sunset
- Camp: Redfish Lake Campground ($30/night)
Day 5: Sawtooth NRA full day
- Morning: Redfish Lake; hike to Bench Lake
- Afternoon: Stanley Lake; Iron Creek hot springs
- Evening: Stanley Basin stargazing (International Dark Sky Park)
- Camp: Redfish Lake
Day 6: Sawtooth → Yellowstone West Entrance
- Drive: Stanley to Madison Campground in Yellowstone — 290 miles, 6h via US-20 East
- Afternoon: Arrive Yellowstone west entrance; set up at Madison
- Evening: Madison Junction first geyser sightings
- Camp: Madison Campground ($35/night)
Day 7: Yellowstone lower loop — Old Faithful area
- Morning: Old Faithful + Upper Geyser Basin
- Afternoon: Grand Prismatic Spring
- Evening: Lake Yellowstone area
- Camp: Madison
Day 8: Yellowstone north loop — Canyon + Mammoth
- Drive: Madison to Mammoth via the Grand Loop — 85 miles
- Stops: Canyon area (Lower Falls, Upper Falls); Norris Geyser Basin
- Afternoon: Arrive Mammoth Hot Springs
- Evening: Mammoth terraces; Lamar Valley wildlife drive
- Camp: Mammoth Campground ($25/night)
Day 9: Yellowstone → Return route start
- Drive: Mammoth to Bozeman MT (overnight stop) — 100 miles, 2h 30min via US-89 North
- Afternoon: Set up at Bozeman-area RV park
- Evening: Bozeman dinner
- Camp: Bozeman KOA ($55-75/night)
Day 10: Bozeman → Seattle return
- Drive: Bozeman to Seattle — 700 miles, 12h (very long; consider overnight in Spokane)
- Alternative: Split into 2 days; overnight in Spokane Day 10, arrive Seattle Day 11
All-in budget breakdown
For two people, 10 days, Class C 28-30 ft:
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Class C rental: $215/night × 10 nights | $2,150 |
| Booking fees + insurance + cleaning | $550-$750 |
| Fuel (1,400 miles @ 7 mpg @ $4.15/gal — PNW + WA fuel) | $830 |
| NPS America the Beautiful pass | $80 |
| Campground fees (NPS + state + private mix) | $300-$450 |
| Food, propane, dining (2 people) | $700-$1,000 |
| All-in 10-day round trip | $4,610-$5,260 |
One-way pricing math
If you can do one-way to Jackson (rather than Seattle return):
- Saves 700 miles return drive
- Saves 2 days of rental time
- Adds $400-$1,000 one-way fee
For trips where the return Seattle drive matters most, one-way to Jackson saves money overall.
Reservation timing
- Mt. Rainier Cougar Rock: 6 months ahead via Recreation.gov
- Redfish Lake: 6 months ahead via Recreation.gov
- Stanley Lake: 6 months ahead via Recreation.gov
- Madison, Mammoth Yellowstone: 6 months ahead at 8 AM MT
- All-summer NPS campgrounds: fill within minutes of release
When this route shines
- Pacific Northwest combination trips: combines Cascades, Sawtooth, and Yellowstone
- Photography: dramatic varied landscapes
- Cross-country experience: real distance and topography variation
When to skip
- Class A 35+ ft: campground access limited
- Off-season: roads closed, Yellowstone interior limited
- First-time renters: long distances, multiple complex parks
Variations
Reverse direction (Yellowstone to Seattle)
- Common pattern
- One-way drop-off in Seattle often available
- Different sequence with same destinations
Extended 14-day version
- Add Glacier NP via Montana route (2-3 extra days)
- Add Crater Lake via Oregon route
- Add Tetons fuller exploration
Off-season (September)
- Shoulder season cooler weather
- Possible early snow at higher elevations
- Lower campground availability rates
Class choice math
| Class | Seattle-to-Yellowstone fit |
|---|---|
| Class B | Fits everywhere; cramped for 10 days |
| Class C 26-30 ft | Sweet spot — fits all campgrounds |
| Class A any | Limited campground access |
Bottom line
The 10-day Seattle-to-Yellowstone trip is the great Pacific Northwest mountain experience. Budget $4,500-$5,000 for two people round trip. Class C 26-30 ft. Book all NPS campgrounds 6 months ahead.
See related: Seattle city guide, Washington state guide, Idaho state guide, Yellowstone NP.