Driggs to Alpine: A Wyoming Road Trip Through Teton Canyons

From Driggs, Idaho (elevation 6,200 ft) to Alpine, Wyoming (5,600 ft), this 40-mile route along Idaho State Highway 33 and US Highway 26/89 offers a rare vantage: driving parallel to the Teton Range’s eastern flank. Unlike the crowded Jackson Hole route, this drive provides unbroken western-facing views of the Grand Teton massif for nearly 20 miles.

The road follows the historic route of the Lander Road, a 1850s emigrant trail that bypassed Fort Bridger. Modern drivers trace the same sweeping curves along the Greys River corridor. The total drive time is 1 hour 20 minutes without stops—how long to drive Driggs to Alpine? Just over an hour.

Natural Landscapes & Attractions

The Teton Range dominates the western skyline. From Driggs, the Tetons appear as a monolithic wall, with peaks rising 7,000 feet above the valley. The Grand Teton (13,775 ft) is visible for the first 15 miles. Near Victor, the Big Hole Mountains (9,000 ft) flank the east.

After cresting Teton Pass, the descent into Wilson reveals the Snake River basin and the Gros Ventre Range. The National Elk Refuge near Jackson hosts the largest wintering elk herd (7,000+). Further south, the Hoback Canyon (US-26/89) winds through limestone cliffs up to 2,000 feet high, following the Hoback River.

• Grand Teton National Park (south entrance): 30 miles from Alpine via US-89
• Bridger-Teton National Forest: borders the entire route east of the Tetons
• Palisades Reservoir: 15 miles south of Alpine on US-26

Local Commerce & Culture

Victor’s Historic Main Street hosts the Victor Emporium (1914), a general store with local jams and Pendleton blankets. The Spud Drive-In in Driggs (1950s) serves Idaho huckleberry milkshakes. Jackson’s Town Square features nightly shootouts (summer) and high-end art galleries.

Alpine is a gateway to the Greys River and Snake River with outfitters (e.g., Barker-Ewing) offering rafting trips. The area’s economy is rooted in ranching and recreation. No UNESCO World Heritage sites lie directly on the route, but Grand Teton National Park (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve) is 20 minutes east of Jackson.

Culinary Infrastructure

Driggs: Royal Wolf (pub food, trout dip). Victor: Knotty Pine (bison burgers). Wilson: Nora’s Fish Creek Inn for trout Benedict. Jackson: Snake River Roasting Company for espresso. Alpine: The Gasthaus (German cuisine). Most restaurants close by 9 PM; Jackson offers late dining until 10:30 PM.

Infrastructure Safety & Road Quality

The route is generally safe, but Teton Pass has no guardrails on several curves. In winter, tire chains may be required. Speeding is common; obey the 45 mph limit on the pass. The highway patrol is active near Hoback Junction. Cell service is intermittent between Victor and Wilson, and for 10 miles south of Hoback Junction.

Emergency services: Driggs (Teton Valley Hospital), Jackson (St. John’s Medical Center). Call 911.

• Snow tires recommended November–April
• Wildlife hazard: deer, elk, moose at dawn/dusk; slow down in fall
• Avalanche zones: Teton Pass (east side) – check avalanche forecast
• Roadside assistance: AAA covers both states; Towing from Jackson only

Family and Child Suitability

Kid-friendly stops: Spud Drive-In (vintage cars, ice cream), Wilson Playground (next to post office), Jackson Hole Rodeo (Tuesday/Saturday summer evenings), National Museum of Wildlife Art (Jackson; free for under 18). The route includes no dangerous drop-offs if children stay within the vehicle.

Suggested activity: Elk feeding tour at the National Elk Refuge (December–April). For shorter legs, stop at Hoback Canyon trailhead for a 0.5-mile river walk.

Pet-Friendly Framework

Pets are welcome at most trailheads (leash required) and outdoor patios in Jackson. Two dog parks: Victor Dog Park (unfenced) and Jackson's Miller Park (fenced). Hotels: Super 8 Driggs and Motel 6 Jackson allow pets for a fee. The Spud Drive-In offers a pet-friendly drive-in area. No rest stops have designated pet areas, but wide pull-offs exist.

Fatigue Management & Rest Zones

Turnouts at Teton Pass summit and Hoback Junction provide scenic rest spots. The drive is short (under 1.5 hours), so fatigue is minimal. If drowsy, pull into Wilson Mercantile for coffee. Recommended breaks: Victor (15 min), Teton Pass summit (10 min for photos), Hoback Canyon (10 min for views).

Hidden Off-Route Spots

Three gems: (1) Teton Canyon Road – 4 miles east of Driggs leads to Table Mountain trailhead (permit free). (2) Shadow Mountain – just south of Wilson, a 4WD road with epic Grand Teton views. (3) Sheep Gulch – a BLM hot spring (99°F) 12 miles south of Hoback Junction off US-89. These spots are uncrowded and free.

• Teton Canyon: access off ID-33, gravel road, 6 miles
• Shadow Mountain: turn at Moose Wilson Road, primitive campsites
• Sheep Gulch Hot Spring: GPS 43.197, -110.740; hike 0.5 mi

Things to do between Driggs and Alpine: hiking, fishing, photography, river rafting (Hoback River Class II–III), and wildlife viewing. The scarcity of services between Jackson and Alpine (30 miles without gas) makes planning essential. The climatic conditions range from alpine tundra on the pass (average July high 65°F; January low -5°F) to semi-arid desert near Alpine (July high 85°F). The route aesthetics peak in mid-September when aspen groves turn golden along the Hoback.

Consider a full Teton loop: Driggs → Alpine → Jackson → Driggs (120 miles, 3 hours). This avoids backtracking and includes the Snake River Canyon.

Fuel is available in Driggs, Victor, Jackson, and Alpine. The stretch between Teton Pass summit and Jackson has no services for 8 miles. Gas prices in Idaho are typically $0.30–$0.50 cheaper per gallon than in Wyoming. Plan to fill up in Driggs or Victor before crossing the pass.

Road conditions: SH-33/WY-22 over Teton Pass is steep (10% grade on the east side) and subject to sudden snow closures from October to May. Check WYDOT for pass status. The rest of US-26/89 along the Snake River is well-paved and plowed. Best stops Driggs to Alpine include the Teton Pass summit viewpoint (8,431 ft) and the Hoback Canyon overlook.

• Driving time: 1 hour 20 minutes (nonstop)
• Total distance: 40 miles
• Road type: Two-lane mountain highway; narrow shoulders on passes
• Recommended vehicle: Any car in summer; 4WD/AWD in winter
• Tolls: None
• Best time: June–September for clear skies; September for fall colors

Is it worth driving Driggs to Alpine? The pass offers panoramic Tahoe-like views, and the Hoback River canyon rivals Zion in scale. For travelers seeking fewer crowds than Yellowstone, this route delivers.

Learn how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities to enhance your journey.