Rapid City to Salmon: Ultimate Road Trip Guide

The route from Rapid City, SD to Salmon, ID spans roughly 700 miles (1127 km) along US-385, I-90, US-14, US-16, and ID-28. A local quirk: near Ten Sleep, Wyoming, US-16 crosses the Continental Divide at Powder River Pass (9,666 ft), often snow-capped even in June. This drive connects the stark beauty of the Black Hills with the rugged Sawtooth Range.

March 19, 2025 — Estimated driving time: 11-13 hours without stops. Most travelers break it into two days. Use our how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities guide to plan perfect pauses.

Route Breakdown:

• Rapid City to Buffalo, WY (240 mi, ~4h) via I-90 W
• Buffalo to Greybull, WY (120 mi, ~2h) via US-16 W
• Greybull to Cody, WY (90 mi, ~1.5h) via US-14 Alt
• Cody to Salmon, ID (250 mi, ~5h) via US-20, ID-28

Fuel stops: Gas stations are sparse between Buffalo and Cody, especially around Ten Sleep and Shell. Fill up in Buffalo and Cody. In Idaho, stations are limited from Dubois to Salmon (100+ mi gap).

Road Quality: I-90 is well-maintained. US-16 over Bighorn National Forest is winding with short passing lanes. US-14 Alt through Bighorn Canyon is narrow but paved. ID-28 is remote two-lane road with occasional potholes; drive with caution after rain.

Is it worth driving Rapid City, SD to Salmon, ID? Absolutely. The landscapes are world-class: Badlands National Park, Bighorn Mountains, Bighorn Canyon, and the Sawtooths. The route is less crowded than I-80 or I-94, offering solitude and raw nature.

Natural Landscapes: Start at Badlands National Park (south of Rapid City) with its striped, eroded buttes. Then drive through the Black Hills east of I-90 (notable: Devils Tower detour). The Bighorn Mountains offer alpine meadows and glacial lakes; stop at Shell Falls (US-14). Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area near Lovell, WY has steep red cliffs. In Idaho, the Lemhi River Valley follows the Continental Divide, with views of the Beaverhead Mountains.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Yellowstone National Park is a 1.5-hour detour from Cody via US-14/16/20. It's a UNESCO site with geysers, bison, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Not directly on route, but worth the add-on if time allows.

Local Commerce & Culture: Buffalo, WY is a historic railroad town. Visit the Occidental Hotel. Cody, WY is Buffalo Bill's town. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a must. Salmon, ID is the gateway to the River of No Return Wilderness. The Salmon Valley has art galleries and the Sacajawea Interpretive Center.

Culinary Infrastructure: In Rapid City, try Firehouse Brewing Co. In Buffalo, the Busy Bee Cafe serves pies. In Cody, the Irma Hotel's Wild West Dinner. In Salmon, the Morning Star Coffee Roasters and the Junkyard Bistro. Pack snacks for the long stretches.

Hidden Off-Route Spots:

• Ten Sleep Preserve (US-16, 20 mi west of Buffalo): solitude canyon with pictographs.
• Horse Creek Petroglyphs (near Shell, WY): ancient carvings.
• Barrett Lake (Bighorn NF): pristine alpine lake.
• Redfish Lake (near Stanley, ID): crystal-clear, 2 hours south of Salmon.

Infrastructure Safety & Road Quality: I-90 is safe year-round but prone to fog near Buffalo. US-14 and US-16 have steep grades and switchbacks; check weather at WyoRoad. ID-28 is remote; cell service is spotty. Carry a full-size spare and extra water. Winter travel requires chains (Oct-May).

Family and Child Suitability:

• Badlands NP: boardwalks and junior ranger program.
• Bighorn NF: easy hikes (e.g., Shell Falls paved trail).
• Cody: rodeo (summer nightly) and Buffalo Bill Center.
• Salmon: Sacajawea Center and Salmon River rafting.

Pet-Friendly Framework: Most national forests allow dogs on leash. Badlands NP pets only on trails and in cars. Cody motels often pet-friendly. Rest stops have pet areas. Note: ID-28 has no developed rest areas, so plan breaks in towns (Dubois, Leadore).

Fatigue Management & Rest Zones:

• Take breaks every 2 hours: Rapid City Start, Buffalo (fuel/food), Ten Sleep or Shell Falls scenic stop, Cody (overnight), Dubois, ID (lunch), Salmon (arrival).
• Rest areas: I-90 has rest areas near New Underwood and Wasta. US-16 has overlooks. ID-28 has few pullouts; use the one at Birch Creek.
• Plan an overnight in Cody (midpoint). Driving straight is possible but not recommended due to fatigue on winding roads.

Climatic Conditions & Route Aesthetics: Best months: May-October. Summer brings afternoon thunderstorms in Bighorns. Winter can close passes (Powder River, Teton). Fall colors peak late September in aspen groves. The aesthetic shift from prairie to mountains to high desert is dramatic.