Red Lodge to Lander Road Trip: Scenic Drive Through Montana and Wyoming

The drive from Red Lodge, Montana to Lander, Wyoming covers approximately 300 miles (483 km) via US-212, US-310, and US-287, taking about 5.5 hours without stops. This route traverses the Beartooth Highway, a section of US-212 that climbs to 10,947 feet at Beartooth Pass, offering alpine tundra and glacial lakes. The highway was designated a National Scenic Byway in 1989 and is often called the most beautiful drive in America. However, the pass is typically open only from late May to mid-October due to snow. From Red Lodge to Lander, the route descends into the Bighorn Basin, then crosses the Wind River Canyon, a gorge carved by the Wind River through ancient rock formations. This road trip is a journey through geologic time, from Precambrian granites to Cretaceous sediments.

US-212 from Red Lodge to the Wyoming border is a narrow, winding road with steep grades and switchbacks. Ensure your vehicle has good brakes and cooling system. No services exist on the 68-mile stretch between Red Lodge and Cooke City, MT. Gas up in Red Lodge. In Wyoming, US-310 meets US-20-14-16 leading into Cody, a full-service town. From Cody to Thermopolis, US-20 is a straight, fast highway with limited services in Meeteetse. Thermopolis to Lander on US-20/US-26 offers reasonable cell coverage, but spots in Wind River Canyon may have dead zones.

• Gas stations: Red Lodge, Cooke City (seasonal), Cody, Thermopolis, Lander.
• Road conditions: Check for Beartooth Highway closure. Call 1-800-226-7623 (Montana) or 511 (Wyoming).
• Altitude: Beartooth Pass 10,947 ft; Lander 5,340 ft. Acclimatize if hiking.
• Tolls: None.

Check weather before driving Beartooth—snow can occur even in August. Carry chains, water, and warm layers. For families, the route has engaging stops: the Beartooth Highway's viewpoints thrill kids; Cody's rodeo in summer; Thermopolis's dinosaur museum and hot springs pool. Lander’s community park has a playground. Fatigue management: break every 2 hours or 100 miles. Rest areas exist at Beartooth Lake (picnic), Cody (town park), Thermopolis (Hot Springs State Park).

• Pet-friendly: Most motels in Cody, Thermopolis, Lander accept pets. Leash required at rest areas.
• Hidden off-route spot: Seek out the ghost town of Kirwin, Wyoming, 30 miles from Meeteetse on an unimproved road (high clearance).
• For planning, check how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

The Beartooth Highway offers alpine scenery with wildflowers in July. Stop at Beartooth Lake for photography. After descending, the landscape turns arid around Cody, a town steeped in cowboy history and proximity to Yellowstone. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a must-see. Further south, Thermopolis boasts the world’s largest mineral hot spring, free at the State Bath House. Wind River Canyon is a dramatic limestone and granite gorge with pullouts for viewing petroglyphs. Lander, at the foot of the Wind River Range, is a hub for outdoor sports and Native American culture. The Sinks Canyon State Park features a river that disappears into a cave.

• Natural attractions: Beartooth Highway, Wind River Canyon, Sinks Canyon State Park.
• Cultural sites: Buffalo Bill Center, Hot Springs State Park, Wind River Indian Reservation.
• Shopping: Try Cody's art galleries and Lander's outdoor gear shops.