Victor, ID to Red Lodge, MT Road Trip Guide

By admin, 22 July, 2026

Introduction

The route from Victor, Idaho to Red Lodge, Montana traverses Teton Pass (Wyoming Highway 22) at an elevation of 8,431 feet, then parallels the Snake River before entering the Beartooth Highway corridor. This 330-mile drive typically takes 5.5 to 6 hours without stops, but the journey offers extraordinary landscapes.

Detailed below: best stops Victor, ID to Red Lodge, MT, how long to drive Victor, ID to Red Lodge, MT, is it worth driving Victor, ID to Red Lodge, MT, and things to do between Victor, ID and Red Lodge, MT.

SegmentDistanceDriving Time
Victor, ID to Jackson, WY25 mi40 min
Jackson, WY to Moran Jet.27 mi30 min
Moran Jet. to Dubois, WY55 mi1 hr
Dubois, WY to Cody, WY80 mi1.5 hr
Cody, WY to Red Lodge, MT85 mi2 hr (via Chief Joseph Scenic Byway)

Road Safety, Family Stops, and Fatigue Management

Beartooth Highway: steep grades, sharp curves, narrow lanes, possible snow in July. Teton Pass: 10% grade westbound, chain law in winter. Use low gear downhill.

Family suitability: Grand Teton hikes (Jenny Lake), Yellowstone's Mud Volcano, Cody's Buffalo Bill Center, Red Lodge's rodeo. Kids love the Beartooth's alpine lakes.

Pet-friendly: Grand Teton and Yellowstone allow leashed pets, not on trails. National forest land permits off-leash. Motels like Super 8 Jackson and Quality Inn Cody accept pets.

Fatigue management: Rest stops at Moran Junction, Dubois, Cody. Pullouts along Beartooth for photo breaks. Recommended overnight in Cody.

Hidden off-route spots: Granite Hot Springs (near Jackson), Whiskey Basin Wildlife Habitat (near Dubois), Sunlight Basin (off US-212), or a detour to Clark's Yellowstone Valley.


Natural Landscapes and Local Commerce

How to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities applies perfectly here. Key landscapes: Teton Valley, Jackson Hole, Grand Teton NP, Absaroka Range, Beartooth Plateau.

UNESCO sites: Yellowstone (part of route near east entrance) and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (detour north of Red Lodge).

  • Grand Teton NP: year-round, entrance fee.
  • Yellowstone (east entrance): seasonal, scenic drives.

Culinary stops: Jackson's Persephone Bakery, Dubois' The Garden Grill, Cody's The Breadboard, Red Lodge's Carbon County Steakhouse. Farmers' markets in Jackson (Sat) and Red Lodge (Fri).

Local commerce: Victor's Valley Market, Jackson boutiques, Dubois Rustic Pine, Cody's Western art galleries, Red Lodge's Main Street shops.


Route Logistics and Infrastructure

Start on ID-33 heading east to join WY-22 over Teton Pass. From Jackson, follow US-191/US-89/26 north through Grand Teton National Park. Near Moran Junction, take US-26 east through Dubois, then US-14/US-20 east to Cody. From Cody, take US-212 (Beartooth Highway) over the pass to Red Lodge. Note: Beartooth Highway (US-212) is typically open late May to mid-October; check conditions.

  • Fuel stations: Last cheap gas in Jackson; higher prices in Moran and Dubois. Fill in Cody before climbing Beartooth.
  • Charging: Tesla Superchargers in Jackson and Cody. Level 2 chargers in Dubois and Red Lodge.
  • Tolls: No tolls on this route.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to drive from Victor, ID to Red Lodge, MT?

The drive covers about 330 miles and typically takes 5.5 to 6 hours without stops, but plan for at least a full day with breaks.

Is it worth driving from Victor to Red Lodge?

Absolutely. The route offers stunning mountain scenery, iconic national parks, and the spectacular Beartooth Highway, one of America's most scenic drives.

What are the best stops between Victor and Red Lodge?

Top stops include Jackson's town square, Grand Teton National Park, Dubois' scenic drive, Cody's Buffalo Bill Center, and the Beartooth Highway overlooks.

Is the Beartooth Highway open year-round?

No. It typically opens late May and closes mid-October. Check road conditions before travel.