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6 Days: Yosemite to Yellowstone Family Road Trip Itinerary
This 6 day itinerary links two iconic national park regions in one trip. Travelers fly into Fresno for a Yosemite Valley base, hike to Vernal Fall and Glacier Point, then cross the high country of Tuolumne Meadows before flying to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. From a Jackson vacation rental, the trip explores Grand Teton's Jenny Lake and Taggart Lake, then a full day inside Yellowstone visiting Old Faithful, Hayden Valley, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The pace is moderate, mixing short to medium hikes with scenic drives, wildlife viewing pullouts, and family-friendly dining, making it suited to families or first-time visitors wanting a broad sampling of both parks.
Built stop by stop, not written as an article.
Xavier starts with this location and helps you build your own version of the trip.
- Days
- 6
- Stops
- 39
- Driving
- 5,669 mi
- On foot
- 10.9 mi
- Level
- moderate
Published by Xploreum · August 2026
ARE YOU XPLORER MATERIAL?
The average Xplorer every year...
Sleeps outside 24 nights
Explores 1,800 miles
Covers 500 miles on foot, skis, bikes, boats and trails
Experiences a 120°F temperature difference
Discovers 18 new places
Does something for the first time 18 times
Sees the Milky Way 11 nights
Takes 6 people on their first adventure
Spends 240 hours away from notifications
Creates stories remembered for decades
The shape of it
How the route moves
6 days and 39 stops, covering 5,669 mi of driving, 10.9 mi on foot. Every distance comes from the route records behind this Xpedition.
Route overview, not navigation
Stops are shown at place level. Each leg is coloured by the travel mode we infer from the stops at either end, then drawn along that network: blue for driving and magenta for walking. The mode is our inference, not a confirmed record of how the route was travelled. A grey dashed leg is one we could not route, shown as a straight overview instead. This is an overview of the route, not a turn-by-turn track, and it is not suitable for navigation.
The itinerary
Day by day
All 39 stops, free to read. Every day is editable once the route is yours.
Photo by Chalice Surfers on Unsplash
Cross-Country Flight to Fresno
- 2,262 mi drive
The trip begins with a cross-country flight from a regional airport to Fresno Yosemite International Airport. After landing, pick up a rental SUV at the airport to begin the Yosemite portion of the trip. This travel day is dedicated entirely to getting from the East Coast to the gateway of Yosemite National Park.
Regional Airport DepartureDrive
Depart by air for cross-country flight to Fresno, California. Check in at airport.
+2,262 mi along the route
Fresno Yosemite International AirportDrive
Land in Fresno after cross-country flight. Pick up rental SUV at airport.
Photo by Josh Carter on Unsplash
Waterfalls and Valley Views in Yosemite
- 47.8 mi drive
- 3.4 mi on foot
Starting from a vacation rental, the day begins with a hike from Happy Isles Trailhead along the Mist Trail toward Vernal Fall. The out and back route to the footbridge viewpoint runs about 2.7 miles round trip with roughly 400 feet of elevation gain, following a paved path that turns rocky, with a carrier recommended for young children. After the hike, return to the trailhead and head to the Village Store Deli in Yosemite Village for a picnic style lunch of sandwiches and salads at the outdoor tables. Following a rest back at the rental, the afternoon turns to Glacier Point, a dramatic overlook roughly 3,200 feet above the Valley floor with panoramic views of Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls, and the High Sierra. The day wraps up with a return to the vacation rental after sunset.
Vacation Rentallodge
Wake up at the vacation rental. Prepare breakfast in kitchen, pack snacks and water.
+9.3 mi along the route
Happy Isles TrailheadDrive
Trailhead for Mist Trail to Vernal Fall. Park at shuttle stop or use free Valley shuttle.
+1.7 mi along the route
Vernal Fall FootbridgeHike
Moderate 2.7 mile round trip, 400 ft gain to footbridge viewpoint of Vernal Fall. Paved initially then rocky trail. Carrier recommended.
+1.7 mi along the route
Happy Isles TrailheadDrive
Return to trailhead.
+1.9 mi along the route
Village Store Delimeal
Grab lunch at deli in Yosemite Village. Sandwiches, salads, snacks available. Outdoor picnic tables.
+6.8 mi along the route
Vacation RentalDrive
Return to rental for rest and downtime.
+14.9 mi along the route
Glacier PointDrive
Iconic viewpoint 3,200 ft above Valley floor. Panoramic views of Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls, High Sierra.
+14.9 mi along the route
Vacation Rentallodge
Return to vacation rental after sunset.
Photo by Pete Alexopoulos on Unsplash
Tuolumne Meadows to Jackson Hole
- 1,207 mi drive
- 1.6 mi on foot
After an early breakfast and checkout from the vacation rental, the drive heads up Tioga Pass Road to Tuolumne Meadows, sitting at about 8,600 feet elevation amid wildflower meadows and granite domes. From the visitor center, an easy 1.3 mile loop leads to Soda Springs and Parsons Memorial Lodge, passing natural carbonated springs on flat, gentle terrain. From Tuolumne Meadows, the day shifts into travel mode: a drive back to Fresno Yosemite International Airport to return the rental SUV and catch a flight to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. After landing, pick up a second rental SUV and stop in Jackson town for groceries and supplies, taking in the town's western character. The day closes with a family-friendly dinner at an upscale, farm-to-table restaurant with a children's menu, followed by check-in at a 3-bedroom vacation home in the Jackson area.
Vacation Rentallodge
Wake up early, pack up, and prepare breakfast. Check out of vacation rental.
+29.8 mi along the route
Tuolumne Meadows Visitor CenterDrive
Drive up Tioga Pass Road to Tuolumne Meadows at 8,600 ft elevation. High country wildflower meadows and granite domes.
+0.8 mi along the route
Soda Springs and Parsons Memorial LodgeHike
Easy 1.3 mile loop through subalpine meadow to natural carbonated springs. Flat, gentle trail.
+0.8 mi along the route
Tuolumne Meadows Visitor CenterDrive
Return to visitor center.
+120 mi along the route
Fresno Yosemite International AirportDrive
Return rental SUV and check in for flight to Montana.
+1,044 mi along the route
Jackson Hole AirportDrive
Land in Jackson Hole, Wyoming after flight. Pick up second rental SUV.
+13 mi along the route
Jackson Town AreaDrive
Stop in Jackson town for groceries and supplies. Iconic western charm and local character.
+0.2 mi along the route
Upscale Restaurantmeal
Family-friendly dinner in Jackson. Farm-to-table cuisine with children's menu available.
+0.5 mi along the route
Vacation Rentallodge
3-bedroom vacation home in Jackson area. Full kitchen and laundry.
Photo by Laura Seaman on Unsplash
Grand Teton to Old Faithful and the Yellowstone Canyon
- 268 mi drive
The day starts with breakfast at the rental before heading north through Grand Teton National Park, stopping at Jenny Lake Overlook to take in the lake with the peaks reflected in the water. Continuing on, the route enters Yellowstone National Park at the South Entrance Station. The first major stop is the Old Faithful Visitor and Education Center, where checking predicted eruption times sets up a viewing of Old Faithful Geyser, which erupts to heights of roughly 130 to 180 feet. A walk along the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk loop reveals colorful hot springs and smaller geysers nearby. Lunch follows at a historic inn dining room near Old Faithful, with burgers, sandwiches, and bison chili on offer, including a children's menu. In the afternoon, the drive continues through Hayden Valley, a prime wildlife habitat with pullouts overlooking bison herds, grizzly bears, elk, and waterfowl. The day's sightseeing concludes at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, where an overlook offers views of the 308-foot Lower Falls and the canyon's yellow walls, before the return drive back to the Jackson vacation rental.
Vacation Rentallodge
Wake up, prepare breakfast in kitchen, pack snacks and water for Yellowstone.
+26.1 mi along the route
Jenny Lake OverlookDrive
Scenic stop in Grand Teton National Park. View of Jenny Lake with peaks reflected in water.
+39.8 mi along the route
South Entrance Station YellowstoneDrive
Enter Yellowstone National Park at south entrance. Pay entrance fee or show annual pass.
+42.9 mi along the route
Old Faithful Visitor and Education CenterDrive
Arrive at Old Faithful complex. Check predicted eruption times, visit education center.
+0.2 mi along the route
Old Faithful Geyseractivity
Watch Old Faithful erupt 130 to 180 feet high. Walk Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk loop past colorful hot springs and smaller geysers.
+0.1 mi along the route
Historic Inn Dining Roommeal
Lunch at historic inn near Old Faithful. Burgers, sandwiches, bison chili. Children's menu available.
+32.3 mi along the route
Hayden Valley OverlookDrive
Drive through Hayden Valley, prime wildlife habitat. Pullout overlooks for bison herds, grizzly bears, elk, and waterfowl.
+11.2 mi along the route
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Lower Falls OverlookDrive
Stop at viewpoint for views of 308-foot Lower Falls and yellow canyon walls.
+115 mi along the route
Vacation Rentallodge
Return to Jackson rental after full day in Yellowstone.
Photo by Kuba Regulski on Unsplash
Teton Lakes, Wildlife Loops, and Scenic Drives
- 58.4 mi drive
- 6 mi on foot
After breakfast at the rental, the day focuses on Grand Teton National Park closer to Jackson. The Taggart Lake Trailhead is the starting point for a moderate 3 mile round trip hike with about 360 feet of elevation gain, leading to Taggart Lake beneath the Grand Teton peaks, with wildflowers at their peak in late season. After returning to the trailhead, lunch is served outdoors at a chuckwagon style restaurant with iconic Teton views, offering western fare like burgers and pancakes at family-friendly picnic tables. The afternoon continues with a drive along the Antelope Flats Road wildlife loop, a scenic dirt road through sagebrush flats where pronghorn antelope, bison, and elk are often seen near historic barns framed by the Tetons. The day finishes with the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive, including stops at the Cathedral Group turnout and String Lake for short walks and reflections of the Teton peaks, before heading back to the Jackson vacation rental for an early evening return.
Vacation Rentallodge
Wake up, prepare breakfast, pack for local Teton exploration.
+16.8 mi along the route
Taggart Lake TrailheadDrive
Trailhead parking at Taggart Lake, southern Grand Teton area.
+3 mi along the route
Taggart LakeHike
Moderate 3 mile round trip, 360 ft gain to alpine lake beneath Grand Teton peaks. Wildflowers peak in late season.
+3 mi along the route
Taggart Lake TrailheadDrive
Return to trailhead.
+8.1 mi along the route
Outdoor Chuckwagon Restaurantmeal
Outdoor lunch with iconic Teton views. Western fare, burgers, pancakes. Family-friendly picnic tables.
+3.7 mi along the route
Antelope Flats Road Wildlife LoopDrive
Scenic dirt road loop through sagebrush flats. Pronghorn antelope, bison, elk frequent. Historic barns with Teton backdrop.
+11.2 mi along the route
Jenny Lake Scenic DriveDrive
Drive Jenny Lake loop road. Stop at Cathedral Group turnout and String Lake for short walks and Teton reflections.
+18.6 mi along the route
Vacation Rentallodge
Return to Jackson rental. Early evening return for dinner and rest.
Photo by David Ireland on Unsplash
Departure from Jackson Hole
- 1,826 mi drive
The final day begins with breakfast at the vacation rental followed by packing up and checking out. From there, it is a short drive to Jackson Hole Airport to return the rental SUV and check in for the flight home. The trip concludes with a cross-country flight back to the regional airport of departure.
Vacation Rentallodge
Wake up, prepare breakfast, pack up and check out of vacation rental.
+11.2 mi along the route
Jackson Hole AirportDrive
Return rental SUV at Jackson Hole Airport. Check in for flight home.
+1,814 mi along the route
Regional Airport ArrivalDrive
Arrive home after cross-country flight from Jackson Hole.
6 days does not quite fit?
Take this route as your starting point and reshape it around your dates, your pace, and the stops you care about most.
WHAT XPLORERS ARE SAYING
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I’m sitting and planning summer vacation trips. This year, Christian and I are going on a road trip, most likely to Eastern Europe. That also gives me a reason to tell you about this insanely cool AI model. Xploreum.io has developed a model that can help you find the coolest places that aren’t touristy, and it can actually put together an entire trip for you. It’s insanely smart. Not an ad. Just a genuine recommendation.
Before you go
What this route assumes
Only the fields this route actually holds data for.
Vehicle
Built as a rental suv route, moderate family hiking. Xavier adapts it to what you actually drive.
Level
Paced for moderate travelers. Days can be split or merged to change the load.
How this Xpedition was built
Assembled from structured route and waypoint records, not written as an article, and reviewed before publication. Confirm conditions, closures, and permits before you travel.
- Route structured
- Distances calculated
- Reviewed before publication
- Published August 2026
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Make this Xpedition yours.
Dates, pace, lodging, vehicle, and who is coming can all be rebuilt around you, starting from this exact route: 6 Days: Yosemite to Yellowstone Family Road Trip Itinerary.
You keep
- The full 6 day route, editable day by day
- Distances and pacing recalculated around you
- One conversation to change anything