San Francisco To Yellowstone Road Trip: Top 21 Tips

San Francisco to Yellowstone road trip is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The 937 miles of San Francisco to Yellowstone drive takes around 14 hours and 6 mins without stops.

This article includes 21 tips that turn your San Francisco to Yellowstone drive into an unforgettable journey. So if you’re looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from San Francisco to Yellowstone, take your coffee and keep reading!

7 Best Hotels On The Road Trip From San Francisco To Yellowstone

On the San Francisco to Yellowstone road trip, you may want to stay at some points. Here are the top seven hotels on the San Francisco – Yellowstone route!

1. Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo: Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo is one of the best hotels; you can stay on the San Francisco to Yellowstone road trip. Driving from San Francisco to Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo might take around 1 hour and 31 mins. This Courtyard is clean and up-to-date, with comfortable beds, thick towels, a decent TV, good spaciousness, and nice extras like a mini fridge, good coffee, and excellent quality mini toiletries. Check the Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo, one of the best hotels in Sacramento, California, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. Grand Sierra Resort and Casino: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Yellowstone from San Francisco is Grand Sierra Resort and Casino. Located in Reno, Nevada, the hotel is 221 miles away from San Francisco, and it would take 3 hours and 36 mins to drive. The Grand Sierra Resort and Casino is located in the heart of Reno/Tahoe. All employees, from the Head of Security to Housekeepers, are professional and a joy to deal with. The Resort offers many amenities and services sure to please every traveler. This is absolutely the best place to stay in Reno. If you want to learn more about the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Twin Falls: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Twin Falls. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Twin Falls is located in Twin Falls, Idaho, and it’s 673 miles away from San Francisco. You can arrive there in 10 hours and 7 mins of non-stop driving. The hotel’s excellent location offers convenience to all travelers, whether on business, special occasions, or family travel. In addition, the hotel has 101 beautifully appointed guest rooms that provide many of the comforts of home. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Twin Falls for more information.
4. Black Swan Inn Luxurious Theme Suites: If you are taking the road trip from San Francisco to Yellowstone, Pocatello, Idaho, it is must have a place you should visit. Black Swan Inn Luxurious Theme Suites is one of the best hotels in town. The hotel is 786 miles from San Francisco, and it would take 11 hours and 46 mins to drive. The Black Swan Inn offers a variety of luxurious theme suites, including the Mayan Rain Forest, Enchanted Forest, Atlantis, Egyptian, and Arabian Nights. This hotel is conveniently located just off I-15 in downtown Pocatello. If you need more info about the price and availability of Black Swan Inn Luxurious Theme Suites, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.
5. Hilton Garden Inn Idaho Falls: Our next hotel is Hilton Garden Inn Idaho Falls, Idaho Falls, Idaho. It will take 12 hours, and 21 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from San Francisco. The Riverside Hotel offers stunning views of the Snake River and easy access to the Idaho Falls riverwalk. In addition, guests can enjoy the indoor pool, fitness center, and bar in winter and summer. The back patio is the perfect place to enjoy a stunning river view. Check the Hilton Garden Inn Idaho Falls on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Hilton Garden Inn Idaho Falls for reviews, prices, and availability.
6. The Adventure Inn Yellowstone: Another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from San Francisco to Yellowstone is The Adventure Inn Yellowstone. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel, located in West Yellowstone, Montana, within 14 hours drive from San Francisco. The Adventure Inn provides luxury accommodations for those seeking an adventure in The Greater Yellowstone Area. With charming rustic-themed decorations and top-notch amenities, the inn is the perfect place to stay for an unforgettable experience. Before making the reservation, we suggest you read the latest reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com.
7. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins: Another hotel that deserves to be on the list is Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins. It’s located in Yellowstone, Wyoming, and is 1,106 miles from San Francisco. You can arrive there within 17 hours and 24 mins of car drive. The recently renovated hotel will help you make your trip to Yellowstone a unique experience. The hotel features clean, spacious, and comfortable rooms. If you need further information, you can check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins.

In this part, we explained seven hotels you can stay at on the road trip from San Francisco to Yellowstone. You can pick one of them that suits your taste. Don’t forget to share your experience by commenting on this post. It will help people who will take San Francisco to the Yellowstone route.

Now, it’s time to discover the best restaurants from San Francisco to Yellowstone. We have seven restaurant recommendations worth your attention.

7 Best Restaurants On The San Francisco To Yellowstone Road Trip

If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your San Francisco to Yellowstone road trip. This section lists seven restaurants to dine at on the road trip from San Francisco to Yellowstone. Stay hungry and enjoy!

1. The Waterboy, Sacramento: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on San Francisco to Yellowstone road trip with The Waterboy, Sacramento. The Waterboy, Sacramento, is located in Sacramento, California, and is 88.4 miles from San Francisco. It would take 1 hour and 31 mins of driving. This restaurant is definitely worth the drive from Sacramento. It’s located in a quiet, residential area with an outside sidewalk. The main room is spacious and inviting. The seafood here is fantastic – the oysters are some of the best I’ve ever had. The duck is also excellent, and the pork belly is an all-time favorite. This restaurant is a bit fancier, but that’s part of what I enjoy. For more information about The Waterboy, Sacramento, you can visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of The Waterboy, Sacramento.
2. Atlantis Steakhouse, Reno: Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Yellowstone from San Francisco is Atlantis Steakhouse, Reno. Located in Reno, Nevada, Atlantis Steakhouse, Reno is 223 miles from San Francisco and would take 3 hours and 38 mins of driving. We enjoyed our meal at Atlantis Steakhouse. The pork belly appetizers were particularly excellent. The food was beautifully presented, and the wait staff was attentive and charming, making us feel special. If you want to learn more about Atlantis Steakhouse, Reno, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. Elevation 486: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Elevation 486. It will take 10 hours and 7 mins of car drive to take 673 miles from San Francisco to Elevation 486, Twin Falls, Idaho. On a clear day, you can see Soldier Mountain to the northwest, the Pioneer Range to the north, and Pomerelle Mountain to the east. The menu contains a wide variety of options and exciting cocktails. You can check Elevation 486 on TripAdvisor or Google Maps for more information.
4. Sandpiper Restaurant, Pocatello: Sandpiper Restaurant, Pocatello, deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Pocatello, Idaho. The Sandpiper Restaurant in Pocatello, Idaho, opened in 1975. The restaurant specializes in steaks, seafood, and pasta and is a popular dining option among locals and tourists. Sandpiper Restaurant, Pocatello, is 783 miles from San Francisco, and it would take 11 hours and 44 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about Sandpiper Restaurant, Pocatello, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
5. Copper Rill Restaurant: If you enjoy dining, Copper Rill Restaurant would be an excellent choice in Idaho Falls, Idaho. It’s 829 miles from San Francisco and would take 12 hours and 20 mins of car driving. The Copper Rill restaurant offers a variety of dining experiences, from casual to formal. It caters to group parties and private business meetings. The restaurant’s simple yet memorable dishes and contagious atmosphere create a welcoming environment where you can be yourself with the people in your life. If you want to learn more about the Copper Rill Restaurant, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
6. Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon: Another restaurant we recommend you visit on the road trip from San Francisco to Yellowstone is Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon, West Yellowstone, Montana. It will take 14 hours of driving to reach Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon from San Francisco. In 1999, Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon set out to make the best pizza in town. It started as a pizza place inside Strozzi’s Bar. Nearly two decades later, it has grown into the bar and restaurant it is today, with 120 seats and a tremendous small-town sports bar atmosphere. For more information about Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon, you can check TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of the restaurant.
7. Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room, Ranked seventh on our list, Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room, appeals to those who want to turn their Yellowstone vacation into a memorable experience. Located in Yellowstone, Wyoming, 1,124 miles away from San Francisco, and it’ll take 17 hours and 55 mins of driving. So if you’re visiting Yellowstone, dine at the Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room. The menu is comprehensive and has something to suit every taste. Prices are also reasonable. If you want to learn more about Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.

This section lists our seven restaurant recommendations for your road trip from San Francisco to Yellowstone. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 937 miles journey into a feast of taste. Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant according to your preference. Remember, like you, people planning a Yellowstone road trip need your opinion. Therefore, we kindly ask you to share your experience with us in the comment field at the end of the blog post.

In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from San Francisco to Yellowstone. Keep reading.

7 Places To Visit On The San Francisco To Yellowstone Drive

A unique experience awaits you in Yellowstone. However, there are also some unique destinations like Sacramento, California, on your road trip. We want to explain the top seven destinations we recommend on the Yellowstone route.

• Old Sacramento: Old Sacramento will be the first destination we recommend you stop by on your San Francisco to Yellowstone road trip. Located in Sacramento, California, Old Sacramento is 87.6 miles away from San Francisco, and it would take 1 hour and 28 mins to drive. Old Sacramento is a historic area on the waterfront of Sacramento, California. It is known for its restored buildings, museums, and novelty shops. Old Sacramento is a popular tourist destination with many shops and restaurants. Visitors can also enjoy a boat ride on the River or take a train ride for a different perspective. If you want to learn more about Old Sacramento, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• National Automobile Museum: National Automobile Museum, Reno, Nevada, is one of the destinations we recommend you stop by on the San Francisco to Yellowstone route. It’s 220 miles from San Francisco, and it’ll take about 3 hours and 34 mins of driving. The National Automobile Museum is one of the top attractions in Reno. The museum has more than 225 rare, one-of-a-kind, antique, and collector cars with authentic street scenes and sounds that bring displays to life. This collection of cars tells the story of the automobile from the late 1800s onward. If you want to learn more about National Automobile Museum, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• Shoshone Falls: One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from San Francisco to Yellowstone is Twin Falls, Idaho. And if you visit Twin Falls, Idaho, we suggest you visit Shoshone Falls. You can arrive at Shoshone Falls after 10 hours and 19 mins of driving. There are multiple viewing platforms as well as a trail along the Canyon. Although the road to the Falls is narrow with several sharp turns, the park by the River is spacious and offers ample parking for visitors. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of Shoshone Falls for more information.
• Swore Farms: Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Swore Farms, Pocatello, and Idaho on the San Francisco to Yellowstone road trip. Swore Farms is 786 miles from San Francisco, and you can arrive there after the 11 hours and 49 mins of drive. The farm’s mission is to enrich the community through healthy, delicious, fresh produce grown on-site; educate children and youth through summer programs; and offer opportunities for quality family fun from late summer through fall. This includes playing in the corn maze and pumpkin patch and learning about agriculture. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Swore Farms before going there.
• Snake River Greenbelt: Located in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Snake River Greenbelt ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the road trip from San Francisco to Yellowstone. You must take 14 hours and 41 mins of driving to arrive at Snake River Greenbelt. This city park is a beautiful place to take a walk, with stunning views and metal sculptures of animals dotted throughout. The falls are a charming feature of the park, and it’s also enjoyable to stroll along the River. If you want to learn more about Snake River Greenbelt, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center: Another attraction you can visit on the road trip from San Francisco to Yellowstone is the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, West Yellowstone, Montana. Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is 936 miles from San Francisco, and it would take 14 hours to drive. The River Otter Exhibit at Yellowstone offers visitors a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with these adorable animals while also learning about the complex ecosystem of Yellowstone. You can watch the bears foraging for food and playing in their ponds, and if you visit early in the morning or evening, you might even catch a glimpse of an active wolf pack. You can check their TripAdvisor page or official website for more information about Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center.
• Grand Canyon of Yellowstone: You can visit many destinations on your San Francisco to Yellowstone journey. One of these destinations is the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, located in Yellowstone, Wyoming. You can arrive at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone after 14 hours and 6 mins of driving. The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is one of the unique features of this national park. With its many natural beauties, this place can help you spend a whole day immersed in nature. The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone should be on your route if you want a unique experience among the park’s unique landscapes and waterfalls. If you want to read the reviews of previous visitors about the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, you can visit the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone’s TripAdvisor page or its website.

FAQ of the Road Trip From San Francisco to Yellowstone

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the San Francisco to Yellowstone drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From San Francisco To Yellowstone?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the San Francisco to Yellowstone road trip takes approximately 14 hours and 6 mins to drive. The driving distance between San Francisco to Yellowstone is 937 miles.
• If you want to make the San Francisco to Yellowstone road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be three days and 8 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the San Francisco-Yellowstone route, you will have to walk for 12 days and 10 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From San Francisco To Yellowstone?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to Yellowstone. You can visit Sacramento, California; Reno, Nevada; Twin Falls, Idaho; Pocatello, Idaho; Idaho Falls, Idaho; West Yellowstone, Montana; Yellowstone, Wyoming; on the road. Here we list seven places to visit for you. For more information about the best places on the San Francisco to Yellowstone journey, you can check the 7 Best Places To Visit On The San Francisco To Yellowstone Road Trip.

1. Old Sacramento: 87.6 miles / 1 hour and 28 mins to drive from San Francisco | 854 miles / 12 hours and 46 mins of driving to Yellowstone.
2. National Automobile Museum: 220 miles / 3 hours and 34 mins to drive from San Francisco | 719 miles / 10 hours and 40 mins of driving to Yellowstone.
3. Shoshone Falls: 677 miles / 10 hours and 19 mins to drive from San Francisco | 266 miles / 4 hours and 5 mins of driving to Yellowstone.
4. Swore Farms: 786 miles / 11 hours and 49 mins to drive from San Francisco | 151 miles / 2 hours and 28 mins of driving to Yellowstone.
5. Snake River Greenbelt: 887 miles / 14 hours and 41 mins to drive from San Francisco | 275 miles / 5 hours and 33 mins of driving to Yellowstone.
6. Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center: 936 miles / 14 hours to drive from San Francisco | 1.0 miles / 5 mins of driving to Yellowstone.
7. Grand Canyon of Yellowstone: 937 miles / 14 hours and 6 mins to drive from San Francisco | one mile / 1 min of driving to Yellowstone.

Where Should You Stay On The Road Trip From San Francisco To Yellowstone?

There are many excellent hotels during your road trip from San Francisco to Yellowstone. We have selected seven hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 7 Best Hotels On The Road Trip To Yellowstone From San Francisco section.

• Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo: 92.0 miles / 1 hour and 31 mins to drive from San Francisco | 847 miles / 12 hours and 39 mins of driving to Yellowstone.
• Grand Sierra Resort and Casino: 221 miles / 3 hours and 36 mins to drive from San Francisco | 719 miles / 10 hours and 39 mins of driving to Yellowstone.
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Twin Falls: 673 miles / 10 hours and 7 mins to drive from San Francisco | 270 miles / 4 hours and 4 mins of driving to Yellowstone.
• Black Swan Inn Luxurious Theme Suites: 786 miles / 11 hours and 46 mins to drive from San Francisco | 159 miles / 2 hours and 31 mins of driving to Yellowstone.
• Hilton Garden Inn Idaho Falls: 829 miles / 12 hours and 21 mins to drive from San Francisco | 109 miles / 1 hour and 48 mins of driving to Yellowstone.
• The Adventure Inn Yellowstone: 936 miles / 14 hours to drive from San Francisco | 1.2 miles / 6 mins of driving to Yellowstone.
• Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins: 1,106 miles / 17 hours and 24 mins to drive from San Francisco | 5.3 miles / 25 mins of driving to Yellowstone.

Where To Eat Between San Francisco to Yellowstone?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your San Francisco to Yellowstone drive, you can consider the seven restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 7 Best Restaurants On The San Francisco To Yellowstone Road Trip.

1. The Waterboy, Sacramento: 88.4 miles / 1 hour and 31 mins to drive from San Francisco | 850 miles / 12 hours and 46 mins of driving to Yellowstone.
2. Atlantis Steakhouse, Reno: 223 miles / 3 hours and 38 mins to drive from San Francisco | 721 miles / 10 hours and 41 mins of driving to Yellowstone.
3. Elevation 486: 673 miles / 10 hours and 7 mins to drive from San Francisco | 271 miles / 4 hours and 6 mins of driving to Yellowstone.
4. Sandpiper Restaurant, Pocatello: 783 miles / 11 hours and 44 mins to drive from San Francisco | 156 miles / 2 hours and 27 mins of driving to Yellowstone.
5. Copper Rill Restaurant: 829 miles / 12 hours and 20 mins to drive from San Francisco | 109 miles / 1 hour and 50 mins of driving to Yellowstone.
6. Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon: 936 miles / 14 hours to drive from San Francisco | 0.9 miles / 5 mins of driving to Yellowstone.
7. Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room, 1,124 miles / 17 hours and 55 mins to drive from San Francisco | 28.4 miles / 44 mins of driving to Yellowstone.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from San Francisco to Yellowstone. We have listed seven hotels, seven restaurants, and seven places to visit on the San Francisco to Yellowstone drive. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. We hope this guide has helped make your road trip from San Francisco to Yellowstone as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken the San Francisco to Yellowstone road trip? So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from San Francisco to Yellowstone and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.