Cody to Yellowstone on Rt14

[smokeyfl]

Anyone traveled across rt 14 from Cody to Yellowstone? Getting mixed reviews on the travel blogs.

[bsmith0404]

Assuming you're talking 14/16. It has a few pretty good grades along the route. I personally like taking 26, there are a few real nice RV parks just before the entrance to Yellowstone and it's an easy drive into Jackson and it is a very beautiful section of the Teton

What is your TV?

[smokeyfl]

Thanks for the reply. Looks like it is 14 / 16 / 20 between Cody and the park. It then turns into East Entrance Road. We are staying at Fishing Creek so will need to cross the mountain somewhere. Most of the recommendations I have read are to take I90 to Livingstone and go down 89, but it is a long away around when coming from the East. Reviews are mixed on 14 \ 16. Some folks said piece of cake and some said never again. Better to be safe than sorry.

[bsmith0404]

depending on what part of the east you are coming in from you can always take 80 to Rawlins. You can cut through the park to the east entrance. It's an easier drive. Some parts are very similar to going through the SD Badlands.

[vampress_me]

Depending on where you're coming from, I would be more concerned with the switchbacks on 14 just off of I90 by Sheridan. But, my in-laws used to take their 5'er up and down that no problem. I don't remember the stretch between Cody and the east entrance being anything worse than the Sheridan section as long as you take it easy. It probably depends on what your TV is, we and the in-laws have F-350s. For me, I wouldn't go up to Livingston and down 89 to get to the Fishing Bridge campground, too far out of the way when coming from the east and you have to contend with the constant wind by Livingston. There have been times over the years of us driving I90 between Missoula and Wyoming/ Minnesota that they detour the interstate through town due to the high winds. I would not consider that fun driving with a camper. But, just my opinion.

[smokeyfl]

Thanks for the input. We have a 2002 F250 with the 7.3 diesel so pulling is not an issue. I worry more about the steep downhill grades. We have a Banks exhaust brake and drilled and slotted rotors which helps. We will weigh our options and make a final decision when we get closer.

[grampscamper]

Originally Posted by smokeyfl

Anyone traveled across rt 14 from Cody to Yellowstone? Getting mixed reviews on the travel blogs.

We did that drive last year pulling our 5th wheel. I don't recall anything too difficult. Actually we really enjoyed the drive. You should have no problem with your truck.

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by vampress_me

Depending on where you're coming from, I would be more concerned with the switchbacks on 14 just off of I90 by Sheridan. But, my in-laws used to take their 5'er up and down that no problem. I don't remember the stretch between Cody and the east entrance being anything worse than the Sheridan section as long as you take it easy. It probably depends on what your TV is, we and the in-laws have F-350s. For me, I wouldn't go up to Livingston and down 89 to get to the Fishing Bridge campground, too far out of the way when coming from the east and you have to contend with the constant wind by Livingston. There have been times over the years of us driving I90 between Missoula and Wyoming/ Minnesota that they detour the interstate through town due to the high winds. I would not consider that fun driving with a camper. But, just my opinion.

I was thinking the same thing about the Sheridan stretch, that always seemed worse than anything I remember in the Cody area.

[smokeyfl]

Thank you all for your replies.

[Flintlock]

We have made 3 trips to Cody/Yellowstone in the last 4 years and are planning on another this year. - Here's my humble opinion and observation.

Stay away from 14, really steep grades, 16 not so much and I did it just fine with my rigs. Let's put it this way - I won't do 14 again no way no how when I can go 16 and no streaks or pucker ....

Last year on a whim we took the south route out of Cody 120 to 20 to Worland to catch 16 - nice easy flat-ish drive, some construction here and there but not excessive. Miles a bit more but a more relaxed drive for the wife and her mild fear of heights.

The drive from Cody, besides being the most scenic hours stretch I've seen in 49 of the states, is a easy drive. The first stage after the entrance is a bit steep but folks do it all the time.

Hope this helps!

[smokeyfl]

We are sitting in Riverton on the Southern route as we speak. We received a lot of warnings about 14 so decided to stay away. Will get to see the Tetons as a bonus. We have our bike with us so will explore 14 on 2 wheels. Time not a big issue to us. Meeting friends at Fishing Bridge on Wednesday.
Thanks for the input.

[Laredo291OH]

I just did this drive 2 weeks ago, actually backwards. We were at Fishing Bridge and headed for the Black Hills. I decided to take the East Entrance road which turns into 14/16/20 to Greybull. Then took 16 from Greybull to Worland and thru to Buffalo. I'm pulling a 30' Laredo TT that I'm sure was weighing a little heavy at about 8500 lb with a 2500 HD gasser with the 3.73 rear end. The only issue I encountered was crossing the Big Horn mountains. It seemed like 200 miles of 7% grade, think it is about 15 miles actually, but the motor was turning about 4500 RPM and temps were getting a little high. I have read some bad things about 14 between Greybull and Sheridan and even worse about 14A, but I have never seen or driven them. If I had it to do over again I would, but probably with a diesel truck next time. Also, be ready for Fishing Bridge, it is really just a parking lot. We liked it because you could make reservations and we were coming in late the first night. Had to open our outdoor kitchen into a tree (pulled the TT up as far as possible so it wouldn't hit the TT in the spot behind us), never even got our lawn chairs or awning out, we basically just slept there and ate supper in the camper. Saw a 5'ver that the door was exiting right into a tree, but that was their only choice for the space.

[airforceret]

We ran 16 years ago and it was awesome! Our biggest concern was nearly hitting 2 baby grizzly bears that ran up on the highway in front of us!