Best Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park Tours

How Far Apart Are Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore?

One of the first things travelers ask is: how far is it from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park? The driving distance is roughly 500 miles (about 805 km), depending on your chosen route and entrance to Yellowstone. On average, the drive takes around 8-10 hours without long stops, but most travelers spread it over two days to enjoy scenic detours.

If you’re starting with a Mt Rushmore and Yellowstone trip, the most common route goes west through Rapid City, into Wyoming, passing landmarks like Devils Tower, Bighorn National Forest, and Cody. Each of these spots is worth a pause, especially if you’re not rushing to get to Yellowstone the same day.

Transportation options include rental cars, RVs, or organized bus tours from Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone. If you prefer not to drive, group tours can be a great option since they handle logistics while covering major highlights.

How Many Days Is Enough for This Trip?

The sweet spot for most travelers is between 5 to 7 days. A shorter 4-day plan means you’ll be driving a lot and focusing only on key attractions. A full week allows you to enjoy the ride, explore smaller towns, and spend enough time inside Yellowstone, which is huge and requires at least two full days to see its highlights.

For example, a 7 day bus tour to Mt Rushmore and Yellowstone typically splits time between both destinations with scheduled stops at places like Crazy Horse Memorial, Devils Tower, Old Faithful, and Grand Teton National Park. This kind of structured trip works well for first-timers.

Sample Yellowstone and Mt Rushmore Itineraries

Here are a few sample itineraries that show how you might balance your time depending on the length of your vacation:

4-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Rapid City, visit Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial.
- Day 2: Drive west, stop at Devils Tower, overnight in Sheridan or Buffalo.
- Day 3: Enter Yellowstone via Cody, see Mammoth Hot Springs or Lamar Valley.
- Day 4: Visit Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring, then depart.

5-6 Day Itinerary
- Days 1-2: Explore Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park.
- Day 3: Scenic drive with stops at Devils Tower and Bighorn Mountains.
- Days 4-5: Focus on Yellowstone’s key areas - Norris Geyser Basin, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Old Faithful.
- Day 6: Optional visit to Grand Teton before heading home.

7-Day Itinerary
This length lets you combine history and nature comfortably. Start with two days in the Black Hills (Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park), drive west with a stopover near Sheridan or Cody, then spend three days exploring Yellowstone, finishing with a day in Grand Teton National Park.

Pro Tips for a Yellowstone Mt Rushmore Itinerary

Plan for driving time: Yellowstone alone covers nearly 3,500 square miles, so expect plenty of driving inside the park itself. Build buffer time for traffic caused by bison crossings or road construction.

Book early: Both Yellowstone and the Black Hills attract millions of visitors each year. Lodging inside Yellowstone fills up months in advance, so many travelers stay in gateway towns like West Yellowstone, Gardiner, or Cody.

Pack for all weather: Even in summer, mornings in Yellowstone can be chilly. Rain, wind, and sudden temperature shifts are common. A layered outfit is the way to go.

Don’t miss the small stops: On the road from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone, charming towns like Deadwood (famous for its Wild West history) and Cody (with the Buffalo Bill Center of the West) add extra depth to your trip.

Consider tours if you’re short on time: If planning feels overwhelming, joining a structured Yellowstone and Mt Rushmore tour makes the logistics easier and ensures you hit the must-see spots without stress.

Whether you’re driving yourself or hopping on a guided tour, a journey from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park blends American history, geological wonders, and wide-open landscapes. With the right itinerary, this trip becomes more than just sightseeing - it’s a memorable adventure across the heart of the American West.