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| Start / End | Salt Lake City, Utah to Salt Lake City, Utah (Round Trip) |
|---|---|
| Distance | 1,985 mi |
| Duration | 16 Days |
| States Crossed | Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming |
| Best Season | Late Spring to Early Fall |
| Perfect For | Families, wildlife enthusiasts, and outdoor adventurers |
There is something undeniably magnetic about the open roads of the American West. This 16-day round trip from Salt Lake City is a masterclass in slow travel, perfectly suited for an RV lifestyle. Rather than rushing from hotel to hotel, a motorhome allows you to settle into a relaxed rhythm as you navigate winding canyons, steaming geysers, and towering peaks across Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana.
Traveling by RV means your accommodation travels with you. When you find a roadside turnout promising postcard views in the Idaho valleys, you have the freedom to pull over, make lunch in your own kitchen, and soak it in. It is a route that balances the conveniences of modern family attractions with complete immersion in some of the wildest landscapes and wildlife habitats in North America.
To truly appreciate the 1,985 mi ahead, we recommend breaking the journey into manageable regional stages. This overarching flow ensures you spend less time driving and more time experiencing the landscape. For the comprehensive, day-by-day itinerary with exact stopovers and campground recommendations, check the full plan inside RV PLAN.
Your trip begins with family-friendly discoveries just outside Salt Lake City before pointing the compass north toward Idaho. This initial leg is all about easing into the RV lifestyle. The driving distances are moderate, allowing plenty of time to stop for interactive animal encounters, adrenaline-pumping ziplines, and hearty local meals as the urban landscape gives way to sweeping agricultural valleys.
As you approach Jackson Hole, the geography shifts dramatically. This stage slows the driving pace considerably as you establish a basecamp among the towering peaks. The focus here is on outdoor adventure, dramatic photography, and soaking in the rich heritage of the Wyoming mountain towns. You will spend multiple days exploring the valleys and hiking areas without moving the RV long distances.
Moving deeper into the wilderness of Yellowstone National Park and crossing into Montana, this stage is the crown jewel of the Rocky Mountain Time Machine. Expect slow-moving traffic due to wandering bison and frequent stops to marvel at natural features and geothermal wonders. The rhythm here is dictated entirely by nature.
The final leg of the journey loops back toward Utah. While it involves slightly longer driving days to cover the remaining distance, the route remains intensely scenic. This is a time to reflect on the adventure, enjoy final hikes or museum visits, and gently transition back to the modern world of Salt Lake City.
This route offers an incredibly diverse array of attractions. While the full interactive map on rvplan.net will guide your daily schedule, here are the key themes you will encounter:
Animal lovers are in for a treat from day one. Kick off the trip just south of Salt Lake City at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, where penguin feedings provide a perfect warm-up for the kids. Further north, the Idaho Falls Zoo offers a delightful afternoon of watching playful otters and snow leopards. Of course, the ultimate wildlife watching happens in the national parks, where free-roaming bison are a daily spectacle.
If your family craves action, this route delivers. Early in the trip, the Lava Zipline Adventure in Idaho provides a fantastic burst of adrenaline. As you progress, the region offers endless opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and kayaking. From mysterious caves to steaming geysers, the natural features along this 1,985 mi loop are unparalleled.
Immersing yourself in local culture is a must. When hunger strikes after a long day of exploring, places like Stockman’s Restaurant in Idaho Falls offer the kind of large portions and friendly service that define Western hospitality. The route is also dotted with art galleries, science sites, and heritage centers that tell the story of the region's rich history.
To comfortably cover 1,985 mi while leaving ample time for hiking, wildlife watching, and relaxing at your campsite, 16 days is the ideal duration. This pace prevents driver fatigue and honors the philosophy of slow travel.
Absolutely. If you want to experience the quintessential American West—complete with geysers, glaciers, and towering mountain ranges—this loop is one of the most rewarding road trips in the country. It seamlessly blends accessible family attractions with raw, untouched wilderness.
This itinerary is tailor-made for families, nature enthusiasts, and anyone looking to escape the hustle of city life. The mix of water parks, zoos, extreme activities, and serene botanical gardens ensures there is something for every age group.
Late spring through early fall is the optimal window. Summer guarantees full access to national park roads and maximum attraction availability, though it is the busiest time. Early fall offers crisp air, stunning foliage, and fewer crowds, making it a favorite for seasoned RV travelers.
When planning a 16-day, 1,985 mi journey, selecting the right vehicle is crucial. A larger Class C motorhome provides maximum comfort and space for families, while a nimble campervan might be preferable for couples looking to easily navigate winding mountain roads and smaller scenic turnouts.
Because this is a round trip starting and ending in Salt Lake City, you will not have to worry about one-way drop-off fees—a major advantage for managing your overall expenses. However, you must ensure your rental agreement includes sufficient mileage to cover the 1,985 mi distance, plus a buffer for scenic detours and campground commutes. Pre-purchasing a mileage package during the booking process is highly recommended.
Campground reservations in destinations like Jackson Hole and Yellowstone are highly competitive. We strongly advise booking your RV and your campsites several months in advance to secure your preferred dates. For exact vehicle availability, seasonal rates, and to lock in your motorhome, use the live search tools provided below.
Ready to turn this Rocky Mountain dream into reality? Discover the complete, day-by-day interactive itinerary and secure your vehicle by visiting the official route page on RV PLANET.
See the full polyline, drag stops to customize, and get live pricing in one click.
Open this route in RV PLAN →| Nearby RV rental stations | Native Campervans-24 E (Salt Lake City (SLC area)), Cruise America- 26-E (Salt Lake City (SLC area)), El Monte-2026-E (Salt Lake City (SLC area)), Indie Campers USA - 26 E (Salt Lake City (SLC area)) |
|---|---|
| Sample RV cost — 4 travelers (Class A / B / C) | {{BANDANA_PRICING_TABLE}} |
| Estimated fuel cost (total) | $650–$850 |
| Estimated campground cost (total) | $700–$950 |
| Estimated attractions & entrance fees — family of 4 | $400–$650 |
| Estimated groceries / self-catered food — family of 4 | $550–$750 |
| Live availability & pricing | Check live availability & pricing on Rent Motorhome → |
Estimate assumptions: Estimates assume 10 MPG, a $55 average nightly campground rate, and peak summer season pricing for a family of four. All figures are estimates — verify on Rent Motorhome and RV PLAN for your travel dates.
A high-level look at how the route flows in stages. The exact daily stops, overnight picks, and detour options are built for you inside RV PLAN — open the route to see the full plan.
Transition from city family attractions to the slower rhythm of Idaho's scenic agricultural valleys.
Immerse yourself in towering peaks, outdoor adventure, and Western heritage in the heart of Wyoming.
Explore steaming geothermal wonders, wild bison herds, and expansive wilderness crossing into Montana.
Wind down through historic sites and natural features on the longer scenic drive looping back to Salt Lake City.
Total cost for this 16-day itinerary depends on the rig you pick, the pickup season, mileage add-ons, and any one-way drop-off fee across the 1,985 mi route. Check live availability and a real quote for the Salt Lake City → Salt Lake City pickup window on Rent Motorhome.
Live availability & pricing for this exact route
Prices update daily. See the full breakdown — nightly rate, taxes, one-way fee, mileage package — for your travel dates.
These are real vehicles in our Salt Lake City pickup fleet that fit a multi-week western U.S. itinerary. Configure dates on rvplan.net to see live availability and the total trip cost for the exact rig you want.
| Motorhome | Class | Sleeps | Length | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort Space Select Indie Campers USA - 26 E |
Class A - Integrated | 8 | 29.2 ft | Auto Transmission |
| Comfort Family Select Indie Campers USA - 26 E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 30.0 ft | Auto Transmission |
| Family Sleeper (FS) El Monte-2026-E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 31.8 ft | Auto Transmission |
| C-30 Cruise America- 26-E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 29.9 ft | Auto Transmission |
| Comfort Standard Select Indie Campers USA - 26 E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 24.1 ft | Auto Transmission |
Pick your dates below and we'll open the live RV PLANET booking flow for the Salt Lake City → Salt Lake City route.
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