Road Trips Let us know where you've been on your Harley, the best places to visit on a bike, etc.

Yellowstone traffic

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 5, 2023 | 01:16 PM
  #1  
Whiskyjock's Avatar
Whiskyjock
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
10 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 716
Likes: 154
From: Canada
Default Yellowstone traffic

I'm planning on heading from Cody to Jackson thru the south section of Yellowstone Jackson this summer. Can someone give me an idea of what to expect for traffic. I know I won't be doing 50 or 60 mph but I'd like the benefit of others' experience.
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2023 | 01:19 PM
  #2  
Y2K's Avatar
Y2K
Grand HDF Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 3,438
From: SW WA.
Default

Slow and slower in the park,give yourself lots of time as there's lots to see and lots of people.
I've been through 4 times,also don't miss the Tetons.
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2023 | 01:22 PM
  #3  
Rounders's Avatar
Rounders
Seasoned HDF Member
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,272
Likes: 3,684
From: backwoods
Default

I've been there twice on my bike in August. Wasn't a big deal.
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2023 | 02:01 PM
  #4  
jeffro09's Avatar
jeffro09
Stellar HDF Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 3,511
From: At home.
Default

It all depends on how many bears are along the road, bear jams are serious. It also depends on how many times bison stop in the road. It gets pretty hairy when they surround you.

Be calm, enjoy the views and don't be in a hurry.
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2023 | 02:05 PM
  #5  
M Oclaf's Avatar
M Oclaf
Grand HDF Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 4,798
Likes: 5,889
From: Knoxville
Default

As mentioned between wildlife and the human animals, be a slow roll. Be wary of both. Once you’ve cleared the park to Jackson you can kick it but don’t, the Tetons will be on the right heading south, they’re one of those you have to see to appreciate. Enjoy!
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2023 | 02:56 PM
  #6  
MadMexican's Avatar
MadMexican
Club Member
5 Year Member
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Liked
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 751
From: Dearborn, Mi.
Riders Club Member
Default

Originally Posted by jeffro09
It all depends on how many bears are along the road, bear jams are serious. It also depends on how many times bison stop in the road. It gets pretty hairy when they surround you.

Be calm, enjoy the views and don't be in a hurry.

Also try to travel threw in the morning. Traffic really increases in the afternoon.
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2023 | 03:18 PM
  #7  
crazytown's Avatar
crazytown
Road Master
Veteran: Army
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 565
From: Utah
Default

Traffic flow is typically more consistent and even in the mornings than the afternoons/evenings. It will kind of depend on how many animals are on/near the roadway, both for yourself and the other traffic on the road. Speed limit in the park is 45 mph most places. Keep a good lookout for animals and idot drivers that make sudden changes.

That route through Yellowstone is amazing, but I think my favorite part is the views of the Tetons from the highway as you approach Jackson. Stop at Jackson Lake Lodge on the way and take a pee break. Wander out on the observation deck for some amazing views.
 
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2023 | 08:45 AM
  #8  
Speleo's Avatar
Speleo
Road Captain
Veteran: Army
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 553
Likes: 456
From: Fort Wayne in
Default

The 'Tourons' are more dangerous than the animals. They will stop in the middle of the road, at the drop of a hat, to run up to take a picture of an an animal, be it a Buffalo or a chipmunk.
Sharing the road with buffalo is real scary. It is their park, and their road. Be cautious.
Taking pictures of idiots on vacation is also encouraged.
Bruce
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 6, 2023 | 08:52 AM
  #9  
Rounders's Avatar
Rounders
Seasoned HDF Member
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,272
Likes: 3,684
From: backwoods
Default

I had a buffalo in the road a couple times, which had autos stopped. I think you simply face to realize you can't blast through.
 
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2023 | 10:26 AM
  #10  
deadhawg's Avatar
deadhawg
Stellar HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,959
Likes: 1,988
From: CA
Default

Allow plenty of time for the ride, it's not a place to hurry through even if there is no traffic. Lots of scenic places worth stopping at for a short walk to hot springs and amazing geothermal features. But be prepared for traffic jams any time there are animals near the road, tourists will stop in the middle of the road to take pics or videos, and not for just a few seconds for a quick pic, they will stop on the road, get out of their cars and walk toward the animals for a video. Be sure to take pics of stupid tourists getting trampled by bison or mauled by a bear.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:39 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE