Best/Quickest Route from SLC to J.Hole

[Ty_Webb]

What do you guys think is the best route to Jackson from Salt Lake? I typically go through Pocatello. How is the route through Evanston and up 89? Think the road conditions will be a factor tomorrow evening. Thanks.

Alex

[StormRider]

Where in SLC are you?

South or near I-80 I think the Evanston route is best.
North of the city I think the I-15 to Soda Springs route is best.

[pechelman]

not that ive done it in winter, but the drive between jackson and logan on 89 is really pretty for the most part. Dont really remember but maybe 1 tricky section of road and that was throug logan canyon.

[Spark]

this might be useful info for me in a few weeks...

[rideit]

I do the drive a shitton...from Teton Valley, ID, it is WAY quicker through pokey/IF. 4-5, depending on your ballsiness. And some good Mexicano in IF.
(Los Albertos)

[slippy]

The Logan way is the most scenic route, but not the fastest. It looks good on the map for a direct route, but that canyon between Bear Lake and Logan is maybe 45mph?, all turns, and hard to pass.

I often go to Idaho Falls then to Alpine and up, as I have a trailer and can't go over Teton Pass with one. It's a little over four hours (can't remember exactly), and is prolly the best route during a bad storm.

StormRider is right about going the Evanston way if you're going somewhere off I80, but that road is pretty remote and can be shitty with bad roads. And there's a few places to easily miss your turnoffs if you're not paying attention. The gas station at Cokeville (the bigger one, don't remember the name) has Johnsonville Brats on the rack spinner-thingie, which is pretty fucking sweet. (Yeah, I'm from Wisconsin.)

As for Soda Springs, I don't know how I didn't hear about this route. I have to drive to Jackson tonight and am going to try it out.

And if you really want to go a slow way, go through Preston and get your hair cut at the Cuttin' Corral and do the Napolean Dynamite tour. It's a pretty odd town.

[rideit]

Slippy, nice tip on the Johnsonville Brats!

I believe all directions for travel should include food suggestions.

Well done!

[kush1]

As for Soda Springs, I don't know how I didn't hear about this route. I have to drive to Jackson tonight and am going to try it out.

Youre coming up tonight?

[Chitown Pow]

I just did it between SLC to JH via 89 the entire way. The section outside of Ogden was pretty tight and curvy. I lit one about half way and it smoothed out, except the passes, 5 or 6 to go over.

PS - the snow suck just as bad as SLC

[powder4breakfast]

I spent a summer driving up there and back every other weekend. We went every route possible to break things up a bit. If you are leaving from SLC, Parley's to Evanston, Cokeville, etc. is for sure the quickest (not calculating bad weather conditions).

[Ty_Webb]

Thanks guys. I'm leaving tomorrw aft noon. For sure gonna pick up a six pack once "across the border." Yeah, I hear the snow sucks, but my folks will be there. Not gonna miss a chance at free lodging and food. Slippy, where in Wisco are you from? I grew up in the south east.

[Altaholic]

All the routes are roughly all the same time from what I've done.

[montanaskier]

we leave from Laurel on Thursday. We are headed to Bozeman, to Ennis, to Ashton, to Idaho Falls and down. Hope we get lucky and get a dump....praying for snow.

[Steepdeepnlong]

What do you guys think is the best route to Jackson from Salt Lake? I typically go through Pocatello. How is the route through Evanston and up 89? Think the road conditions will be a factor tomorrow evening. Thanks.

Alex

I think the best/quickest way would be by small private jet or helicopter, leaving SLC heading N-NW. Personal attendants, a massage therapist, and a full bar on board would be a nice touch.

[72Twenty]

Another vote for I-15 to Idaho Falls, turn off to Swan Valley, head over to Victor and lean out the window and slap Rideit on the ass as you turn up Teton Pass. Also, if you stop in Pocatello, hit a restaurant called Butterburr's. SST combo ("Soup-Sandwich-Treat") used to be $4.99 as of about 3 years ago. Huge bowl of soup, huge sandwich and a cinnamon "twist" (which is basically a cinnamon roll straightened out - it's HUGE.) Best food deal on that route.

edit:

Here is the map to Butterburr's...

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=917%20Yellowstone%20Ave,%20Pocatello,%20Ida ho

[Steepdeepnlong]

Whoa. Giving up Butterburrs is like giving up a pow stash. I have great respect for you and hope Ty appreciates what you've presented him. Had one of those twists about 5 years ago? I can still taste it........

[rideit]

If you go through Pokey in the evening, Buddy's is an AWESOME, cheap, down home-more garlic than you bargained for Italian joint. It is the best food in pokey, IMO.
Go Buddy's!

[Ty_Webb]

Thanks for all the info, especially the food stops. I'm thinking I'll probably take the Evanston route. I don't know why, maybe cause its something different.

[RPW83014]

After numerous trips back and fourth, The Best Route is I-80 > I-15 > Idaho Falls > Swan Valley, ID > Up and over Swan Valley Pass > Victor > Wilson > Teton Village.

It is a consistantly safe route. Heading up through Evanston is a taxing drive, especially in weather. There might be a 10-15 min difference between the two routes on a clear day; however at night or in weather, I-80 > I-15 >I.F. is just as fast and much easier.

Rip it up.

[rideit]

I concur...i wouldn't think of doing it the other way in the winter.
You can drive 85 pretty much all the way from Idaho Fall to S.L.C....

(Oh, It is Pine Creek Pass, and not Swan Valley pass, just to clarify)

[dk_alaskan]

Rip it up.

Sweet Avitar, One of the better ones on here

[13]

search function ... hasn't this been covered 3.57 trillion times already?

[72Twenty]

If you go through Pokey in the evening, Buddy's is an AWESOME, cheap, down home-more garlic than you bargained for Italian joint. It is the best food in pokey, IMO.
Go Buddy's!

I thought Buddy's totally sucked when I went there.

[72Twenty]

search function ... hasn't this been covered 3.57 trillion times already?

Probably about as much as Rachael Ray's man-hands.

[hairy]

I think if you blink and scrunch your nose....