Jackson is about 291 miles and five hours 50 minutes from downtown Provo, by an OpenStreetMap routing estimate (OSRM, no traffic) from Center Street and University Avenue. Grand Teton National Park's Moose entrance is about 304 miles and six hours 15 minutes. The route is the scenic one, up Provo Canyon to Heber, onto I-80 at the Wyoming line near Evanston, through the ranch country of the Bear River valley, and then north on US-89 through Star Valley and down the Snake River Canyon into Jackson Hole.
That distance makes it an overnight, never a day trip. Done in summer, the one night includes the Jackson Hole Rodeo on a Wednesday or Saturday. Done in late October, it includes something else: the Teton Park Road closes to cars on October 31, and most of the park's lodges and visitor centers have already shut for the season.
The drive, in three parts
Provo to Evanston. Provo Canyon, Heber, then US-40 and US-189 to I-80, and east to Evanston. This is the familiar part for anyone who skis Park City or drives to Bear Lake the back way; our Bear Lake guide describes the Evanston route to the lake's south end.
Bear River country. From Evanston the routing follows two-lane state highways north through the Bear River valley along the Utah-Wyoming line, to US-30 and back onto Wyoming Highway 89.
Star Valley and the Snake River Canyon. US-89 runs the length of Star Valley, a long, narrow valley along the Idaho line. Afton, about four hours 15 minutes from Provo by the routing estimate, has the arch of elk antlers across Washington Street that Google lists as the World's Largest Elkhorn Arch (458 S Washington St). It is the natural stop for lunch and fuel. North of the valley, at Alpine, US-89 turns east into the Snake River Canyon, and the last stretch follows the river to Hoback Junction and Jackson.
Going home a different way: over Teton Pass on Wyoming 22 to Victor, Idaho, then to Idaho Falls and south on I-15. The routing estimate is about 346 miles and six hours 25 minutes, roughly half an hour longer, with more freeway. Teton Pass is a steep mountain pass; in shoulder season and winter, check Wyoming's road report before choosing it. Our Idaho Falls guide covers the stop on that route.
The rodeo
The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce lists the Jackson Hole Rodeo on Wednesday and Saturday evenings from Memorial Day through Labor Day, rain or shine, at the Teton County Fairgrounds on West Snow King Avenue (Google lists the fair and rodeo grounds at 305 W Snow King Ave). We could not find posted start times or ticket prices on a page we could read; the chamber lists the rodeo's phone as 307-733-7927.
Why it matters for planning: if you can only go one night, make it a Wednesday or Saturday in summer. Leave Provo by late morning, stop in Afton, and you reach Jackson in time for dinner and the rodeo.
Grand Teton: fees and seasons
| Pass | Price (NPS) |
|---|---|
| Private vehicle, 7 days | $35 |
| Motorcycle, 7 days | $30 |
| Per person, on foot or bike (16 and up) | $20 |
| Non-U.S. resident fee, 16 and up | Extra $100 per person (waived with an annual or America the Beautiful pass) |
The park does not accept cash; the Moose entrance station takes credit or debit only. An America the Beautiful pass ($80 a year for U.S. residents) covers Grand Teton and Yellowstone both, which pays for itself if you do both parks in one trip.
2026 dates the park lists:
| Place | Open | Close |
|---|---|---|
| Teton Park Road (to cars) | May 1 | October 31 |
| Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, Moose | April 10 | October 31 |
| Jenny Lake Visitor Center | May 15 | October 12 |
| Jenny Lake boat shuttle and cruises | May 15 (ice dependent) | September 30 |
| Jackson Lake Lodge | May 15 | October 4 |
| Signal Mountain Lodge | May 8 | October 11 |
| Menors Ferry Historic District | April 1 | October 31 |
| Chapel of the Transfiguration | Year-round (Sunday services June to September) |
The park also warns of road closures on the Moose-Wilson Road between the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve junction and Moose; check its roads page before planning that shortcut from Teton Village.
The one-night plan (summer)
Day 1 (a Wednesday or Saturday): leave Provo by 10 or 11 a.m. Lunch and the antler arch in Afton. Into Jackson by late afternoon. Dinner in town, the rodeo in the evening, sleep in Jackson.
Day 2: into Grand Teton at Moose by 8 a.m. The visitor center, Menors Ferry and the Chapel of the Transfiguration are all near the Moose entrance. Drive the Teton Park Road north to Jenny Lake (the boat shuttle across the lake runs mid-May through September 30) and on to Signal Mountain. Come back south along Highway 89/191 on the east side of the valley for the wide view of the range. Leave by 2 p.m. and you are in Provo around 8.
The longer version adds a second night and Yellowstone: Grand Teton's north end runs straight into Yellowstone's South Entrance, and you can exit by the West Entrance and come home on I-15. Our Yellowstone from Provo guide covers that half and the entrance choice.
The late-October and winter version
By late October, the summer trip is over. The Jenny Lake shuttle stopped September 30, Jackson Lake Lodge closed October 4, and the Teton Park Road and the Moose visitor center close October 31. What stays:
- Highway 89/191 along the east side of the valley, which carries the classic views of the range from the turnouts.
- The Chapel of the Transfiguration, open year-round.
- The Snake River launches at Deadmans Bar and Pacific Creek, which the park lists as open until a winter wildlife closure begins December 15.
- The town of Jackson itself, which turns toward ski season in winter.
The drive through Star Valley and the Snake River Canyon is a winter mountain drive from November on. Our winter tires and canyon driving guide covers what Utah expects of your tires, and Wyoming's road report is worth checking the morning you leave.
Costs that add up
Lodging is the cost to plan around. For students and young families, the usual ways to keep the overnight affordable are camping in the park in summer (Gros Ventre Campground ran April 27 to October 10 in 2026), splitting a rental, or sleeping in Star Valley and driving the last hour in the morning. If the budget is the deciding factor, our day trips from Provo guide ranks the closer weekends, and Logan and Cache Valley is a mountain-town weekend at about half the drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from Provo to Jackson Hole?
Is there a faster way back from Jackson?
When is the Jackson Hole Rodeo?
How much is Grand Teton National Park?
When does the Teton Park Road close?
Is Jackson Hole a day trip from Provo?
What is in Star Valley?
Can you combine Grand Teton and Yellowstone from Provo?
Sources
The facts in this guide were checked against these sources. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm anything time-sensitive with the source before you go. How we make Provo.com.
- Fees and passes, National Park Service, Grand Teton. Checked October 20, 2026.
- Operating hours and seasons, 2026 season status and dates, National Park Service, Grand Teton. Checked October 20, 2026.
- Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce: Rodeos, Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce. Checked October 20, 2026.
- OSRM route service (OpenStreetMap data), driving estimates from Center St & University Ave, Provo, Project OSRM. Checked October 20, 2026.
- Teton County Fair & Rodeo Grounds; World's Largest Elkhorn Arch (addresses), Google Places. Checked October 20, 2026.
