Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole — Weather & Driving Conditions

Driving from Salt Lake City, UT to Jackson, WY? This 270-mile route follows US-89. TripCaptain checks the weather at every stop along the way — not just at each end — so you can see where conditions change before you pick a departure time.

What to watch for on this route

In the planner, TripCaptain highlights forecast weather risks between Salt Lake City, UT and Jackson, WY and summarizes the analysis with a Hazard Score™ from 0 to 100. A higher score indicates lower forecast risk, without guaranteeing road conditions.

• Deep Snow: Star Valley and the passes on US-89 pile up deep snow all winter, and heavy overnight falls can bury the road faster than plows clear it.
• Avalanche Closure: Slide paths above the passes and the Snake River Canyon trigger avalanche-control work that closes the highway with little notice — know the official pass status before you leave.
• Black Ice: The shaded curves of the Snake River Canyon and bridge decks near Alpine glaze over at dawn and after dusk, long after open stretches look dry.
• Wildlife at Dusk: Elk, deer, and moose move onto US-89 through Star Valley and the canyon at dawn and dusk, when low light leaves little time to react.

When to go, season by season

• Spring (Mar–May): Passes still take heavy snow into April, and afternoon melt refreezes into ice after dark. Leave mid-morning once overnight ice has thawed, and expect wildlife along the canyon.
• Summer (Jun–Aug): The easiest season. Watch for afternoon thunderstorms building over the canyon and elk or moose at dawn and dusk. An early start avoids both.
• Fall (Sep–Nov): Clear, cool driving early on, but the first snows reach the passes by October and elk are on the move during the rut. Carry chains once nights drop below freezing.
• Winter (Dec–Feb): Deep snow, black ice, and avalanche-control closures over the passes. Temps in Star Valley can fall to −22 °F (−30 °C). Run winter tires, carry chains, and check the pass is open before you leave.

Compare departure times

Open Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole in the planner to check the forecast for your date and compare nearby hours within your plan's limits. Save the trip to follow changing conditions in Live Mode.

Fuel, EV range, and rest stops

See a weather-adjusted fuel or EV energy estimate for the drive, sensible break points across the 270 miles, and a packing list matched to the conditions ahead.

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