Start by getting the camper van squared away, then make one clean provisioning run before you hit the highway. The most practical move is to load up at Salt Lake City Walmart Supercenter for basics like water, ice, breakfast food, snacks, and camp supplies, then get out of town while traffic is still light. If you want to make the day feel more like a trip and less like errands, keep the stop efficient and resist overbuying—once you’re on the road, you’ll pass plenty of small-town gas stations for anything you forget. Parking is easiest early, and in summer the van checkout plus grocery run usually takes about 1–1.5 hours all in.
For lunch, head to The Pie Pizzeria in Central City and keep it simple with a road-trip-friendly order—one or two pies to share, or a couple of slices if you’d rather stay light. It’s usually a good 45–60 minute stop and roughly $15–25 per person, depending on how hungry everyone is. After that, make the very-Utah dessert stop at Iceberg Drive Inn for the giant shake experience; this is one of those silly, memorable things that makes the whole road trip feel special. Share one shake for the van so you don’t torpedo dinner, and plan about 20–30 minutes for the stop.
Once you’re pointed north on I-15, just settle in for the drive and let the day turn into open-road mode. You’re looking at roughly 4.5 hours to Idaho Falls with bathroom and fuel breaks, and in summer it’s smart to leave enough daylight in reserve so you’re not rolling into camp in the dark. The first thing to do after arrival is stretch your legs along the Snake River Greenbelt, where the riverfront path is one of the prettiest, easiest ways to reset after a long drive. Parking is straightforward near the river, and a 1–1.5 hour wander is perfect here—long enough to feel like you’ve arrived, not so long that it eats the evening.
After the walk, drift over to Snake River Landing for a low-key sunset stroll, coffee, or just a sit by the water before dinner; it’s the kind of place that’s better when you slow down and let the evening happen. Then head to Smokin Fins for dinner, which works well because it keeps you near the riverfront and doesn’t require a lot of extra driving after the road day. Expect about 1–1.5 hours and around $20–35 per person. My only real recommendation for this day: don’t cram in anything else—this route gets better when you leave a little breathing room, so you can enjoy the van, the food, and the first night without feeling like you’re racing the clock.
Leave Idaho Falls around 8:00 AM so you can hit Yellowstone National Park before the parking lots and boardwalks get crowded. The drive on US-20 W is straightforward and scenic, and once you’re in West Yellowstone, keep your first fuel/coffee stop short — this is the kind of day that runs best when you’re already packed, filled up, and rolling. A good rhythm is: park once, grab a quick bathroom break, then head north into the park with your entrance pass ready so you don’t lose momentum.
Your first big stop, Mammoth Hot Springs, is one of the best “welcome to Yellowstone” moments because it feels totally unlike the rest of the park. Do the upper and lower boardwalk loops, but don’t rush — the terraces change with water flow and sunlight, and the whole area usually takes 1 to 1.5 hours if you actually stop for photos. Boardwalks are free-flowing and easy to navigate, but wear decent shoes; you’ll be glad you did if the morning is cool or the pavement is slick from steam.
Next, head south to Norris Geyser Basin, which is usually the most intense geothermal stop of the day. It’s compact, but it punches above its weight: a lot of heat, sulfur smell, hissing vents, and unpredictable geysers all packed into a walk that feels genuinely otherworldly. Budget about 1.5 hours here so you can do the full loop without feeling rushed. If you want this day to feel more fun, treat Norris like the “wild card” stop — it’s less polished than some of the famous pull-offs, and that’s part of the charm.
From there, continue to Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook / Midway Geyser Basin, which is the big visual payoff of the day. The boardwalk around the basin is worth doing, but if you want the classic postcard view, prioritize the overlook walk too — it’s the best way to see the spring’s colors and scale together. Plan 1.5 to 2 hours total, especially if you want photos without rushing. Then roll onward to Old Faithful & Old Faithful Inn, time your arrival around the eruption window, and use the historic lodge area as your reset point. This is a great place for a snack, a cold drink, or just sitting on the porch and people-watching; the whole area naturally slows you down in a nice way.
After Old Faithful, start drifting back toward West Yellowstone via US-191/US-20 before you’re completely worn out. Yellowstone is dramatically prettier in the late-day light, but don’t overdo it — this is already a full park day, and the last thing you want is a tense drive after dark. If you still have energy once you’re back in town, keep dinner casual and local, then take a short walk through the main strip for a low-key finish. West Yellowstone is one of those gateway towns that works best when you lean into it: simple meal, early night, and an easy start for tomorrow.