You’re standing at the stoplight in Victor, Idaho, looking east. The mountains look like a wall. Specifically, that wall is the Teton Pass. If you’ve never driven it, you probably think it’s just another scenic mountain road.
It isn't.
The trek from Victor ID to Jackson Hole WY is only about 25 miles. On paper, that’s a thirty-minute commute. In reality? It’s a high-stakes, 10% grade rollercoaster that dictates the lives of thousands of people every single day. Whether you're a tourist trying to save a buck on a hotel or a local "over-the-hill" commuter, this stretch of Highway 22/33 is basically the main artery of the ecosystem.
The Reality of the Teton Pass
Most GPS apps will tell you it takes 35 minutes to get from the Victor Transit Center to the Town Square in Jackson.
Don't believe them.
Sure, on a sunny Tuesday in July at 10:00 AM, you might zip over in record time. But try doing that at 7:45 AM when the "Commuter Convoy" is in full swing. Or better yet, try it in January when a localized "Teton Globe" snowstorm hits the summit at 8,431 feet while it’s perfectly sunny in the valley below.
Honestly, the grade is what catches people off guard. We’re talking about 10% sustained inclines and declines. If you aren't downshifting, your brakes will start smelling like a campfire before you even hit the village of Wilson.
Why People Choose the "Over the Hill" Life
Why would anyone subject themselves to this drive daily? It’s simple: Jackson is expensive. Like, "average home price in the millions" expensive. Victor, while catching up fast, still offers that small-town Idaho vibe with a bit more breathing room. You trade time and brake pads for a backyard and a lower mortgage.
But it’s more than just money. Victor has developed its own soul. You’ve got Grand Teton Brewing right there at the base of the pass, and the Spud Drive-In just up the road. It doesn't feel like a suburb; it feels like the authentic West that Jackson sometimes polishes away for the tourists.
Getting from Victor ID to Jackson Hole WY Without a Car
Believe it or not, you don't actually have to drive this yourself. In fact, many locals refuse to.
The START Bus (Southern Teton Area Rapid Transit) runs a commuter service that is a total lifesaver. As of early 2026, the Teton Valley Commuter line has become even more robust thanks to the Teton Mobility Corridor Improvements. They’ve added new electric buses and expanded the Stilson Transit Center near Wilson to handle the volume.
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- The Schedule: It’s built for workers. Buses leave Victor early—we’re talking 5:00 AM, 6:00 AM, and 7:00 AM blocks.
- The Cost: It’s usually around $8 for a one-way trip, but frequent riders buy monthly passes that drop the price significantly.
- The Perks: You get to sit there and look at the view (or sleep) while a professional driver navigates the 10% grades.
If you’re visiting and thinking about an Uber or Lyft, just... don't. Getting an Uber to Jackson from Victor is possible, but getting one back is like winning the lottery. You'll likely end up paying over $100, and that’s if anyone is even willing to cross the state line.
Winter is a Whole Different Animal
Winter driving between Victor ID to Jackson Hole WY is a legit skill.
The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) doesn't mess around with the Chain Law. If the "Chains Required" sign is flashing at the bottom of the pass, they mean it. Usually, for passenger vehicles, this means you need 4WD/AWD and snow-rated tires (look for the 3-peak mountain snowflake symbol).
Expert Tip: If you see a semi-truck pulled over at the chain-up area, take it as a sign. The pass can close in minutes for avalanche mitigation or because someone in a rental car spun out and blocked both lanes.
The pass often closes for "Avalanche Mitigation" in the early morning hours, usually between 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM. If you have an early flight out of Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), you better check the 511 app before you go to bed. If the pass is closed, your 45-minute drive just turned into a 2-hour detour through Alpine, Wyoming.
Surprising Stops You Usually Miss
Everyone is in such a rush to get to the Grand Tetons that they blow right past the cool stuff on the Idaho side.
Stop at Pierre’s Hole. Not the actual hole in the ground, but the historical area. It’s where the mountain men used to have their massive "Rendezvous" in the 1830s. It’s wild to think about thousands of trappers and Native Americans gathered in the same valley where people now charge their Teslas.
Then there’s the Wildlife. Everyone looks for moose in Jackson, but the Victor side of the pass is prime territory. I’ve seen more moose near the Trail Creek campground than I have in the actual National Park. Just please, for the love of everything, don't stop your car in the middle of the road to take a photo. Use the turnouts.
The "Commuter Wave"
There is a specific etiquette on this road. If you’re driving a slow van or a rental car and there are five trucks on your bumper, pull over. There are designated slow-vehicle turnouts for a reason. Locals are trying to get to work, and being stuck behind a sightseeing SUV going 20 mph on the curves is the fastest way to make enemies in Teton County.
Practical Logistics for 2026
Since the 2024 Teton Pass road collapse and subsequent rebuild, the infrastructure is actually better than it used to be, but the volume of cars is at an all-time high.
- Fuel Up in Victor: Gas is almost always 30 to 50 cents cheaper in Idaho than it is in Jackson.
- Cell Service: It’s spotty. You’ll lose it at the "Narrows" and probably won't get it back until you’re descending into Wilson. Download your maps for offline use.
- The "Snake River" Alternative: If the pass is terrifying to you, you can take Highway 26 through Swan Valley and then Highway 89 through Alpine. It adds about 40 minutes, but it follows the river and avoids the 10% mountain grades. It’s beautiful, flat, and much less stressful in a blizzard.
The drive from Victor ID to Jackson Hole WY is one of the most beautiful in the United States, but it demands respect. It’s a mountain crossing, not a highway.
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If you're planning this trip, download the WYDOT 511 app and the Idaho 511 app. Check them both. These two states don't always talk to each other perfectly, and you don't want to find out the pass is closed when you're already halfway up the mountain.
Keep your eyes on the road, your hazards ready for wildlife, and your low gears engaged. You'll get there. And when you top that crest and see the entire Teton Range and Jackson Hole valley spread out below you, you’ll realize why people put up with this commute every single day.
To make this trip successfully, check the Teton Pass webcam before leaving Victor, ensure your vehicle has a full tank of Idaho-priced gas, and verify that your tires meet the current Wyoming winter travel requirements.