The Victor to Jackson Commute
HONESTLY, THIS TIME
The drive from Victor, Idaho to Jackson, Wyoming is 25 miles over Teton Pass on WY-22 — roughly 35 to 45 minutes in normal conditions, door to door. Thousands of people make it every workday in both directions: it’s the standard commute for Jackson’s workforce living on the Idaho side, and it’s the trade that makes Teton Valley rent math work. Here’s what it’s actually like, including the parts a rental brochure would skip.
The route is simple: ID-33 east out of Victor becomes WY-22 at the state line, climbs to the 8,431-foot summit of Teton Pass, and descends past Wilson into Jackson. The Wyoming side runs a famous 10% grade — steep enough that trucks are restricted and your ears pop, short enough that the climb itself takes only a few minutes.
The honest winter picture
From roughly November through April, the pass is a real mountain road. Snow tires or AWD (ideally both) are the local standard, not a suggestion. On storm mornings the pass gets plowed early and often, but expect slower speeds, occasional avalanche-control closures, and days when WYDOT holds traffic while crews work. Seasoned commuters shift their day around the weather — leaving before the morning rush on big snow days, or waiting out an afternoon closure with dinner in town rather than idling at the closure gate.
The right habit is checking before you drive, every time. That’s why the cameras below are on this page.
LIVE · UPDATED EVERY 15 MINUTES
Check the pass before you drive
WYO 22 · Wyoming DOT cameras
Full-size views on our Teton Pass webcam page. Official road reports: Wyoming 511 and Idaho 511. Camera images courtesy of Wyoming DOT.
When the pass closes
A handful of times each winter — and memorably for weeks after the June 2024 landslide — the pass closes outright. The detour runs south from Victor over Pine Creek Pass (ID-31) to Swan Valley, then up US-26 through Alpine and the Snake River Canyon to Jackson: about 85 miles and roughly an hour and forty minutes. It’s a genuinely scenic drive past Palisades Reservoir; it is not a fun daily commute. When closures stretch on, locals carpool, shift to remote days where they can, or coordinate with employers — most Jackson employers are practiced at it, because a large share of their staff lives on this side.
The START commuter bus
You don’t have to drive it alone. Jackson’s public transit agency, START, runs the Teton Valley Commuter (TVC) route between Driggs, Victor, and Jackson on weekday mornings and evenings — purpose-built for this exact commute, with stops serving both valley towns. Schedules and fares change seasonally, so check startbus.com for current times. On storm days, letting a professional in a bus handle the pass has real appeal.
MILE 25
What’s waiting on the other side
The reward for the drive: the town square’s antler arches, the Jackson paycheck, and — on the mountain days — the tram line at Teton Village. You clock out and go back over the hill to rent that doesn’t need three roommates to pencil.
Is the commute worth it?
That’s the real question, and it’s arithmetic. Comparable one-bedroom apartments in Jackson typically rent for well over $2,500–$3,500 a month when they’re available at all; current rents at Teton Flats — brand-new one and two bedroom apartments at the north edge of Victor — are always posted live on our availability page. For most people the difference covers the gas, the snow tires, and a good chunk of the rest of life. Our guide to living near Jackson Hole walks through the full cost-of-living picture — and if your employer arranges housing, see our workforce housing page or, for businesses, employer housing in Teton County.
COMMUTER QUESTIONS
Victor to Jackson — FAQ
How long is the drive from Victor, Idaho to Jackson, Wyoming?
About 25 miles over Teton Pass on WY-22 — roughly 35 to 45 minutes in normal conditions. Winter storms slow it down, and occasional avalanche-control work can pause traffic on the pass.
Is Teton Pass open in winter?
Yes — WY-22 over Teton Pass is plowed and open year-round, with occasional short closures for storms and avalanche control. Snow tires or AWD are the local standard from November through April. Check Wyoming 511 and the live pass webcams before driving.
Is there a bus from Victor or Driggs to Jackson?
Yes. START, Jackson's public transit agency, runs the Teton Valley Commuter (TVC) route between Driggs, Victor, and Jackson on weekday mornings and evenings. Check startbus.com for current schedules and fares.
What happens when Teton Pass closes?
The detour runs from Victor over Pine Creek Pass (ID-31) to Swan Valley, then up US-26 through Alpine and the Snake River Canyon to Jackson — about 85 miles and roughly 1 hour 40 minutes. Full closures are rare and usually short.
Live 25 miles from work. And from everything else.
Modern 1 & 2 bedroom apartments in Victor, Idaho — on the Jackson commute, without the Jackson lease.