Origin
Cheyenne, WY
Afternoon in Cheyenne on Sunday
Local time
3:28 PM
MDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cheyenne, WY to Gillette, WY
Drive Time
4h 15m
Distance
242 mi
389 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 3m
★
6 AM
4h 16m
8 AM
4h 42m
10 AM
4h 25m
12 PM
4h 23m
3 PM
4h 26m
5 PM
4h 41m
8 PM
4h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cheyenne, WY
Robert Moss
Gillette, WY
cottonbro studio
Trip Overview
Connecting Cheyenne to Gillette, this 242-mile journey across Wyoming’s Mountain West takes approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes of drive time. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stop, though building in one planned break will help keep you fresh. Budget roughly $38 for fuel to cover the distance, which is almost entirely highway-based. You will primarily utilize I-25 and WY-59 to navigate between these two hubs. It is a straightforward, utilitarian route that serves as a reliable link between the southern and northeastern parts of the state, making it ideal for travelers who prioritize efficiency over meandering backroads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
121 miles from Cheyenne, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience, as 98% of your journey is spent on major thoroughfares. The trip begins with a significant 123.5-mile stretch on I-25, which provides a consistent, high-speed pace for the first half of your travel. Transitioning onto WY-59 shifts the feel of the drive as you move away from the interstate and toward your destination. While the route is largely defined by these fast-moving stretches, you should remain alert to the changing nature of the roads as you navigate toward East Richards Street. It is a predictable drive that allows you to cover substantial ground quickly, provided you are comfortable with long intervals of highway travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 25 is the longest continuous segment at about 123.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 25 and WY 59. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Carey Avenue.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 15m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Carey Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 124.9 miles (I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.7 miles (I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS / South 4th Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Carey Avenue
Turn right onto Carey Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
124.9 mi into trip
|
~2h in
|
I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS
Take the exit onto I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS toward US 20 Business, US 26 Business, US 87 Business, I 25 Business: Douglas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 20 Business, US 26 Business, US 87 Bu...
4
127.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m in
|
I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS / South 4th Street
Turn right onto I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS / South 4th Street
Navigation decision point
4
130 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
|
WY 59
Turn right onto WY 59
Navigation decision point
4
241.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 14m in
|
East 4th Street
Turn left onto East 4th Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 25 | 123.5 mi | 1h 57m |
| WY 59 | 111.6 mi | 2h 6m |
| East Richards Street | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| South 4th Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Randall Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Wyoming Highway 59 Connector | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East 4th Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| I 25 BUS | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 25
— 123.5 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cheyenne, WY and Gillette, WY.
1
Start on West 24th Street
292 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 24th Street
2
Turn right onto Carey Avenue
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Carey Avenue
3
Turn slight left onto Randall Avenue
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Randall Avenue
4
Turn right onto Hynds Boulevard
338 ft
·
5 sec
·
Hynds Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
6
Merge onto I 25; US 87
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 25; US 87
7
Continue on I 25; US 85; US 87
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
I 25; US 85; US 87
8
Continue on I 25; US 87
76 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 25; US 87
9
Continue on I 25; US 26; US 87
34 mi
·
31 min
·
I 25; US 26; US 87
10
Continue on I 25; US 20; US 26; US 87
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
I 25; US 20; US 26; US 87
11
Take the exit onto I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS
Toward US 20 Business, US 26 Business, US 87 Business, I 25 Business: Douglas
12
Turn left onto I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East Richards Street
13
Turn right onto I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
South 4th Street
14
Turn straight onto Wyoming Highway 59 Connector
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Wyoming Highway 59 Connector
15
Turn right onto WY 59
112 mi
·
2 hr 6 min
·
WY 59
16
Turn left onto East 4th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East 4th Street
17
Arrive at destination
East 4th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a roughly 4-hour drive, departing in the morning gives you maximum flexibility to reach Gillette before evening. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the monotony of the highway, as the long, uninterrupted segments can be taxing. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the WY-59 portion of the trip, as services may be more spaced out compared to the I-25 corridor. Because the route is so heavily reliant on highways, try to avoid peak traffic hours if your schedule allows. A smart way to manage the drive is to treat that single recommended stop as a mid-point reset to stretch your legs and check your route progress.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 121 miles from Cheyenne, WY, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121 miles or 1h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gillette, WY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cheyenne, WY so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cheyenne, WY
This is one driving day of about 242 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cheyenne, WY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 25 for about 123.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 121 mi from Cheyenne, WY · 1h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
121 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 121 miles from Cheyenne, WY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 25 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 123.5 miles.
Arriving in Gillette, WY
The final approach into Gillette, WY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Gillette, WY.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.35 one way
$76.70 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
85 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $40.31 | $80.62 |
| premium | $4.53 | $43.15 | $86.30 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $53.76 | $107.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.6 | 0 | $25.41 | $11.62 |
| Efficient EV | 60.5 | 0 | $21.17 | $9.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96.8 | 1 | $33.88 | $15.49 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Gillette, WY
Afternoon in Gillette on Sunday
Local time
3:28 PM
MDT
Current temp
32°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 15m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Cheyenne, WY to Gillette, WY covers 242 miles and takes about 4h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 25, WY 59, East Richards Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 121 miles from Cheyenne, WY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.35 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 15m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Carey Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 124.9 miles (I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.7 miles (I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS / South 4th Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Cheyenne, WY to Gillette, WY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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