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 Lander, WY
Drive Time
5h 18m
Distance
272.3 mi
438 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 5m
★
6 AM
5h 19m
8 AM
5h 46m
10 AM
5h 28m
12 PM
5h 25m
3 PM
5h 29m
5 PM
5h 44m
8 PM
5h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cheyenne, WY
Robert Moss
Lander, WY
SHOX ART
Trip Overview
Traveling from Cheyenne to Lander covers 272.3 miles of the Mountain West, a journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 18 minutes. Because the total duration is manageable, this route works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight split. You should budget approximately $43 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. Navigating this path involves transitioning from West Lincolnway onto the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and US 287. Since both cities are located within Wyoming, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you traverse the state. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.
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
136.2 miles from Cheyenne, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing high-speed transit with regional highway travel. Nearly 46% of your journey is spent on major highways, providing a steady pace for a significant portion of the trip. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 142.4 miles while navigating the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which requires steady focus. As you transition between road types, the character of the drive shifts from major infrastructure to the more specific demands of US 287. Expect a varied experience behind the wheel as you move through these different road environments over the course of the 272.3-mile trip.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 142.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS / Central Avenue.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 18m 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 (I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS / Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (I 80 Business; US 30 / West Lincolnway): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles (I 80; US 30 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS / Central Avenue
Turn right onto I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS / Central Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 80 Business; US 30 / West Lincolnway
Turn right onto I 80 Business; US 30 / West Lincolnway
Navigation decision point
5
3.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 80; US 30 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge onto I 80; US 30 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
146.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward I 80 Business East, US 287 North, WY 76: Rawlins
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 Business East, US 287 North, WY 76:...
4
149 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
|
US 287; WY 789
At end of road, turn right onto US 287; WY 789
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 142.4 mi | 2h 22m |
| US 287 | 124.1 mi | 2h 47m |
| West Lincolnway | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Higley Boulevard | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| US 30 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Central Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Cedar Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West 24th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 142.4 mi, about 2h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cheyenne, WY and Lander, WY.
1
Start on West 24th Street
401 ft
·
15 sec
·
West 24th Street
2
Turn right onto I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Central Avenue
3
Turn right onto I 80 Business; US 30
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
West Lincolnway
4
Take the ramp onto US 30
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 30
5
Merge onto I 80; US 30
142 mi
·
2 hr 22 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto US 287
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 287
Toward I 80 Business East, US 287 North, WY 76: Rawlins
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 80 Bus; US 30 Bus; US 287
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
East Cedar Street
8
Turn right onto US 287 BYP
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Higley Boulevard
9
At end of road, turn right onto US 287; WY 789
42 mi
·
48 min
·
US 287; WY 789
10
Turn left onto US 287; WY 789
72 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
US 287; WY 789
11
Turn right onto US 287; WY 789
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
US 287; WY 789
12
Arrive at destination
US 287
Trip Plan
Planning for this 5-hour and 18-minute drive is fairly simple, but it pays to be prepared for the long stretches. Since you only have one planned stop along the way, make sure to time your break effectively to stay fresh during the 142.4-mile segment on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach Lander with plenty of daylight. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning off the main highway, as consistent monitoring will keep you well within your $43 budget. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; since the route is designed as a one-day trip, feel free to adjust your departure time to suit your personal pace.
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 136.2 miles from Cheyenne, WY, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.4 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 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.2 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lander, 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 272.3 miles and 5h 18m.
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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 142.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 136.2 mi from Cheyenne, WY · 2h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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 136.2 miles from Cheyenne, WY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 142.4 miles.
Arriving in Lander, WY
The final approach into Lander, 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 Lander, 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
$43.15 one way
$86.30 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $45.36 | $90.72 |
| premium | $4.53 | $48.55 | $97.11 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $60.50 | $120.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.7 | 1 | $28.59 | $13.07 |
| Efficient EV | 68.1 | 0 | $23.83 | $10.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.9 | 1 | $38.12 | $17.43 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Lander, WY
Afternoon in Lander on Sunday
Local time
3:28 PM
MDT
Current temp
35°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 18m 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 Lander, WY covers 272.3 miles and takes about 5h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, US 287, West Lincolnway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 136.2 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 $43.15 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 5h 18m 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 (I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS / Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (I 80 Business; US 30 / West Lincolnway): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles (I 80; US 30 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Cheyenne, WY to Lander, WY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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