Origin
Cody, WY
Afternoon in Cody on Sunday
Local time
4:50 PM
MDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cody, WY to Rock Springs, WY
Drive Time
5h 24m
Distance
279.6 mi
450 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 11m
★
6 AM
5h 25m
8 AM
5h 51m
10 AM
5h 34m
12 PM
5h 31m
3 PM
5h 35m
5 PM
5h 50m
8 PM
5h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cody, WY
Siarhei Nester
Rock Springs, WY
James Lee
Trip Overview
Spanning 279.6 miles across the heart of Wyoming, this trek from Cody to Rock Springs typically takes about 5 hours and 24 minutes behind the wheel. Because the duration is manageable for a single day, you can easily complete the trip in one go, though you should budget approximately $44 for fuel to cover the distance. Your journey primarily utilizes WY 120 and Highway 28, moving you through the diverse landscapes of the Mountain West. While the route is straightforward, it is best viewed as a functional connection between two distinct Wyoming hubs rather than a tourist-heavy excursion. Planning for a single dedicated day of travel is the most efficient way to manage this transit, ensuring you arrive in Rock Springs before nightfall.
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
139.8 miles from Cody, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 71% of this route consists of high-speed travel. You will face your longest uninterrupted stretch early on, navigating 81.5 miles of WY 120 before reaching the next transition point. The road maintains a consistent pace, shifting between fast-moving highway segments and more localized stretches as you progress toward your destination. While the drive is characterized by its efficiency, the changing road conditions require you to remain attentive throughout the 5-hour journey. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes steady progress over technical complexity.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
WY 120 is the longest continuous segment at about 81.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WY 120 and Highway 28. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Beck Avenue.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 24m drive. You will face about 15 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 (Beck Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (WY 120): Lane positioning matters here; at 84.3 miles (US 20; WY 789 / Shoshoni Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 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
|
Beck Avenue
Turn left onto Beck Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
2.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
WY 120
Turn right onto WY 120
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
84.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
US 20; WY 789 / Shoshoni Street
Turn right onto US 20; WY 789 / Shoshoni Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
278.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 21m in
|
M Street
Turn right onto M Street
Navigation decision point
5
278.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 22m in
|
2nd Street
Turn left onto 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WY 120 | 81.5 mi | 1h 29m |
| Highway 28 | 66.5 mi | 1h 15m |
| Farson Mercantile | 38.1 mi | 43m |
| US 20 | 31 mi | 36m |
| US 26 | 18.9 mi | 21m |
| West 2nd Street | 18.2 mi | 20m |
| South Main Street | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| East Main Street | 8.4 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
WY 120
— 81.5 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cody, WY and Rock Springs, WY.
1
Start on US 14A; WY 120
504 ft
·
22 sec
·
16th Street
2
Turn left onto Beck Avenue
493 ft
·
17 sec
·
Beck Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 14; US 16; US 20; WY 120
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
17th Street
4
Continue on US 14; US 16; US 20; WY 120
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Greybull Highway
5
Turn right onto WY 120
82 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
WY 120
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn right onto South 8th Street
0.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South 8th Street
7
Turn right onto US 20; WY 789
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Shoshoni Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 20; WY 789
31 mi
·
36 min
·
US 20; WY 789
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn right onto US 26; WY 789
18 mi
·
20 min
·
West 2nd Street
10
Continue on US 26; WY 789
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US 26; WY 789
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on WY 789
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
South Main Street
12
Turn left onto US 287; WY 789
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
East Main Street
13
Continue on WY 28
66 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
Highway 28
14
Turn left onto US 191
38 mi
·
43 min
·
Farson Mercantile
15
Continue on US 191
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Elk Street
16
Turn left onto I 80 Business; US 30 Business
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Bridger Avenue
17
Turn right onto M Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
M Street
18
Continue on Broadway Street
401 ft
·
16 sec
·
Broadway Street
19
Turn left onto F Street
230 ft
·
11 sec
·
F Street
20
Turn left onto 2nd Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
2nd Street
21
Turn right onto Edgar Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Edgar Street
22
At end of road, turn right onto Agate Street
422 ft
·
23 sec
·
Agate Street
23
Turn left onto Collins Street
84 ft
·
3 sec
·
Collins Street
24
Arrive at destination
Collins Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 279.6-mile drive, aim for an early morning departure to avoid mid-day fatigue. You should plan for at least one substantial stop to break up the drive, especially since you will be passing through areas like Farson Mercantile that serve as convenient waypoints. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $44 estimate can fluctuate based on local prices in remote sections of the state. Because this is a single-day trip, your primary goal should be maintaining a steady pace rather than rushing. Always verify that your vehicle is ready for a long stretch of highway driving before heading out onto the open road.
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 139.8 miles from Cody, WY, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.5 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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.8 miles or 2h 40m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rock Springs, WY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cody, 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 Cody, WY
This is one driving day of about 279.6 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cody, 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 WY 120 for about 81.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 139.8 mi from Cody, WY · 2h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 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 139.8 miles from Cody, WY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before WY 120 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.5 miles.
Arriving in Rock Springs, WY
The final approach into Rock Springs, 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 Rock Springs, WY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.31 one way
$88.61 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $46.57 | $93.15 |
| premium | $4.53 | $49.85 | $99.71 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $62.12 | $124.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.8 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 | 83.9 | 1 | $29.36 | $13.42 |
| Efficient EV | 69.9 | 0 | $24.47 | $11.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.8 | 1 | $39.14 | $17.89 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Rock Springs, WY
Afternoon in Rock Springs on Sunday
Local time
4:50 PM
MDT
Current temp
32°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
35°F
Riverton, WY
140 mi in
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
2 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
5h 24m 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 Cody, WY to Rock Springs, WY covers 279.6 miles and takes about 5h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are WY 120, Highway 28, Farson Mercantile. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 139.8 miles from Cody, WY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.31 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 24m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Beck Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (WY 120): Lane positioning matters here; at 84.3 miles (US 20; WY 789 / Shoshoni Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Cody, WY to Rock Springs, WY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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