Origin
Gillette, WY
Afternoon in Gillette on Friday
Local time
4:49 PM
MDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gillette, WY to Lusk, WY
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 12m
Distance
168.4 mi
271 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 1m
★
6 AM
3h 13m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 21m
12 PM
3h 19m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gillette, WY
Wikimedia Commons
Lusk, WY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Gillette, WY to Lusk, WY covers 168.4 miles and takes about 3h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on State Highway 59 South, US Highway 20, US Highway 18/20 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 106.6 miles on State Highway 59 South. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.69 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
84.2 miles from Gillette, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 168.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 12m highway drive covering 168.4 miles, with most of the trip on State Highway 59 South and US Highway 20. The longest continuous stretch is about 106.6 miles on State Highway 59 South.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Highway 59 South is the longest continuous segment at about 106.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 59 South and US Highway 20. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near WY 59 / South Douglas Highway.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 12m 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 0.4 miles (WY 59 / South Douglas Highway): Navigation decision point; at 112 miles (Wyoming Highway 59 Connector): Navigation decision point; at 116.7 miles (I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
WY 59 / South Douglas Highway
Turn right onto WY 59 / South Douglas Highway
Navigation decision point
4
112 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
Wyoming Highway 59 Connector
Turn left onto Wyoming Highway 59 Connector
Navigation decision point
6
116.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
|
I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS
Take the ramp onto I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS toward I 25, US 20, US 26, US 87
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 25, US 20, US 26, US 87
6
116.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
|
I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS
Keep slight left at fork onto I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS toward I 25, US 20, US 26, US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 25, US 20, US 26, US 87
5
125.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
I 25
Take the exit onto I 25 toward US 18 East, US 20 East: Lusk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 18 East, US 20 East: Lusk
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 59 South | 106.6 mi | 1h 56m |
| US Highway 20 | 23.3 mi | 25m |
| US Highway 18/20 | 18.4 mi | 20m |
| I 25 | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| South Douglas Highway | 5 mi | 9m |
| East Richards Street | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| North 4th Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| I 25 BUS | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 59 South
— 106.6 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gillette, WY and Lusk, WY.
1
Start on East 4th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East 4th Street
2
Turn right onto WY 59
5.0 mi
·
9 min
·
South Douglas Highway
3
Continue on WY 59
107 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
State Highway 59 South
4
Turn left onto Wyoming Highway 59 Connector
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Wyoming Highway 59 Connector
5
Turn straight onto North 4th Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
North 4th Street
6
Turn left onto I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East Richards Street
7
Take the ramp onto I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS
380 ft
·
9 sec
·
I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS
Toward I 25, US 20, US 26, US 87
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS
Toward I 25, US 20, US 26, US 87
9
Merge onto I 25; US 20; US 26; US 87
8.2 mi
·
8 min
·
I 25; US 20; US 26; US 87
10
Take the exit onto I 25
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
I 25
Toward US 18 East, US 20 East: Lusk
11
Turn left onto US 18; US 20
18 mi
·
20 min
·
US Highway 18/20
12
Continue on US 18; US 20
23 mi
·
25 min
·
US Highway 20
13
Continue on US 18; US 20
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
West 8th Street
14
Turn left onto US 18; US 20; US 85
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
15
Arrive at destination
US 18; US 20; US 85
Trip Plan
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 84.2 miles from Gillette, WY, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.6 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 37 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.2 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lusk, WY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gillette, 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 Gillette, WY
This is one driving day of about 168.4 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Gillette, 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 State Highway 59 South for about 106.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84.2 mi from Gillette, WY · 1h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84.2 miles from Gillette, WY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before State Highway 59 South if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.6 miles.
Arriving in Lusk, WY
The final approach into Lusk, 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 Lusk, 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
$26.69 one way
$53.37 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $27.97 | $55.94 |
| premium | $4.53 | $30.04 | $60.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.18 | $74.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.5 | 0 | $17.68 | $8.08 |
| Efficient EV | 42.1 | 0 | $14.74 | $6.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.4 | 0 | $23.58 | $10.78 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Lusk, WY
Afternoon in Lusk on Friday
Local time
4:49 PM
MDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Douglas, WY
84 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
28 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
3h 12m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Gillette, WY to Lusk, WY covers 168.4 miles and takes about 3h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Highway 59 South, US Highway 20, US Highway 18/20. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84.2 miles from Gillette, WY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.69 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 12m 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 0.4 miles (WY 59 / South Douglas Highway): Navigation decision point; at 112 miles (Wyoming Highway 59 Connector): Navigation decision point; at 116.7 miles (I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Gillette, WY to Lusk, WY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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