Drive Time
7h 13m
Distance
341 mi
549 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
The drive from Jackson, WY to Buffalo, WY covers 341 miles and takes about 7h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Highway 89, Highway 287, West Ramshorn Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $52.26 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
170.5 miles from Jackson, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 36m into the drive .
Expect a 7h 13m drive with frequent turns across 341 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 13m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Jackson, WY to Buffalo, WY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 89 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 287 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Ramshorn Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South 1st Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Federal Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Idaho Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South 6th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Park Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, WY and Buffalo, WY.
Start on North Cache Street
Continue on North Highway 89
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Highway 89
Exit the roundabout onto North Highway 89
Continue on East Highway 287
Continue on West Ramshorn Street
Turn right onto South 1st Street
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Federal Boulevard
Turn left onto Idaho Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Continue on Park Street
Continue straight
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Main Street
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 170.5 miles or 3h 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 5h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buffalo, WY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Jackson, 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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jackson, WY
This is one driving day of about 341 miles and 7h 13m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 170.5 mi from Jackson, WY · 3h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
171 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 170.5 miles from Jackson, WY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Buffalo, 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 Buffalo, WY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$52.26 one way
$104.53 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $56.80 | $113.60 |
| premium | $4.55 | $61.07 | $122.14 |
| diesel | $5.41 | $72.66 | $145.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.3 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102.3 | 1 | $35.81 | $16.37 |
| Efficient EV | 85.3 | 0 | $29.84 | $13.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 136.4 | 1 | $47.74 | $21.82 |
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Jackson on Saturday
Local time
1:48 PM
MDT
Current temp
29°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Buffalo on Saturday
Local time
1:48 PM
MDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
27°F
Thermopolis, WY
171 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Jackson, WY or browse trips ending in Buffalo, WY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WY road trips.
Explore maps for Jackson, WY or Buffalo, WY on MapSof.net.
