Traveling from Lander to Mills, Wyoming, covers 143.6 miles of Mountain West terrain. You can expect to spend approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable one-day excursion. Budgeting around $23 for fuel should keep you covered for the trip. Since the drive is relatively short, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have extra plans in the area. Navigating via Southwest Wyoming Boulevard and 1st Street, this route remains entirely within the state of Wyoming. It serves as a straightforward local connection that is best tackled as a single, focused outing.
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
71.8 miles from Lander, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 45m. Total distance: 143.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will find yourself navigating local roads for the entirety of the 143.6-mile distance, requiring your full attention as you transition between segments. Because the route relies on surface streets like 1st Street, the pace is dictated by local traffic patterns and turns rather than high-speed cruising. This personality makes the journey feel more engaged and less like a standard highway slog. Prepare for a steady, hands-on driving experience that demands consistent focus from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 6 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 78.4 miles.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,210 ft4,808 ft
Total Climb
1,402 ft
Total Descent
1,635 ft
Highest Point
6,210 ft
~92.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,402 ft
Notable High Points
6,210 ft at ~92.3 miles+203 ft prominence
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and WY 789. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near WY 789.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Lander, WY to Mills, WY is easy. At 2h 45m with 99% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (WY 789): Lane positioning matters here; at 142.5 miles (WY 258 / Southwest Wyoming Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 143.4 miles (1st Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
3 of 3 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in|WY 789
Turn left onto WY 789
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
142.5 mi into trip|~2h 43m in|WY 258 / Southwest Wyoming Boulevard
Turn right onto WY 258 / Southwest Wyoming Boulevard
Navigation decision point
3
143.4 mi into trip|~2h 44m in|1st Street
Turn left onto 1st Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 20
78.4 mi
1h 29m
WY 789
63.7 mi
1h 13m
Southwest Wyoming Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Main Street
0.4 mi
<1m
1st Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 78.4 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lander, WY and Mills, WY.
1
Start on US 287
0.4 mi·40 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto WY 789
64 mi·1 hr 13 min·WY 789
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Continue on US 20; US 26
78 mi·1 hr 29 min·US 20; US 26
4
Turn right onto WY 258
0.8 mi·1 min·Southwest Wyoming Boulevard
5
Turn left onto 1st Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·1st Street
6
Arrive at destination
1st Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a 2-hour and 45-minute trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever it best suits your schedule. Planning for at least one stop along the way will help you break up the turn-heavy nature of the drive and stay refreshed. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is roughly $23, so fueling up before you depart Lander is a smart move to avoid unnecessary stops. Because you are relying on local roads rather than major highways, check for any local road work or congestion on Southwest Wyoming Boulevard before heading out. Taking advantage of the short duration allows you to reach Mills comfortably without the fatigue associated with longer, high-speed regional travel.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.8 miles from Lander, WY, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 32 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.8 miles or 1h 22m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mills, WY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lander, 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 Lander, WY
This is one driving day of about 143.6 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Lander, 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 US 20 for about 78.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.8 mi from Lander, WY
· 1h 22m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.76 one way
$45.51 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$23.85
$47.70
premium
$4.53
$25.62
$51.23
diesel
$5.61
$31.71
$63.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.1
0
$15.08
$6.89
Efficient EV
35.9
0
$12.57
$5.74
EV Truck/SUV
57.4
0
$20.10
$9.19
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lander, WY
Morning
in Lander on Saturday
Local time
9:36 AM
MDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Mills, WY
Morning
in Mills on Saturday
Local time
9:36 AM
MDT
Current temp
45°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
22 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
2h 45m 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 Lander, WY to Mills, WY covers 143.6 miles and takes about 2h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 20, WY 789, Southwest Wyoming Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.8 miles from Lander, WY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.76 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Lander, WY to Mills, WY is easy. At 2h 45m with 99% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (WY 789): Lane positioning matters here; at 142.5 miles (WY 258 / Southwest Wyoming Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 143.4 miles (1st Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Lander, WY to Mills, WY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs. The route ranges from 4,808 ft to 6,210 ft elevation with about 1,402 ft of total climbing. There is 1 notable high point along the way.
