Origin
Lander, WY
Afternoon in Lander on Sunday
Local time
3:28 PM
MDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lander, WY to Cheyenne, WY
Drive Time
5h 18m
Distance
272.8 mi
439 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.
Lander, WY
SHOX ART
Cheyenne, WY
Robert Moss
Trip Overview
Connecting Lander to Cheyenne, this 272.8-mile journey through the Mountain West is a manageable trek that typically takes about 5 hours and 18 minutes. Because the drive is straightforward, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stop. You will navigate a mix of routes including Main Street, US 287, and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway to reach the state capital. Budget roughly $43 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since the entire trip remains within Wyoming, you will experience a consistent high-desert atmosphere throughout the journey. It is a practical route for those looking to traverse the state efficiently while enjoying the open landscape.
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
136.4 miles from Lander, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 59m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive offers a mixed-road profile, requiring you to balance slower local stretches with faster highway transit. You will spend 43% of your travel time on major highways, providing a nice contrast to the more localized segments. The most significant portion of your journey involves a 144.6-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which serves as the primary artery for the trip. Expect the road's personality to shift as you transition from the initial local roads onto these broader, higher-speed sections. Staying alert is key, as the character of the pavement changes significantly when you move from the secondary highways onto the major interstate segments.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 14 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 144.6 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 8.8 miles in near US 287; WY 789.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 18m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.8 miles (US 287; WY 789): Navigation decision point; at 124.9 miles (I 80 Bus; US 30 Bus; US 287 / East Cedar Street): Navigation decision point; at 269.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
8.8 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
US 287; WY 789
Turn left onto US 287; WY 789
Navigation decision point
4
124.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
|
I 80 Bus; US 30 Bus; US 287 / East Cedar Street
At end of road, turn left onto I 80 Bus; US 30 Bus; US 287 / East Cedar Street
Navigation decision point
7
269.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 25 North, US 87 North: Casper
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 359C
Toward I 25 North, US 87 North: Casper
5
271.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m in
Take the exit toward Missile Drive, Warren Gate 2
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Missile Drive, Warren Gate 2
5
271.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m in
|
Missile Drive
Turn right onto Missile Drive
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 144.6 mi | 2h 24m |
| US 287 | 115 mi | 2h 36m |
| Main Street | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| US 287 BYP | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| East Cedar Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| West 24th Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Missile Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 144.6 mi, about 2h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lander, WY and Cheyenne, WY.
1
Start on US 287
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 287; WY 789
72 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
US 287; WY 789
3
Turn right onto US 287; WY 789
42 mi
·
48 min
·
US 287; WY 789
4
Turn left onto US 287 BYP
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 287 BYP
5
At end of road, turn left onto I 80 Bus; US 30 Bus; US 287
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Cedar Street
6
Take the exit onto US 287
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
US 287
7
Merge onto I 80; US 30; US 287
143 mi
·
2 hr 23 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Purple Heart Trail
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 359C
Toward I 25 North, US 87 North: Casper
10
Merge onto I 25; US 87
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward Missile Drive, Warren Gate 2
12
Turn right onto Missile Drive
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Missile Drive
13
Turn left onto West 24th Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West 24th Street
14
Arrive at destination
West 24th Street
Trip Plan
To keep your energy high, plan to utilize the one recommended stop along the way to stretch your legs during the 5-hour drive. Since the route covers nearly 273 miles, departing early in the morning allows you to reach Cheyenne well before evening traffic patterns emerge. Be mindful that your longest uninterrupted segment is 144.6 miles, so ensure your tank is sufficiently filled before hitting the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway to avoid any fuel anxiety. Because this is a single-day trip, the flexibility of the schedule is a major advantage; you can adjust your pace to suit your personal comfort level. Always check your fuel levels before leaving Lander, as the $43 estimate assumes consistent highway speeds.
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 136.4 miles from Lander, WY, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.6 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 80 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.4 miles or 2h 59m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cheyenne, 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 272.8 miles and 5h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 144.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 136.4 mi from Lander, WY · 2h 59m 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 136.4 miles from Lander, 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 144.6 miles.
Arriving in Cheyenne, WY
The final approach into Cheyenne, 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 Cheyenne, 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
$43.23 one way
$86.46 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $45.44 | $90.88 |
| premium | $4.53 | $48.64 | $97.28 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $60.61 | $121.21 |
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: 95.4 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 | 81.8 | 1 | $28.64 | $13.09 |
| Efficient EV | 68.2 | 0 | $23.87 | $10.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.1 | 1 | $38.19 | $17.46 |
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
Cheyenne, WY
Afternoon in Cheyenne 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 Lander, WY to Cheyenne, WY covers 272.8 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, Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 136.4 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 $43.23 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 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.8 miles (US 287; WY 789): Navigation decision point; at 124.9 miles (I 80 Bus; US 30 Bus; US 287 / East Cedar Street): Navigation decision point; at 269.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Lander, WY to Cheyenne, WY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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