Trip from Laramie, WY to Lander, WY

Drive Time

4h 30m

Distance

222.9 mi

359 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 17m ★
6 AM
4h 30m
8 AM
4h 57m
10 AM
4h 39m
12 PM
4h 37m
3 PM
4h 41m
5 PM
4h 55m
8 PM
4h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Laramie, WY, WY

Laramie, WY

Tom Fisk

Downtown Lander, WY, WY

Lander, WY

SHOX ART

Trip Overview

Spanning 222.9 miles across the Wyoming landscape, this trip from Laramie to Lander is a straightforward journey that takes approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. You will primarily navigate via US 287, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, and Higley Boulevard. Because the duration is manageable in a single session, this route is perfect for a one-day trip, though you should budget about $35 for fuel to cover the distance. Both cities are situated within the Mountain West, ensuring a consistent regional feel throughout your travel. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, this drive offers a reliable connection between two distinct Wyoming hubs.

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

111.5 miles from Laramie, WY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience that blends fast-paced highway travel with more localized road conditions. With 56% of the journey spent on highways, you will encounter varying speeds as you transition between sections. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel involves a 124.1-mile stretch on US 287, which serves as the backbone of this trip. You will find that the road’s personality shifts as you move away from the interstate segments and settle into the longer, sustained stretches of the journey. Prepare for a steady pace that allows you to cover the total mileage efficiently while keeping your focus on the road ahead.

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.
US 287 is the longest continuous segment at about 124.1 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 early in the drive near South 5th Street.

Route Complexity 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 4h 30m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (South 5th Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (I 80 Business; US 30 / East Grand Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (CR 322 / East Curtis Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | South 5th Street

Turn right onto South 5th Street

Navigation decision point

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | I 80 Business; US 30 / East Grand Avenue

Turn right onto I 80 Business; US 30 / East Grand Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
1.2 mi into trip | ~3m in | CR 322 / East Curtis Street

Turn left onto CR 322 / East Curtis Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
5
2.4 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the ramp

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
96.8 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in | US 287

Take the exit onto US 287 toward I 80 Business East, US 287 North, WY 76: Rawlins

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 80 Business East, US 287 North, WY 76:...

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 287 124.1 mi 2h 47m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 94.1 mi 1h 34m
Higley Boulevard 1.5 mi 1m
East Curtis Street 1.3 mi 2m
South 4th Street 1.1 mi 2m
East Cedar Street 0.5 mi <1m
East Grand Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
South 5th Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 287 — 124.1 mi, about 2h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Laramie, WY and Lander, WY.

1

Start on this road

45 ft · 5 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto South 5th Street

149 ft · 8 sec · South 5th Street
3

Turn right onto I 80 Business; US 30

363 ft · 14 sec · East Grand Avenue
4

Turn right onto South 4th Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · South 4th Street
5

Turn left onto CR 322

1.3 mi · 2 min · East Curtis Street
Use the none lane.
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Use the right lane.
7

Merge onto I 80

94 mi · 1 hr 34 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit onto US 287

0.7 mi · 1 min · US 287
Toward I 80 Business East, US 287 North, WY 76: Rawlins Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 80 Bus; US 30 Bus; US 287

0.5 mi · 39 sec · East Cedar Street
10

Turn right onto US 287 BYP

1.5 mi · 1 min · Higley Boulevard
11

At end of road, turn right onto US 287; WY 789

42 mi · 48 min · US 287; WY 789
12

Turn left onto US 287; WY 789

72 mi · 1 hr 47 min · US 287; WY 789
13

Turn right onto US 287; WY 789

8.8 mi · 10 min · US 287; WY 789
14

Arrive at destination

US 287

Trip Plan

Since this is a 4.5-hour trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the drive. Starting your journey early in the day is the best way to ensure you reach Lander with plenty of daylight left for your arrival. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before hitting the longest 124.1-mile stretch on US 287, as service intervals may vary in these rural stretches. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on traffic or personal preference. Always double-check your vehicle’s readiness before leaving Laramie to ensure a smooth transition across the Wyoming landscape.

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 111.5 miles from Laramie, WY, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124.1 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 23m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 111.5 miles or 1h 57m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lander, WY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Laramie, 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 Laramie, WY

This is one driving day of about 222.9 miles and 4h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Laramie, 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 287 for about 124.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 111.5 mi from Laramie, WY · 1h 57m into the drive

Downtown Casper, WY, WY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Casper, WY

111 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

Casper, WY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Casper, WY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 111.5 miles from Laramie, WY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 287 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 124.1 miles.

Arriving in Lander, WY

The final approach into Lander, 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 Lander, 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

$35.32 one way

$70.64 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 78 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.23 $37.13 $74.26
premium $4.53 $39.74 $79.49
diesel $5.64 $49.52 $99.04

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 78 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 66.9 0 $23.40 $10.70
Efficient EV 55.7 0 $19.50 $8.92
EV Truck/SUV 89.2 1 $31.21 $14.27

Gas CO2

78 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Laramie, WY

Afternoon in Laramie on Sunday

Local time

4:52 PM

MDT

Current temp

32°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lander, WY

Afternoon in Lander on Sunday

Local time

4:52 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

3 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 30m 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 Laramie, WY to Lander, WY covers 222.9 miles and takes about 4h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 287, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Higley Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 111.5 miles from Laramie, WY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.32 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 4h 30m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South 5th Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (I 80 Business; US 30 / East Grand Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (CR 322 / East Curtis Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Laramie, WY to Lander, WY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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