Origin
Riverton, WY
Night in Riverton on Thursday
Local time
10:58 PM
MDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Riverton, WY to Buffalo, WY
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
3h 59m
Distance
177.6 mi
286 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 46m
★
6 AM
3h 59m
8 AM
4h 25m
10 AM
4h 8m
12 PM
4h 6m
3 PM
4h 10m
5 PM
4h 24m
8 PM
3h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Riverton, WY
Wikimedia Commons
Buffalo, WY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Riverton, WY to Buffalo, WY covers 177.6 miles and takes about 3h 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 16, Park Street, Idaho Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 87.1 miles on US 16. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.14 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
88.8 miles from Riverton, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 177.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (49%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
The drive from Riverton, WY to Buffalo, WY covers 177.6 miles and takes about 3h 59m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 7 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 16 is the longest continuous segment at about 87.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 22.1 miles in near US 20; WY 789 / Idaho Street.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Riverton, WY to Buffalo, WY is easy. At 3h 59m with 49% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 22.1 miles (US 20; WY 789 / Idaho Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 54 miles (US 20; WY 789 / South 6th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 177.6 miles (I 25 Bus; US 16; US 87 Bus / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
3 of 3 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
22.1 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
US 20; WY 789 / Idaho Street
Turn left onto US 20; WY 789 / Idaho Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
4
54 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
US 20; WY 789 / South 6th Street
Turn left onto US 20; WY 789 / South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / right lanes.
6
177.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 59m in
|
I 25 Bus; US 16; US 87 Bus / North Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto I 25 Bus; US 16; US 87 Bus / North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 16 | 87.1 mi | 2h 8m |
| Park Street | 35.7 mi | 44m |
| Idaho Street | 31.9 mi | 38m |
| North Federal Boulevard | 22.1 mi | 25m |
| South 6th Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| North Main Street | <0.1 mi | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
US 16
— 87.1 mi, about 2h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverton, WY and Buffalo, WY.
1
Start on US 26; WY 789
22 mi
·
25 min
·
North Federal Boulevard
2
Turn left onto US 20; WY 789
32 mi
·
38 min
·
Idaho Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto US 20; WY 789
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South 6th Street
Use the slight left / right lanes.
4
Continue on US 20; WY 789
36 mi
·
44 min
·
Park Street
Use the left / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on US 16
87 mi
·
2 hr 8 min
·
US 16
6
At end of road, turn left onto I 25 Bus; US 16; US 87 Bus
30 ft
·
0 sec
·
North Main Street
Use the left lane.
7
Arrive at destination
I 25 Bus; US 16; US 87 Bus
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 88.8 miles from Riverton, WY, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.1 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 39 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.8 miles or 1h 48m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buffalo, WY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Riverton, 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 Riverton, WY
This is one driving day of about 177.6 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Riverton, 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 16 for about 87.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 88.8 mi from Riverton, WY · 1h 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88.8 miles from Riverton, WY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 16 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.1 miles.
Arriving in Buffalo, WY
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.14 one way
$56.29 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $29.50 | $59.00 |
| premium | $4.53 | $31.68 | $63.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.21 | $78.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.3 | 0 | $18.65 | $8.52 |
| Efficient EV | 44.4 | 0 | $15.54 | $7.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71 | 0 | $24.86 | $11.37 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Buffalo, WY
Night in Buffalo on Thursday
Local time
10:58 PM
MDT
Current temp
69°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
6 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 59m 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 Riverton, WY to Buffalo, WY covers 177.6 miles and takes about 3h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 16, Park Street, Idaho Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 88.8 miles from Riverton, WY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.14 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.
The drive from Riverton, WY to Buffalo, WY is easy. At 3h 59m with 49% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 22.1 miles (US 20; WY 789 / Idaho Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 54 miles (US 20; WY 789 / South 6th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 177.6 miles (I 25 Bus; US 16; US 87 Bus / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Riverton, WY to Buffalo, WY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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