Origin
Thermopolis, WY
Afternoon in Thermopolis on Sunday
Local time
3:32 PM
MDT
Current temp
27°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Thermopolis, WY to Cheyenne, WY
Drive Time
5h 27m
Distance
308 mi
496 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 14m
★
6 AM
5h 27m
8 AM
5h 54m
10 AM
5h 36m
12 PM
5h 34m
3 PM
5h 38m
5 PM
5h 53m
8 PM
5h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cheyenne, WY
Robert Moss
Trip Overview
Spanning 308 miles across the Mountain West, the drive from Thermopolis to Cheyenne is a straightforward journey that typically takes 5 hours and 27 minutes. You can easily complete this trip in a single day, though you should budget approximately $49 for fuel to cover the distance. The route utilizes a mix of West US Highway 20-26, US 20, and I-25 to navigate through Wyoming. Because this is a highway-focused drive, it offers a consistent pace for travelers looking to move efficiently between these two cities. While it does not require an overnight split, planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the time behind the wheel. Use this route if you prioritize direct travel over slower, secondary backroads.
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
154 miles from Thermopolis, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive that shifts from local highway segments to a substantial interstate experience. With about 68% of the journey spent on major highways, you will encounter a mix of road types before settling into the rhythm of I-25. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 113.6 miles on I-25, which defines the latter half of your trip. You should be prepared for varying road conditions as you transition between the highway segments and the interstate. This route feels efficient and functional, prioritizing steady progress over winding, technical maneuvers throughout the 308-mile span.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 25 is the longest continuous segment at about 113.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 25 and West US Highway 20-26. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 20; WY 789 / South 6th Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 27m drive. You will face about 7 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 (US 20; WY 789 / South 6th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (US 20; WY 789 / Shoshoni Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.4 miles (US 20; US 26 / East 2nd Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 20; WY 789 / South 6th Street
Depart onto US 20; WY 789 / South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
4
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 20; WY 789 / Shoshoni Street
Turn right onto US 20; WY 789 / Shoshoni Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / slight right lanes.
3
32.4 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
US 20; US 26 / East 2nd Street
Turn left onto US 20; US 26 / East 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
4
128.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
6
305.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 23m in
|
I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS
Take the exit onto I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS toward I 25 Business, US 85 South: Central Avenue, Warren Gate 5
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 12
Toward I 25 Business, US 85 South: Central Aven...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 25 | 113.6 mi | 1h 47m |
| West US Highway 20-26 | 60.7 mi | 1h 8m |
| US 20 | 33.7 mi | 39m |
| East 2nd Street | 33.1 mi | 37m |
| Central Avenue | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Shoshoni Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| South 6th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| I 25 BUS | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 25
— 113.6 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thermopolis, WY and Cheyenne, WY.
1
Start on US 20; WY 789
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 6th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto US 20; WY 789
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Shoshoni Street
Use the left / slight right lanes.
3
Continue on US 20; WY 789
31 mi
·
36 min
·
US 20; WY 789
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto US 20; US 26
33 mi
·
37 min
·
East 2nd Street
5
Continue on US 20; US 26
61 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
West US Highway 20-26
6
Turn left onto US 20; US 26
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
US 20; US 26
7
Take the exit
63 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
8
Continue on I 25; US 26; US 87
34 mi
·
31 min
·
I 25; US 26; US 87
9
Continue on I 25; US 87
76 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 25; US 87
Toward Cheyenne
10
Continue on I 25; US 85; US 87
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
I 25; US 85; US 87
11
Take the exit onto I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS
Exit 12
Toward I 25 Business, US 85 South: Central Avenue, Warren Gate 5
12
Turn left onto I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Avenue
13
Continue on I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Avenue
14
Turn right onto West 24th Street
401 ft
·
10 sec
·
West 24th Street
15
Arrive at destination
West 24th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 27-minute trek, aim for an early morning departure to avoid traffic and maximize daylight. Since the route includes a long 113.6-mile stretch on I-25, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting that segment to avoid any unnecessary stress. Planning for at least one scheduled stop will help keep you alert and refreshed during the drive. Keep in mind that the highway-heavy nature of this trip provides plenty of flexibility, so you can easily adjust your pace based on road conditions. A smart tip for this specific drive is to keep an eye on your fuel gauge before entering the long interstate portion, as services can become more spread out once you are on I-25.
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 154 miles from Thermopolis, WY, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.6 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154 miles or 2h 56m 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 33m
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 Thermopolis, 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 Thermopolis, WY
This is one driving day of about 308 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Thermopolis, 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 I 25 for about 113.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 154 mi from Thermopolis, WY · 2h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
154 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 154 miles from Thermopolis, WY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 25 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.6 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
$48.81 one way
$97.61 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
108 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $51.31 | $102.61 |
| premium | $4.53 | $54.92 | $109.84 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $68.43 | $136.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.4 | 1 | $32.34 | $14.78 |
| Efficient EV | 77 | 0 | $26.95 | $12.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123.2 | 1 | $43.12 | $19.71 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% 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
3:32 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
8 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
5h 27m 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 Thermopolis, WY to Cheyenne, WY covers 308 miles and takes about 5h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 25, West US Highway 20-26, US 20. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 154 miles from Thermopolis, WY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.81 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 27m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 20; WY 789 / South 6th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (US 20; WY 789 / Shoshoni Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.4 miles (US 20; US 26 / East 2nd Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Thermopolis, WY to Cheyenne, WY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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