Spanning 285.7 miles across Wyoming’s Mountain West, this journey from Bar Nunn to Jackson typically takes about 5 hours and 35 minutes of drive time. While it is technically possible to complete this trip in a single day, the duration suggests a full day of travel, so be prepared for a significant time investment. You should budget approximately $45 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Navigating this route involves a combination of West Yellowstone Highway, East Main Street, and US 26 / US 287. Since both your origin and destination sit within the same region, you will experience a consistent high-plains landscape as you transition toward the mountains. Approach this drive with the mindset that it is a serious trek, not a quick jaunt, and plan your schedule accordingly.
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
142.9 miles from Bar Nunn, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
West Yellowstone Highway
94.3 mi
1h 47m
East Main Street
77.9 mi
1h 27m
US 26 / US 287
53.2 mi
1h
North Highway 89
29.3 mi
40m
US 26
21.6 mi
24m
US 20
2.7 mi
3m
East Ramshorn Street
2.2 mi
2m
I 25
1.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
West Yellowstone Highway
— 94.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bar Nunn, WY and Jackson, WY.
1
Start on Sunset Boulevard
0.3 mi·39 sec·Sunset Boulevard
2
At end of road, turn right onto Salt Creek Highway
1.1 mi·1 min·Salt Creek Highway
3
Turn left onto WY 254
0.1 mi·12 sec·Howard Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 25 South, US 87 South: Casper
5
Merge onto I 25; US 87
1.4 mi·1 min·I 25; US 87
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward US 20 West, US 26 West, WY 220 West: Shoshoni, Port of Entry
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
8
Turn right onto US 20; US 26
2.7 mi·3 min·US 20; US 26
9
Turn right onto US 20; US 26
94 mi·1 hr 47 min·West Yellowstone Highway
10
Continue on US 26; WY 789
18 mi·20 min·US 26; WY 789
11
Continue on US 26; WY 789
4.0 mi·4 min·US 26; WY 789
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right onto US 26
78 mi·1 hr 27 min·East Main Street
13
Turn left onto US 26; US 287
2.2 mi·2 min·East Ramshorn Street
14
Continue on US 26; US 287
53 mi·1 hr·US 26 / US 287
15
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 191
23 mi·32 min·North Highway 89
16
Enter roundabout onto US 26; US 89; US 191
97 ft·5 sec·North Highway 89
17
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 191
6.0 mi·8 min·North Highway 89
18
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 191
0.8 mi·2 min·North Cache Street
19
Arrive at destination
US 26; US 89; US 191
Trip Plan
Since this is a substantial 285.7-mile drive, aim to depart as early as possible to ensure you arrive in Jackson before dark. With only one recommended stop, you should plan your break strategically to maximize your time behind the wheel during daylight hours. Because the route relies heavily on non-highway roads, stay alert for changing speed limits and local traffic patterns that can impact your estimated arrival time. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that 94.3-mile stretch on the West Yellowstone Highway, to ensure you don't run low between service intervals. Having your $45 fuel budget ready ahead of time will help keep your stops efficient and stress-free as you navigate through 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 142.9 miles from Bar Nunn, WY, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.3 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 63 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.9 miles or 2h 44m 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 Jackson, WY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bar Nunn, 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 Bar Nunn, WY
This is one driving day of about 285.7 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Bar Nunn, 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 West Yellowstone Highway for about 94.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 3.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|Salt Creek Highway
At end of road, turn right onto Salt Creek Highway
Navigation decision point
4
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in|WY 254 / Howard Street
Turn left onto WY 254 / Howard Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.4 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 25 South, US 87 South: Casper
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 25 South, US 87 South: Casper
5
3.2 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward US 20 West, US 26 West, WY 220 West: Shoshoni, Port of Entry
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 20 West, US 26 West, WY 220 West: Sho...
4
3.6 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.53 one way
$89.06 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$46.94
$93.88
premium
$4.47
$50.32
$100.65
diesel
$4.80
$53.95
$107.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.7
1
$30.00
$13.71
Efficient EV
71.4
0
$25.00
$11.43
EV Truck/SUV
114.3
1
$40.00
$18.28
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Bar Nunn, WY
Late night
in Bar Nunn on Sunday
Local time
3:38 AM
MDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
E 5 to 18 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 3:07PM MDT until July 19 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:12PM MDT until July 20 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Cheyenne WY
Destination
Jackson, WY
Late night
in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
3:38 AM
MDT
Current temp
51°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
NE 0 to 3 mph43% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 3:07PM MDT until July 19 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:12PM MDT until July 20 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Cheyenne WY
53°F
Dubois, WY
143 mi in
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
10 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
5h 35m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Grand Teton National Park
National Park
Soaring over a landscape rich with wildlife, pristine lakes, and majestic alpine vistas, the Teton Range stands as a testament to generations of stewards. For over 11,000 years, communities have thriv...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed driving profile that keeps you engaged as you transition between road types. Only 38% of your journey is spent on highways, meaning you will spend a considerable amount of time on local roads and arterial connectors. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 94.3 miles while navigating the West Yellowstone Highway, which serves as the backbone of your initial progress. Expect the character of the road to shift as you move away from the starting point and transition onto US 26 / US 287. It is not a monotonous interstate slog, but rather a varied experience that requires your attention as the road conditions evolve throughout the 5-hour-plus duration.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.3 mi on West Yellowstone Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
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 0.3 miles in near Salt Creek Highway.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 35m 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 0.3 miles (Salt Creek Highway): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (WY 254 / Howard Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
8,568 ft5,904 ft
Total Climb
2,663 ft
Total Descent
2,410 ft
Highest Point
8,568 ft
~224.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,663 ft
Notable High Points
8,568 ft at ~224.5 miles+1,191 ft prominence
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Jackson is the largest town (population 11,000 in 2020) in the Jackson Hole valley in Teton County, Northwest Wyoming, close to the south end of Grand Teton National Park. It is the gateway to two of the United States' best-known national parks, Grand Teton and nearby Yellowstone. Many famous people maintain vacation homes in and around this area. The combined elements of beautiful mountain scenery, Old West heritage, tourist traps and celebrity residents give this small town a unique atmosphere both cosmopolitan and frontier.
Top landmarks
•Wort Hotel — Jackson, Wyoming, USA
•National Museum of Wildlife Art — museum in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
•George Washington Memorial Park — park in Jackson, Wyoming
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.3 miles on West Yellowstone Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through WY can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Salt Creek Highway): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (WY 254 / Howard Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Grand Teton National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Jackson, WY before the return drive.
