Origin
Buffalo, WY
Night in Buffalo on Saturday
Local time
10:19 PM
MDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buffalo, WY to Riverton, WY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
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.
Buffalo, WY
Wikimedia Commons
Riverton, WY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 177.6-mile drive from Buffalo, Wyoming, to Riverton, Wyoming, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 59 minutes. You'll primarily follow Fort Street and US 20, with a 34% highway share, making for a mixed driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $28. Given the relatively short duration and the fact that both locations are within the Mountain West region of Wyoming, this route is ideal for a single day of travel, allowing for flexibility in your departure time and the opportunity to make a single stop. It offers a straightforward connection across the state.
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 Buffalo, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Street | 96.9 mi | 2h 21m |
| US 20 | 56.9 mi | 1h 7m |
| West 2nd Street | 18.2 mi | 20m |
| US 26 | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| Shoshoni Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| North 6th Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| North Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Federal Boulevard | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Fort Street
— 96.9 mi, about 2h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, WY and Riverton, WY.
1
Start on I 25 Bus; US 16; US 87 Bus
30 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 16
97 mi
·
2 hr 21 min
·
Fort Street
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on US 20; WY 789
26 mi
·
31 min
·
US 20; WY 789
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
4
Continue on US 20; WY 789
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North 6th Street
Use the slight left / right lanes.
5
Turn right onto US 20; WY 789
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Shoshoni Street
Use the left / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 20; WY 789
31 mi
·
36 min
·
US 20; WY 789
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Turn right onto US 26; WY 789
18 mi
·
20 min
·
West 2nd Street
8
Continue on US 26; WY 789
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
US 26; WY 789
Use the straight lane.
9
Arrive at destination
US 26; WY 789
Trip Plan
For this single-day journey of under four hours, you have the advantage of flexibility. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for your single planned stop without feeling rushed. With a fuel cost of approximately $28, ensure your tank is full before leaving Buffalo to minimize the need for refueling along the way. Watch for changes in speed limits as you transition between highway and local road segments, particularly as you approach and depart towns. This route is straightforward, so focus on enjoying the drive and the 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 88.8 miles from Buffalo, WY, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.9 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 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.8 miles or 2h 9m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Riverton, WY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Buffalo, 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 Buffalo, WY
This is one driving day of about 177.6 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Buffalo, 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 Fort Street for about 96.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
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 Buffalo, WY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Fort Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 96.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
3 of 33 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 155.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 16 / Fort Street
Turn right onto US 16 / Fort Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
4
123.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m 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.
4
155.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 34m in
|
US 26; WY 789 / West 2nd Street
Turn right onto US 26; WY 789 / West 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
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
Riverton, WY
Night in Riverton on Saturday
Local time
10:19 PM
MDT
Current temp
75°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 warmer 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.
What kind of drive is this?
The drive from Buffalo to Riverton presents a mixed character, blending highway stretches with local road driving. While 34% of the route involves highway travel, you'll also navigate through towns and smaller roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 96.9 miles on Fort Street, offering a significant period of consistent driving. Expect this journey to transition between faster segments and more varied road conditions as you progress through Wyoming's varied terrain.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
9 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.9 mi on Fort Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
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 early in the drive near US 16 / Fort Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Buffalo, WY to Riverton, WY is easy. At 3h 59m with 34% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 16 / Fort Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 123.6 miles (US 20; WY 789 / Shoshoni Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 155.5 miles (US 26; WY 789 / West 2nd Street): Navigation decision point.
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 (34%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96.9 miles on Fort Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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: near the start (US 16 / Fort Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 123.6 miles (US 20; WY 789 / Shoshoni Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 155.5 miles (US 26; WY 789 / West 2nd Street): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Riverton, WY, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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