Traversing Wyoming from Cheyenne to Jackson covers 432.6 miles and typically takes about 7 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. Because this is a significant distance, you should anticipate a full day behind the wheel, making it a challenging but doable single-day journey. Budget roughly $69 for fuel to cover the trip, though you may want to keep extra cash on hand for variations in pump prices along the way. While the drive stays within the Mountain West, you will transition across the state from the eastern plains toward the mountainous landscape of the west. It is a substantial commitment, so ensure you are prepared for a long haul before hitting the road.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
216.3 miles from Cheyenne, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
253.1 mi
4h 9m
US 191
85.9 mi
1h 35m
United States Highway 191
73 mi
1h 24m
South Highway 89
11.8 mi
17m
West Lincolnway
2.5 mi
4m
South Pine Street
2.2 mi
5m
West Broadway Avenue
1 mi
2m
Elk Street
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 253.1 mi, about 4h 9m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~445 veh/hr typical
· worst 685
Quietest
2 AM
~82 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cheyenne, WY and Jackson, WY.
1
Start on West 24th Street
401 ft·15 sec·West 24th Street
2
Turn right onto I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS
0.5 mi·49 sec·Central Avenue
3
Turn right onto I 80 Business; US 30
2.5 mi·4 min·West Lincolnway
4
Take the ramp onto US 30
0.7 mi·1 min·US 30
5
Merge onto I 80; US 30
253 mi·4 hr 9 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto US 191
0.4 mi·50 sec·US 191
Toward US 191 North
7
Turn right onto US 191
0.9 mi·1 min·Elk Street
8
Continue on US 191
86 mi·1 hr 34 min·US 191
9
Continue on US 191
11 mi·12 min·United States Highway 191
10
Continue on US 191
0.4 mi·42 sec·US Highway 191
11
Continue on US 191
2.2 mi·5 min·South Pine Street
12
Continue on US 191
62 mi·1 hr 11 min·United States Highway 191
13
Enter roundabout onto US 26; US 89; US 189; US 191
19 ft·0 sec·South Highway 89
14
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 189; US 191
12 mi·17 min·South Highway 89
15
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 189; US 191
1.0 mi·2 min·West Broadway Avenue
16
Turn right onto West Pearl Avenue
0.4 mi·49 sec·West Pearl Avenue
17
Turn left onto South Cache Drive
519 ft·14 sec·South Cache Drive
18
Arrive at destination
US 26; US 89; US 191
Trip Plan
To manage the 7-hour and 45-minute travel time effectively, plan for at least two deliberate stops to stretch your legs and refresh. Since you have a long initial stretch of 253.1 miles on the Eisenhower Highway, try to time your first break for the end of that segment to keep your energy levels consistent. Starting your drive early in the morning is the best way to ensure you arrive in Jackson before dark, especially since the final legs of the route can be more demanding. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as remote sections may limit your refueling opportunities. By pacing yourself across the 432.6-mile distance, you can maintain a steady rhythm that makes the long drive feel much more manageable.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 216.3 miles from Cheyenne, WY, or about 3h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 253.1 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 95 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 216.3 miles or 3h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 30m
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 Cheyenne, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cheyenne, WY
This is one driving day of about 432.6 miles and 7h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 95 miles from Cheyenne, WY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 253.1 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 257.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS / Central Avenue
Turn right onto I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS / Central Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|I 80 Business; US 30 / West Lincolnway
Turn right onto I 80 Business; US 30 / West Lincolnway
Navigation decision point
5
3.8 mi into trip|~6m in|I 80; US 30 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge onto I 80; US 30 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
257 mi into trip|~4h 16m in|US 191
Take the exit onto US 191 toward US 191 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 191 North
4
257.3 mi into trip|~4h 17m in|US 191 / Elk Street
Turn right onto US 191 / Elk Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$67.43 one way
$134.86 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg151 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$71.07
$142.14
premium
$4.47
$76.20
$152.40
diesel
$4.80
$81.68
$163.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 151.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
129.8
1
$45.42
$20.76
Efficient EV
108.2
1
$37.85
$17.30
EV Truck/SUV
173
2
$60.56
$27.69
Gas CO2
151 kg
EV CO2
51 kg (66% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Cheyenne, WY
Evening
in Cheyenne on Saturday
Local time
7:30 PM
MDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 5 to 15 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:32PM MDT until July 16 at 7:30PM MDT by NWS Riverton WY
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 16 at 2:56PM MDT until July 16 at 11:00PM MDT by NWS Riverton WY
Destination
Jackson, WY
Evening
in Jackson on Saturday
Local time
7:30 PM
MDT
Current temp
51°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ENE 5 mph31% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:32PM MDT until July 16 at 7:30PM MDT by NWS Riverton WY
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 16 at 2:56PM MDT until July 16 at 11:00PM MDT by NWS Riverton WY
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
7 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
7h 45m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
$35
near mile 432.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing high-speed interstate travel with more deliberate stretches on state highways. You will spend about 40% of your time on highways, including a significant 253.1-mile stretch along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. As you transition onto US 191, the character of the road shifts, requiring more focused attention than the initial interstate segment. Expect the environment to change as you progress, with the wide-open expanses of the Eisenhower Highway eventually giving way to the transit routes leading toward Jackson. The contrast between these road types keeps the journey from feeling entirely uniform.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 253.1 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
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 0.1 miles in near I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS / Central Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 45m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 8 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS / Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (I 80 Business; US 30 / West Lincolnway): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles (I 80; US 30 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
Cheyenne is the state capital and largest city (approximate 2020 population 64,000) of Wyoming. Cheyenne is a place that celebrates its history and "true Western" culture. It is not uncommon to see cowboy hats, boots, and the belt as daily attire. It is host to the annual Frontier Days, one of the largest rodeos in North America.
Top landmarks
•Wyoming State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Wyoming
•Cheyenne Depot Museum — former railroad station and current museum in Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States
•Boeing/United Airlines Terminal Building, Hangar and Fountain
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 253.1 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Jackson, WY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 15 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 0.1 miles (I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS / Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (I 80 Business; US 30 / West Lincolnway): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles (I 80; US 30 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Grand Teton National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.5 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.
