The Bear Den | Restaurant & Bar
Near the end, right off the route
Daniel, Wyoming
+13078598469
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 38m
Distance
428 mi
689 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$75
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cheyenne, WY
Wikimedia Commons
South Park, WY
James Lee
Cheyenne, WY to South Park, WY is 428 miles and takes about 7h 38m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and US 191, with a fuel budget near $76 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Mountain West region, traversing Wyoming for its entirety. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving as you make your way across the state. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a straightforward option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
214 miles from Cheyenne, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 34m into the drive .
| 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 | 7.5 mi | 10m |
| West Lincolnway | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| South Pine Street | 2.2 mi | 5m |
| Elk Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| US 30 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
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
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Cheyenne, WY and South Park, WY.
Start on West 24th Street
Turn right onto I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS
Turn right onto I 80 Business; US 30
Take the ramp onto US 30
Merge onto I 80; US 30
Take the exit onto US 191
Turn right onto US 191
Continue on US 191
Continue on US 191
Continue on US 191
Continue on US 191
Continue on US 191
Enter roundabout onto US 26; US 89; US 189; US 191
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 189; US 191
Turn left onto South Park Loop Road
Turn right onto Melody Creek Lane
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 7.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Cheyenne. This allows ample time for the 253.1-mile segment on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway without feeling rushed. With only two recommended stops, plan them strategically to break up the drive. Given the $76 estimated fuel cost, ensure your tank is full before leaving Cheyenne, as services might be more spread out once you're on US 191. This route is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility in your stopping schedule.
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.
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 94 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 214 miles or 3h 34m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Park, WY than in the middle of the route.
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 428 miles and 7h 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
214 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.
A short stop after about 94 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 214 miles from Cheyenne, WY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 253.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · home stretch
Daniel, Wyoming
Near the end, right off the route
+13078598469
Near the end, right off the route
Daniel, Wyoming
+13078598469
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Jackson, Wyoming
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+13072642956
Visit websiteNear the end, ~10 min detour
Jackson, Wyoming
Hours: 7:15 am–1:15 pm
Near the end, ~11 min detour
Jackson, Wyoming
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
+13072006708
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
Jackson, Wyoming
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
+13073122382
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
Jackson, Wyoming
Hours: 8 am–2 pm
+13077321910
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Rawlins, Wyoming
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13073280158
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Hours: Open 24 hours
+15186913119
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18337484267
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Jackson, Wyoming
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13076352918
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
Jackson, Wyoming
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, ~10 min detour
Jackson, Wyoming
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Hours: 5 am–12 pm
+13076376429
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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.
Turn right onto I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS / Central Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto I 80 Business; US 30 / West Lincolnway
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 80; US 30 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 191 toward US 191 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn right onto US 191 / Elk Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$75.24 one way
$150.47 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.67 | $78.67 | $157.35 |
| premium | $4.99 | $84.08 | $168.17 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $90.15 | $180.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$75
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$100–$125
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 149.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 128.4 | 1 | $44.94 | $20.54 |
| Efficient EV | 107 | 1 | $37.45 | $17.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 171.2 | 2 | $59.92 | $27.39 |
Gas CO2
150 kg
EV CO2
50 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Cheyenne on Wednesday
Local time
1:06 PM
MDT
Current temp
48°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Afternoon in South Park on Wednesday
Local time
1:06 PM
MDT
Current temp
32°F
Mostly Clear
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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.
This drive features a 39% highway share, meaning you'll spend a significant portion on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway covers 253.1 miles, offering a substantial period of consistent driving. After this, you'll transition to US 191, which will likely feel more rural. Keep an eye out for the shift from faster highway speeds to more moderate surface road conditions.
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.
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 38m, 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.
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
Total Climb
3,895 ft
Total Descent
3,929 ft
Highest Point
8,155 ft
~30.6 mi in
Elevation Range
2,099 ft
Notable High Points
Founded 1867
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 38m. Total distance: 428 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (39%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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