Cheyenne to Upton is 266.7 miles and takes about 5 hours via I 25 and US 85/16, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wyoming, moving you from the Mountain West region to another part of the same region. It's a straightforward trip primarily on main highways, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently. You'll likely find this route to be a no-frills option for covering ground within the state.
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
133.4 miles from Cheyenne, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 25
114.7 mi
1h 48m
US Highway 85
78.7 mi
1h 37m
US Highway 16
25 mi
37m
US Highway 20
23.3 mi
25m
US Highway 18/20
18.2 mi
19m
South Seneca Avenue
1.7 mi
2m
2nd Street
1.1 mi
1m
West Main Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 25
— 114.7 mi, about 1h 48m
Traffic on I-25
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~380 veh/hr typical
· worst 573
Quietest
2 AM
~27 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 89 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 Upton, WY.
1
Start on West 24th Street
292 ft·12 sec·West 24th Street
2
Turn right onto Carey Avenue
0.1 mi·13 sec·Carey Avenue
3
Turn slight left onto Randall Avenue
0.9 mi·1 min·Randall Avenue
4
Turn right onto Hynds Boulevard
338 ft·5 sec·Hynds Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
6
Merge onto I 25; US 87
1.5 mi·1 min·I 25; US 87
7
Continue on I 25; US 85; US 87
3.9 mi·4 min·I 25; US 85; US 87
8
Continue on I 25; US 87
76 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 25; US 87
9
Continue on I 25; US 26; US 87
33 mi·31 min·I 25; US 26; US 87
10
Take the exit onto I 25
0.3 mi·39 sec·I 25
Toward US 18 East, US 20 East: Lusk
11
Turn right onto US 18; US 20
18 mi·19 min·US Highway 18/20
12
Continue on US 18; US 20
23 mi·25 min·US Highway 20
13
Continue on US 18; US 20
0.2 mi·32 sec·West 8th Street
14
Turn left onto US 18; US 20; US 85
0.9 mi·2 min·South Main Street
15
Continue on US 18; US 85
79 mi·1 hr 37 min·US Highway 85
16
Turn left onto South Summit Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·South Summit Avenue
17
Turn left onto US 16
169 ft·3 sec·Washington Boulevard
18
Continue on US 16 Bypass
1.7 mi·2 min·South Seneca Avenue
19
Turn left onto US 16
1.0 mi·1 min·West Main Street
20
Continue on US 16
25 mi·37 min·US Highway 16
21
Continue on US 16
1.1 mi·1 min·2nd Street
22
Turn right onto WY 116
55 ft·1 sec·Ash Street
23
Arrive at destination
WY 116
Trip Plan
With a 5-hour drive time, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Aim to leave Cheyenne in the morning to give yourself plenty of daylight. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 100 miles on I 25, so be sure to fuel up before you get too far down that road. While there is only one designated stop on this route, the short duration means you won't need to plan for an overnight stay. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 114.7-mile segment 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 133.4 miles from Cheyenne, WY, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.7 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 59 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.4 miles or 2h 10m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Upton, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cheyenne, WY
This is one driving day of about 266.7 miles and 5h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Cheyenne, 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 114.7 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 0.1 and 237.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Carey Avenue
Turn right onto Carey Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
115.8 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|I 25
Take the exit onto I 25 toward US 18 East, US 20 East: Lusk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 18 East, US 20 East: Lusk
4
116 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|US 18; US 20 / US Highway 18/20
Turn right onto US 18; US 20 / US Highway 18/20
Navigation decision point
4
157.8 mi into trip|~2h 37m in|US 18; US 20; US 85 / South Main Street
Turn left onto US 18; US 20; US 85 / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
237.8 mi into trip|~4h 17m in|US 16 / Washington Boulevard
Turn left onto US 16 / Washington Boulevard
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.04 one way
$96.08 round trip
$4.58/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.78
$50.17
$100.34
premium
$5.11
$53.61
$107.23
diesel
$6.18
$64.88
$129.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80
0
$28.00
$12.80
Efficient EV
66.7
0
$23.34
$10.67
EV Truck/SUV
106.7
1
$37.34
$17.07
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Cheyenne, WY
Late night
in Cheyenne on Monday
Local time
4:16 AM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Clear
WNW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Upton, WY
Late night
in Upton on Monday
Local time
4:16 AM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Mostly Clear
N 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is 97% highway driving, meaning you'll spend almost all of your time on interstates and major US routes. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 114.7 miles on I 25. You'll transition from interstate cruising to US highways, and eventually to more local roads as you approach Upton, though the highway percentage remains high throughout. Expect consistent travel with minimal interruptions from traffic lights or sharp turns.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.7 mi on I 25.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 25 and US Highway 85. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Carey Avenue.
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 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 0.1 miles (Carey Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 115.8 miles (I 25): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116 miles (US 18; US 20 / US Highway 18/20): Navigation decision point.
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
The longest stretch is about 114.7 miles on I 25. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 6 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 (Carey Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 115.8 miles (I 25): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116 miles (US 18; US 20 / US Highway 18/20): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Upton, WY before the return drive.
