Origin
Ethete, WY
Evening in Ethete on Saturday
Local time
8:50 PM
MDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ethete, WY to Rock Springs, WY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 43m
Distance
132.8 mi
214 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 33m
★
6 AM
2h 43m
8 AM
3h 5m
10 AM
2h 51m
12 PM
2h 49m
3 PM
2h 52m
5 PM
3h 4m
8 PM
2h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ethete, WY
Taryn Elliott
Rock Springs, WY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Ethete to Rock Springs is 132.8 miles and takes about 2h 43m via Highway 28 and US 287, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Mountain West region, offering a straightforward journey across Wyoming. You'll experience a highway-focused trip, making it a good option if you're looking for efficiency. With a recommended one-day duration, it’s perfectly suited for a single day of travel.
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
66.4 miles from Ethete, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 28 | 66.5 mi | 1h 15m |
| Farson Mercantile | 38.1 mi | 43m |
| US 287 | 17.7 mi | 23m |
| Blue Sky Highway | 6.6 mi | 11m |
| Elk Street | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| Edgar Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Bridger Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| M Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Highway 28
— 66.5 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ethete, WY and Rock Springs, WY.
1
Start on Saint Michael Circle
441 ft
·
20 sec
·
Saint Michael Circle
2
Continue on Saint Michael Circle
234 ft
·
15 sec
·
Saint Michael Circle
3
Turn left onto WY 132
6.6 mi
·
11 min
·
Blue Sky Highway
4
Turn left onto US 287
18 mi
·
23 min
·
US 287
5
Continue on WY 28
66 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
Highway 28
6
Turn left onto US 191
38 mi
·
43 min
·
Farson Mercantile
7
Continue on US 191
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Elk Street
8
Turn left onto I 80 Business; US 30 Business
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Bridger Avenue
9
Turn right onto M Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
M Street
10
Continue on Broadway Street
401 ft
·
16 sec
·
Broadway Street
11
Turn left onto F Street
230 ft
·
11 sec
·
F Street
12
Turn left onto 2nd Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
2nd Street
13
Turn right onto Edgar Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Edgar Street
14
At end of road, turn right onto Agate Street
422 ft
·
23 sec
·
Agate Street
15
Turn left onto Collins Street
84 ft
·
3 sec
·
Collins Street
16
Arrive at destination
Collins Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 43m duration, you can easily complete this trip in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 66.5-mile stretch on Highway 28, as services might be spaced out. While only one stop is noted, plan for additional breaks as needed to stay comfortable. Consider departing in the morning to take advantage of daylight hours and a relaxed pace.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.4 miles from Ethete, WY, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.5 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 29 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.4 miles or 1h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rock Springs, WY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ethete, 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 Ethete, WY
This is one driving day of about 132.8 miles and 2h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Ethete, 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 Highway 28 for about 66.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66.4 miles from Ethete, WY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Highway 28 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.5 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
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 132.8 — 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
|
WY 132 / Blue Sky Highway
Turn left onto WY 132 / Blue Sky Highway
Navigation decision point
4
90.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
|
US 191 / Farson Mercantile
Turn left onto US 191 / Farson Mercantile
Navigation decision point
5
131.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m in
|
M Street
Turn right onto M Street
Navigation decision point
5
131.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
|
2nd Street
Turn left onto 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
5
132.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m in
|
Collins Street
Turn left onto Collins Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.04 one way
$42.09 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $22.06 | $44.12 |
| premium | $4.53 | $23.69 | $47.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.32 | $58.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.8 | 0 | $13.94 | $6.37 |
| Efficient EV | 33.2 | 0 | $11.62 | $5.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.1 | 0 | $18.59 | $8.50 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (65% 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
Rock Springs, WY
Evening in Rock Springs on Saturday
Local time
8:50 PM
MDT
Current temp
63°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
22 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
2h 43m 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?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 63% of your journey on major roads. You'll encounter stretches of Highway 28, including one uninterrupted segment of 66.5 miles, which makes up the longest stretch of the trip. The drive generally follows established highways, offering a consistent pace. Expect a straightforward driving experience without many complex road changes.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.5 mi on Highway 28.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 28 and Farson Mercantile. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near WY 132 / Blue Sky Highway.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Ethete, WY to Rock Springs, WY is easy. At 2h 43m with 63% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (WY 132 / Blue Sky Highway): Navigation decision point; at 90.9 miles (US 191 / Farson Mercantile): Navigation decision point; at 131.6 miles (M Street): Navigation decision point.
About the Cities
Arriving in Rock Springs, WY
Full guide →Rock Springs is the biggest city in Sweetwater County in Southwest Wyoming. It had a population of 23,000 in 2019. Rock Springs' nickname is: "Home of 56 Nationalities". The town has a rich western and coal mining history.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 43m. Total distance: 132.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.5 miles on Highway 28. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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: at 0.1 miles (WY 132 / Blue Sky Highway): Navigation decision point; at 90.9 miles (US 191 / Farson Mercantile): Navigation decision point; at 131.6 miles (M Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Rock Springs, WY before heading back.
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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