Fort Washakie to Cheyenne is 288.6 miles and takes about 5 hours 42 minutes via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and US 287, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wyoming, traversing the Mountain West region. Expect a mixed drive with a substantial portion on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a relatively straightforward journey. It's a manageable one-day drive, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
144.3 miles from Fort Washakie, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
144.6 mi
2h 24m
US 287
139.4 mi
3h 10m
US 287 BYP
1.5 mi
1m
East Cedar Street
1 mi
1m
West 24th Street
0.9 mi
2m
Purple Heart Trail
0.3 mi
<1m
Missile Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
Norkok Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 144.6 mi, about 2h 24m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~431 veh/hr typical
· worst 678
Quietest
2 AM
~78 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.5×
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 Fort Washakie, WY and Cheyenne, WY.
1
Start on 2nd Street
152 ft·7 sec·2nd Street
2
Turn left onto Norkok Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Norkok Street
3
Turn right onto US 287
24 mi·33 min·US 287
4
Turn left onto US 287; WY 789
72 mi·1 hr 47 min·US 287; WY 789
5
Turn right onto US 287; WY 789
42 mi·48 min·US 287; WY 789
6
Turn left onto US 287 BYP
1.5 mi·1 min·US 287 BYP
7
At end of road, turn left onto I 80 Bus; US 30 Bus; US 287
1.0 mi·1 min·East Cedar Street
8
Take the exit onto US 287
0.4 mi·51 sec·US 287
9
Merge onto I 80; US 30; US 287
143 mi·2 hr 23 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
10
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi·18 sec·Purple Heart Trail
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 359CToward I 25 North, US 87 North: Casper
12
Merge onto I 25; US 87
1.6 mi·1 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward Missile Drive, Warren Gate 2
14
Turn right onto Missile Drive
0.2 mi·32 sec·Missile Drive
15
Turn left onto West 24th Street
0.9 mi·2 min·West 24th Street
16
Arrive at destination
West 24th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 42-minute duration, starting your drive in Fort Washakie in the morning allows ample time to reach Cheyenne before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, as services can be spaced out in Wyoming. A budget of around $46 for fuel should cover the 288.6 miles.
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 144.3 miles from Fort Washakie, WY, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.6 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 63 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.3 miles or 3h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cheyenne, WY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Washakie, 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 Fort Washakie, WY
This is one driving day of about 288.6 miles and 5h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Fort Washakie, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 144.6 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 287.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Norkok Street
Turn left onto Norkok Street
Navigation decision point
4
24.6 mi into trip|~34m in|US 287; WY 789
Turn left onto US 287; WY 789
Navigation decision point
7
285.5 mi into trip|~5h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 25 North, US 87 North: Casper
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 359C
Toward I 25 North, US 87 North: Casper
5
287.3 mi into trip|~5h 39m in
Take the exit toward Missile Drive, Warren Gate 2
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Missile Drive, Warren Gate 2
5
287.5 mi into trip|~5h 40m in|Missile Drive
Turn right onto Missile Drive
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.98 one way
$89.97 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$47.41
$94.83
premium
$4.47
$50.83
$101.67
diesel
$4.80
$54.49
$108.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.6
1
$30.30
$13.85
Efficient EV
72.2
0
$25.25
$11.54
EV Truck/SUV
115.4
1
$40.40
$18.47
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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 18, 2026
Origin
Fort Washakie, WY
Late night
in Fort Washakie on Sunday
Local time
1:07 AM
MDT
Current temp
61°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 6 to 10 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:15PM MDT by NWS Riverton WY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 3:07PM MDT until July 19 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
Destination
Cheyenne, WY
Late night
in Cheyenne on Sunday
Local time
1:07 AM
MDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Clear
S 0 to 15 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:15PM MDT by NWS Riverton WY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 3:07PM MDT until July 19 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
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
2 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
5h 42m 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 route offers a mixed driving experience, with 49% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant 144.6-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, providing a long, uninterrupted segment. The drive will likely involve a combination of faster highway speeds and potentially some sections on US 287 and its bypass. Expect a generally consistent road profile without overly technical or winding sections, suitable for maintaining a steady pace.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 144.6 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 early in the drive near Norkok Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 42m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Norkok Street): Navigation decision point; at 24.6 miles (US 287; WY 789): Navigation decision point; at 285.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
The longest stretch is about 144.6 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 11 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: near the start (Norkok Street): Navigation decision point; at 24.6 miles (US 287; WY 789): Navigation decision point; at 285.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cheyenne, WY before the return drive.
