Gillette, WY to Moose Wilson Road, WY is 411.8 miles and takes about 8h 1m via US 26 / US 287, with a fuel budget near $73 and enough daylight to finish in a day.
This trip spans the Mountain West region, taking you from one Wyoming point to another. It's a route that offers a mix of highway speeds and surface road cruising, making it a solid option for a single-day push if you start early. With 2 recommended stops, you'll have opportunities to stretch your legs and refuel. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct path through Wyoming's landscapes.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
205.9 miles from Gillette, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
West Yellowstone Highway
94.3 mi
1h 47m
East Main Street
77.9 mi
1h 27m
US 26 / US 287
53.2 mi
1h
WY 387
51.3 mi
58m
State Highway 59 South
32.8 mi
35m
US 26
21.6 mi
24m
I 25
20.1 mi
18m
WY 259
18.1 mi
20m
Longest stretch:
West Yellowstone Highway
— 94.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Traffic on I-25
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~237 veh/hr typical
· worst 359
Quietest
2 AM
~20 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Gillette, WY and Moose Wilson Road, WY.
1
Start on East 4th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·East 4th Street
2
Turn right onto WY 59
5.0 mi·9 min·South Douglas Highway
3
Continue on WY 59
33 mi·35 min·State Highway 59 South
4
Turn right onto WY 387
51 mi·58 min·WY 387
5
Turn left onto WY 259
18 mi·20 min·WY 259
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 25 South: Casper
7
Merge onto I 25; US 87
20 mi·18 min·I 25; US 87
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward US 20 West, US 26 West, WY 220 West: Shoshoni, Port of Entry
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
10
Turn right onto US 20; US 26
2.7 mi·3 min·US 20; US 26
11
Turn right onto US 20; US 26
94 mi·1 hr 47 min·West Yellowstone Highway
12
Continue on US 26; WY 789
18 mi·20 min·US 26; WY 789
13
Continue on US 26; WY 789
4.0 mi·4 min·US 26; WY 789
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto US 26
78 mi·1 hr 27 min·East Main Street
15
Turn left onto US 26; US 287
2.2 mi·2 min·East Ramshorn Street
16
Continue on US 26; US 287
53 mi·1 hr·US 26 / US 287
17
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 191
18 mi·24 min·North Highway 89
18
Turn right onto Teton Park Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Teton Park Road
19
Turn left onto Moose-Wilson Road
13 mi·22 min·Moose-Wilson Road
20
Arrive at destination
WY 390
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour estimated drive time, starting your trip from Gillette early in the morning is advisable to make the most of daylight. This route is best split over two days to avoid a very long single-day effort. Plan your overnight stop roughly halfway, perhaps around the 200-mile mark, to break up the 411.8 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer 94.3-mile stretch on West Yellowstone Highway, as services might be less frequent in some areas. Budgeting around $73 for fuel should cover your needs.
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 drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 205.9 miles from Gillette, WY, or about 3h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.3 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 91 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 205.9 miles or 3h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 205.9 miles or 3h 54m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Moose Wilson Road, WY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gillette, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gillette, WY
Aim for roughly 206 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Moose Wilson Road, WY
Aim for roughly 206 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Gillette, WY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on West Yellowstone Highway for about 94.3 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 0.4 and 128.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|WY 59 / South Douglas Highway
Turn right onto WY 59 / South Douglas Highway
Navigation decision point
4
38.3 mi into trip|~46m in|WY 387
Turn right onto WY 387
Navigation decision point
4
89.5 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|WY 259
Turn left onto WY 259
Navigation decision point
6
107.6 mi into trip|~2h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 25 South: Casper
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 25 South: Casper
5
128.2 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward US 20 West, US 26 West, WY 220 West: Shoshoni, Port of Entry
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 20 West, US 26 West, WY 220 West: Sho...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$72.39 one way
$144.78 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg144 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.67
$75.70
$151.39
premium
$4.99
$80.90
$161.80
diesel
$5.35
$86.74
$173.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$72
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$202–$312
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 144.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
123.5
1
$43.24
$19.77
Efficient EV
103
1
$36.03
$16.47
EV Truck/SUV
164.7
2
$57.65
$26.36
Gas CO2
144 kg
EV CO2
48 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Gillette, WY
Afternoon
in Gillette on Wednesday
Local time
1:06 PM
MDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 9 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 2 at 4:44PM MDT until June 2 at 5:30PM MDT by NWS Cheyenne WY
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 2 at 3:27PM MDT until June 2 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
Destination
Moose Wilson Road, WY
Afternoon
in Moose Wilson Road on Wednesday
Local time
1:06 PM
MDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
WSW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 2 at 4:44PM MDT until June 2 at 5:30PM MDT by NWS Cheyenne WY
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 2 at 3:27PM MDT until June 2 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
11 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
8h 1m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
$35
near mile 383.4
Park Closure: Construction in the south end of the park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 53% of this 411.8-mile route is on highways. You'll experience a solid stretch of 94.3 miles on West Yellowstone Highway, likely offering a good opportunity for consistent cruising. The profile suggests a mix, meaning you'll transition from more open highway driving to surface roads, which can sometimes mean more varied speed limits and potentially more local traffic. Expect to feel the change as you move from primary highway sections to other road types.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.3 mi on West Yellowstone 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 0.4 miles in near WY 59 / South Douglas Highway.
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 8h 1m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 13 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (WY 59 / South Douglas Highway): Navigation decision point; at 38.3 miles (WY 387): Navigation decision point; at 89.5 miles (WY 259): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
9,167 ft4,552 ft
Total Climb
6,049 ft
Total Descent
4,402 ft
Highest Point
9,167 ft
~353 mi in
Elevation Range
4,615 ft
Notable High Points
5,411 ft at ~58.8 miles+468 ft prominence
6,034 ft at ~176.5 miles+539 ft prominence
9,167 ft at ~353 miles+2,295 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Gillette, WY to Moose Wilson Road, WY, road signs begin pointing toward Port Of Entry along the way.
Port Of Entry
128.2 mi in|~2h 25m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Gillette is a city in Northeast Wyoming halfway between Sundance and Sheridan on I-90. Gillette is a coal mining town with a population of about 33,000 (2020). Because of the coal, oil, and natural gas production, the city calls itself the energy capital of the nation.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.3 miles on West Yellowstone Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 206 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 3 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 Moose Wilson Road, 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 3 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 0.4 miles (WY 59 / South Douglas Highway): Navigation decision point; at 38.3 miles (WY 387): Navigation decision point; at 89.5 miles (WY 259): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Grand Teton National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.0 hours each way, a round trip means 16.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Moose Wilson Road, WY before the return drive.
