Gillette, WY to Ranchettes, WY is 238.6 miles and takes about 4h 14m via I 25 and State Highway 59 South, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Mountain West region, offering a straightforward highway-focused experience. You'll be covering a significant portion of this distance on major interstates and state highways, making it a practical choice for a quick trip between these two Wyoming locations. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to travel without many detours.
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
119.3 miles from Gillette, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 25
118.4 mi
1h 52m
State Highway 59 South
106.6 mi
1h 56m
South Douglas Highway
5 mi
9m
East Richards Street
2.4 mi
3m
Iron Mountain Road
2 mi
4m
North 4th Street
1.9 mi
3m
I 25 BUS
0.7 mi
1m
Horse Creek Road
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 25
— 118.4 mi, about 1h 52m
Traffic on I-25
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~312 veh/hr typical
· worst 508
Quietest
2 AM
~25 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.5×
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 Ranchettes, 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
107 mi·1 hr 56 min·State Highway 59 South
4
Turn left onto Wyoming Highway 59 Connector
0.4 mi·44 sec·Wyoming Highway 59 Connector
5
Turn straight onto North 4th Street
1.9 mi·3 min·North 4th Street
6
Turn left onto I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS
2.4 mi·3 min·East Richards Street
7
Take the ramp onto I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS
380 ft·9 sec·I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS
Toward I 25, US 20, US 26, US 87
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS
0.7 mi·1 min·I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS
Toward I 25, US 20, US 26, US 87
9
Merge onto I 25; US 20; US 26; US 87
8.2 mi·8 min·I 25; US 20; US 26; US 87
10
Continue on I 25; US 26; US 87
34 mi·31 min·I 25; US 26; US 87
11
Continue on I 25; US 87
76 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 25; US 87
Toward Cheyenne
12
Continue on I 25; US 85; US 87
0.5 mi·28 sec·I 25; US 85; US 87
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward US 85 North, WY 211: Torrington, Horse Creek Road
14
Turn left onto WY 211
0.5 mi·59 sec·Horse Creek Road
15
Continue on Iron Mountain Road
2.0 mi·4 min·Iron Mountain Road
16
Arrive at destination
Iron Mountain Road
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 4 hours, this trip is easily achievable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to give yourself ample daylight and flexibility. While there's only one recommended stop, you can easily split the drive into two segments if needed, though it's not strictly necessary. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 118.4-mile stretch on I 25, as services might be more spaced out than you'd expect. This route is straightforward, so focus on enjoying the consistent progress.
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 119.3 miles from Gillette, WY, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.4 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 52 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.3 miles or 2h 18m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ranchettes, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gillette, WY
This is one driving day of about 238.6 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Gillette, 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 118.4 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 235.8 — 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
112 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|Wyoming Highway 59 Connector
Turn left onto Wyoming Highway 59 Connector
Navigation decision point
6
116.7 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS
Take the ramp onto I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS toward I 25, US 20, US 26, US 87
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 25, US 20, US 26, US 87
6
116.8 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS
Keep slight left at fork onto I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS toward I 25, US 20, US 26, US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 25, US 20, US 26, US 87
5
235.8 mi into trip|~4h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 85 North, WY 211: Torrington, Horse Creek Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 85 North, WY 211: Torrington, Horse C...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.19 one way
$74.38 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$39.20
$78.40
premium
$4.47
$42.03
$84.05
diesel
$4.80
$45.05
$90.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.6
0
$25.05
$11.45
Efficient EV
59.7
0
$20.88
$9.54
EV Truck/SUV
95.4
1
$33.40
$15.27
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Gillette, WY
Late night
in Gillette on Sunday
Local time
3:22 AM
MDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 2 to 15 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 2:37AM MDT until July 18 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Riverton WY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:23AM MDT until July 19 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
Destination
Ranchettes, WY
Late night
in Ranchettes on Sunday
Local time
3:22 AM
MDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
SSE 5 to 15 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 2:37AM MDT until July 18 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Riverton WY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:23AM 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
8 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
4h 14m 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 is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the route utilizing major roads like I 25 and State Highway 59 South. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 118.4 miles on I 25, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. The character of the road is predominantly that of a high-speed highway, facilitating a relatively quick journey. Expect smooth sailing for the majority of your trip on these well-maintained routes.
95% 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: 118.4 mi on I 25.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 25 and State Highway 59 South. 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 Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 14m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (WY 59 / South Douglas Highway): Navigation decision point; at 112 miles (Wyoming Highway 59 Connector): Navigation decision point; at 116.7 miles (I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,198 ft4,552 ft
Total Climb
2,781 ft
Total Descent
1,135 ft
Highest Point
6,198 ft
~238.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,647 ft
Notable High Points
5,089 ft at ~51.1 miles+262 ft prominence
5,237 ft at ~102.2 miles+116 ft prominence
5,007 ft at ~153.4 miles+290 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 Ranchettes, WY, road signs begin pointing toward Cheyenne along the way.
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.
The longest stretch is about 118.4 miles on I 25. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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.
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 0.4 miles (WY 59 / South Douglas Highway): Navigation decision point; at 112 miles (Wyoming Highway 59 Connector): Navigation decision point; at 116.7 miles (I 25 BUS; US 20 BUS; US 26 BUS; US 87 BUS): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Ranchettes, WY, but most travelers stay overnight.
