Traveling from Jackson to Evansville covers 286.9 miles across the heart of the Mountain West. You should plan for a total drive time of approximately 5 hours and 36 minutes, making this a manageable journey to complete in a single day. Your route primarily utilizes US 20, East Highway 287, and South 1st Street to navigate through Wyoming. With an estimated fuel cost of $45, the trip is relatively budget-friendly for a solo driver or a small group. While you could easily push through in one sitting, having the flexibility to break it up makes for a more relaxed experience. Overall, it is a straightforward transit between two distinct points in 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
143.5 miles from Jackson, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 20
79.6 mi
1h 30m
South 1st Street
77.9 mi
1h 27m
East Highway 287
53.2 mi
1h
North Federal Boulevard
39 mi
44m
North Highway 89
29.3 mi
40m
West Ramshorn Street
2.2 mi
2m
North Cache Street
0.8 mi
2m
Curtis Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 79.6 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, WY and Evansville, WY.
1
Start on US 26; US 89; US 191
0.8 mi·2 min·North Cache Street
2
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 191
6.0 mi·8 min·North Highway 89
3
Enter roundabout onto US 26; US 89; US 191
110 ft·6 sec·North Highway 89
4
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 191
23 mi·32 min·North Highway 89
5
Continue on US 26; US 287
53 mi·1 hr·East Highway 287
6
Continue on US 26; US 287
2.2 mi·2 min·West Ramshorn Street
7
Turn right onto US 26; US 287
78 mi·1 hr 27 min·South 1st Street
Use the straight lane.
8
At end of road, turn left onto US 26; WY 789
39 mi·44 min·North Federal Boulevard
9
Continue on US 20; US 26
77 mi·1 hr 27 min·US 20; US 26
10
Turn left onto US 20; US 26
2.7 mi·3 min·US 20; US 26
11
Take the exit
4.0 mi·5 min
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward Wyoming Boulevard, Evansville
13
Turn left onto WY 258
390 ft·6 sec·Southeast Wyoming Boulevard
14
Continue on WY 258
0.4 mi·1 min·Curtis Street
15
Turn right onto 1st Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·1st Street
16
Arrive at destination
3 ft·0 sec·1st Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 286.9-mile journey, aim for an early morning departure to keep your travel time within that 5-hour and 36-minute window. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs before tackling the remaining distance. Keep a close eye on your gas gauge, as the $45 fuel estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local station prices. Given the nearly 80-mile stretch on US 20, ensure you have your supplies and entertainment ready before hitting that section. This single-day itinerary offers plenty of flexibility, so do not feel rushed if you need an extra stop to stay refreshed.
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 143.5 miles from Jackson, WY, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.6 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 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.5 miles or 2h 51m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Evansville, WY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jackson, 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 Jackson, WY
This is one driving day of about 286.9 miles and 5h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Jackson, 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 US 20 for about 79.6 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.8 and 286.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
6.8 mi into trip|~11m in|US 26; US 89; US 191 / North Highway 89
Enter roundabout onto US 26; US 89; US 191 / North Highway 89
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
85.5 mi into trip|~1h 46m in|US 26; US 287 / South 1st Street
Turn right onto US 26; US 287 / South 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
163.4 mi into trip|~3h 14m in|US 26; WY 789 / North Federal Boulevard
At end of road, turn left onto US 26; WY 789 / North Federal Boulevard
Navigation decision point
5
286 mi into trip|~5h 34m in
Take the exit toward Wyoming Boulevard, Evansville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Wyoming Boulevard, Evansville
5
286.3 mi into trip|~5h 35m in|WY 258 / Southeast Wyoming Boulevard
Turn left onto WY 258 / Southeast Wyoming Boulevard
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.46 one way
$90.93 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$47.65
$95.31
premium
$4.53
$51.18
$102.36
diesel
$5.61
$63.34
$126.69
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: 100.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.1
1
$30.12
$13.77
Efficient EV
71.7
0
$25.10
$11.48
EV Truck/SUV
114.8
1
$40.17
$18.36
Gas CO2
100 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 Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Jackson, WY
Evening
in Jackson on Saturday
Local time
7:11 PM
MDT
Current temp
33°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 7 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 11 at 7:54PM MDT until April 12 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 11 at 11:01AM MDT until April 13 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Cheyenne WY
Destination
Evansville, WY
Evening
in Evansville on Saturday
Local time
7:11 PM
MDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 14 to 22 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 11 at 7:54PM MDT until April 12 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 11 at 11:01AM MDT until April 13 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Cheyenne WY
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
11 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
5h 36m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed drive profile, with 56% of your time spent on highways. You will encounter varying road conditions, ranging from open stretches to local navigation. Be prepared for a significant long-haul segment, as your longest uninterrupted stretch clocks in at 79.6 miles on US 20. The road's personality shifts as you transition from the Mountain West terrain into different local environments, requiring you to stay alert at the wheel. Expect a balance between steady highway cruising and the occasional slower pace of local roads as you approach your destination.
56% 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: 79.6 mi on US 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
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 6.8 miles in near US 26; US 89; US 191 / North Highway 89.
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 36m 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 6.8 miles (US 26; US 89; US 191 / North Highway 89): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 85.5 miles (US 26; US 287 / South 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 163.4 miles (US 26; WY 789 / North Federal Boulevard): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
8,779 ft5,970 ft
Total Climb
2,540 ft
Total Descent
2,809 ft
Highest Point
8,779 ft
~59.8 mi in
Elevation Range
2,809 ft
Notable High Points
8,779 ft at ~59.8 miles+1,773 ft prominence
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 36m. Total distance: 286.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.6 miles on US 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 6.8 miles (US 26; US 89; US 191 / North Highway 89): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 85.5 miles (US 26; US 287 / South 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 163.4 miles (US 26; WY 789 / North Federal Boulevard): 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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Evansville, WY before the return drive.
