Spanning 436.4 miles across the Mountain West, this trip from Jackson to Moorcroft requires about 8 hours and 19 minutes of pure driving time. Because of the length, it is best approached as a two-day excursion rather than a single-day haul. You will primarily navigate via US 20, South 1st Street, and East Highway 287. Budgeting roughly $69 for fuel is a smart move before you head out. Whether you are looking to cross the state or simply enjoy the open road, splitting the trip into two days ensures you stay fresh behind the wheel.
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
218.2 miles from Jackson, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 20
79.9 mi
1h 30m
South 1st Street
77.9 mi
1h 27m
East Highway 287
53.2 mi
1h
WY 387
51.3 mi
58m
North Federal Boulevard
39 mi
44m
State Highway 59 South
32.8 mi
35m
North Highway 89
29.3 mi
40m
I 90
24.4 mi
23m
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 79.9 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, WY and Moorcroft, 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
3.0 mi·3 min·US 20; US 26
11
Turn left
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 25 North, US 87 North: Midwest
12
Merge onto I 25; US 87
20 mi·18 min·I 25; US 87
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward Horse Ranch Creek Road
14
Turn right onto WY 259
18 mi·20 min·Horseshoe Road
15
Turn right onto WY 387
51 mi·58 min·WY 387
16
Turn left onto WY 59
33 mi·35 min·State Highway 59 South
17
Continue on WY 59
1.7 mi·2 min·South Douglas Highway
18
Take the exit
436 ft·13 sec
19
Turn straight onto South Garner Lake Road
4.0 mi·6 min·South Garner Lake Road
20
Take the ramp onto I 90; US 14; US 16
24 mi·23 min·I 90; US 14; US 16
21
Take the exit onto I 90
0.3 mi·35 sec·I 90
22
Turn right onto I 90 Business; US 14; US 16
1.1 mi·1 min·West Converse Street
23
Turn right onto South Yellowstone Avenue
82 ft·2 sec·South Yellowstone Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
South Yellowstone Avenue
Trip Plan
To manage the 8-hour and 19-minute duration effectively, plan for at least two intentional stops to break up the monotony. Starting your journey early in the morning is essential to avoid fatigue, especially given the lengthy stretches between major junctions. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as the $69 estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local station pricing. Since you are traversing a significant portion of Wyoming, ensure your vehicle is prepped for sustained highway speeds. By splitting the route into two days, you gain the flexibility to handle the long stretches of US 20 at a more relaxed pace.
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 218.2 miles from Jackson, WY, or about 4h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.9 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 96 miles or 1h 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 218.2 miles or 4h 16m 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 218.2 miles or 4h 16m
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 7h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Moorcroft, 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.
+
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 Jackson, WY
Aim for roughly 218 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Moorcroft, WY
Aim for roughly 218 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 96 miles from Jackson, 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 US 20 for about 79.9 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.8 and 302.8 — 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
282.3 mi into trip|~5h 29m in
Turn left toward I 25 North, US 87 North: Midwest
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 25 North, US 87 North: Midwest
4
302.8 mi into trip|~5h 49m in
Take the exit toward Horse Ranch Creek Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Horse Ranch Creek Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$69.15 one way
$138.31 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg153 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$72.49
$144.97
premium
$4.53
$77.85
$155.70
diesel
$5.61
$96.35
$192.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$69
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$199–$309
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 152.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
130.9
1
$45.82
$20.95
Efficient EV
109.1
1
$38.18
$17.46
EV Truck/SUV
174.6
2
$61.10
$27.93
Gas CO2
153 kg
EV CO2
51 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Jackson, WY
Evening
in Jackson on Saturday
Local time
7:10 PM
MDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Moorcroft, WY
Evening
in Moorcroft on Saturday
Local time
7:10 PM
MDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Riverton, WY
218 mi in
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
21 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 19m 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...
The Tower is an astounding geologic feature that protrudes out of the prairie surrounding the Black Hills. It is considered sacred by Northern Plains Indians and indigenous people. Hundreds of paralle...
25 mi from route
~64 min detour
$25
near mile 436.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive is characterized by long, steady stretches of pavement that define much of the journey. With 67% of the route consisting of highway travel, you can expect consistent cruising speeds for the majority of the 436.4-mile path. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 79.9 miles on US 20, which demands focused attention and steady pacing. The experience shifts between open-road highway segments and the more localized transitions of South 1st Street and East Highway 287. It is a straightforward, practical trek that favors endurance over technical maneuvering.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.9 mi on US 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and South 1st Street. 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 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 19m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 15 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
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
9,372 ft4,226 ft
Total Climb
4,771 ft
Total Descent
6,783 ft
Highest Point
9,372 ft
~54.6 mi in
Elevation Range
5,145 ft
Notable High Points
9,372 ft at ~54.6 miles+1,818 ft prominence
6,076 ft at ~236.4 miles+274 ft prominence
5,329 ft at ~290.9 miles+16 ft prominence
5,439 ft at ~345.5 miles+300 ft prominence
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 79.9 miles on US 20. 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 218 miles on day one.
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.
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 Moorcroft, 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. 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 and Devils Tower National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.3 hours each way, a round trip means 16.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Moorcroft, WY before the return drive.
