Spanning 222.9 miles across the Wyoming landscape, this trip from Laramie to Lander is a straightforward journey that takes approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. You will primarily navigate via US 287, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, and Higley Boulevard. Because the duration is manageable in a single session, this route is perfect for a one-day trip, though you should budget about $35 for fuel to cover the distance. Both cities are situated within the Mountain West, ensuring a consistent regional feel throughout your travel. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, this drive offers a reliable connection between two distinct Wyoming hubs.
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
111.5 miles from Laramie, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 287
124.1 mi
2h 47m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
94.1 mi
1h 34m
Higley Boulevard
1.5 mi
1m
East Curtis Street
1.3 mi
2m
South 4th Street
1.1 mi
2m
East Cedar Street
0.5 mi
<1m
East Grand Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
South 5th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 287
— 124.1 mi, about 2h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laramie, WY and Lander, WY.
1
Start on this road
45 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto South 5th Street
149 ft·8 sec·South 5th Street
3
Turn right onto I 80 Business; US 30
363 ft·14 sec·East Grand Avenue
4
Turn right onto South 4th Street
1.1 mi·2 min·South 4th Street
5
Turn left onto CR 322
1.3 mi·2 min·East Curtis Street
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 80
94 mi·1 hr 34 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 287
0.7 mi·1 min·US 287
Toward I 80 Business East, US 287 North, WY 76: RawlinsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 80 Bus; US 30 Bus; US 287
0.5 mi·39 sec·East Cedar Street
10
Turn right onto US 287 BYP
1.5 mi·1 min·Higley Boulevard
11
At end of road, turn right onto US 287; WY 789
42 mi·48 min·US 287; WY 789
12
Turn left onto US 287; WY 789
72 mi·1 hr 47 min·US 287; WY 789
13
Turn right onto US 287; WY 789
8.8 mi·10 min·US 287; WY 789
14
Arrive at destination
US 287
Trip Plan
Since this is a 4.5-hour trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the drive. Starting your journey early in the day is the best way to ensure you reach Lander with plenty of daylight left for your arrival. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before hitting the longest 124.1-mile stretch on US 287, as service intervals may vary in these rural stretches. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on traffic or personal preference. Always double-check your vehicle’s readiness before leaving Laramie to ensure a smooth transition across the Wyoming landscape.
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 111.5 miles from Laramie, WY, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124.1 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 49 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.5 miles or 1h 57m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lander, WY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Laramie, 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 Laramie, WY
This is one driving day of about 222.9 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Laramie, 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 287 for about 124.1 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 96.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|South 5th Street
Turn right onto South 5th Street
Navigation decision point
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|I 80 Business; US 30 / East Grand Avenue
Turn right onto I 80 Business; US 30 / East Grand Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
2.4 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
2.8 mi into trip|~6m in|I 80 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge onto I 80 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
96.8 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward I 80 Business East, US 287 North, WY 76: Rawlins
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 Business East, US 287 North, WY 76:...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.32 one way
$70.64 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$37.02
$74.05
premium
$4.53
$39.76
$79.52
diesel
$5.61
$49.21
$98.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.9
0
$23.40
$10.70
Efficient EV
55.7
0
$19.50
$8.92
EV Truck/SUV
89.2
1
$31.21
$14.27
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Laramie, WY
Late night
in Laramie on Tuesday
Local time
3:22 AM
MDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lander, WY
Late night
in Lander on Tuesday
Local time
3:22 AM
MDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 30m 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?
Expect a mixed driving experience that blends fast-paced highway travel with more localized road conditions. With 56% of the journey spent on highways, you will encounter varying speeds as you transition between sections. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel involves a 124.1-mile stretch on US 287, which serves as the backbone of this trip. You will find that the road’s personality shifts as you move away from the interstate segments and settle into the longer, sustained stretches of the journey. Prepare for a steady pace that allows you to cover the total mileage efficiently while keeping your focus on the road ahead.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 124.1 mi on US 287.
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 South 5th 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 4h 30m drive. You will face about 12 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 (South 5th Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (I 80 Business; US 30 / East Grand Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The longest stretch is about 124.1 miles on US 287. 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.
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: near the start (South 5th Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (I 80 Business; US 30 / East Grand Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Lander, WY, but most travelers stay overnight.
