This 294-mile journey from Rafter J Ranch to Casper, Wyoming, is a solid day trip, estimated to take just under 6 hours to complete. You'll primarily be navigating US 20 and East Highway 287, with South 1st Street playing a role as you enter Casper. With a manageable fuel cost of around $47, it's an efficient drive through the Mountain West region. The mixed terrain makes for an engaging, albeit long, single-day adventure, so planning for a single, focused push is recommended.
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
147 miles from Rafter J Ranch, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 20
80 mi
1h 31m
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
South Park Loop Road
4.3 mi
10m
West Ramshorn Street
2.2 mi
2m
Bryan Stock Trail
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 80 mi, about 1h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rafter J Ranch, WY and Casper, WY.
1
Start on South Park Ranch Road
0.8 mi·3 min·South Park Ranch Road
2
Turn sharp right onto South Park Loop Road
3.2 mi·7 min·South Park Loop Road
3
Continue on South Park Loop Road
1.1 mi·2 min·South Park Loop Road
4
Turn left onto US 26; US 89; US 189; US 191
0.5 mi·1 min·South Highway 89
5
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 189; US 191
1.0 mi·2 min·West Broadway Avenue
6
Turn right onto West Pearl Avenue
0.4 mi·49 sec·West Pearl Avenue
7
Turn left onto South Cache Drive
392 ft·9 sec·South Cache Drive
8
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 191
0.9 mi·2 min·North Cache Street
9
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 191
6.0 mi·8 min·North Highway 89
10
Enter roundabout onto US 26; US 89; US 191
110 ft·6 sec·North Highway 89
11
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 191
23 mi·32 min·North Highway 89
12
Continue on US 26; US 287
53 mi·1 hr·East Highway 287
13
Continue on US 26; US 287
2.2 mi·2 min·West Ramshorn Street
14
Turn right onto US 26; US 287
78 mi·1 hr 27 min·South 1st Street
Use the straight lane.
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 26; WY 789
39 mi·44 min·North Federal Boulevard
16
Continue on US 20; US 26
77 mi·1 hr 27 min·US 20; US 26
17
Turn left onto US 20; US 26
2.7 mi·3 min·US 20; US 26
18
Take the exit
2.5 mi·3 min
19
Take the exit onto US 20; US 26; US 87
0.3 mi·41 sec·US 20; US 26; US 87
Toward US 20 East, US 26 East, US 87 South: North Beverly Street, Bryan Stock Trail
20
At end of road, turn left onto I 25 Business
1.1 mi·2 min·Bryan Stock Trail
21
Turn left onto East Sunlight Drive
0.9 mi·3 min·East Sunlight Drive
22
Arrive at destination
North Sunlight Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 57-minute duration, an early morning departure from Rafter J Ranch is advisable to maximize daylight and arrive in Casper with time to spare. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, especially considering the longest uninterrupted stretch is 80 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels as you traverse US 20, as services might be more spread out in certain sections. The single-day nature of this trip means you have flexibility, but a well-timed departure is key to a smooth arrival.
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 147 miles from Rafter J Ranch, WY, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80 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 65 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147 miles or 3h 6m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Casper, WY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rafter J Ranch, 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 Rafter J Ranch, WY
This is one driving day of about 294 miles and 5h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Rafter J Ranch, 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 80 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 0.8 and 291.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.8 mi into trip|~3m in|South Park Loop Road
Turn sharp right onto South Park Loop Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
7 mi into trip|~18m in|South Cache Drive
Turn left onto South Cache Drive
Navigation decision point
4
14 mi into trip|~29m 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
92.7 mi into trip|~2h 4m 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.
5
291.7 mi into trip|~5h 51m in|US 20; US 26; US 87
Take the exit onto US 20; US 26; US 87 toward US 20 East, US 26 East, US 87 South: North Beverly Street, Bryan Stock Trail
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 20 East, US 26 East, US 87 South: Nor...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.82 one way
$91.65 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$48.30
$96.60
premium
$4.47
$51.79
$103.57
diesel
$4.80
$55.51
$111.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.2
1
$30.87
$14.11
Efficient EV
73.5
0
$25.73
$11.76
EV Truck/SUV
117.6
1
$41.16
$18.82
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Rafter J Ranch, WY
Late night
in Rafter J Ranch on Sunday
Local time
1:07 AM
MDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 2 mph63% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 3:07PM MDT until July 19 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:12PM MDT until July 20 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Cheyenne WY
Destination
Casper, WY
Late night
in Casper on Sunday
Local time
1:07 AM
MDT
Current temp
96°F
Sunny
E 17 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 3:07PM MDT until July 19 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:12PM MDT until July 20 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Cheyenne WY
53°F
Dubois, WY
147 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.
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
6 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 57m 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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
$35
near mile 30.4
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?
This route offers a mixed driving experience, with 55% of the mileage on highways. You'll encounter an 80-mile stretch on US 20, providing a good opportunity to settle into a steady pace. Expect a blend of higher-speed highway driving and potentially more local road segments as you approach and enter Casper. The character of the drive shifts, offering variety without becoming overly complex, making it a straightforward navigation experience.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80 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 0.8 miles in near South Park Loop Road.
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 57m 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: at 0.8 miles (South Park Loop Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 7 miles (South Cache Drive): Navigation decision point; at 14 miles (US 26; US 89; US 191 / North Highway 89): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
Casper is a city in Central Wyoming with a population of 59,000 people (2020). If you're passing through the state, Casper is a likely choice for an overnight stop or as a place to find food and supplies before heading to the national parks in the state's northwestern corner or to the forests located to the southeast or to the north.
The city has a few attractions to entertain visitors for a day or so, but the real attraction lies in the surrounding areas, which include some of the state's most interesting historical and natural sites. Independence Rock, South Pass City, Ayre's Bridge, Castle Gardens and two national forests are within a 60-mile (100-km) drive of downtown Casper. The Oregon and California trails once passed through the city and visible signs of their presence can be found within a stone's throw of the city's boundaries.
Top landmarks
•North Casper Clubhouse
•Rialto Theatre — movie theater in Casper, Wyoming, United States
•Casper Fire Department Station No. 1 — fire station in Casper, Wyoming
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80 miles on US 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 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.
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. There are 4 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 0.8 miles (South Park Loop Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 7 miles (South Cache Drive): Navigation decision point; at 14 miles (US 26; US 89; US 191 / North Highway 89): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes — Grand Teton National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Casper, WY before the return drive.
