Origin
Rafter J Ranch, WY
Evening in Rafter J Ranch on Saturday
Local time
7:13 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rafter J Ranch, WY to Cheyenne, WY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 43m
Distance
430.4 mi
693 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$68
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 34m
★
6 AM
7h 44m
8 AM
8h 3m
10 AM
7h 50m
12 PM
7h 48m
3 PM
7h 51m
5 PM
8h 2m
8 PM
7h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rafter J Ranch, WY
Tom Fisk
Cheyenne, WY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 430.4-mile journey from Rafter J Ranch to Cheyenne, Wyoming, is a substantial drive, estimated to take about 7 hours and 43 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, US 26, and South Highway 89, this route offers a mixed driving experience within the Mountain West region. With a fuel cost estimate of $68 and two planned stops, it's feasible as a single-day trip, though breaking it up is also an option. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on highways, making it a relatively straightforward, albeit long, travel day.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
215.2 miles from Rafter J Ranch, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 255.5 mi | 4h 12m |
| US 26 | 162.2 mi | 3h 7m |
| South Highway 89 | 7.5 mi | 10m |
| South Park Loop Road | 2.1 mi | 5m |
| West 24th Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| South Park Ranch Road | 0.8 mi | 3m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Missile Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 255.5 mi, about 4h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rafter J Ranch, WY and Cheyenne, WY.
1
Start on South Park Ranch Road
0.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Park Ranch Road
2
Turn left onto South Park Loop Road
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
South Park Loop Road
3
Turn right onto US 26; US 89; US 189; US 191
7.5 mi
·
10 min
·
South Highway 89
4
Enter roundabout onto US 26; US 89; US 189; US 191
165 ft
·
4 sec
·
US 26; US 89; US 189; US 191
5
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 189; US 191
162 mi
·
3 hr 7 min
·
US 26; US 89; US 189; US 191
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
7
Merge onto I 80; US 30
254 mi
·
4 hr 10 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Purple Heart Trail
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 359C
Toward I 25 North, US 87 North: Casper
10
Merge onto I 25; US 87
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward Missile Drive, Warren Gate 2
12
Turn right onto Missile Drive
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Missile Drive
13
Turn left onto West 24th Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West 24th Street
14
Arrive at destination
West 24th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour-plus duration, an early start is recommended if you plan to complete this drive in one day. Plan your two stops strategically to break up the 430.4 miles, especially considering the 255.5-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, with an estimated cost of $68 for this trip. While it's manageable in a single day, if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider an overnight stop to fully appreciate the changing scenery within Wyoming.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 215.2 miles from Rafter J Ranch, WY, or about 4h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 255.5 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 95 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 215.2 miles or 4h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cheyenne, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Rafter J Ranch, WY
This is one driving day of about 430.4 miles and 7h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 95 miles from Rafter J Ranch, WY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 255.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
215 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 95 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 215.2 miles from Rafter J Ranch, WY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 255.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 10.4 and 429.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
10.4 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
US 26; US 89; US 189; US 191
Enter roundabout onto US 26; US 89; US 189; US 191
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
172.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
7
427.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 25 North, US 87 North: Casper
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 359C
Toward I 25 North, US 87 North: Casper
5
429.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 40m in
Take the exit toward Missile Drive, Warren Gate 2
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Missile Drive, Warren Gate 2
5
429.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 40m in
|
Missile Drive
Turn right onto Missile Drive
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$68.20 one way
$136.41 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
151 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $71.49 | $142.98 |
| premium | $4.53 | $76.78 | $153.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $95.03 | $190.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$68
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 150.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 129.1 | 1 | $45.19 | $20.66 |
| Efficient EV | 107.6 | 1 | $37.66 | $17.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 172.2 | 2 | $60.26 | $27.55 |
Gas CO2
151 kg
EV CO2
50 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.
Destination
Cheyenne, WY
Evening in Cheyenne on Saturday
Local time
7:13 PM
MDT
Current temp
72°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
8 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
7h 43m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
27 mi from route
~69 min detour
$35
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Your drive will feature a 39% highway share, meaning you'll experience a good balance of faster-paced travel and more local road conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 255.5 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, so be prepared for a significant period on this main artery. This route is characterized as a 'Mixed drive,' suggesting a varied landscape and road type as you progress from the mountains towards the plains. Expect to transition from potentially more winding sections to straighter, open roads as you cover the distance.
39% 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: 255.5 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
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 around 10.4 miles in near US 26; US 89; US 189; US 191.
Driving Effort
4/10
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 7h 43m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 10 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 10.4 miles (US 26; US 89; US 189; US 191): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 172.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 427.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 43m. Total distance: 430.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 43m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (39%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 255.5 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. 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.
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 Cheyenne, 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 10.4 miles (US 26; US 89; US 189; US 191): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 172.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 427.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Grand Teton National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cheyenne, WY before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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