Lusk Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Riverton, WY to Lusk, WY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 9m
Distance
224.1 mi
361 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 56m
★
6 AM
4h 9m
8 AM
4h 36m
10 AM
4h 19m
12 PM
4h 16m
3 PM
4h 20m
5 PM
4h 34m
8 PM
4h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Riverton, WY
Wikimedia Commons
Lusk, WY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Riverton to Lusk is 224 miles and takes about 4 hours and 9 minutes via US 20, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Mountain West region, offering a straightforward drive across Wyoming. With a single day recommended, you'll experience a mix of highway cruising and surface roads. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to connect these two Wyoming towns without a significant time commitment.
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
112 miles from Riverton, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 79.6 mi | 1h 30m |
| North Federal Boulevard | 39 mi | 44m |
| US Highway 20 | 23.3 mi | 25m |
| US Highway 18/20 | 18.4 mi | 20m |
| South Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| I 25 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West 8th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 79.6 mi, about 1h 30m
Traffic on I-25
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~353 veh/hr typical · worst 482
Quietest
2 AM
~23 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 37 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverton, WY and Lusk, WY.
1
Start on US 26; WY 789
39 mi
·
44 min
·
North Federal Boulevard
2
Continue on US 20; US 26
77 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
US 20; US 26
3
Turn left onto US 20; US 26
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
US 20; US 26
4
Take the exit
63 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
5
Take the exit onto I 25
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
I 25
Toward US 18 East, US 20 East: Lusk
6
Turn left onto US 18; US 20
18 mi
·
20 min
·
US Highway 18/20
7
Continue on US 18; US 20
23 mi
·
25 min
·
US Highway 20
8
Continue on US 18; US 20
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
West 8th Street
9
Turn left onto US 18; US 20; US 85
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
10
Arrive at destination
US 18; US 20; US 85
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, leaving Riverton in the morning is your best bet to reach Lusk with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically along the 224-mile route. The longest stretch without services is nearly 80 miles on US 20, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. This drive is easily completed in a single day, giving you flexibility in your departure time and allowing for spontaneous pauses if needed.
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 112 miles from Riverton, WY, or about 2h 7m 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 49 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112 miles or 2h 7m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lusk, WY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Riverton, 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 Riverton, WY
This is one driving day of about 224.1 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Riverton, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 112 miles from Riverton, WY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Waltman Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 55 decision points cluster between mile 115.9 and 223.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
115.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
|
US 20; US 26
Turn left onto US 20; US 26
Navigation decision point
4
118.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
181.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 21m in
|
I 25
Take the exit onto I 25 toward US 18 East, US 20 East: Lusk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 18 East, US 20 East: Lusk
3
181.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m in
|
US 18; US 20 / US Highway 18/20
Turn left onto US 18; US 20 / US Highway 18/20
Navigation decision point
4
223.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m in
|
US 18; US 20; US 85 / South Main Street
Turn left onto US 18; US 20; US 85 / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.93 one way
$69.86 round trip
$3.96/gal
25.4 MPG avg
78 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.17 | $36.82 | $73.64 |
| premium | $4.47 | $39.47 | $78.95 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $42.31 | $84.63 |
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: 78.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.2 | 0 | $23.53 | $10.76 |
| Efficient EV | 56 | 0 | $19.61 | $8.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.6 | 1 | $31.37 | $14.34 |
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.
Origin
Riverton, WY
Late night in Riverton on Sunday
Local time
3:39 AM
MDT
Current temp
96°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
NNW 3 to 12 mph
17% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:04PM MDT until July 19 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:17AM MDT until July 20 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Cheyenne WY
Destination
Lusk, WY
Late night in Lusk on Sunday
Local time
3:39 AM
MDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
SSE 15 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:04PM MDT until July 19 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:17AM MDT until July 20 at 6:00PM 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
4 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
4h 9m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route involves 54% highway driving, primarily on US 20. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 79.6 miles on US 20, which means extended periods of rural cruising. The profile is mixed highway and surface, so expect a transition from faster-paced highway travel to potentially slower surface roads as you approach your destination. You'll notice the change from more developed highway sections to less restricted surface roads.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
10 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 115.9 miles in near US 20; US 26.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 9m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 115.9 miles (US 20; US 26): Navigation decision point; at 118.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 181.4 miles (I 25): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,093 ft
4,801 ft
Total Climb
1,707 ft
Total Descent
1,644 ft
Highest Point
6,093 ft
~64 mi in
Elevation Range
1,293 ft
Notable High Points
6,093 ft at ~64 miles
+314 ft prominence
5,188 ft at ~160 miles
+81 ft prominence
5,307 ft at ~208.1 miles
+290 ft prominence
About the Cities
Starting in Riverton, WY
Full guide →Founded 1906
Riverton is a city of 10,700 people (2019) in Northwest Wyoming.
Top landmarks
- • Riverton Railroad Depot — railway station in Riverton, the United States of America
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 224.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). Straightforward navigation.
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.
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.
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: at 115.9 miles (US 20; US 26): Navigation decision point; at 118.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 181.4 miles (I 25): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Lusk, WY, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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