Spanning 469.5 miles across the Mountain West, this journey from Sundance to Jackson typically takes about 8 hours and 54 minutes of driving time. Because of the significant distance, you should plan for at least two days on the road to avoid exhaustion. You will navigate a mix of routes including I-90 Business, East Main Street, and the West Yellowstone Highway. Expect to set aside roughly $74 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. While you can technically push through in one go, splitting the trip allows you to manage the long hours behind the wheel more comfortably.
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
234.8 miles from Sundance, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
West Yellowstone Highway
94.3 mi
1h 47m
East Main Street
77.9 mi
1h 27m
I 90 Business
56.3 mi
56m
US 26 / US 287
53.2 mi
1h
WY 387
51.3 mi
58m
State Highway 59 South
32.8 mi
35m
North Highway 89
29.3 mi
40m
US 26
21.6 mi
24m
Longest stretch:
West Yellowstone Highway
— 94.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sundance, WY and Jackson, WY.
1
Start on I 90 Business; US 14
0.3 mi·30 sec·East Cleveland Street
2
Continue on I 90 Business; US 14
0.5 mi·44 sec·South West Street
3
Continue on I 90 Business; US 14
0.8 mi·1 min·US Highway 14
4
Take the ramp onto I 90 Business
56 mi·56 min·I 90 Business
5
Take the exit onto I 90; US 14; US 16
0.4 mi·49 sec·I 90; US 14; US 16
Exit 129Toward Garner Lake Road
6
Turn left onto North Garner Lake Road
4.2 mi·6 min·North Garner Lake Road
7
Turn left onto WY 59
1.7 mi·2 min·South Douglas Highway
8
Continue on WY 59
33 mi·35 min·State Highway 59 South
9
Turn right onto WY 387
51 mi·58 min·WY 387
10
Turn left onto WY 259
18 mi·20 min·WY 259
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 25 South: Casper
12
Merge onto I 25; US 87
20 mi·18 min·I 25; US 87
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward US 20 West, US 26 West, WY 220 West: Shoshoni, Port of Entry
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
15
Turn right onto US 20; US 26
2.7 mi·3 min·US 20; US 26
16
Turn right onto US 20; US 26
94 mi·1 hr 47 min·West Yellowstone Highway
17
Continue on US 26; WY 789
18 mi·20 min·US 26; WY 789
18
Continue on US 26; WY 789
4.0 mi·4 min·US 26; WY 789
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto US 26
78 mi·1 hr 27 min·East Main Street
20
Turn left onto US 26; US 287
2.2 mi·2 min·East Ramshorn Street
21
Continue on US 26; US 287
53 mi·1 hr·US 26 / US 287
22
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 191
23 mi·32 min·North Highway 89
23
Enter roundabout onto US 26; US 89; US 191
97 ft·5 sec·North Highway 89
24
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 191
6.0 mi·8 min·North Highway 89
25
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 191
0.8 mi·2 min·North Cache Street
26
Arrive at destination
US 26; US 89; US 191
Trip Plan
To make the most of this nearly nine-hour trek, prioritize a departure early in the morning to maximize daylight hours. Plan for at least two designated stops to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $74 budget in mind as you monitor your gauge. Since the route features a lengthy 94.3-mile stretch on the West Yellowstone Highway, ensure your tank is topped off before heading into that segment. Splitting the journey into two days is highly recommended to keep the experience enjoyable rather than draining. Taking your time allows you to handle the transitions between the highway and local roads with much greater ease.
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 234.8 miles from Sundance, WY, or about 4h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.3 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 103 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 234.8 miles or 4h 19m 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 234.8 miles or 4h 19m
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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jackson, WY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sundance, 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 Sundance, WY
Aim for roughly 235 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Jackson, WY
Aim for roughly 235 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 103 miles from Sundance, 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 West Yellowstone Highway for about 94.3 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 58 and 187 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
58 mi into trip|~59m in|I 90; US 14; US 16
Take the exit onto I 90; US 14; US 16 toward Garner Lake Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 129
Toward Garner Lake Road
4
58.4 mi into trip|~1h in|North Garner Lake Road
Turn left onto North Garner Lake Road
Navigation decision point
4
62.6 mi into trip|~1h 6m in|WY 59 / South Douglas Highway
Turn left onto WY 59 / South Douglas Highway
Navigation decision point
6
166.5 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 25 South: Casper
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 25 South: Casper
5
187 mi into trip|~3h 24m in
Take the exit toward US 20 West, US 26 West, WY 220 West: Shoshoni, Port of Entry
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 20 West, US 26 West, WY 220 West: Sho...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$74.40 one way
$148.80 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg164 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$77.99
$155.97
premium
$4.53
$83.75
$167.50
diesel
$5.61
$103.66
$207.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$74
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$204–$314
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 164.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
140.9
1
$49.30
$22.54
Efficient EV
117.4
1
$41.08
$18.78
EV Truck/SUV
187.8
2
$65.73
$30.05
Gas CO2
164 kg
EV CO2
55 kg (66% 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
Sundance, WY
Evening
in Sundance on Saturday
Local time
7:10 PM
MDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jackson, WY
Evening
in Jackson on Saturday
Local time
7:10 PM
MDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Riverton, WY
235 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
10 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 54m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused route is defined by its substantial 61% reliance on major thoroughfares. You will face a variety of road conditions, transitioning from localized business routes to more sustained highway driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 94.3 miles on the West Yellowstone Highway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent travel. The road's personality shifts as you move through the diverse topography of the Mountain West. Staying alert is essential, as the drive balances fast-paced highway segments with the necessary navigation of local roads.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.3 mi on West Yellowstone Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on West Yellowstone Highway and East Main Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 58 miles in near I 90; US 14; US 16.
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 54m, 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 58 miles (I 90; US 14; US 16): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 58.4 miles (North Garner Lake Road): Navigation decision point; at 62.6 miles (WY 59 / South Douglas Highway): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,765 ft4,211 ft
Total Climb
4,616 ft
Total Descent
3,120 ft
Highest Point
7,765 ft
~402.5 mi in
Elevation Range
3,554 ft
Notable High Points
5,502 ft at ~167.7 miles+8 ft prominence
6,050 ft at ~234.8 miles+556 ft prominence
7,765 ft at ~402.5 miles+919 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Sundance, WY to Jackson, WY, road signs begin pointing toward Port Of Entry along the way.
Port Of Entry
187 mi in|~3h 24m
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 94.3 miles on West Yellowstone Highway. 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 235 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 Jackson, 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 58 miles (I 90; US 14; US 16): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 58.4 miles (North Garner Lake Road): Navigation decision point; at 62.6 miles (WY 59 / South Douglas Highway): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.9 hours each way, a round trip means 17.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Jackson, WY before the return drive.
