Spanning 308 miles across the Mountain West, the drive from Thermopolis to Cheyenne is a straightforward journey that typically takes 5 hours and 27 minutes. You can easily complete this trip in a single day, though you should budget approximately $49 for fuel to cover the distance. The route utilizes a mix of West US Highway 20-26, US 20, and I-25 to navigate through Wyoming. Because this is a highway-focused drive, it offers a consistent pace for travelers looking to move efficiently between these two cities. While it does not require an overnight split, planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the time behind the wheel. Use this route if you prioritize direct travel over slower, secondary backroads.
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
154 miles from Thermopolis, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 25
113.6 mi
1h 47m
West US Highway 20-26
60.7 mi
1h 8m
US 20
33.7 mi
39m
East 2nd Street
33.1 mi
37m
Central Avenue
2.4 mi
3m
Shoshoni Street
0.9 mi
2m
South 6th Street
0.5 mi
1m
I 25 BUS
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 25
— 113.6 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thermopolis, WY and Cheyenne, WY.
1
Start on US 20; WY 789
0.5 mi·1 min·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto US 20; WY 789
0.9 mi·2 min·Shoshoni Street
Use the left / slight right lanes.
3
Continue on US 20; WY 789
31 mi·36 min·US 20; WY 789
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto US 20; US 26
33 mi·37 min·East 2nd Street
5
Continue on US 20; US 26
61 mi·1 hr 8 min·West US Highway 20-26
6
Turn left onto US 20; US 26
2.7 mi·3 min·US 20; US 26
7
Take the exit
63 mi·1 hr 6 min
8
Continue on I 25; US 26; US 87
34 mi·31 min·I 25; US 26; US 87
9
Continue on I 25; US 87
76 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 25; US 87
Toward Cheyenne
10
Continue on I 25; US 85; US 87
4.0 mi·4 min·I 25; US 85; US 87
11
Take the exit onto I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS
0.3 mi·35 sec·I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS
Exit 12Toward I 25 Business, US 85 South: Central Avenue, Warren Gate 5
12
Turn left onto I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS
0.8 mi·1 min·Central Avenue
13
Continue on I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS
1.6 mi·1 min·Central Avenue
14
Turn right onto West 24th Street
401 ft·10 sec·West 24th Street
15
Arrive at destination
West 24th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 27-minute trek, aim for an early morning departure to avoid traffic and maximize daylight. Since the route includes a long 113.6-mile stretch on I-25, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting that segment to avoid any unnecessary stress. Planning for at least one scheduled stop will help keep you alert and refreshed during the drive. Keep in mind that the highway-heavy nature of this trip provides plenty of flexibility, so you can easily adjust your pace based on road conditions. A smart tip for this specific drive is to keep an eye on your fuel gauge before entering the long interstate portion, as services can become more spread out once you are on I-25.
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 154 miles from Thermopolis, WY, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.6 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 68 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154 miles or 2h 56m 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 33m
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 Thermopolis, 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 Thermopolis, WY
This is one driving day of about 308 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Thermopolis, 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 I 25 for about 113.6 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 305.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 20; WY 789 / South 6th Street
Depart onto US 20; WY 789 / South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
4
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|US 20; WY 789 / Shoshoni Street
Turn right onto US 20; WY 789 / Shoshoni Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / slight right lanes.
3
32.4 mi into trip|~39m in|US 20; US 26 / East 2nd Street
Turn left onto US 20; US 26 / East 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
4
128.9 mi into trip|~2h 29m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
6
305.3 mi into trip|~5h 23m in|I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS
Take the exit onto I 25 BUS; US 85; US 87 BUS toward I 25 Business, US 85 South: Central Avenue, Warren Gate 5
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 12
Toward I 25 Business, US 85 South: Central Aven...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.81 one way
$97.61 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$51.16
$102.32
premium
$4.53
$54.94
$109.89
diesel
$5.61
$68.00
$136.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.4
1
$32.34
$14.78
Efficient EV
77
0
$26.95
$12.32
EV Truck/SUV
123.2
1
$43.12
$19.71
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Thermopolis, WY
Evening
in Thermopolis on Saturday
Local time
7:11 PM
MDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cheyenne, WY
Evening
in Cheyenne on Saturday
Local time
7:11 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
34 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 27m 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 drive that shifts from local highway segments to a substantial interstate experience. With about 68% of the journey spent on major highways, you will encounter a mix of road types before settling into the rhythm of I-25. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 113.6 miles on I-25, which defines the latter half of your trip. You should be prepared for varying road conditions as you transition between the highway segments and the interstate. This route feels efficient and functional, prioritizing steady progress over winding, technical maneuvers throughout the 308-mile span.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.6 mi on I 25.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 25 and West US Highway 20-26. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 20; WY 789 / South 6th Street.
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 27m drive. You will face about 7 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 (US 20; WY 789 / South 6th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (US 20; WY 789 / Shoshoni Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.4 miles (US 20; US 26 / East 2nd Street): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 308 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 113.6 miles on I 25. 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.
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. 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: near the start (US 20; WY 789 / South 6th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (US 20; WY 789 / Shoshoni Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.4 miles (US 20; US 26 / East 2nd Street): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 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.
