Cody to Durango Road Trip Guide: Routes & Stops

This 750-mile route from Cody, WY to Durango, CO traverses some of the most dramatic landscapes in the American West. It follows US-20/US-26 east to Shoshoni, then US-287 south through Wyoming, connecting to I-80 east in Rawlins before dropping south on US-287 into Colorado. The final leg winds via US-160 over Wolf Creek Pass.

The journey requires at least 11-12 hours of pure driving time without stops. However, most travelers stretch it over two to three days to soak in the national parks and mountain vistas. The route passes through a patchwork of high desert, alpine forests, and canyon country.

The route from Cody to Durango crosses three distinct eco-regions: the Bighorn Basin sagebrush steppe, the Southern Rocky Mountains, and the Colorado Plateau. Between Cody and Shoshoni, the landscape is arid badlands with dramatic buttes. US-287 south of Rawlins climbs into the Medicine Bow Mountains, offering views of the Snowy Range.

• Natural attractions: Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (detour from Lovell), Medicine Bow National Forest, and Wolf Creek Pass (11,000+ ft elevation).
• UNESCO sites: None directly on route, but Mesa Verde National Park (UNESCO) is a 1-hour drive from Durango.
• Local commerce: Artisan cheese shops in Laramie; Ute Mountain pottery near Cortez; chili and chokecherry products in Durango.

Planning fuel stops is critical, especially between Rawlins and Durango where gas stations can be 80 miles apart. In Cody, fill up at the Sinclair on Yellowstone Ave before heading east. Next reliable fuel is in Shoshoni (70 miles), then Rawlins (160 miles further). From Rawlins, continue south on US-287; fill up in Laramie (80 miles) or at the Sinclair in Walden, CO (120 miles).

Cell service is patchy along US-287 from Rawlins to the Colorado border, with long dead zones in the Medicine Bow National Forest. Download offline maps in advance. The best how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities is to preload recommended waypoints.

• Gas stations: Cody, Shoshoni, Rawlins, Laramie, Walden, Pagosa Springs, Durango.
• Food: Fast food in Rawlins; farm-to-table in Laramie; microbreweries in Pagosa Springs.
• Lodging: Budget motels in Rawlins; mountain lodges in Pagosa Springs; historic inns in Durango.

Wolf Creek Pass between Pagosa Springs and Durango is a high-alpine crossing prone to sudden snowstorms from October to May. Carry chains and check Colorado DOT cameras. The pass has steep grades and tight curves; use lower gears for engine braking. Wildlife (deer, elk) is common at dawn and dusk along US-160.

• Family stops: Boysen State Park (fishing and picnics) near Shoshoni; Wyoming Territorial Prison in Laramie; South Fork Museum in South Fork, CO.
• Pet-friendly: Medicine Bow National Forest allows dogs on trails; many motels in Pagosa Springs and Durango accept pets; rest stops along US-287 have dog areas.
• Fatigue management: Plan stops every 2 hours. Rest zones at Rawlins (Little Snake River), Walden (Hog Park Reservoir), and Pagosa Springs (hot springs soak).