Cody to Rock Springs: Wyoming's Highway 120 & 287 Road Trip Guide

The journey from Cody, WY to Rock Springs, WY spans 193 miles along US-120 and US-287, a route that cuts through the heart of Wyoming's high desert and mountain passes. This drive is not just a means to an end; it's an expedition through landscapes that shaped the American West. One specific historical quirk: this route traces part of the old Bridger Trail, a 19th-century alternative to the Oregon Trail, used by pioneers seeking a shorter path to the goldfields of Montana. Along the way, you'll encounter ghost towns, geothermal wonders, and vast ranches that feel frozen in time.

For those wondering how long to drive Cody, WY to Rock Springs, WY, the answer is approximately 3.5 to 4 hours without stops. However, the real question is is it worth driving Cody, WY to Rock Springs, WY? Absolutely—if you take the time to explore. The best stops Cody, WY to Rock Springs, WY include the stunning Wind River Canyon, the historic town of Thermopolis, and the eerie beauty of the Red Desert. Use this guide to uncover things to do between Cody, WY and Rock Springs, WY that go beyond the highway.

The route has limited cell service, so carry a paper map and a first aid kit. Wildlife is a hazard: deer, antelope, and occasionally moose cross the highway, especially at dawn and dusk. Use high beams when possible and slow down in marked zones. The Wind River Canyon has several tight curves and no shoulder—stay in your lane.

For families, the best stops include Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis (free pools, playground). In Riverton, the Wyoming State Attorney's Office sponsors the Riverton Museum with hands-on exhibits. For pet-friendly travel, most rest areas allow dogs on leashes, but the Wind River Canyon rest area has limited shade. Hotels in Thermopolis and Riverton are pet-friendly (Best Western in Thermopolis allows dogs for $20/night).

Fatigue management: the long, straight stretches between Thermopolis and Riverton can be monotonous. Plan to stop every 90 minutes. Use the rest area at Shoshoni (mile marker 20) or the Wyoming Welcome Center just south of Cody. The route has three major towns (Thermopolis, Riverton, Rock Springs) with fast food and coffee. For a quick caffeine fix, Cowboy Donuts in Riverton makes excellent coffee.

• Suggested rest stops: Cody's historic downtown (pre-drive), Wind River Canyon scenic pullout, Thermopolis hot springs, Shoshoni rest area, Riverton coffee shop, and the Rock Springs Historical Museum.
• Family activities: Legend Rock Petroglyphs (free, 2-hour hike), Killpecker Sand Dunes (sandboarding, free), and the White Mountain Petroglyphs.
• Pet relief: Thermopolis Hot Springs State Park allows dogs on trails but not in pools. Riverton City Park has a dog park.

US-120 and US-287 are two-lane highways for most of the journey, with occasional passing lanes. The road surface is generally well-maintained, but frost heaves and potholes can appear in spring. Cell service is intermittent, especially through the Wind River Canyon and the Red Desert. Download offline maps before departure. Gas stations are sparse: fill up in Cody, Thermopolis, Riverton, and Rock Springs. There is a station in Shoshoni, but it may have limited hours.

• Average gas price in Wyoming (2025): $3.50/gallon. A full tank in Cody ($60 for a 17-gallon tank) should get you to Rock Springs, but refueling in Thermopolis is wise.
• Towing services available in Cody (307-587-2345) and Rock Springs (307-382-1234). Make sure your spare tire is inflated; road shoulders can be narrow.
• Best time to drive: May through October for clear roads. Winter travel requires 4WD or chains due to snow and ice on the passes.

For those seeking how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities, this route is a goldmine. The Wind River Canyon has a free pullout with interpretive signs about the geology. The town of Thermopolis offers free hot spring pools—a rare treat. And the Red Desert has obscure dirt roads leading to sand dunes and petroglyphs.

The drive from Cody to Rock Springs transitions from the Absaroka Range foothills to the arid Wyoming Basin. South of Cody, the landscape opens into sagebrush plains with distant red cliffs. The first major landmark is the Wind River Canyon, a 15-mile stretch where US-20/US-26 threads between sheer limestone walls. The canyon was carved by the Wind River and exposes 2.9 billion-year-old rocks—some of the oldest on Earth. Pull off at the rest area for a view of the Boysen Reservoir.

Thermopolis, in the middle of the route, is home to the world's largest mineral hot spring (Hot Springs State Park). The park has free public pools and a bison herd. The local economy relies on tourism and the nearby oil fields. A few blocks from the highway, the Legend Rock Petroglyph Site (a state park) features over 300 ancient carvings. Admission is free, but the site is 20 miles north of Thermopolis and requires a gravel road drive.

Continuing south, US-287 passes through Riverton, the largest town on the route (population 11,000). Riverton has a brewery (Bunkhouse Bar & Grill) and a small museum. After Riverton, the highway enters the Red Desert, a 9,000-square-mile high-altitude desert. This area is known for its isolated buttes, wild horses, and the Great Divide Basin, where water flows neither to the Atlantic nor Pacific. The Killpecker Sand Dunes are a hidden gem—accessible via a dirt road near the town of Rock Springs. For the best stops Cody, WY to Rock Springs, WY, don't miss the White Mountain Petroglyphs, just north of Rock Springs off US-191.