Custer to Pinedale Road Trip: Scenic Guide

The drive from Custer, South Dakota to Pinedale, Wyoming covers 496 miles and typically takes about 8 hours without stops, following US-16 West and I-90 West then US-14/16/20. You'll cross the Continental Divide twice, climbing from 5,300 feet to over 8,000 feet at Powder River Pass.

The route showcases the Black Hills' granite spires, the Bighorn Mountains' alpine meadows, and the Wind River Range's glacier-carved peaks. Devils Tower, the first U.S. National Monument, rises 867 feet from the prairie, a sacred site for the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Kiowa.

Local commerce thrives in small towns like Ten Sleep and Dubois, where you can find handmade saddles and beadwork. Don't miss the Ten Sleep Brewing Co. for a craft ale; Dubois is the gateway to the Wind River Indian Reservation, where you can sample fry bread tacos at a local diner.

For hidden gems, take a detour on WY-196 to Hole-in-the-Wall, a historic outlaw hideout. Or hike the Med Bow Bog in the Bighorns, a peatland with carnivorous sundews. For more tips, check this how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Fuel stations cluster at intervals of 50-80 miles along I-90 and US-26, with the longest stretch without services between Buffalo and Casper. Gas prices tend to be lower in Wyoming; plan to fill up in Buffalo or Casper, where a gallon averages $3.20 (2025 estimate).

Road quality is generally excellent on interstates, but US-16 over the Bighorn Mountains includes sharp curves and steep grades. Winter conditions can close sections from November to April, so check weather at wyoroad.info.

• Major highways: I-90, US-16, US-26, US-191.
• Rest areas with restrooms are located at Buffalo, Kaycee, and Dubois.
• Cell coverage gaps exist past Buffalo and near the Continental Divide.

Wildlife (elk, deer, pronghorn) frequently cross highways at dawn and dusk, especially between Buffalo and Casper. Use high beams when safe, and slow down if you see eyes reflecting. The rural nature of the route means limited emergency services, so carry a spare tire and a first-aid kit.

For families, the route offers the wonderful not formatted National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson (if you extend to the Tetons) and the dinosaur tracks near Shell. The Thermopolis Hot Springs State Park has a free State Bath House and a splash pad for kids. Most parks allow dogs on leashes; pet-friendly motels are common in Buffalo and Lander.

To combat fatigue, plan stops every 2-3 hours. Key rest zones include the Powder River Pass vista parking, the town of Kaycee (home of the Hoofprints of the Past museum), and the Wind River Visitor Center in Dubois. Always stop when drowsy; caffeine is a temporary fix, but a 15-minute walk is more effective.