Epic Road Trip: Medora to Thermopolis Guide

In 1893, the Northern Pacific Railway first connected Medora to Thermopolis via a route that roughly follows today's US-85 and US-20. This 475-mile drive (about 8.5 hours without stops) slices through North Dakota's rugged badlands, Wyoming's rolling plains, and the dramatic Bighorn Mountains. The most surprising detail? Near the midpoint, you cross the 45th parallel, equidistant between the Equator and North Pole, marked only by a faded sign near Newcastle, WY.

Driving conditions vary widely: the first three hours are straight but windy; the Bighorn crossing includes sharp turns, possible snow (even in June), and limited shoulders. Cell service is absent for about 40 miles over the pass. To manage fatigue, plan stops every 2 hours or 100 miles.

• Best stops Medora, ND to Thermopolis, WY:
  - Medora: Theodore Roosevelt National Park (South Unit)
  - Bowman: Dakota Dinosaur Museum (interactive, kid-friendly)
  - Newcastle: Vore Buffalo Jump (historic site, self-guided walk)
  - Sundance: Crook County Museum (local history)
  - Moorcroft: Devils Tower National Monument (34-mile detour)
  - Buffalo: Occidental Hotel (historic saloon and restaurant)
  - Ten Sleep: Ten Sleep Canyon overlook (photo spot)
  - Worland: Hot Springs State Park (free outdoor mineral pool)
• Family suitability: Most stops are kid-friendly; the Dinosaur Museum in Bowman and Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis are highlights.
• Pet-friendly: All state parks allow leashed pets; but be aware that grassy areas may have ticks in spring.

Fatigue management: Use rest areas at Bowman (mile 145) and Moorcroft (mile 275). The Bighorn segment has only one pull-off at the summit (mile 380). Carry water and snacks, as services are sparse. Wildlife crossings (deer, antelope, and occasionally bears) are common at dawn and dusk.

The primary route follows US-85 south from Medora through Belfield and then into Wyoming, turning west on I-90 at Newcastle. After a short I-90 stint, take US-16 west over the Bighorn Mountains, then US-20 south to Thermopolis. Most of the road is two-lane highway with occasional four-lane sections near towns. Cellular coverage is spotty between Sundance and Buffalo, especially in the Bighorns.

• Fuel stops: Medora (last cheap gas), Bowman, ND; Newcastle, Sundance, Moorcroft, Gillette, Buffalo, and Worland, WY.
• Recommended navigation: Download offline maps for the Bighorn segment.
• Tolls: None on this route.

For tips on discovering how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities, follow local signs and ask at visitor centers.

The route's economics favor filling up in Medora or Bowman, where gas is cheaper than in Wyoming. Expect 10-15 cent price jumps per gallon after crossing the state line. Accommodations range from budget motels in Newcastle to historic lodges in Thermopolis. Average lodging cost is $80-120 per night.

From Medora, you immediately enter the Little Missouri National Grassland, with the badlands' layered rock formations visible from US-85. South of Bowman, the terrain flattens into shortgrass prairie, dotted with prairie dog towns and cattle ranches. Near Newcastle, the landscape transitions to pine-studded buttes as you approach the Black Hills region.

The Bighorn Mountains offer a stunning alpine contrast: US-16 climbs from 4,000 to 10,000 feet, passing Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark (a 7,000-year-old Native American stone circle). The descent into Ten Sleep Canyon showcases red-walled cliffs and the meandering Ten Sleep Creek. Local commerce thrives on ranching, with small-scale bison operations and craft shops in Buffalo and Worland.

Thermopolis sits at the gateway to Wind River Canyon and the Owl Creek Mountains. The town's economy revolves around the Hot Springs State Park, which features the world's largest mineral hot spring. Local shops sell agate and fossilized dinosaur bone fragments legally collected from nearby quarries.