Rapid City to Riverton: A Scenic Wyoming Drive

The drive from Rapid City, South Dakota, to Riverton, Wyoming, covers 380 miles along US-16 and US-20, traversing the Black Hills, Badlands, and high plains. This route, once a stagecoach trail, now offers a blend of mountain scenery, historic sites, and open ranchland. Estimated driving time is 5.5 to 6 hours without stops, but many travelers extend it to two days to explore the attractions. The highlight is crossing the Continental Divide at Togwotee Pass (elevation 9,658 feet), where the views of the Wind River Range are breathtaking.

Route Overview

Fuel stations are sparse between towns, especially from Lusk to Casper (a 100-mile stretch). Plan to fill up in Rapid City, Newcastle, and Casper. Gas prices are typically 10–20 cents higher in Wyoming due to lower volume. Restrooms are available at rest areas near Custer State Park and at the Fort Laramie National Historic Site.

• Avoid driving after dark on WY-220 due to wildlife and limited shoulders.
• Cell service is patchy between Lusk and Casper; download offline maps.
• Speed limits: 65-75 mph on highways, lower in construction zones.

Learn how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities on this route.

Road quality is generally good, but watch for frost heaves on US-20 in early spring. Winter travel requires snow tires and chains over Togwotee Pass. Summer brings sudden thunderstorms with hail.

• Family-friendly stops: Reptile Gardens in Rapid City, Fort Laramie National Historic Site, and the Children's Discovery Center in Casper.
• Pet-friendly: Custer State Park allows dogs on trails; carry water in arid stretches.
• Rest zones: Best rest areas are at the WY-220 rest area (mile 45) and the Riverton welcome center.

Hidden off-route spots: the Fossil Butte National Monument (30 mi detour near Kemmerer) and the Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis. Fatigue management: stop every 2 hours at scenic pullouts like the Wind River Canyon scenic overlook.

The landscape transitions from the pine-clad Black Hills near Rapid City to the arid sagebrush plains of Wyoming. Just west of Rapid City, take the Iron Mountain Road (US-16A) for tight pigtail bridges and one-lane tunnels framing Mount Rushmore. The Needles Highway (SD-87) offers granite spires and alpine lakes.

In Custer, visit the Black Hills National Forest for hiking. Continue to Newcastle, where you can visit the Anna Miller Museum to learn about the region's oil boom. The route then crosses the Thunder Basin National Grassland, a vast shortgrass prairie with pronghorn antelope.

Near Casper, stop at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center to understand the Oregon Trail's impact. The final leg follows the Wind River, passing through Shoshone and Arapaho tribal lands. In Riverton, the Wind River Indian Reservation offers cultural tours and the St. Stephen's Mission.