Red Lodge to Green River Road Trip: Scenic Wyoming Drive

This road trip covers roughly 360 miles along US-310, I-90, US-14, and US-191, taking 6 to 7 hours of pure driving time. The route from Red Lodge, MT to Green River, WY passes through the historic town of Cody, WY, the eastern gateway to Yellowstone. A quirky detail: Red Lodge was once a booming coal mining town, and you'll still see remnants of old mining structures along the access roads just off US-212 west of town.

The route traverses the Bighorn Basin, Wind River Canyon, and the Great Divide Basin. You'll see dramatic rock formations, wide-open sagebrush plains, and the meandering Wind River. A UNESCO-recognized site nearby is the Yellowstone National Park, but the route itself passes through the Wind River Indian Reservation, home to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes.

• Wind River Canyon: Spectacular cliffs and pull-offs for photos.
• Boysen State Park: Great for fishing and picnics.
• Local culture: Visit the Wind River Heritage Center in Riverton for Native American art and history.

Highway 191 south of Rock Springs is a two-lane road with heavy truck traffic. Carry extra water, snacks, and a paper map. For families, the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis is a hit. Pet-friendly stops include the Greybull City Park and the Lander City Park. Best stops: Cody (Buffalo Bill Center of the West), Thermopolis (Hot Springs State Park), and Lander (Sinks Canyon State Park). For hidden off-route gems, detour onto WY-28 (Farson Cut) for the surreal landscape of the Red Desert, home to the Killpecker Sand Dunes. To find more unique stops, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

• Rest zones: Rest areas at Greybull (mile 100) and Riverton (mile 200).
• Fatigue management: Use the scenic overlook at Wind River Canyon as a refresh point.
• Road quality: Generally good; occasional potholes on county roads near Lander.

From Red Lodge, head south on US-212/US-310 toward the Montana-Wyoming border. After about 30 miles, merge onto I-90 east near Lovell, WY. Continue on I-90 for 45 miles, then take US-14 south toward Cody and Greybull. After Cody, stay on US-14/16/20 through the Bighorn Basin. Near Worland, switch to US-16 south to Thermopolis. From Thermopolis, take US-20 south to Riverton, then US-287 south to Lander. Finally, US-191 south leads to Green River. Alternatively, a slightly shorter route from Riverton uses WY-28 via Farson. Estimated drive time can extend to 8-9 hours with stops.

• Fuel stops available every 30-50 miles. Plan to fill up at Cody (mile 70) and Riverton (mile 200).
• The road quality is mostly good, but watch for gravel sections on lesser-used state highways.
• Cell service is sporadic, especially between Lovell and Greybull, and near the Wind River Reservation.