Riverton to Gillette: Wyoming's Prairie Road Trip Guide

This route follows U.S. Highway 26 east for 200 miles, a journey that drops 1,200 feet in elevation from Riverton's 4,961 feet to Gillette's 4,562 feet. The drive takes 3 hours 9 minutes without stops, crossing the Wind River Basin, the southern tip of the Bighorn Mountains, and the vast Powder River Basin.

Expect a ribbon of two-lane blacktop through some of Wyoming's most isolated country, where pronghorn antelope outnumber people. This is working ranchland, coal country, and the ancestral home of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes, whose Wind River Indian Reservation occupies much of the western half of the drive.

The road itself is a lesson in western geography: from sagebrush flats to red-rock badlands, then rolling prairie. For most travelers, the drive is a means to an end—but the journey rewards those willing to pull over at historical markers and dirt turnoffs.

Before you go, check highway conditions via Wyoming 511; winter storms can close the route, and summer thunderstorms bring sudden hail. The best time to drive is May through September, when wildlife is active and roads are clear.

Plan rest stops every 90 minutes to avoid fatigue. The safest places to pull over are at the Kaycee Rest Area, located 1 mile east of town, and the rest area near Wright, which has modern facilities. Carry water and blankets; Wyoming winters can subzero, and summer heat can top 95°F, but afternoon thunderstorms are common in July.

• Family-friendly: Boysen State Park (fishing, swimming) 12 miles southwest of Shoshoni; Wright's Centennial Park, with a playground.
• Pet-friendly: Hotels in Gillette and Casper allow pets; RV parks in Shoshoni and Wright have dog runs.
• Road quality: recent chip-seal repairs from Riverton to Shoshoni, then good asphalt to Gillette; watch for frost heaves in spring.

For family rest, stop at the Hell's Half Acre, a natural amphitheater of eroded badlands 30 miles west of Casper—worth a short detour (turn south on County Road 111, follow signs for 4 miles). This hidden off-route spot is a great photo opportunity and a chance to stretch legs.

If you're traveling with pets, take advantage of rest areas with open spaces; fill water bowls before leaving Riverton, as tap water in some towns may be mineral-heavy. Also, keep an eye on the fuel gauge: the longest stretch without services is 65 miles between Kaycee and Wright.

Fuel up in Riverton—gas stations become sparse east of Shoshoni. The most reliable mid-route fuel stop is Casper, but that adds a 20-mile detour via Highway 20/26 to the south. Instead, plan to refuel in Shoshoni (about 15 minutes out) and then in Kaycee (roughly halfway). As of 2025, gas prices run about 10% lower in Gillette due to local competition.

• Route: US-26 East entire route; no tolls.
• Cell coverage: Spotty; AT&T works best near towns, Verizon in rural areas.
• Food stops: Shoshoni (Burger King), Kaycee (local diners), Wright (subway, fast food).
• Roadside help: Wyoming Highway Patrol covers the corridor; tow trucks from Casper are 90 minutes away.

The highway is two lanes for most of the drive, with passing lanes every 10-15 miles. Speed limits are 65 mph on open road, dropping to 55 through construction zones. Rumble strips and clear line markings make night driving safe, but beware of elk and deer between dusk and dawn, especially near the Bighorn River crossing.

For a detailed guide on finding hidden gems along this route, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

The Wind River Canyon, just east of Shoshoni, offers 2,000-foot limestone walls and a chance to spot bighorn sheep. This is also where the route crosses the Continental Divide, marked by a roadside sign. Beyond the canyon, the terrain opens into the red rocks of the Permian Phosphoria Formation, visible along roadcuts—a geology that yields dinosaur fossils east of Kaycee.

For a dose of local commerce, detour 3 miles north of Kaycee to the Hoofprints of the Past Museum, which displays pioneer and ranching artifacts. In Gillette, don't miss the Eagle Butte Coal Mine overlook, which offers a view of one of the largest surface coal mines in the world.

About 30 miles east of Kaycee, Thunder Basin National Grassland offers solitude and a chance to see black-tailed prairie dog towns. The two-lane road crosses the Powder River at Sussex, site of a historic ferry that served homesteaders in the 1880s.

Area ranches often sell beef jerky and local crafts from roadside stands; look for hand-painted signs near Wright. Gillette's energy boom has spawned a working-class cafe culture, with excellent green chili and steak at places like the Powder River Energy Cafe.