Riverton to Jackpot Road Trip Guide: Stops & Tips

This 400-mile drive follows US-26 and I-80 West, crossing the Continental Divide at 7,000 feet before descending into the Great Basin. You'll pass through the Wind River Indian Reservation, the Oregon Trail's historic Sweetwater Valley, and the high desert plains of southern Idaho.

One quirk: the route's western half mirrors the old transcontinental railroad, so you'll see aging rail towns like Shoshone and Twin Falls before reaching Nevada's border casinos.

This route is a full day's drive without stops; expect 6.5 to 7 hours of pure driving time. The fastest path is US-26 to Shoshoni, then US-20/US-26 West to I-84 West at Burley, merging onto I-80 West into Nevada. From Riverton, head west on WY-789 to Shoshoni, then follow US-26/US-20 West through Riverton's outskirts, passing through Lander, Fort Washakie, and Dubois before reaching the junction with US-287 at Muddy Gap and continuing to Rawlins. From Rawlins, take I-80 West to Rock Springs, then continue through Evanston, WY, and into Utah before crossing the Idaho border near Snowville. In Idaho, I-84 merges with I-86 near Heyburn, then continues west past Twin Falls and Burley before I-84 turns south toward Oregon; stay on I-80 West at Burley, which becomes the main artery through the Snake River Plain. Expect to pay around $60 in fuel for an average sedan, with gas prices varying from $3.50 in Wyoming to $4.20 in Jackpot. Interstate rest areas are plentiful, but the only 24-hour services between Rawlins and Rock Springs are at Sinclair and Wamsutter.

• Fuel up in Lander or Riverton before the long stretch.
• Last cheap gas before Idaho is in Rock Springs.
• Check road conditions at wyoroad.info.
• No tolls on this route.

The Wind River Range dominates the first hour of the drive, with Shoshone National Forest on your left. Once past Lander, the terrain shifts to arid sagebrush basins and red desert cliffs near the Oregon Buttes. The route crosses three climatic zones: continental (Riverton), semi-arid steppe (Rawlins), and high desert (Jackpot). Winters are brutal with whiteout conditions; summers see afternoon thunderstorms, especially near Rock Springs. In the fall, the aspens turn gold in the Wind Rivers.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites are scarce on this route; the nearest is Yellowstone, 150 miles away. But you can detour to Fossil Butte National Monument, a UNESCO World Heritage Site contender, located 15 miles west of Kemmerer. The monument showcases 50-million-year-old fish fossils. Local commerce thrives in Twin Falls, Idaho, home to the Snake River Canyon and the Shoshone Falls, which are higher than Niagara. The town has a vibrant farm-to-table scene, with the Idaho Potato Museum in nearby Blackfoot a quirky stop.

If you're looking to find less touristy stops, consider using our guide on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities. For example, the town of Shoshoni, Wyoming, has an old mining museum and a quiet, authentic diner. Likewise, the tiny community of Alpine, Oregon, offers a general store with handmade crafts.

This route is generally safe but demands attention: watch for wildlife, especially deer and elk at dawn and dusk, and be prepared for sudden weather changes, including snow flurries as late as May. Most of the highway is divided, with the exception of the 30-mile stretch between Shoshoni and Muddy Gap. Cell service is spotty between Rawlins and Rock Springs, so plan your navigation and emergency contacts ahead.

For families, the route offers several kid-friendly stops: the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper (a short detour), the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis (detour via WY-120), and the Twin Falls County Historical Museum in Idaho. For pets, most rest areas are leash-friendly, but gas stations often have water bowls. Jackpot's casino hotels are not pet-friendly, so look for a motel in nearby Wells, NV, that accepts animals.

To combat fatigue, take a break every two hours. Good rest zones include the Little America Rest Area (mile 68 on I-80) and the Twin Falls visitor center, which has picnic tables and a short walking path. Local commerce extends to roadside stands and small shops in towns like Kemmerer and Soda Springs, Idaho, where you can find unique souvenirs and local honey.