Driving thru WY question
 

Hi, I'd like to pick the brain of anyone familiar with Wyoming. We are traveling from Utah to Rapid City, South Dakota. All the websites I've checked take us on Hwy 80 to Rawlins, north on 287 to 220 to Casper then east on the 25 to the 18 and North from there. My DH is questioning why don't we continue North on the 25 at Casper all the way up to the 90 and cut across there so we stay on the main hwy most of the time.
Any thoughts or advice???
Thanks a lot

Mapquest, freetrip.com etc. will route you the shortest way milewise or timewise, even if the difference is minor.

Route the trip two ways on freetrip.com. to make the comparison.

First from your starting point to Rapid City to find time and miles..

The second would be from your starting point to Buffalo, WY where 25 and 90 merge, and then from Buffalo to Rapid City and total the two to see if going through Buffalo is worth it to you.

Thanks for your reply. I did use that link in doing my research. I'm hoping to get a response from someone who is familiar with that area of Wyoming. Possible tips like, that area is really windy, that time of year gets flash floods. There are no services for miles. Traffic always builds up around here... Lots of trucks take that route.... It's very scenic, it's not scenic etc. For example, if you go from So. Cal to No. Cal you can take the 5 or the 101 and 1. The 5 is a lot faster but the scenery is pretty boring. The 101 and 1 are very beautiful but will take you a lot longer.
We will be there around Sept. 10th.

Are you attending the USS Trathen reunion in Rapid City by any chance?

I've driven that route maybe a dozen times over the years. I think taking US 18 up to Newcastle and then taking US 16 into Rapid City is more scenic than taking the interstate. There aren't any real services between Lusk and Newcastle, but it's really not that far between them. Without really looking it up, I would bet that it is fewer miles going that way, and I don't recall seeing a lot of other cars on the road.

I don't know when you'll be leaving, but I would say if when you get to Casper, if its starting to get dark, stick to the interstate. The other route is probably only worth it during the day when you can see things.

Ronkala, no I am not attending the reunion. I did check the USS Trathen out. That's some impressive history.

Kjt1027, Thanks for your feedback. I appreciate it. We will be driving up from Zion, UT on our way to Rapid City. I think we will stay in Rawlins. That should be enough driving for one day. It looks like a long way between Rock Springs and Rawlins. any suggestions for where to spend the night?
Thanks

I don't know much about Rawlins except on every trip, it was the only place I ever saw cops, so don't speed in Rawlins!

My trips were between southeastern MN and Salt Lake City. I usually stopped in Casper, so I don't have any suggestions for places to stay, sorry.

I live in NE WY. The best route from Casper is to Travel N on 25 to HWY 269, Midwest exit. Take that to 387 and head to Gillette you can cut a little off by going N on 50 from 387 or you can go onto Wright then N on 59 to Gillette. From Gillette get on I90 and that will take you straight to Rapid City. A nice detour though if you want to see Devils Tower is to take HWY 14 at Moorcroft then take HWY 24 to Devils Tower. After Devils Tower stay on HWY 24 through Hulett, where I live, and onto HWY 111. 111 takes you back to I90 and onto Rapid City. You will go through Spearfish and Sturgis before you hit Rapid City. Good luck!

My parents live in southern ID, and so we've driven across WY quite a few times in the past few years. Yes, it is quite aways between Rock Springs and Rawlins. I agree with you that I'd stay in Rawlins that first night. Rawlins isn't that scenic, and the wind does blow, but with that said, it's the biggest town out there for quite a distance and has several chain restaurants and hotels. I'd recommend the Holiday Inn Express - we stayed in several last month on our way from ID back home to VA, and we've decided it's our new favorite chain in that area between WY, NE, KS, etc. Inexpensive and clean - felt like we got a good deal for the $.

thank you all for your input. I appreciate it. Useful info. We'll be leaving Sat. morning. Wish us luck :)

We're going to leave it up in the air as to the route back. Either back through WY or through CO. Just wish there was more time for sight seeing.