Cheyenne, WY to Salt Lake City, UT

State capital to state capital route

8h 43m
Drive Time
480
Miles
$56
Gas Cost
3
Stops

How Long Is the Drive from Cheyenne Wy to Salt Lake City Ut?

The drive from Cheyenne Wy to Salt Lake City Ut takes approximately 8h 43m, covering 480 miles via the highway. Under normal conditions, expect to spend around $56 on gas.

Travel time can vary — during peak hours, weekends, or holidays, the journey may take 11–12+ hours. For the fastest trip, leave early morning (before 7 AM) or travel on weekday evenings.

Traffic Estimate

🟢 Light traffic
7h 25m
🔵 Typical
8h 43m
🔴 Heavy traffic
12h 38m

Traffic is usually worst during weekday rush hours (7–9 AM, 4–7 PM) and holiday weekends.

Route Details

Distance480 miles
Drive Time8h 43min
Avg Speed55 mph
TrafficLight to Moderate

Cost Breakdown

Gas (30 MPG)$56
Tolls (est.)$0-20
Food/Snacks$15-30
Total$71-$106

Route Tips: I-95

Plan rest stops every 2-3 hours on longer drives. Check traffic conditions before departure and keep your tank above quarter-full.

This trip can typically be done on a single tank of gas.

Best Time to Drive from Cheyenne Wy to Salt Lake City Ut

For a long drive like Cheyenne Wy to Salt Lake City Ut, plan to depart early in the morning. This lets you cover most of the distance before afternoon traffic builds up. Consider breaking the trip with a lunch stop midway.

🟢 Best: Early morning (6-8 AM)
🔴 Avoid: Rush hour (4-7 PM)

Approximate route shown. Use Google Maps for turn-by-turn directions.

Open in Google Maps ⚡ View EV Route

Driving vs Flying

🚗 Driving
8h 43m
~$56 gas
✈️ Flying
3h 28m
~$80–$168 flight

✈️ Flying is faster when you factor in airport time. Flight time is ~58 min but add ~2.5 hours for check-in, security, and boarding.

All Travel Options

🚗 Drive
8h 43m
~$56
🚌 Bus
10h 40m
~$38–$86
🚂 Train
8h 44m
~$58–$144

Estimated times and prices. Bus/train availability varies by route. Driving gives the most flexibility for stops and schedules.

FAQ

How long is the drive from Cheyenne, WY to Salt Lake City, UT?
The drive takes approximately 8 hours and 43 minutes covering 480 miles.
How much gas will I need?
At 30 MPG, you'll use about 16 gallons of gas, costing approximately $56 at $3.50/gallon.
What's the best time to leave?
Early morning (6-8 AM) is ideal to avoid rush hour traffic in both cities.