State index
Wyoming
Plan the Route 20 crossing of Wyoming from Lusk through Casper, Thermopolis, Cody, Wapiti, and the Yellowstone East Entrance.
Wyoming
Wyoming is the next westward state after Nebraska, carrying Route 20 from the High Plains through central Wyoming and the Bighorn Basin to the Yellowstone East Entrance. Start here before choosing a segment, a small set of anchor towns, or a route-shaped weekend. For Yellowstone planning, this page ties together the east approach, the park boundary, and the west-side return to Route 20.
Printable companion: Use the Wyoming Route 20 State Planner to choose a route chapter, overnight anchor, Yellowstone approach, and current-condition checks on paper.
Cross-country role
Wyoming is where the western route becomes scenic, spacious, and gateway-driven. In the full Miami to Boston to Route 20 spine, Cody is the key Yellowstone-side anchor before the route resumes toward Idaho.
For Yellowstone approach and west re-entry planning, start with Cody and Wapiti on the east side, then use West Yellowstone, Island Park, and Ashton after the park gap.
Best ways to plan Wyoming
Eastern Wyoming weekend
Lusk to Thermopolis Route 20 Weekend
Use this weekend for a focused eastern-to-central Wyoming outing with Casper and Thermopolis as the main anchors.
Best Wyoming Entry Section
Lusk, Orin, and Glenrock
Use this first if you want the cleanest Nebraska-to-Wyoming handoff and the eastern Wyoming start.
Best Central Wyoming Section
Casper, Shoshoni, and Thermopolis
Use this when you want the stronger central Wyoming section before the route opens into the basin.
Best Western Wyoming Weekend
Thermopolis to Cody Route 20 Weekend
Use this weekend if you want the clearest western Wyoming outing before the Yellowstone approach.
Best Yellowstone Approach Drive
Cody to Yellowstone East Entrance Scenic Drive
Use this drive if you want the cleanest finish from Cody to the Yellowstone boundary.
Nebraska handoff
Nebraska
Step back to Nebraska to plan the Sandhills approach through Harrison before crossing into Wyoming.
How Route 20 crosses Wyoming
Route 20 enters Wyoming after the long Nebraska Sandhills crossing and gradually trades open High Plains for central Wyoming river country, the Bighorn Basin, and the mountain-framed approach to Yellowstone. Lusk is the first practical stop, Casper is the strongest city base, and Thermopolis marks the shift toward hot springs, canyon scenery, and the basin.
West of Thermopolis, Worland and Greybull keep the route practical before Cody becomes the main gateway base. The final approach follows Wapiti Valley to the Yellowstone East Entrance. Yellowstone interior roads require separate park planning; Route 20 resumes west of the park near West Yellowstone and Island Park.
Wyoming route sections
Use these in order from Lusk to the Yellowstone East Entrance when you want the Wyoming state page to narrow into practical day-to-day routing.
Eastern entry
Lusk, Orin, and Glenrock
Follow the High Plains entry from the Nebraska handoff toward the Casper side of the state.
Central crossing
Casper, Shoshoni, and Thermopolis
Connect Wyoming’s strongest city base with the hot springs and canyon country around Thermopolis.
Bighorn Basin
Thermopolis, Worland, and Greybull
Cross the basin through two practical towns while working west toward Cody.
Cody gateway
Greybull and Cody
Finish the basin crossing at Cody before beginning the scenic Yellowstone approach.
Yellowstone approach
Cody, Wapiti, and Yellowstone East Entrance
Follow Wapiti Valley from Cody to the Yellowstone East Entrance.
Wyoming towns
Eastern gateway
On Route 20
Lusk
Practical first stop in Wyoming after the long Nebraska run.
Route connector
On Route 20
Glenrock
Smaller on-route stop between the High Plains entry and Casper.
Overnight anchor
On Route 20
Casper
Wyoming’s strongest practical city base for history, museums, river time, and supplies.
Route connector
On Route 20
Shoshoni
Useful junction and reset point between Casper and Thermopolis.
Destination stop
On Route 20
Thermopolis
Hot-springs, paleontology, and canyon anchor at the eastern edge of the Bighorn Basin.
Service stop
On Route 20
Worland
Practical basin stop between Thermopolis and Greybull.
Basin connector
On Route 20
Greybull
Useful junction for the final basin stretch toward Cody.
Gateway base
On Route 20
Cody
Primary western Wyoming base before the scenic Yellowstone approach through Wapiti Valley.
Scenic stop
On Route 20
Wapiti
Valley stop between Cody and the Yellowstone boundary.
Park boundary
On Route 20
Yellowstone East Entrance
End of the east-side approach and the handoff to Yellowstone park planning.
Trips and handoffs
Best eastern Wyoming Weekend
Lusk to Thermopolis Route 20 Weekend
Use this weekend if you want the eastern-to-central Wyoming opening first before adding the western continuation.
Best western Wyoming Weekend
Thermopolis to Cody Route 20 Weekend
Use this weekend for hot springs, basin towns, and a Cody finish before the Yellowstone approach.
Best Yellowstone Approach Drive
Cody to Yellowstone East Entrance Scenic Drive
Use this drive when you want the scenic finish from Cody to the Yellowstone boundary.
Best Nebraska Handoff
Harrison
Use Harrison first if you want to understand the Nebraska-to-Wyoming transition before committing to the longer Wyoming run.
Park boundary
Yellowstone East Entrance
Use the East Entrance to finish the scenic drive from Cody and transition into Yellowstone planning.