Wyoming driving guide

Towering mountain tops and rugged landscapes make Wyoming one of the most inviting states to drive in. Get ready to drive across the Beartooth Scenic Byway and beyond with our handy guide to the driving rules in Wyoming.

Our comprehensive driving guide explains everything you need to know to stay safe when on the road. From driving conditions to the speed limit in Wyoming, we’ve got you covered.

Jump to a section:

• Quick rules of the road
  
• Speed limits
• Toll roads
• Driving ages
• Essential equipment
• Speed violations
• Driving with children
• Gas prices
• Electric car charging
• Driving between Wyoming and other states
• Driving conditions 

Quick rules of the road

• If two vehicles enter an intersection at around the same time, the vehicle must give way to the driver on the right.
• If driving over a sidewalk, all pedestrians are given the right of way.
• Automatic right of way is given to any emergency vehicle that has flashing lights or siren.
• Headlights must be switched on 30 minutes after sunset and switched off 30 minutes before sunrise. Headlights must also be on when visibility is less than 1000ft ahead or when you need to use your windshield wipers.
• Main beams should only be used on rural highways and country roads.
• There are no restrictions for taking a phone call while driving. However, texting and driving is an offense and will result in a fine of up to $75. 

Speed limits in Wyoming

On average, the speed limits in Wyoming are higher than in other states. Failing to adhere to the speed limits in Wyoming can result in a citation, suspension or fine.

Toll roads in Wyoming

There are no toll roads in Wyoming. This makes it one of the few states in which you can travel without having to pay for road or bridge access, regardless of the type of vehicle.

Driving ages and license requirements in Wyoming

• The minimum legal driving age in Wyoming is 15 on a learner’s license. A regular driver’s license can be issued to any person aged 16 and a half and above, providing they have completed a driver’s education course.
• The minimum age required to rent a car with Hertz in Wyoming is 20.

Drivers under 25 are exempt from renting certain Hertz vehicles and collections. Find out more about Hertz car rental for under 25s in our guide.

Essential equipment to carry in your car in Wyoming

In your vehicle, you must have:

• Your driver’s license
• Car registration certificate or rental agreement.

It’s advisable to also carry the following in your vehicle:

• First aid kit
• Map
• Deicer
• Snow brush or ice scraper
• Warm blanket(s)
• A small shovel
• Jumper cables.

Please check your rental agreement for a full list of items you can’t carry in your Hertz vehicle.

Wyoming speed violations, infractions and penalties

There is an $85 penalty for breaking the basic speed limit in Wyoming – this is when drivers fail to use their common sense and drive too fast for the current conditions. When the conditions are favorable, the penalty for speeding depends on how much you go over the limit by:  

Driving with children in Wyoming

• Passengers of nine years or younger must sit in the back of the car, unless there is only one row of seats available.
• Passengers who are under one year old and weigh at least 20 pounds must sit in a rear-facing seat. It’s advised to keep children in a rear-facing seat until their height and weight reaches the maximum stated by the manufacturer of the car seat.
• If the child is between 20 to 40 pounds, they should sit in a forward-facing car seat with a harness.
• Children who outgrow the specific maximum measurements for a forward-facing seat should use a booster seat in the back of the vehicle.

Gas prices in Wyoming

The average gas price in Wyoming is $3.70 per gallon.

Based on manufacturers’ average fuel figures:

• For a small car like a Chevrolet Spark, that’s about $0.09 per mile.
• For a larger family car like a Buick Encore, it works out at $0.11 per mile.
• And for an SUV like a Nissan Pathfinder, it’s around $0.13 per mile.

Gas price figure last updated November 11, 2022.

Electric car charging in Wyoming

Starting in 2022, funding is being provided to improve the infrastructure for electric vehicles in Wyoming. You won’t need to sign up to any scheme or incentive in order to use a public charging point. As of 2022, there are over 50 public charging stations for electric vehicles across the state.

Driving between Wyoming and other states

Travelling between states within the U.S. is easy with Hertz. Drop off your rental at any Hertz location or request a one-way trip, with pick-up and drop-off at a different location.

From Wyoming, you can easily access neighboring states of Montana, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

Driving conditions in Wyoming

Due to the high altitude of Wyoming, the climate is described as extreme continental. This means that summers have warm, humid weather and winters typically bring cold, snowy weather.

Average summer temperatures are around 50°F to 60°F and rarely exceed 100°F. Winter temperatures range from 5°F to 10°F on average and tend to bring very icy conditions, with waves of heavy snow.

In winter, snowstorms can form very quickly and without warning. Take extra precautions when driving in the winter months and avoid traveling into remote or mountainous regions unprepared.