Give or take a few, it is 400 miles across Wyoming on Interstate 80. By anybody's standard that is a solid day's travel. But hey, don't just buzz through the state. There is a lot to see and do along the way. So much, in fact, that it's best done in sections. So instead of hitting Wyoming at Pine Bluffs, putting the cruise control on 75 mph, and blowing out of the state around eight hours later at Evanston, set your sights on just some of the towns.

Begin your trip in Laramie, about 1/4 of the way across. This is cowboy country. University of Wyoming Cowboy country, that is. But ranchland surrounds the college town in all directions. Home of the Wyoming Territorial Prison, which has the original state prison and a replica town plus authentic ranch barns and buildings. Butch Cassidy spent time behind bars here – the only place he was ever in prison. In Laramie you can learn even more history at the American Heritage Center, on the UW campus, take in the permanent and revolving displays at the UW Art Museum, learn about paleontology and geology of the region at the UW Geology Museum, or explore the social life of early Laramie at the Ivinson Mansion. Shopping and dining in the downtown historic district is eclectic and there are good lodging opportunities either in town or at nearby guest ranches.