You’re travel on I-80 isn’t complete without stops in Rock Springs and Green River. These small cities are located just a dozen miles apart and both have museums that provide rich detail about the dozens of ethnic groups who came here to work for coal mines that began operating in the Rock Springs area soon after the railroad arrived. Green River came into prominence in 1869 and again in 1871 when John Wesley Powell launched his two exploratory trips down the Green/Colorado River.

If you like diversions along this interstate route, take some side trips. From Laramie drive west on Wyoming Highway 130 to Centennial with its small shops and Nici Self Museum. At Walcott Junction (midway between Elk Mountain and Rawlins), turn south on Highway 130-230 about 7 miles to an Overland Trail monument; looking west from the monument you will see the ruts of the trail. You can continue on south another dozen miles to Saratoga for a soak in the Hobo Pool (free and open 24/7). At Rock Springs leave the interstate and instead take the Wild Horse loop drive (partially paved, partially dirt) to Green River. At Green River travel south on Wyoming Highway 530 or U.S. 191 to visit Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.