Winter white outs can come out of nowhere. Local television stations can only predict the weather in general. I ran into snow storms when I never expected it. I live 9 miles from Idaho Falls and will get 6 inches of snow at my house while the local weather person is predicting snow flurries. I stay away from going over mountain passes in the winter. In fact, I avoid long distance traveling out here as much as I can in winter. I’m chicken. However, you will be fine following what others said on here.

I'll add a candle with 4 or 5 wicks is a good choice a pair of yellow and red safety glasses can be helpful if it starts snowing to cut down snow blindness . After dark if you have to drive blinking your eye's help keep them from drying out in turn helps keep the fatigue .
A bag of sand is helpful too as is a grain scoop shovel even if it's got a collapsible handle .
If you get stuck in a snow drift and can't get out keep the exhaust pipe clear or snow and Stay with your vehicle !
Folks die every winter out here because of walking to the next place or whatever and if they stayed with the outfit they'd still be with us .

I have been driving for a living for decades. When it gets so bad you cant see its time to go to a motel. When the wind is blowing 40 MPH (very common in WY) and the road is greasy, time to park. If the snow is drifting get a room. Wy aint AR though. There isnt a motel or a town every ten miles or so. Its BIG country. If you drive till its not safe you could easy be in a bind a long way from anyplace to park. Watch the weather forecast. Pay attention to wind speed and predicted snow amounts. You want to get parked while the parking is good.

I’d have some options in place incase the weathers bad then it’s somewhat planned and your not locked in to going where you should not go for lack of options.

... what? ... was hoping you would say ....pop in a Jerry Reed cassette... chase a benny with a shot of turkey and then just roll on daddy till you get back home lol

Be prepared to spend at least a night in your vehicle if necessary. Warm clothing, a winter sleeping bag, snacks and water. Fill up a thermos with hot coffee when you stop for gas. Might want to consider getting an Inreach GPS so that you can text for help.

I will add a few things on the gas side, hitting the gas hard will not get you going from a stop and letting off the gas all at once can change the driving dynamic of the vehicle.
For instance, going around a corner on a road and letting off the gas all at once can take the drive effect away and let it break loose. you will need to learn to use the brake and gas very smoothly. everything you do on snow and ice is done slower, gas, brake and speed so you need way more room than you are used to between vehicles.

what Danny Clifton said is excellent advice. I travel on good weather days and do not drive when its not unless I have to.

You call that skiff bad????




Be warned, this year all across the state the winds have been worse than they have been for years, lots of closed roads all across the state this year, and I'd hate to guess how many times 80 and 25 have been close already.

Carry a sleeping bag food and water been stuck overnight more than you can imagine, keep advised of weather and if it says wind and snow get a motel room about 5 hours ago they fill up fast. Also most of Wyoming has no cell service or crappy unless your 20 miles from a town. Not many towns and cops dont travel the roads when it gets bad.

In my pickup are about a half dozen mres, water a mapp gas torch, storm proof matches and a box of kitchen matches in a plastic bag. When Im trapping out west I have a couple pelting knives too. Several log chains, a handy man jack, a shovel and an axe. A metal surplus ammo can with a complete set of wrenches sockets screwdrivers and pliers. One of those folding allen wrench sets and other stuff I have needed over the years. I wear winter clothes and just carry a wool blanket. Spare gas is in there too. I havnt needed to spend the night in it in several years. The older I get the less brave I get. Part of it is all the other yahoos on the road. Our country is full of people who drive that have never seen snow. Add in the home grown idiots and bad roads really should be avoided. Its just not worth it. When I do push a little its on county roads or non truck route highways. Traffic and bad weather are an especially bad combination.

The reason Wyoming has a weekly snair check is because the interstate may be closed 4 a week, all kidding aside have extra dry wool sox blankets and high energy foods and you'll be ready for the winter camping experience .

If it gets bad, stay away from 80 between Cheyenne and Laramie. That becomes a mess quick.

Just be careful and take your time. When it snow life goes on in Wyoming.
We learn when to stay off the Interstate, wind and snow, but snow packed roads are common.
Be ready to hit a patch of snow or ice on any road at any time, especially if there is snow along the roadside.
We actually do have decent cell service, all over the state except the remote areas.
WYDOT does not put ice melt down on roads just sand for traction.
Look into the WATT program for travel on closed roads and allow some days for no travel due to closed roads.

Go for it. Wyoming shouldn't be a problem, you are most likely to encounter cold dry snow which is much "grippier" than wet snow. "All wheel drive" I assume that is same as 4x4. If so you probably won't need chains unless you are in bumper deep snow.

I grew up in Washington where you start-out the morning at you home at sea level with balmy, spring-like conditions. As soon as you head east 30 miles you find yourself at increasingly higher elevations; first comes driving in slush, then a few miles further, wet snow, then later, dry cold snow. All those conditions require slightly different driving techniques. The cold dry snow being the easiest by far.

Do it! Over the last 30 years, I’ve driven about 1,500,000 miles between Wyoming and Montana. Only got stopped twice South of Buffalo due to storms moving faster than forecast. Lots of good advice posted here. Usually the roads are open and dry. Might call 511 to get road conditions before heading out.

I like putting sand bags in if I’m driving on packed snow. Talked my daughter through 100 miles of bad roads back to Bozeman one night. Just go 45 mph I said and you will be ok. She pulled off in Big Timber to use the bathroom and get coffee. The girls following her were in the ditch about 5 miles down the road.

Good luck!

dont think anybody said it yet,make sure you have winter washer fluid in your vehicle,just a small tip but worth mentioning

Consider buying a good set of chains or getting your tires studded if legal.

Good grief, you aren't going to the moon, no need for an Everest expedition. Very few places without people or cell these days. Just slow down and you'll be fine. A couple sandbags will help and the washer fluid suggestion was spot on.

I’ll add if and when you do go in the ditch …hammer down. The cows are done out, no use shuttin the gate.