There’s a number of different roads in America that people had given the title of, “The Loneliest Highway”. These are roads like Nevada State Highway 375, a.k.a., The ET Highway. Many others are mentioned in news stories and websites. I’ve driven them all. From my experience, the winner has never been mentioned in the news or anywhere else to my knowledge. It is the Wyoming State Highway #487. I’ve driven it in its entire length, three times. I have only seen one other vehicle – total. I once enjoyed my picnic lunch in the middle of the road! Not kidding! There are no gas stations, no buildings, no water, no shade, and no phone signal. Go with a full gas tank.
Take a moment, stop and pull over and enjoy the nothingness. The sound of the wind and the emptiness of the horizon, it can be captivating. The road is southwest of Casper, Wyoming and North of the Ghost Town of Medicine Bow.
More information about America’s loneliest highway. It is located in Carbon County, Wyoming. The best route to view the road is from the south. You head north from the Ghost Town of Medicine Bow. It’s easy to miss the best stretch. It can be confusing but you have to stop and make a hard left turn to stay on Highway 487. This is at the 22.1 mile marker. The turn is poorly marked.
If you miss the turn, the road becomes Highway 77. This stretch of highway was built in the early 1970s. It runs through the Shirley Basin. This highway has road signs, better pavement, more traffic and a nice rest stop. It rejoins Highway 487 at the 45 mile marker.
You will not find any of these things on the by-passed stretch of Wyoming 487. The by-passed section was decommissioned in the mid 1970s. That explains why no road signs. There are maps out there that don’t show Wyoming Highway 77 but they all show Highway 487, even its decommissioned route. Both are on the official State Highway map.
Hope you enjoy the photo.
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