Transportation

Laramie is located in southeastern Wyoming, 50 miles from Cheyenne, 65 miles from Fort Collins, and just 134 miles from Denver International Airport. To get here from DIA, drive north before heading northwest on Hwy. 287. This route takes you through Fort Collins. To get here from Cheyenne, drive west on Interstate 80 for 50 miles before descending into Laramie.

Air Access

Located just west of town, the Laramie Regional Airport makes getting in and out of Laramie by plane a breeze. The airport offers free parking when flying out as well as rental car service on-site. The terminal was newly redesigned in 2021, creating a state-of-the-art building and a welcoming and relaxing experience for travelers.

Getting Around

During your visit to Laramie, there are a plethora of options for transportation around town. These include renting a car, Bird electric scooters rented through the Bird app, or using ride services like Uber and taxi service. The University of Wyoming runs two free weekday bus routes along with free after-hours shuttle services for the public that can be viewed here. Bus routes can be used for convenient parking and transport to campus as well as access to downtown and uptown Laramie, with SafeRide shuttle service available the rest of the evening and weekends anywhere in city limits. For more transportation options, view the business listings below.

1). Q. How do I get to Laramie?
 
A: Laramie is in southeastern Wyoming, about 50 miles west of Cheyenne on Interstate 80, and about 65 miles from Fort Collins, Colorado, via Highway 287. Denver International Airport (DIA) is about 134 miles from Laramie. The Laramie Regional Airport (LAR) is just west of town and has incoming flights daily from DIA.
 
2). Q. Is there skiing in Laramie?
 
A: Snowy Range Ski Area is about 42 miles west of Laramie on Wyoming Highway 130. The resort has about 250 acres of groomed trails with runs for all skill levels. There are cross-country ski trails, a ski school where you can learn to ski, and a fun terrain park where you can hone your skills on a pair of skis or a snowboard.
 
3). Q. How far is Laramie from Denver?
 
A: Laramie is about 2 hours and 15 minutes from metropolitan Denver. To drive the Highway 287 route, take Interstate 25 north to Exit 269B at Fort Collins and merge onto Colorado Highway 14 west. From there, merge onto Riverside Avenue and continue to U.S. Highway 287/North College Avenue. Highway 287 will take you across the state border into Wyoming, and on into Laramie. 
 
4). Q. How far is Laramie from Cheyenne? 
 
A: Laramie is only about 50 miles west of Cheyenne on Interstate 80 west. Take Exit 313 (U.S. Highway 287/3rd Street and it will take you into historic downtown Laramie. As an alternate route, you can take the scenic “Happy Jack” Highway 210 west from Cheyenne until it merges with I-80 just outside of Laramie, then take Exit 313 to get to downtown. 
 
5). Q. What airport do you fly into for Laramie?
 
A: The Laramie Regional Airport (LAR) has inbound and outbound flights daily to Denver International Airport (DIA) courtesy of SkyWest Airlines, operating as United Express. The airport is just west of town and was recently redesigned. There are rental car services available and free parking at the airport. 
 
6). Q. Does Southwest fly to Laramie?
 
A: Southwest Airlines does not currently service Laramie Regional Airport (LAR). Air service to Laramie is provided by SkyWest Airlines operating as United Express. There are flights daily from Denver International Airport (DIA) to Laramie on United Express. Southwest does offer several inbound and outbound nonstop and connecting flights every day at DIA.
 
7). Q. Are there non-stop flights to Laramie?
 
A: Inbound and outbound flights to Laramie from Denver all always nonstop. The short flight only takes about 40 minutes from liftoff to touchdown. Flights from Denver International Airport (DIA) to Laramie Regional Airport (LAR) are provided by SkyWest Airlines operating as United Express. Usually, a Bombardier CRJ-200 regional jet or similar aircraft is used for these flights
 
8). Q. Is Laramie worth visiting?
 
A: Laramie is a historic frontier town that played a significant role in the shaping of Wyoming and the West. These days, Laramie is a trendy college town that is home to the University of Wyoming. The city offers various noteworthy attractions and has more than 20 listings in the National Register of Historic Places, including the Wyoming Territorial Penitentiary and the Ivinson Mansion. There are limitless outdoor adventures nearby in Vedauwoo or the Snowy Range in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest.
 
9). Q. Is there a university in Laramie?
 
A: The University of Wyoming Cowboys and Cowgirls call Laramie home. The public land grant-research university consists of 7 colleges: agriculture and natural resources, arts and sciences, business, education, engineering and applied sciences, health sciences and law. The school has more than 120 undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, and welcomes around 12,500 students every semester.
 
10). Q. Do I need a car in Laramie?
 
A: If you want to make the most out of your visit to Laramie, it’s best to have consistent, reliable transportation. There are rideshares like Uber in Laramie, and there are a few name-brand car rental companies like Hertz and Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Having a vehicle allows you to plan an amazing road trip on the Snowy Range Scenic Byway, explore nearby Vedauwoo or make the grand pilgrimage to Yellowstone National Park. 
 
11). Q. Does Laramie have public transportation?
 
A: During your visit to Laramie, there are a few options for transportation around town including renting a car, riding a bike, or using rideshare services like Uber, and taxi service. The University of Wyoming also runs a free bus shuttle service around campus to free parking south or east, as well as on-call shuttle service, and SafeRide in the evenings.
 
12). Q. What is there to do in downtown Laramie?
 
A: Downtown Laramie is nice because it’s compact enough that you can walk around and not get tired, but there’s lots to see and do. The bustling part of downtown is front Third Street to First Street, from University Avenue on the north to Custer Street on the south end. The Laramie Railroad Depot and Depot Park are here, and there are numerous restaurants, coffee shops, breweries and pubs all in the span of a few blocks. The university campus is only a few blocks east of downtown, and the entire area can get lively during nights and weekends, especially when school is in session. 
 
13). Q. How far is Laramie from Casper?
 
A: Casper is Wyoming’s second-largest city (after Cheyenne) and is about 185 miles from Laramie. To drive to Casper, there are two routes that are similar in length. Option No. 1 is to take U.S. Highway 30 north to Wyoming Highway 487 north until it connects U.S. Highway 220 and heads directly into Casper. Option No. 2 begins in Laramie and meets up with Interstate 25. From Laramie, travel north on U.S. Highway 30 for 18 miles until the turnoff to U.S. Highway 34. As Highway 34 ends, merge onto Interstate 25/U.S. Highway 87 north toward Wheatland. Take the interstate for 114 miles to Exit 188A and you’re there!
 
14). Q. Are there luxury hotels in Laramie?
 
A: For the most part, Laramie is a family-friendly vacation destination that is affordable, fun and steeped in history. It’s also a college town, so there’s a strong sense of community, not overly presumptuous. 
 
15). Q. What are the best family-friendly hotels in Laramie?
 
A: Laramie has several hotels that cater to families and travelers who like top amenities without the enormous price tag. In Laramie, there are numerous chain hotels near downtown, close to the university, or by the interstate. A few highly-rated hotels in Laramie include the Hilton Garden Inn, AmericInn by Wyndham, Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn and Fairfield Inn & Suites. 
 
16). Q. How much snow does Laramie, Wyoming get?
 
A: Laramie gets about 64 inches of snow per year, on average. The temperatures in the winter stay at or below the freezing mark in December, January and February - although there are rare days when it is warmer. The summers are more pleasant, with bluebird skies and temperatures in the 70s and 80s during July and August. The spring and fall seasons are brisk but enjoyable, with daily temperatures hitting the 50s and 60s in April and May, and September through October. 
 
17). Q. What is the population of Laramie?
 
A: Laramie has a population of about 32,500 residents, as of 2019. The population has grown steadily over the years. There were about 8,000 residents in town in 1900, and that number stayed consistent until around 1940, when the population hit the 10,000-resident mark. Around 1965, the city surpassed 20,000 residents. By the 1980s, the town had about 25,000 residents. By 2000, that figure had grown to nearly 27,000. Today, Laramie is the third largest city in Wyoming after Cheyenne and Casper. 
 
18). Q. Is marijuana legal in Wyoming?
 
A: The state of Wyoming has not legalized marijuana for recreational or medical use. It is currently against the law to use or possess cannabis in the state. A state House committee is presently considering a bill for adult-use legalization of marijuana that would allow adults 21 and older to purchase and possess up to three ounces of marijuana and cultivate up to 12 mature plants for personal use. 
 
19). Q. Is Laramie safe?
 
A: Laramie is one of the safest cities in Wyoming. The state of Wyoming has a low crime rate and one of the lowest poverty rates in the West. Nationwide, Wyoming’s violent crime rate is more than 40% below the national rate. Property crime in Wyoming is more than 25% lower than the national average. 
 
20). Q. Will I get altitude sickness in Laramie?
 
A: Laramie sits at an elevation of 7,185 feet above sea level. It is considerably higher than Denver (5,280 feet). Typically, those who suffer from altitude sickness experience symptoms at about 5,000 feet above sea level - so you may be susceptible. Always stay extra hydrated when visiting, and if you feel ill, it is recommended that you rest for 24 hours prior to engaging in strenuous activities.