Cheyenne to Gillette Truck Dispatch
Freight route connecting Cheyenne, WY to Gillette, WY (242 miles). Connects Cheyenne to the heart of the Powder River Basin coal region via I-25/US-59.
What do truck dispatch rates run from Cheyenne to Gillette?
Cheyenne to Gillette is a 242-mile lane paying about $617 - $726 per load, near $2.55 - $3.00 a mile. Freight is mostly consumer goods, mining-equipment-connected freight and coal-refinery-connected freight.
- Distance
- 242 miles
- Avg. rate / load
- $629 - $738
- Rate per mile
- $2.60 - $3.05
- Transit time
- Same day / 3-4 hrs
- Deadhead risk
- 15-20%
Lane rates reviewed September 2026. These numbers follow 2026 spot-market pricing for this Powder River Basin corridor. See our dispatch fee structure.
Cheyenne to Gillette
Cheyenne to Gillette is a 242-mile, multi-hour run north on I-25 and I-90, connecting Wyoming's I-25/I-80 freight crossroads to the heart of the Powder River Basin. Gillette anchors coal production that accounts for roughly 40% of all US coal output, and while most coal itself moves by rail, mining operations require enormous inbound freight of heavy equipment, tires, parts and supplies.
Origin
Cheyenne, WY
Destination
Gillette, WY
Distance
242 miles
Transit Time
Same day / 3-4 hrs
Average Rate
$629 - $738
Rate per Mile
$2.60 - $3.05
242-mile lane, a multi-hour run on I-25 and I-90
The Powder River Basin around Gillette produces roughly 40% of all US coal
Mining operations require enormous inbound flatbed and heavy-haul freight of equipment, tires and parts
Cheyenne to Gillette: route facts a driver should know
Gillette sits at the center of the country's biggest coal-producing region
The Powder River Basin around Gillette is the single largest coal-producing region in the US, with 12 surrounding mines, including Black Thunder, the country's most productive, employing about 5,600 people.
Source: Wikipedia, Powder River Basin. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
Cheyenne became Union Pacific's Mountain Division headquarters in 1867
Union Pacific designated Cheyenne its Mountain Division headquarters on July 4, 1867, and the city grew into a key helper-locomotive and repair-shop town for trains climbing Sherman Hill toward the Rockies.
Source: WyoHistory.org, Wyoming State Historical Society. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
Diesel for this lane
How much is the diesel for Cheyenne to Gillette?
About $239.10 this week. The lane is 242 miles. A truck that gets 6.5 miles per gallon uses about 37 gallons, and diesel is averaging $6.42 a gallon on this lane (week of October 19, 2026). The U.S. average diesel price is up 10 cents this week.
An estimate. It uses EIA's weekly average for this region, not the price at each pump. Your mpg and fuel card discounts change it.
- Distance
- 242 mi
- Diesel needed
- 37 gal
- Price used
- $6.42/gal
- Fuel cost
- $239.10
Common Freight Types
Consumer goods, mining-equipment-connected freight and coal-refinery-connected freight fill the trailers heading north.
- Coal Mine Supply Equipment
- Consumer Goods
- Industrial Equipment
What makes the Cheyenne to Gillette lane difficult?
Winter weather across Wyoming's high plains can significantly affect road conditions
Winter weather across Wyoming's high plains can significantly affect road conditions.
Heavy-haul mining equipment often requires oversize permits and specialized trailers
Heavy-haul mining equipment often requires oversize permits and specialized trailers.
Sparse population along the route limits mid-lane reload options
Sparse population along the route limits mid-lane reload options.
What freight moves on the Cheyenne to Gillette lane?
What travels between Cheyenne and Gillette, and why the Powder River Basin's coal production matters here.
Primary Commodities
- •Coal Mine Supply Equipment
- •Consumer Goods
- •Industrial Equipment
Secondary Commodities
- •Mining-equipment-connected freight (Powder River Basin)
- •Coal-refinery-connected freight (new pyrolysis facility)
- •Consumer goods
Seasonal Cargo
Peak seasons for this lane:
- •Mining-equipment freight (steady)
- •Consumer goods (holiday surge)
- •Coal-refinery-connected freight (growing, 2026 startup)
When is the Cheyenne to Gillette lane busiest?
Steady mining-equipment freight shapes this lane more than any retail calendar.
Q1 (Jan-Mar): Slow Period?
Little seasonal dip; mining-equipment freight runs on a steady, year-round basis.
Q4 (Oct-Dec): Peak Period?
Consumer goods climb modestly from October through December.
Produce Season?
Not applicable; this lane runs on mining and energy freight rather than agriculture.
- •Steady mining-equipment-connected freight year-round
- •Q4 holiday retail season
- •Summer construction season
Hurricane Risk?
None. Winter weather across Wyoming's high plains is this corridor's real seasonal risk.
Seasonal Strategy Summary
This lane runs steady year-round, tracking the Powder River Basin's consistent coal production schedule.
How do I negotiate the best rate on the Cheyenne to Gillette lane?
When to book, who pays extra, and which loads need oversize permits.
When to Book
Suggested booking window:
1-2 days out is typical for this haul.
What Brokers Pay More
Loads that command more:
Time-critical, oversize mining-equipment freight tends to pay a premium.
When to Avoid
Loads to price carefully:
Be careful committing to a tight winter delivery without checking high-plains road conditions.
Rate Negotiation Tips for Cheyenne to Gillette
- •
At 215 miles, this is a comfortable one-day run.
- •
Coal-linked freight and mining-support equipment are worth asking about given Gillette's dozen surrounding mines.
- •
Rail-linked freight out of Cheyenne is another option here.
How do I find a backhaul load on the Cheyenne to Gillette lane?
Gillette's massive mining operation makes a southbound load realistic.
Best Return Cities
Where to look for the return load:
- •Gillette, WY
- •Regional distribution hubs near Gillette
Deadhead Risk %
Deadhead risk on this lane: 15-20%
With the Powder River Basin producing roughly 40% of all US coal, there is real backhaul variety tied to mining supply chains.
Alternative Routes
If the first load falls through, try these:
- •Active Powder River Basin coal/energy operations mean backhauls exist. But they need the right specialized flatbed equipment.
Backhaul Optimization Tips
- •
Gillette's coal-mining economy gives you real backhaul options for heavy equipment and support freight.
- •
Cheyenne's rail-town freight base keeps southbound loads flowing too.
- •
This lane is short enough for a same-day or next-day backhaul.
What do experienced dispatchers know about the Cheyenne to Gillette lane?
Three notes before this Powder River Basin run.
Check Wyoming high-plains winter conditions before a late-fall through early-spring run.
Confirm oversize permits and specialized trailer needs before hauling mining equipment.
Watch for new freight opportunities as the coal-refinery pyrolysis facility approaches its planned August 2026 startup.
Gillette markets itself as the 'Energy Capital of the Nation.' Worth asking about mining-support and heavy-equipment freight specifically.
Cheyenne to Gillette Lane FAQs
Answers on drive time, Gillette's coal production, and equipment permits.
The lane data shows about $617 - $726 per load, or $2.55 - $3.00 a mile, across 242 miles.
The Powder River Basin around Gillette produces roughly 40% of all US coal, though most of it moves by rail rather than truck.
Mining operations require enormous inbound freight of heavy equipment, tires, parts and supplies, arriving by flatbed and heavy haul.
Reasonably for flatbed and heavy-haul carriers, given the ongoing mining-equipment supply chain.
Other Wyoming freight lanes we dispatch
- Cheyenne to Rock Springs
- Cheyenne to Billings
- Cheyenne to Casper
- Cheyenne to Omaha
- Cheyenne to Boise
- Cheyenne to Rapid City
Local resources
Dry Van owner-operator, West Coast: +$2,010/week after moving to $2.62/mi on general freight / consumer goods freight.
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