MileCheckWhy does I-80 close so often in Wyoming?
I-80 in Wyoming closes mostly because of wind and blowing snow, not heavy snowfall. Wind lifts snow that is already on the ground and blows it across the road, so visibility drops near zero and drifts form, and crashes in those conditions close the rest.
WYDOT names three reasons it closes a road. Extremely limited visibility, drifting snow over the road, and a crash blocking all lanes. (WYDOT, Dec. 4, 2025) Check the live status on our Wyoming road conditions page or the I-80 corridor page before you leave.
Where on I-80 does it close most?
The stretch between Laramie and Walcott Junction, 77 miles across open country, is the one WYDOT built snow fences for. Within three months of that section opening in 1970, snow blown by winds up to 100 mph buried it in 27 places and closed it for 10 days. (FHWA) WYDOT's wind sensors on that stretch sit at Arlington and Elk Mountain.
Fences helped. WYDOT started building them along I-80 in 1971 and added about 40 more miles later. The crash rate in snowy, windy conditions fell 70 percent. (FHWA) The road still closes. Fences stop drifts. They do not stop wind.
What does each WYDOT closure term mean?
| What the sign or 511 says | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Closed | No travel. Turn around or wait in town. |
| Closed to light, high-profile vehicles | Open to cars. Closed to RVs, campers, moving vans, box trucks and light trailers that wind can tip. (WYDOT) |
| Weight-based wind closure | Closed to vehicles under the gross weight on the sign. Used since 2023. (WYDOT) |
| Extreme blow over risk | A warning, not a closure. Gusts of 60 mph or more where no closure signs exist, or lower gusts on very icy road. (WYDOT) |
| No unnecessary travel | Open, but WYDOT says don't drive it. No oversize loads. (WYDOT) |
| Rolling closure | The closure point moves back to the next town when a town fills up, so drivers aren't stranded. (WYDOT) |
Does a wind closure apply to my car or RV?
If you drive a regular car, usually not. If you tow an enclosed trailer or drive an RV, box truck, camper, horse trailer or fifth wheel, it probably does. Unloaded tankers, flatbeds and school buses generally are not included. (WYDOT)
Weight on the sign is gross vehicle weight, meaning the vehicle plus everything and everyone in it. Heavier vehicles can go on, but WYDOT says they assume their own risk because the sensors may not sit where the wind is strongest. (WYDOT)
What happens if I ignore a closure?
For wind and weight-based closures, a first offense is a misdemeanor with a $1,000 fine and up to 30 days in jail. A second within three years is $2,500 and counts as reckless driving on your license. This took effect July 1, 2024, and applies to any driver, not only commercial ones. (WYDOT)
Why is the road closed when the gate is still up?
The gates are hand-cranked. At remote sites a crew may need up to 45 minutes to reach and lower one, often by leaving a plow route. Under state law the closure signs, including overhead message boards, are the notice. The Highway Patrol enforces it either way. WYDOT counts at least 23 gate crashes since 2020 and almost $180,000 in gate repairs over five years. (WYDOT)
How do I know if I-80 is closed right now?
- Check before you leave. WYDOT posts closures at wyoroad.info and on 511. MileCheck reads the same WYDOT feed on our Wyoming page.
- Look at the cameras. The I-80 page shows cameras along the route, so you can see blowing snow instead of guessing.
- Plan where you'd stop. Laramie, Rawlins and Rock Springs have services. Long closures roll back to the next town.
In September 2026, a calm month, MileCheck logged 7 events on I-80 in Wyoming and 5 closures statewide. Winter counts go in our monthly road report.
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Questions, answered
Why does I-80 close so often in Wyoming?
Wind and blowing snow. Wind picks up snow that already fell and blows it across the road, so visibility can drop near zero and drifts form even when little new snow falls. Crashes that block every lane close it too. WYDOT lists extremely limited visibility, drifting snow and crashes blocking all lanes as the reasons it closes roads.
What does closed to light, high-profile vehicles mean?
The road is open to most traffic but closed to vehicles that wind can push over, such as RVs, campers, moving vans, box trucks and empty or light trailers. Since 2023 WYDOT has posted many of these as weight-based closures, with a gross vehicle weight on the sign.
What is the fine for ignoring a wind closure in Wyoming?
Since July 1, 2024, a first offense is a misdemeanor with a $1,000 fine and up to 30 days in jail. A second offense within three years is $2,500 and counts as reckless driving for licensing.
What does no unnecessary travel mean in Wyoming?
The road is open but WYDOT recommends you do not drive it because of ice, blowing snow or both. Oversize loads are not allowed under this advisory.
What is a rolling closure?
When a closure lasts long enough that a town fills up, WYDOT moves the closure point back to the next town so drivers are not stranded where there are no rooms or services.
Can I drive around a closed gate if the gate is not down yet?
No. Gates are hand-cranked and can take up to 45 minutes to lower at remote sites. Under Wyoming law the closure signs, including overhead message boards, are the notice. The Highway Patrol enforces the closure whether or not the gate is down.
Checked against WYDOT and FHWA sources on October 15, 2026. Conditions change by the hour, so check the live feed before you drive.