Fifty Machines and $100
A long Wyoming ride can look straightforward on a map and become complicated once fuel gaps, changing weather, route rules, and a small registration cap enter the picture. This guide explains what the “Fifty Machines and $100” cross-state ride is designed to involve, how to assess the entry and route, and what to prepare before committing to several days on the trail.
What the fifty-machine and $100 figures mean
Why a cross-state ride limits the group
A ride capped at 50 machines is a managed group trip, not an invitation to roam wherever a route looks appealing. A smaller group is easier to move through towns and trail junctions, easier to keep together, and less likely to overwhelm fuel stops or other services along the way. The cap also means you should treat registration as a real planning deadline rather than something to handle after you have booked time off.
The limit affects the experience on the ground. Riders may be divided into smaller groups, asked to follow a schedule, or expected to stay with an assigned leader. That structure can feel restrictive if you are used to riding at your own pace, but it helps organizers manage spacing, breakdowns, navigation, and the handoff between route sections.
The figure is also a reminder that there may be more demand than available spots. Before paying or making travel arrangements, confirm whether a place is reserved only after registration is complete, whether there is a waitlist, and what happens if you need to cancel. The event details in [Why the Cross-State Ride Takes Only 50 Machines] and [Registering for the Ride by March] are useful starting points, but always follow the organizer’s current registration instructions.
What the $100 entry figure tells you—and what it does not
The $100 figure gives riders a headline cost to consider, but it does not automatically tell you what your whole trip will cost. An entry fee may cover event administration or support, while participants still handle expenses such as fuel, meals, lodging, travel to the start, and any gear or repairs they need. Check the event information for a clear list of inclusions before assuming that the fee covers services along the route.
Think through a simple example: you and a riding partner pay the entry fee, then drive several hours to Evanston with a trailer. You may still need to budget for a room before the ride, several days of meals, fuel for the tow vehicle and machine, and a way to get home from the finish. Those practical expenses can quickly matter more than the registration amount.
Ask specific questions before registering: Is support available if a machine breaks down? Are meals or overnight arrangements included? Does the fee cover only the organized ride, or are there other required costs? The guide [What the $100 Cross-State Ride Entry Covers] can help you frame those questions, but confirm the details directly with the organizer before you rely on them.
| Planning item | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | Application steps, deadlines, and confirmation | A small cap may fill before your travel plans are settled |
| Entry fee | Included services and excluded expenses | The registration amount is only one part of the trip budget |
| Route | Approved segments, daily mileage, and finish point | A route plan determines fuel, rest, and overnight needs |
| Support | Mechanical, medical, and communications procedures | Remote stretches can make an ordinary problem harder to solve |
| Cancellation | Refund, transfer, or waitlist rules | Plans can change because of weather, illness, or machine trouble |
Understanding the route from Evanston to Cheyenne
A cross-state route is more than a line on a map
The ride is commonly described as a journey from Evanston toward Cheyenne, with multiple days and substantial mileage. The distance can sound manageable when viewed as a single number, but a route across Wyoming is shaped by terrain, approved access, elevation, road conditions, and the pace of a group. A straight-line distance between towns says very little about how long a day on an off-road machine will take.
The event’s route should be treated as a specific, organized itinerary—not permission to use every nearby road or trail. Public-land access varies by route, land manager, season, and machine type. A road that appears on a general map may be closed to motorized travel, while another route may be open only under particular conditions. Details in [Evanston to Cheyenne Across Wyoming] and [Four Days From Evanston to Cheyenne] can help set expectations for the journey, but the approved event route is the one to follow.
Do not assume you can leave the group to take a shortcut, ride ahead to a different town, or explore a side trail and rejoin later. Even a brief detour can put you on a closed route, create a search problem, or leave you separated from the event’s support plan. If you want to explore independently, arrange a separate ride and verify that each road or trail is open to your machine.
Why 350 miles can feel like much more
A 350-mile total spread across several days is not equivalent to a 350-mile highway drive. A day’s progress depends on surface conditions, elevation changes, stops, group spacing, and the amount of time needed to handle a flat or mechanical issue. Loose rock, sand, mud, washboard, or a narrow two-track can slow a group considerably, even when the route looks easy on a map.
The route can also place riders far from familiar services. Small towns and rural stretches may have limited operating hours, fewer fuel choices, and fewer options for parts or repairs. When planning, use the daily itinerary—not the total mileage—to estimate how long you will be riding and where you can resupply. [350 Miles in One Ride] and [Riding Through Saratoga on the Route] offer useful context for thinking about the scale and rhythm of a multi-day crossing.
Give yourself more margin than your best-case estimate suggests. If the group schedule assumes a steady travel day, a late start, a slow repair, or an afternoon storm can change the pace. Keep water, food, and basic repair supplies accessible rather than packed under everything else in a trailer. The small inconvenience of carrying a little extra can feel minor compared with being delayed on an exposed stretch without essentials.
Plan around towns without treating them as guaranteed supply points
Evanston, Saratoga, Rawlins, Laramie, and Cheyenne are useful names to orient yourself around when reading about a cross-state itinerary. But a town’s presence near a route does not guarantee that the group will stop there, that a particular business will be open, or that a needed tire, belt, or part will be available. Confirm planned stops and resupply arrangements with the organizer.
Before departure, identify which meals and overnight stays you need to arrange yourself. If you are towing a machine, consider where the trailer and tow vehicle will be parked at the start and finish. If the trip does not return you to the starting point, ask how riders and vehicles are expected to get back to their trailers. Transportation logistics can become an overlooked problem when everyone is focused on the riding portion.
Fuel deserves its own plan. Know your machine’s realistic range under loaded riding conditions, not just the range you have seen on short local rides. Wind, elevation, soft surfaces, low tire pressure, and extra gear can all change consumption. The internal guide [Fuel Range Between Wyoming Towns] is a helpful prompt to build a fuel plan that does not rely on optimistic estimates.
Preparing your machine and managing the daily ride
Inspect for the problems that ruin a long trip
A machine that ran perfectly around home still deserves a careful inspection before a multi-day ride. Look for worn tires, loose fasteners, damaged wiring, fluid leaks, frayed belts, weak battery connections, and brakes that feel different from usual. Check the owner’s manual for maintenance intervals and have any uncertain or overdue service handled before you leave.
Carry the tools and consumables that match your machine and your own repair skills. That might include a tire repair kit, a suitable pump, basic hand tools, spare fuses, zip ties, tape, and the fluids or small parts recommended by the manufacturer. A compact kit is more useful than a bulky collection of tools you do not know how to use. If a repair requires specialized work, the organizer’s support plan matters even more.
Do a loaded test ride before the event. Add the gear you expect to carry, then ride long enough to notice whether storage shifts, the machine handles differently, or the seat and controls become uncomfortable. This is also a good chance to check that you can reach food, water, navigation, and rain gear without unpacking the entire machine.
Pack for Wyoming’s changing conditions
Weather can shift quickly across open country and higher terrain. A sunny departure does not guarantee a warm afternoon, and a clear morning does not rule out wind, rain, or a sudden temperature drop. Pack layers that you can add or remove while riding, along with gloves suited to changing conditions and protective gear appropriate for the terrain.
Keep rain protection, eye protection, and warm layers where you can reach them. A jacket buried at the bottom of a packed bag does little good when weather changes mid-ride. Bring enough water for the day’s expected conditions and more if the route has long gaps between reliable stops. In dry, windy conditions, riders can underestimate how quickly they become tired or dehydrated.
Your personal kit should also cover basic needs: identification, medications, a small first-aid supply, a charged phone, and a way to contact the group if you become separated. Ask the organizer what communication equipment is recommended or required. Cell coverage should not be assumed throughout rural Wyoming, so know the event’s check-in procedure and emergency plan before leaving the start.
Pace yourself instead of chasing the fastest rider
The easiest way to make a long ride harder is to begin the first day as though it were a short local loop. Keep a comfortable pace, take breaks before you are exhausted, and pay attention to how your hands, back, and concentration feel. Fatigue often shows up as small mistakes first: missing a turn, braking late, or failing to notice a changing surface.
Group riding requires more than keeping the machine moving. Leave enough distance to react to dust, loose stones, or a sudden stop. Avoid crowding the rider ahead, especially where visibility is limited. Follow the leader’s instructions at junctions and make sure the rider behind you has seen the turn before the group stretches out.
If you are new to multi-day riding, be honest about your experience and comfort level. Ask how challenging the route is, what average riding days look like, and whether there are opportunities to stop or adjust your pace. A realistic conversation beforehand is much better than discovering halfway through the trip that the distance, terrain, or schedule is more demanding than you expected.
Navigation, permits, and route access
Use the event route as your authority
A mapping app is useful for organizing information, but it should not replace the event’s approved route or the land manager’s rules. Public-land routes can be designated for particular uses, closed seasonally, or restricted by vehicle width. A line visible on a map is not proof that riding it is legal or permitted.
Use the route materials provided by the organizer and ask how updates will be distributed. Carry a backup in case your phone battery dies, your device gets damaged, or reception disappears. A printed route sheet or offline map can be valuable, especially when a group reaches a junction and needs to confirm the correct direction.
onX Offroad can help riders review route options and prepare offline map information, but app coverage and map details do not override signs, closures, or official travel-management information. Before the ride, learn how to download what you need and use it without a signal. For broader route preparation, [Wyoming Trail Maps and MVUMs] explains why travel-management maps matter when riding in Wyoming.
Understand the decal and access rules
A machine’s registration or permit from another state should not be assumed to satisfy Wyoming’s off-road permit requirements. Visitors should check the rules that apply to their particular machine and the land where the event will travel. Do this before the trip rather than waiting until you are near the trailhead.
The route may involve public lands managed by different agencies, and the rules can vary by location. The event organizer should explain required permits, machine requirements, and any route-specific restrictions. If you are unsure whether your ATV or UTV qualifies, ask before registering. Width, machine type, and designated-route rules can affect where you may ride.
Permit requirements are only one part of legal access. You still need to remain on open routes, obey temporary closures, and respect private land boundaries. A permit does not grant permission to cross private property or ride a route that has been closed. Read [Wyoming ORV Permits Explained] and [Why a Land Manager Must Mark a Route Open] before you assume that an otherwise valid decal is all you need.
Carry maps and make a plan for navigation gaps
Do not build your entire plan around real-time mobile data. Download the information you will need before leaving service, charge your phone, and carry a charging option that works on your machine or in your pack. Keep your screen secure and positioned so you can check it without riding distracted.
If you use onX Offroad, prepare the relevant map area in advance and confirm that you can access it offline. It can be useful for reviewing the broader landscape and keeping track of your position, but use the event’s directions and official land-management information to determine where riding is allowed. A mapping tool is one part of a navigation plan, not the plan by itself.
Agree on what the group will do if riders become separated. For example, riders may be told to stop at the next designated regroup point rather than continuing alone. Follow the event’s actual procedure rather than inventing your own. A group that knows how to pause, communicate, and reconnect is less likely to turn a navigation mistake into a much larger problem.
Deciding whether this ride is right for you
Match the event to your experience and comfort
A cross-state ride can be a rewarding way to see a broad slice of Wyoming, but the length and group format may not suit everyone. Consider your experience with several hours of riding, your ability to handle changing terrain, and how comfortable you are following a schedule. If you prefer stopping frequently or exploring side routes, an organized ride may feel more structured than you want.
Think about the machine as well as the rider. A comfortable local ATV may need different tires, storage, maintenance, or range planning for a longer trip. A wide UTV may be limited on narrower routes. Ask the organizer what machine types are accepted and whether there are width restrictions. Do not assume that “ATV and UTV friendly” means every model can follow every segment.
The best test is an honest practice day. Ride a full day with your normal gear, take breaks similar to those planned for the event, and pay attention to what becomes uncomfortable or unreliable. If the day leaves you sore or mentally worn out, adjust your setup before signing on for several consecutive days.
Make a decision with the full trip in view
Before committing, put the ride’s logistics in one place: registration status, route outline, daily mileage, machine requirements, lodging, fuel, meals, transportation to and from the route, and emergency procedures. This makes it easier to see what is confirmed and what still needs an answer. It also helps a riding partner or family member understand where you expect to be.
A simple checklist can prevent the most common last-minute scramble:
- Confirm your registration and the organizer’s cancellation rules.
- Verify the route, accepted machine types, permits, and equipment requirements.
- Inspect and test-ride your machine with the gear you plan to carry.
- Arrange lodging, meals, fuel stops, and transportation at both ends.
- Prepare offline navigation and a backup communication plan.
- Share the itinerary and emergency contact details with someone at home.
Finally, treat the posted itinerary as a plan that may need to respond to conditions. Weather, closures, mechanical problems, and safety concerns can change a route or schedule. That flexibility is part of riding in a large, rural state. Go prepared to enjoy the journey, but do not let the appeal of finishing the full route pressure you into ignoring a closure, pushing through dangerous weather, or riding beyond your comfort level.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
