Wy Rt14 vs. Rt.16 from Cody to Wall, SD

Yes, 16 is easier. It may be a couple miles longer but not much more than that. I once had a partner who lived in Greybull (east of Cody) who drove both routes regularly during his semi-weekly visits to Gillette. He said the time difference (in his Buick) was less than 5 minutes.

Hwy 14 has a bit more spectacular views going up and coming down, but across the (flat, straight) top it's pretty bland. Hwy 16 doesn't have as many tight curves and isn't quite as steep going up and down, but it has gentle curves and grades the whole way across.

Both are scenic, both are good roads, and both are mountain highways that should be treated with respect. Not too many years ago an older couple descending down the east slope of 16 into Buffalo overheated the brakes on their smallish motorhome and ended the journey inside a store on Buffalo's Main Street. The hubby was killed. Sad. Totally preventable if you mind your brakes (don't "ride" them), but it can happen easily if you ride them too much. Ironically, they probably overheated because he was being TOO careful. It's happened to me once (inching down a jeep trail) when my wife (girl friend then) kept telling me to "slow down," but we were lucky and spared the possible consequences when we reached the bottom just as the brakes totally gave out. I'd been down that trail dozens of times. Brakes were hardly needed at all, but this time I had a gal with me who was frightened of mountain driving. Brake fade was the last thing on my mind.

Just to be clear, when your engine braking isn't enough to slow you for the next curve, brake fairly hard until you've slowed below your target speed, then leave your brakes alone until your speed builds up to or beyond the target speed and brake hard again. DO NOT use light brake pressure to maintain the speed. That'll kill ya on any mountain. There are pull-offs where drivers are encouraged to stop and check the brakes for heat build-up. Use them if there's any doubt at all.

Posters have consistently recommended 16 over 14. Admittedly the questions usually ask about the routes west bound (going to Yellowstone), but what goes up must go down, regardless of direction! In fact, going down is often harder.

Agree with previous posters that Rt 16 is best. You should be aware that there is major road construction on Rt 16 between Worland and Ten Sleep. Best to take WY 31 at Manderson which will take you back to Rt 16 at Ten Sleep. WY 31 is in great shape most of it recently redone.

US 16 is the better of the two routes, given your question about towability. There's only a couple of switchbacks between Ten Sleep and Meadow Lark Lake, and though it's a fairly long climb, it's not overly difficult to the top at Powder River Pass at <9700 feet. It's a beautiful drive; be aware that motorcycles like that route too, so you'll likely see a lot of them sightseeing.

As stated above, make sure you have fuel topped off. There's gas in Worland and one station IIRC in Ten Sleep. Next fuel is in Buffalo.

Presumably, you're going to be getting on I-90 to head over to Wall? You can get on I-90 in Buffalo, or if you prefer, stay on US 16/14 from Buffalo to Gillette and get on there. OR you could get off I-90 at Moorcroft for US 16, and take that all the way to Rapid City before getting back on I-90. Just depends on how much of Wyoming you want to see off the interstate. US 16 through the Black Hills is also a nice drive, not difficult at all, to get to Rapid City.

Route 16 is a much better route. Depending how much fuel you have fuel up in Worland, WY. Not much between Worland and Buffalo. Nice RV park in Buffalo. Called Indian Campground RV park. Owner's run it and very nice people.