National Parks Traveler Episode 115: Western Expansion Through Fort Laramie

Appearance of Fort William/John/Laramie as painted by Alfred Jacob Miller pre-1840/public domain
If you're searching for the door that opened Westward Expansion, find yourself at Fort Laramie National Historic Site in eastern Wyoming. It's decidedly a side trip from anywhere, as it's about 100 miles north of Cheyenne, the state capital, and maybe 55 miles west of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. From Interstate 25, the nearest major highway, the drive is not quite 30 miles and 40 minutes from Wheatland, Wyoming.