What Your Vehicle Says About You In Wyoming

Sending The Right Message

First, remember that this collection of attributes isn’t meant to hurt anybody’s feelings—it’s just here to help give you an idea what sort of things people are going to think or say if they see certain vehicles in Wyoming’s vast emptiness.

The state has 560k+ people, and there is definitely a level of hierarchy associated with the sort of vehicle you drive. With that in mind, let’s see what the locals will think of your vehicle.

The Pickup Truck

When you move to Wyoming, you’ll immediately receive a rifle and a pickup truck. It’s the law. If they like you, you’ll get an American model; like a Ford, Dodge, or Chevy. If they don’t, good luck with the off-market Japanese truck. And truthfully, nobody likes the Dodge; so keep that in mind.

Of course this is a tongue-in-cheek description of the reality, but just about everybody in Wyoming drives a pickup truck. It’s not just a machismo thing. Most in Wyoming either work blue collar jobs in the energy industry, or in agriculture.

A pickup truck is absolutely essential for hauling things and driving across rough terrain. Also, they handle well in the snow, and Wyoming’s winters are some of the worst in the country if not the world. A pickup is the status quo for the state.

A Sports Car

Most who own a pickup in Wyoming also own a town car of some variety. Many will have two pickups and, say, a BMW convertible that’s only driven on special occasions—and only for the sake of driving. Convertibles aren’t practical in Wyoming; but they are a bit of a status symbol. Driving around in a nice Mustang or something of the kind makes a deliberate statement.

Late Model Vehicles Or Used Cars

You can pick up plenty of late model vehicles for just a few thousand dollars. For most residents in Wyoming, a late-model vehicle indicates either a lack of resources, or a lack of driving experience. In the 2000s, all the high schoolers ran around in late-model pickups and Geo Metros. In the oughts, it was often Honda Civics or Accords.

Motorhomes, Busses, Specialty Vehicles

Just about everybody in Wyoming has either a motorhome or a fifth-wheel trailer. If you’re cruising around in a motorized RV, then you’re assumed to be headed to a lake for the weekend. Because of the energy industry predominating across the state, many have enough resources to have a pickup truck, a town car, and some sort of RV—as well as a few four-wheelers or snowmobiles.

Motorcycles

One word: Sturgis. In South Dakota, the bike rally hits Sturgis every August, and about 250,000 bikers migrate there. The majority of these bikers are from the midwest, with many thousands coming from Wyoming. It’s almost a necessary pilgrimage annually. Also, a lot of bikers hang out in local dives; so there’s that association.

A Prius

If you’re driving a Prius in Wyoming, you might as well be chum in the water, a limping wildebeest amidst a pride of lion, a target on a shooting range, or any of a dozen similar appropriate metaphors. Seriously. Keep that lefty crap outta here.

The Right Car For You

In all seriousness, most folk in Wyoming could care less what you drive, but if you’re in the vehicles listed here, they’ll likely have thoughts which echo these sentiments. So know this as you drive about this wild, open state. For more information on vehicles, maintenance, and local customs, be sure to subscribe to our blog at Anybody’s Autos.