The highway was designated in the 1960s after the freeway was completed and transferred to local control, but later reverted to state maintenance.

The highway travels east from Rawlins alongside I-80, a major freeway which also carries US 30 and US 287, to the north and the Union Pacific Railroad's Laramie Subdivision to the south.

[1][2] WYO 76 crosses under the freeway as it enters Sinclair and turns north for a block on South 9th Street and east onto Lincoln Avenue.

[3][4] WYO 76 then leaves the town and its namesake oil refinery and turns southeast to cross over the railroad and reach its east end, an interchange with I-80, US 30, and US 287.

[citation needed] The modern-day route of Highway 76 is the former alignment of US 30 / US 287 prior to the construction of I-80.