Origin
Blanding, UT
Afternoon in Blanding on Sunday
Local time
1:44 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
5h 53m
Distance
296.2 mi
477 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
Blanding, UT
Ankit Bisht
Sandy, UT
Jan Kopřiva
Stretching 296.2 miles across the Mountain West, this trip from Blanding to Sandy takes approximately 5 hours and 53 minutes of drive time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, it is best suited for a single day of travel if you are comfortable with steady navigation. You should budget roughly $47 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Utah points. While the journey is manageable in one go, the winding nature of the roads means you should plan for a focused day behind the wheel. It is a straightforward transit within the state, perfect for those looking to connect the southeastern region to the more populated area near the capital.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
148.1 miles from Blanding, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .
Expect a dynamic experience behind the wheel, as this route is far from a simple interstate cruise. Only 28% of the trip is comprised of traditional highways, meaning you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is a 172.1-mile stretch along the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Transitioning through the North Grayson Parkway and the Veterans Memorial Highway, the route maintains a technical feel that requires your full attention. Prepare for a road that rewards drivers who prefer active steering over the monotony of long, straight highway miles.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 106.1 miles in near US 191.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 296.2 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 106.1 miles (US 191): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 130 miles (US 6; US 191): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit onto US 191 toward I-70 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit onto US 6; US 191 toward US 6 West, US 191 North: Price, Salt Lake City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 15 North: Salt Lake City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward SR 209: 9000 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 209: Snowbird, Alta, Sandy
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
On the drive from Blanding, UT to Sandy, UT, road signs begin pointing toward Salt Lake City along the way.
Salt Lake City
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway | 172.1 mi | 3h 18m |
| North Grayson Parkway | 76.8 mi | 1h 36m |
| Veterans Memorial Highway | 37.4 mi | 40m |
| East US-6 | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Main Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| State Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| US 6 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| West Highway Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Blanding, UT and Sandy, UT.
Start on South 100 West
Turn right onto West Center Street
Turn straight onto US 191
Continue on US 191
Take the exit onto US 191
Merge onto I 70; US 6; US 50; US 191
Take the exit onto US 6; US 191
Merge onto US 6; US 191
Continue on US 6; US 191
Continue on US 6; US 191
Continue on US 6; US 191
Continue on US 6
Continue on US 6
Continue on US 6
Continue on US 6
Take the exit
Merge onto I 15
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto SR 209
Turn left onto US 89
Turn right onto 8800 South
Arrive at destination
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 296.2-mile drive, aim to depart early in the morning to ensure you reach Sandy before dusk. With only one recommended stop planned, you have the flexibility to pull over when fatigue sets in rather than adhering to a rigid schedule. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $47 estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local station prices. Since the majority of your time is spent off major interstates, prioritize checking your tire pressure and fluid levels before leaving Blanding. This preparation will help you handle the technical sections of the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway with much greater confidence.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.1 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sandy, UT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Blanding, UT so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Blanding, UT
This is one driving day of about 296.2 miles and 5h 53m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 148.1 mi from Blanding, UT · 2h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 148.1 miles from Blanding, UT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 172.1 miles.
The final approach into Sandy, UT usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Sandy, UT.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$46.94 one way
$93.87 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $49.34 | $98.68 |
| premium | $4.53 | $52.81 | $105.63 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $65.81 | $131.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.9 | 1 | $31.10 | $14.22 |
| Efficient EV | 74.1 | 0 | $25.92 | $11.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.5 | 1 | $41.47 | $18.96 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Blanding on Sunday
Local time
1:44 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Sandy on Sunday
Local time
1:44 PM
MDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Blanding, UT or browse trips ending in Sandy, UT.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse UT road trips.
Explore maps for Blanding, UT or Sandy, UT on MapSof.net.