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Trip from Cedar City, UT to Salt Lake City, UT

Drive Time

4h 12m

Distance

250.3 mi

403 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
3h 59m ★
6 AM
4h 12m
8 AM
4h 39m
10 AM
4h 22m
12 PM
4h 19m
3 PM
4h 23m
5 PM
4h 37m
8 PM
4h 5m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Cedar City, UT, UT

Cedar City, UT

Hao Ma

Downtown Salt Lake City, UT, UT

Salt Lake City, UT

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Trip Overview

The drive from Cedar City, UT to Salt Lake City, UT covers 250.3 miles and takes about 4h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Veterans Memorial Highway, Main Street, SR 269 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 244.7 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.66 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

125.1 miles from Cedar City, UT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 4h 12m drive with frequent turns across 250.3 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Veterans Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 244.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 3.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 4h 12m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 3.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 4.1 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 248.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 6 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
3.8 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the ramp toward I 15 North

Navigation decision point

Toward I 15 North
5
4.1 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway

Merge onto I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
248.7 mi into trip | ~4h 9m in

Take the exit toward 600 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 306 Toward 600 South
5
250.1 mi into trip | ~4h 11m in | US 89 / 400 South

Turn right onto US 89 / 400 South

Navigation decision point

7
250.3 mi into trip | ~4h 12m in | Main Street

Turn left onto Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway 244.7 mi 4h 2m
Main Street 3.8 mi 6m
SR 269 0.7 mi 1m
West Temple 0.3 mi <1m
400 South 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Veterans Memorial Highway — 244.7 mi, about 4h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cedar City, UT and Salt Lake City, UT.

1

Start on I 15 Bus; SR 130

3.8 mi · 5 min · Main Street
2

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward I 15 North
3

Merge onto I 15

245 mi · 4 hr 2 min · Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 26 sec
Exit 306 Toward 600 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Continue on SR 269

0.7 mi · 1 min · SR 269
Exit 121; 306 Toward SR 269: 600 South
6

Turn left onto SR 270

0.3 mi · 50 sec · West Temple
7

Turn right onto US 89

0.2 mi · 30 sec · 400 South
8

Turn left onto Main Street

80 ft · 3 sec · Main Street
Use the left lane.
9

Arrive at destination

Main Street

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 125.1 miles from Cedar City, UT, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 244.7 miles.

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 21m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 125.1 miles or 2h 6m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 25m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salt Lake City, UT than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Cedar City, 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 Cedar City, UT

This is one driving day of about 250.3 miles and 4h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cedar City, UT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Veterans Memorial Highway for about 244.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 125.1 mi from Cedar City, UT · 2h 6m into the drive

city in Utah County, Utah, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Payson, UT

125 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.

Popular next leg

Payson, UT to Salt Lake City, UT

58.7 mi · 1h 6m

Pacing Suggestions

Nibley, UT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Payson, UT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 125.1 miles from Cedar City, UT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 244.7 miles.

Arriving in Salt Lake City, UT

The final approach into Salt Lake City, 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 Salt Lake City, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Timpanogos Cave National Monument

National Monument

The visitor center, caves, and cave tours have not yet opened for the 2026 season. Hike your way past stunning vistas to explore a hidden underground world. Taste the thrill of caving as you twist and...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour $12 near mile 215.8
Caution: Tickets are required to enter Timpanogos Cave
View on nps.gov
Cedar Breaks National Monument

Cedar Breaks National Monument

National Monument

Crowning the Grand Staircase, Cedar Breaks sits at over 10,000 feet and looks down into a half-mile deep geologic amphitheater. Come wander among timeless bristlecone pines, stand in lush meadows of w...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour $10
View on nps.gov
Zion National Park

Zion National Park

National Park

Follow the paths where people have walked for thousands of years. Gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into a brilliant blue sky. Experience the tall, stretching walls...

26 mi from route ~66 min detour $35
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.66 one way

$79.33 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 88 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.23 $41.69 $83.39
premium $4.53 $44.63 $89.26
diesel $5.64 $55.61 $111.22

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 87.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 75.1 0 $26.28 $12.01
Efficient EV 62.6 0 $21.90 $10.01
EV Truck/SUV 100.1 1 $35.04 $16.02

Gas CO2

88 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Cedar City, UT

Afternoon in Cedar City on Monday

Local time

1:43 PM

MDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Salt Lake City, UT

Afternoon in Salt Lake City on Monday

Local time

1:43 PM

MDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

2 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 12m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Cedar City, UT to Salt Lake City, UT covers 250.3 miles and takes about 4h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Veterans Memorial Highway, Main Street, SR 269. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 125.1 miles from Cedar City, UT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.66 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 12m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 4.1 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 248.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Cedar City, UT to Salt Lake City, UT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Salt Lake City, UT to Cedar City, UT

Plan the drive back the other way.

250.4 mi 4h 14m

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