Origin
Draper, UT
Late night in Draper on Wednesday
Local time
4:27 AM
MDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Draper, UT to Vernal, UT
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
173.2 mi
279 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 12m
★
6 AM
3h 24m
8 AM
3h 48m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 30m
3 PM
3h 34m
5 PM
3h 47m
8 PM
3h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Draper, UT
Wikimedia Commons
Vernal, UT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Draper, UT to Vernal, UT covers 173.2 miles and takes about 3h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 40, Veterans Memorial Highway, Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 96.9 miles on US 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.45 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
86.6 miles from Draper, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 3h 24m highway drive covering 173.2 miles, with most of the trip on US 40 and Veterans Memorial Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 96.9 miles on US 40.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 96.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,700 ft
4,501 ft
Total Climb
3,569 ft
Total Descent
2,739 ft
Highest Point
7,700 ft
~61.8 mi in
Elevation Range
3,199 ft
Notable High Points
7,700 ft at ~61.8 miles
+53 ft prominence
6,838 ft at ~99 miles
+121 ft prominence
5,256 ft at ~148.4 miles
+6 ft prominence
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 40 and Veterans Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Pioneer Road.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 173.2 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: near the start (Pioneer Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (12300 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 21 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Pioneer Road
Turn left onto Pioneer Road
Navigation decision point
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
12300 South
Turn left onto 12300 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
21 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit toward SR 52: 800 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 272
Toward SR 52: 800 North
9
21.2 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 52 East: Provo Canyon, Sundance
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 52 East: Provo Canyon, Sundance
6
25 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 189: Heber City, Midway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 189: Heber City, Midway
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Draper, UT and Vernal, UT, road signs point toward Sundance and Midway.
Sundance
21.2 mi in
|
~25m
Midway
25 mi in
|
~32m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 40 | 96.9 mi | 1h 52m |
| Veterans Memorial Highway | 19 mi | 20m |
| Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway | 17.3 mi | 19m |
| Provo Canyon Road | 17.1 mi | 19m |
| East 200 North | 11.7 mi | 13m |
| Canyon Parkway | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| US Highway 189 | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| 12300 South | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 40
— 96.9 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Draper, UT and Vernal, UT.
1
Start on this road
141 ft
·
16 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Pioneer Road
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Pioneer Road
3
Turn right onto 900 East
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
900 East
4
Turn left onto 12300 South
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
12300 South
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp onto US 89
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
US 89
6
Merge onto I 15; US 89
19 mi
·
20 min
·
Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 272
Toward SR 52: 800 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Toward SR 52 East: Provo Canyon, Sundance
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on SR 52
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Canyon Parkway
Use the left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
Toward US 189: Heber City, Midway
11
Merge onto US 189
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Provo Canyon Road
12
Continue on US Highway 189
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
US Highway 189
13
Continue on US 189
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
US 189
14
Turn right onto US 40
97 mi
·
1 hr 52 min
·
US 40
Use the right lane.
15
Turn right onto US 40; US 191
12 mi
·
13 min
·
East 200 North
16
Continue on US 40; US 191
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
17
Continue on US 40; US 191
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
18
Turn right onto South Vernal Avenue
72 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Vernal Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
South Vernal Avenue
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 86.6 miles from Draper, UT, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.9 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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.6 miles or 1h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vernal, UT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Draper, 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 Draper, UT
This is one driving day of about 173.2 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Draper, 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 US 40 for about 96.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.6 mi from Draper, UT · 1h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.6 miles from Draper, UT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 96.9 miles.
Arriving in Vernal, UT
The final approach into Vernal, 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 Vernal, UT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.45 one way
$54.89 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $28.77 | $57.54 |
| premium | $4.53 | $30.90 | $61.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.24 | $76.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52 | 0 | $18.19 | $8.31 |
| Efficient EV | 43.3 | 0 | $15.15 | $6.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.3 | 0 | $24.25 | $11.08 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Vernal, UT
Late night in Vernal on Wednesday
Local time
4:27 AM
MDT
Current temp
71°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
26 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
3h 24m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Draper, UT to Vernal, UT covers 173.2 miles and takes about 3h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 40, Veterans Memorial Highway, Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 86.6 miles from Draper, UT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.45 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 173.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Pioneer Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (12300 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 21 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Draper, UT and Vernal, UT, road signs point toward Sundance and Midway.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs. The route ranges from 4,501 ft to 7,700 ft elevation with about 3,569 ft of total climbing. There are 3 notable high points along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Vernal, UT
More trips to Vernal, UT
Explore more options from Draper, UT or browse trips ending in Vernal, UT.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse UT road trips.
Explore maps for Draper, UT or Vernal, UT on MapSof.net.