Origin
Grand Junction, CO
Afternoon in Grand Junction on Sunday
Local time
3:00 PM
MDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Grand Junction, CO to Moab, UT
Drive Time
2h 5m
Distance
113.4 mi
182 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 57m
★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 23m
8 PM
2h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Grand Junction, CO
Ambient Vista
Moab, UT
James Lee
Trip Overview
Connecting Grand Junction, Colorado, to Moab, Utah, covers a manageable 113.4-mile stretch that typically takes about 2 hours and 5 minutes to complete. Because this journey stays within the Mountain West, you will experience a seamless transition between these two iconic desert hubs. It is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you don't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you want to linger at your destination. Budgeting roughly $17 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. Whether you are heading out for a quick weekend escape or moving between adventure bases, this route offers a straightforward path between the two states.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
56.7 miles from Grand Junction, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mix of driving styles as you navigate the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway and I-70. While you will spend about 13% of your time on major highways, the road itself has a turn-heavy, local feel that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. You will face a significant 82.6-mile stretch on the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, which acts as the backbone of your trip. The transition between the high-speed interstate sections and the more technical local segments creates a varied experience. Prepare for a road that requires your attention, offering a driving character that feels more personal than a standard interstate slog.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 82.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near I 70 BUS / Ute Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 113.4 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (I 70 BUS / Ute Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles (I 70 BUS; US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
I 70 BUS / Ute Avenue
Turn left onto I 70 BUS / Ute Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
6.5 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
I 70 BUS; US 50
Take the exit onto I 70 BUS; US 50 toward I 70: Utah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 70: Utah
6
81.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward US 191 South: Crescent Junction, Moab
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 182
Toward US 191 South: Crescent Junction, Moab
6
81.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
|
US 191 / Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
Turn left onto US 191 / Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / none lanes.
6
108.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
|
US 191 / Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 191 / Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway | 82.6 mi | 1h 27m |
| I 70 | 14.6 mi | 14m |
| Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway | 10.9 mi | 10m |
| Main Street | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| Ute Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South 1st Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| I 70 BUS | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Center Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
— 82.6 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Junction, CO and Moab, UT.
1
Start on South 13th Street
351 ft
·
16 sec
·
South 13th Street
2
Turn left onto I 70 BUS
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Ute Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Continue on I 70 BUS; US 50
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South 1st Street
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on I 70 BUS; US 50
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
I 70 BUS; US 50
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on I 70 BUS; US 6; US 50
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
Use the left / none lanes.
6
Take the exit onto I 70 BUS; US 50
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
I 70 BUS; US 50
Toward I 70: Utah
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 70; US 50
15 mi
·
14 min
·
I 70; US 50
8
Continue on I 70; US 6; US 50
11 mi
·
10 min
·
Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway
9
Continue on I 70; US 6; US 50
49 mi
·
46 min
·
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 182
Toward US 191 South: Crescent Junction, Moab
11
Turn left onto US 191
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
Use the left / none lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 191
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
Use the none lane.
13
Turn straight onto US 191
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Main Street
Use the none lane.
14
Turn left onto Center Street
311 ft
·
20 sec
·
Center Street
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on Center Street
81 ft
·
8 sec
·
Center Street
16
Arrive at destination
Center Street
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is just over two hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your own schedule. Keep in mind that with no official stops required, you can easily push through the entire 113.4-mile distance in one go. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider timing your departure to avoid peak traffic hours, though the route's short duration makes it forgiving regardless of when you leave. Make sure your fuel tank is ready for the trip, as the $17 estimate is based on the full distance. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to prioritize your gas fill-up in Grand Junction before you start, ensuring you have a full tank to handle the varied terrain ahead.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.7 miles from Grand Junction, CO, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.6 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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.7 miles or 1h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Moab, UT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Grand Junction, CO 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 Grand Junction, CO
This is one driving day of about 113.4 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Grand Junction, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway for about 82.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 56.7 mi from Grand Junction, CO · 1h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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 56.7 miles from Grand Junction, CO, 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 82.6 miles.
Arriving in Moab, UT
The final approach into Moab, 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 Moab, 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
$17.18 one way
$34.37 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $18.23 | $36.47 |
| premium | $4.43 | $19.79 | $39.58 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $25.19 | $50.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34 | 0 | $11.91 | $5.44 |
| Efficient EV | 28.4 | 0 | $9.92 | $4.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.88 | $7.26 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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
Moab, UT
Afternoon in Moab on Sunday
Local time
3:00 PM
MDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
38°F
Monticello, UT
57 mi in
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
21 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 5m 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 Grand Junction, CO to Moab, UT covers 113.4 miles and takes about 2h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, I 70, Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.7 miles from Grand Junction, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.18 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 113.4 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (I 70 BUS / Ute Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles (I 70 BUS; US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Grand Junction, CO to Moab, UT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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