Trip from Moab, UT to Orem, UT

Drive Time

3h 55m

Distance

197.2 mi

317 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 43m ★
6 AM
3h 56m
8 AM
4h 21m
10 AM
4h 5m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 6m
5 PM
4h 20m
8 PM
3h 48m

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

Downtown Moab, UT, UT

Moab, UT

James Lee

Downtown Orem, UT, UT

Orem, UT

Vladimir Srajber

Trip Overview

Traveling from Moab to Orem covers 197.2 miles and takes roughly 3 hours and 55 minutes to complete. This journey stays entirely within the Mountain West, connecting two key Utah hubs via the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, Veterans Memorial Highway, and Main Street. You can comfortably tackle this trip in a single day, making it an ideal excursion for those looking to transition from the desert landscape to the urban corridor. Budgeting around $31 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since the drive is relatively straightforward, it works well as a direct transit route rather than an extended multi-day expedition.

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

98.6 miles from Moab, UT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While about 2% of the route consists of highway driving, the vast majority of your time will be spent navigating local roads. You will settle into a long, 172.1-mile stretch on the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, which accounts for the bulk of your travel time. The character of the road shifts as you transition from rural stretches into the more built-up environments of Veterans Memorial Highway and Main Street. Prepare for a mix of steady cruising and more technical driving segments that keep the experience engaging from start to finish.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 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 172.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 0.1 miles in near US 191 / Main Street.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 197.2 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 0.1 miles (US 191 / Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.5 miles (US 191): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 182.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

7
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 191 / Main Street

Turn sharp right onto US 191 / Main Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
6
31.5 mi into trip | ~40m in | US 191

Take the exit onto US 191 toward I-70 West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I-70 West
7
182.4 mi into trip | ~3h 37m in

Take the exit toward I 15 North: Salt Lake City

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 15 North: Salt Lake City
8
195.2 mi into trip | ~3h 51m in

Take the exit toward Orem, Center Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 271 Toward Orem, Center Street
7
195.5 mi into trip | ~3h 51m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Moab, UT to Orem, UT, road signs begin pointing toward Salt Lake City along the way.

Salt Lake City

55.4 mi in | ~1h 2m | via US 6; US 191

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway 172.1 mi 3h 18m
Veterans Memorial Highway 12.5 mi 13m
Main Street 4.2 mi 8m
East US-6 3.6 mi 4m
West Center Street 1.5 mi 3m
US 6 0.8 mi 1m
State Street 0.7 mi 1m
West Highway Drive 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — 172.1 mi, about 3h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Moab, UT and Orem, UT.

1

Start on Center Street

284 ft · 20 sec · Center Street
2

Turn sharp right onto US 191

2.5 mi · 5 min · Main Street
Use the none lane.
3

Continue on US 191

29 mi · 34 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
Use the none lane.
4

Take the exit onto US 191

0.5 mi · 57 sec · US 191
Toward I-70 West
5

Merge onto I 70; US 6; US 50; US 191

23 mi · 21 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
6

Take the exit onto US 6; US 191

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 6; US 191
Exit 157 Toward US 6 West, US 191 North: Price, Salt Lake City
7

Merge onto US 6; US 191

51 mi · 1 hr · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
Use the none lane.
8

Continue on US 6; US 191

1.7 mi · 3 min · Main Street
Use the none lane.
9

Continue on US 6; US 191

0.5 mi · 49 sec · West Highway Drive
Use the none lane.
10

Continue on US 6; US 191

35 mi · 42 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
Use the none lane.
11

Continue on US 6

0.7 mi · 58 sec · State Street
12

Continue on US 6

33 mi · 39 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
Use the none lane.
13

Continue on US 6

3.6 mi · 4 min · East US-6
Use the none lane.
14

Continue on US 6

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 15 North: Salt Lake City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto I 15

13 mi · 13 min · Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 271 Toward Orem, Center Street Use the slight right lane.
18

Keep slight right at fork

448 ft · 12 sec
Use the right lane.
19

Turn straight onto West Center Street

1.5 mi · 3 min · West Center Street
Use the none lane.
20

Continue on East Center Street

223 ft · 7 sec · East Center Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
21

Turn right

173 ft · 13 sec
22

Turn sharp right onto US 89

135 ft · 7 sec · State Street
23

Arrive at destination

US 89

Trip Plan

Planning for this trip is simple since you only need to account for one planned stop over the course of the 197.2-mile distance. Because this is a shorter drive, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before starting the long 172.1-mile segment on the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, as service availability can vary. Use that single stop strategically to stretch your legs and refuel before hitting the final transition onto Main Street in Orem. Sticking to this pace ensures you arrive at your destination refreshed without feeling rushed by the nearly four-hour duration.

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 98.6 miles from Moab, UT, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 172.1 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 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 98.6 miles or 1h 54m 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 11m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Moab, 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 Moab, UT

This is one driving day of about 197.2 miles and 3h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Moab, 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 Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway for about 172.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 98.6 mi from Moab, UT · 1h 54m into the drive

Downtown Payson, UT, UT

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Payson, UT

99 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

Payson, 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 98.6 miles from Moab, UT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 172.1 miles.

Arriving in Orem, UT

The final approach into Orem, 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 Orem, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.25 one way

$62.50 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 69 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.23 $32.85 $65.70
premium $4.53 $35.16 $70.32
diesel $5.64 $43.81 $87.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 69 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 59.2 0 $20.71 $9.47
Efficient EV 49.3 0 $17.26 $7.89
EV Truck/SUV 78.9 0 $27.61 $12.62

Gas CO2

69 kg

EV CO2

23 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Moab, UT

Afternoon in Moab on Sunday

Local time

1:57 PM

MDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Orem, UT

Afternoon in Orem on Sunday

Local time

1:57 PM

MDT

Current temp

41°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

4 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

3h 55m 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 Moab, UT to Orem, UT covers 197.2 miles and takes about 3h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, Veterans Memorial Highway, Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 98.6 miles from Moab, UT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.25 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 12 significant decision points across 197.2 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: at 0.1 miles (US 191 / Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.5 miles (US 191): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 182.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Moab, UT to Orem, UT, road signs begin pointing toward Salt Lake City along the way.

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Return Trip

Orem, UT to Moab, UT

Plan the drive back the other way.

197.4 mi 3h 55m

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