Origin
Orem, UT
Afternoon in Orem on Sunday
Local time
3:20 PM
MDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Orem, UT to Little Cottonwood Creek Valley, UT
Drive Time
41m
Distance
30.9 mi
50 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 38m
★
6 AM
0h 42m
8 AM
0h 49m
10 AM
0h 44m
12 PM
0h 44m
3 PM
0h 45m
5 PM
0h 49m
8 PM
0h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Orem, UT
Vladimir Srajber
Little Cottonwood Creek Valley, UT
Matthew Montrone
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition from the Orem area to the Little Cottonwood Creek Valley, this 30.9-mile journey is a straightforward trek through the Mountain West. You can easily complete the drive in about 41 minutes, making it a perfect one-day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a fuel budget of just $5, it is an incredibly economical route for your schedule. You will primarily utilize Veterans Memorial Highway, 9400 South, and State Street to navigate between these two points. Since the drive is short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your day without worrying about long hours behind the wheel.
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
15.5 miles from Orem, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Only 4% of this 30.9-mile route consists of highway driving, so prepare for frequent turns and surface street navigation. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the first 21.4 miles on the Veterans Memorial Highway, which provides a brief period of steady travel. As you transition off the highway and onto local roads like 9400 South and State Street, the pace shifts significantly. You will find that the character of the road changes from a swift highway transit to a more controlled, technical drive as you approach the valley.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 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 21.4 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 2.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 30.9 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 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
2.3 mi into trip
|
~4m 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
7
24 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward SR 151: 10600 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 293
Toward SR 151: 10600 South
9
24.1 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Monroe Street North, 10600 South East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Monroe Street North, 10600 South East
8
24.1 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward East 10600 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward East 10600 South
7
30.6 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
Creek Road
Turn sharp right onto Creek Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Orem, UT and Little Cottonwood Creek Valley, UT, road signs point toward Monroe Street North and 10600 South East.
Monroe Street North
24.1 mi in
|
~28m
10600 South East
24.1 mi in
|
~28m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Memorial Highway | 21.4 mi | 22m |
| 9400 South | 2 mi | 3m |
| State Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Highland Drive | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Canyon Parkway | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Sego Lily Drive | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| 700 East | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 10600 South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 21.4 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orem, UT and Little Cottonwood Creek Valley, UT.
1
Start on US 89
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
State Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
2
Turn left onto SR 52
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Canyon Parkway
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 15 North: Salt Lake City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Merge onto I 15
21 mi
·
22 min
·
Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
327 ft
·
4 sec
Exit 293
Toward SR 151: 10600 South
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
204 ft
·
2 sec
Toward Monroe Street North, 10600 South East
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
Toward East 10600 South
Use the slight right lane.
8
Turn right onto 10600 South
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
10600 South
Use the right lane.
9
Turn left onto US 89
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto Sego Lily Drive
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Sego Lily Drive
Use the none lane.
11
Turn left onto SR 71
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
700 East
Use the left / none lanes.
12
Turn right onto 9400 South
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
9400 South
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on SR 209
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
9400 South
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto Highland Drive
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Highland Drive
Use the left lane.
15
Turn sharp right onto Creek Road
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Creek Road
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto Willow Stream Drive
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Willow Stream Drive
17
Turn right onto Stream View Drive
355 ft
·
12 sec
·
Stream View Drive
18
Arrive at destination
3 ft
·
Stream View Drive
Trip Plan
Because this is a short, 41-minute trip, you have the advantage of total scheduling flexibility. You do not need to worry about planning for multiple stops, as the entire route is manageable in one go. Keep in mind that since the majority of the drive takes place on local roads, traffic patterns on State Street and 9400 South may impact your travel time more than highway congestion would. With your fuel costs estimated at a modest $5, ensure your tank is topped off before you head out so you can focus on the road rather than finding a station. Aim to avoid peak commute hours to make the most of the turn-heavy sections of your trip.
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 15.5 miles from Orem, UT, or about 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.4 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 30.9 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.5 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Little Cottonwood Creek Valley, UT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Orem, 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 Orem, UT
This is one driving day of about 30.9 miles and 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Orem, UT.
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 Veterans Memorial Highway for about 21.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.5 mi from Orem, UT · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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 30.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.5 miles from Orem, UT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Little Cottonwood Creek Valley, UT
The final approach into Little Cottonwood Creek Valley, 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 Little Cottonwood Creek Valley, 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
$4.90 one way
$9.79 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $5.15 | $10.29 |
| premium | $4.53 | $5.51 | $11.02 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.86 | $13.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.3 | 0 | $3.24 | $1.48 |
| Efficient EV | 7.7 | 0 | $2.70 | $1.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.33 | $1.98 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
Little Cottonwood Creek Valley, UT
Afternoon in Little Cottonwood Creek Valley on Sunday
Local time
3:20 PM
MDT
Current temp
62°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
21 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
41m 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 Orem, UT to Little Cottonwood Creek Valley, UT covers 30.9 miles and takes about 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Veterans Memorial Highway, 9400 South, State Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.5 miles from Orem, UT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.90 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 is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 30.9 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 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Orem, UT and Little Cottonwood Creek Valley, UT, road signs point toward Monroe Street North and 10600 South East.
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