Origin
Orem, UT
Afternoon in Orem on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
MDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
2h 15m
Distance
119.1 mi
192 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Orem, UT
Vladimir Srajber
River Heights, UT
Matthew Montrone
If you are planning a trip from Orem to River Heights, you are looking at a 119.1-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. This trek stays entirely within Utah’s Mountain West region, making it a manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $19 on fuel for the one-way drive. Because the route relies on a combination of Veterans Memorial Highway, US 89, and 1100 South, it is best suited for those who don't mind navigating local turns. It is a straightforward transit between two points in the state that offers enough variety to keep you engaged without feeling like an exhausting marathon.
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
59.5 miles from Orem, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Expect a shift in pace as you move from high-speed transit to more technical driving. Only 19% of this route consists of highway travel, meaning you will spend the bulk of your time on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 89.7 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway, providing a consistent rhythm before the drive transitions into a turn-heavy local segment. Navigating these final miles requires more focus than standard interstate cruising, as the road personality shifts from a fast-paced arterial flow to a more localized environment. You will want to stay alert as the layout changes, especially as you approach the final destination.
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.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 119.1 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 2.7 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.5 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward I 15 North: Salt Lake City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15 Business; I 84 Business
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn right onto 700 South
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Memorial Highway | 89.7 mi | 1h 35m |
| US 89 | 20.9 mi | 25m |
| 1100 South | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| Canyon Parkway | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| State Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| I 15 Business | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 700 South | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Summerwild Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Orem, UT and River Heights, UT.
Start on US 89
Turn left onto SR 52
Take the exit
Merge onto I 15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 15
Take the exit onto I 15 Business; I 84 Business
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15 Business; I 84 Business
Merge onto US 91; I 15 Bus; I 84 Bus
Continue on US 89; US 91
Turn right onto 700 South
Turn left onto Summerwild Avenue
Continue on 600 South
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever it suits your schedule without needing to plan for overnight stops. With zero designated stops required, you can easily complete the drive in one go, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise given the $19 estimated cost. Prioritize leaving during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the local segments of the route. Because the drive is characterized by its turn-heavy nature at the end, ensure your GPS is updated before you head out to navigate the transition onto 1100 South smoothly. Use this day trip window to your advantage by planning your departure to avoid the heaviest local traffic patterns.
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.
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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.5 miles or 1h 5m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near River Heights, UT than in the middle of the route.
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 119.1 miles and 2h 15m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.5 mi from Orem, UT · 1h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 59.5 miles from Orem, UT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.7 miles.
The final approach into River Heights, 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 River Heights, UT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$18.87 one way
$37.75 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $19.84 | $39.68 |
| premium | $4.53 | $21.24 | $42.47 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.46 | $52.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.7 | 0 | $12.51 | $5.72 |
| Efficient EV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.42 | $4.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.6 | 0 | $16.67 | $7.62 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Orem on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
MDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in River Heights on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
MDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
43°F
Farmington, UT
60 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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