Trip from River Heights, UT to Orem, UT

Drive Time

2h 16m

Distance

119.4 mi

192 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 7m ★
6 AM
2h 16m
8 AM
2h 35m
10 AM
2h 23m
12 PM
2h 21m
3 PM
2h 24m
5 PM
2h 34m
8 PM
2h 11m

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

Downtown River Heights, UT, UT

River Heights, UT

Matthew Montrone

Downtown Orem, UT, UT

Orem, UT

Vladimir Srajber

Trip Overview

Connecting River Heights to Orem, this 119.4-mile journey takes approximately 2 hours and 16 minutes to complete. Because the trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You can expect to spend about $19 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for travel within Utah’s Mountain West. Your route utilizes a combination of Veterans Memorial Highway, US 89, and Canyon Parkway. Since the entire drive stays within the same state, you will experience a consistent regional feel from start to finish. It is an efficient way to navigate between these two locations without the need for complex logistical planning.

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

59.7 miles from River Heights, UT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While about 23% of the journey consists of highway travel, the remainder of the route shifts toward more technical, winding roads. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Veterans Memorial Highway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 89.6 miles. The character of the drive changes as you transition from faster highway segments into the more localized sections of the trip. Be prepared for a varied pace that keeps you engaged rather than settling into a monotonous interstate grind.

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.
Veterans Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 89.6 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 0.9 miles in near US 89; US 91.

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 119.4 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 0.9 miles (US 89; US 91): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.7 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.6 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.

6
0.9 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 89; US 91

Keep slight right at fork onto US 89; US 91

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
6
47.7 mi into trip | ~56m in | I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
116.6 mi into trip | ~2h 10m 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
116.8 mi into trip | ~2h 10m 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
7
119.4 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in | US 89 / State Street

Turn uturn onto US 89 / State Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway 89.6 mi 1h 34m
US 89 25.6 mi 31m
Canyon Parkway 1.3 mi 2m
State Street 1.2 mi 2m
I 15 Business 0.4 mi <1m
700 South 0.3 mi 1m
Summerwild Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
600 South 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Veterans Memorial Highway — 89.6 mi, about 1h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 600 South

0.2 mi · 43 sec · 600 South
2

Continue on Summerwild Avenue

0.3 mi · 45 sec · Summerwild Avenue
3

Turn right onto 700 South

0.3 mi · 1 min · 700 South
4

Turn left onto US 89; US 91

489 ft · 11 sec · Main Street
5

Keep slight right at fork onto US 89; US 91

26 mi · 31 min · US 89; US 91
Use the slight right lane.
6

Take the exit onto I 15 Business; I 84 Business

0.4 mi · 40 sec · I 15 Business; I 84 Business
7

Merge onto I 15; I 84

21 mi · 21 min · Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 15

27 mi · 29 min · Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 15

8.2 mi · 8 min · Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 15

33 mi · 35 min · Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 272 Toward SR 52: 800 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Toward SR 52 East: Provo Canyon, Sundance Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on SR 52

1.3 mi · 2 min · Canyon Parkway
Use the left lane.
14

Turn right onto US 89

1.2 mi · 2 min · State Street
Use the right lane.
15

Turn uturn onto US 89

395 ft · 8 sec · State Street
16

Arrive at destination

US 89

Trip Plan

Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled for this 119.4-mile route, you have the flexibility to manage your own pace. Aim to depart during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion, as the turn-heavy nature of the local roads can be more taxing during heavy traffic. With a fuel budget of $19, it is wise to top off your tank before departing River Heights to ensure you have plenty of range for the entire duration. Because the total drive time is just over two hours, try to stretch your legs at the halfway point if you feel fatigued. Keep a close eye on your navigation when transitioning between US 89 and Canyon Parkway to stay on track throughout the local segments.

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 59.7 miles from River Heights, UT, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.6 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 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 59.7 miles or 1h 9m 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 50m

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 River Heights, 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 River Heights, UT

This is one driving day of about 119.4 miles and 2h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from River Heights, 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 89.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 59.7 mi from River Heights, UT · 1h 9m into the drive

Downtown Farmington, UT, UT

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Farmington, UT

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Salt Lake City, UT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Farmington, UT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 59.7 miles from River Heights, UT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.6 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.92 one way

$37.84 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.23 $19.89 $39.78
premium $4.53 $21.29 $42.58
diesel $5.64 $26.53 $53.05

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: 41.8 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 35.8 0 $12.54 $5.73
Efficient EV 29.9 0 $10.45 $4.78
EV Truck/SUV 47.8 0 $16.72 $7.64

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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

River Heights, UT

Afternoon in River Heights on Sunday

Local time

4:22 PM

MDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Orem, UT

Afternoon in Orem on Sunday

Local time

4:22 PM

MDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

17 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 16m 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 River Heights, UT to Orem, UT covers 119.4 miles and takes about 2h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Veterans Memorial Highway, US 89, Canyon Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.7 miles from River Heights, UT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.92 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 12 significant decision points across 119.4 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 0.9 miles (US 89; US 91): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.7 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from River Heights, UT to Orem, UT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Orem, UT to River Heights, UT

Plan the drive back the other way.

119.1 mi 2h 15m

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