Origin
River Heights, UT
Afternoon in River Heights on Sunday
Local time
1:52 PM
MDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from River Heights, UT to Salt Lake City, UT
Drive Time
1h 35m
Distance
82 mi
132 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 29m
★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 42m
5 PM
1h 50m
8 PM
1h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
River Heights, UT
Matthew Montrone
Trip Overview
Traveling from River Heights to Salt Lake City is a straightforward 82-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes. Since the entire trip stays within the Mountain West region of Utah, you will experience a familiar landscape throughout your drive. This route is perfectly suited for a one-day excursion, meaning you can easily complete the round trip without needing an overnight stay. Budgeting approximately $13 for fuel will cover your transit costs comfortably. Whether you are heading into the city for business or a quick getaway, this drive offers a practical and efficient connection between these two locations.
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
41 miles from River Heights, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience as you navigate this 82-mile path. You will spend roughly 32% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing the Veterans Memorial Highway, US 89, and 400 South. The most significant portion of your travel includes a 53.4-mile stretch along the Veterans Memorial Highway, which provides the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip. The transition between these roads creates a varied pace, moving from highway speeds to the local conditions required once you reach the city limits. This blend of road types ensures the drive remains engaging while keeping your travel time predictable.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 14 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 53.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 82 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 75.1 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese 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.
6
75.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m 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
80.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward 400 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 307
Toward 400 South
8
80.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward City Center, Temple Square, Vivint Arena
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward City Center, Temple Square, Vivint Arena
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Memorial Highway | 53.4 mi | 56m |
| US 89 | 25.6 mi | 31m |
| 400 South | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| 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 |
| Main Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 53.4 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between River Heights, UT and Salt Lake City, 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
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 307
Toward 400 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
509 ft
·
14 sec
Toward City Center, Temple Square, Vivint Arena
Use the left lane.
12
Turn straight onto 400 South
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
400 South
Use the none lane.
13
Turn left onto Main Street
80 ft
·
3 sec
·
Main Street
Use the left lane.
14
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to depart whenever it suits your plans. Since there are no mandatory stops required to complete the 1 hour and 35-minute drive, you can travel straight through without needing to build in long breaks. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is estimated at $13, so topping off your tank before you leave River Heights will get you to your destination with ease. Use the Veterans Memorial Highway for the majority of your transit to maintain a steady pace, as it serves as the backbone of this route. By planning your departure to avoid peak local traffic hours on 400 South, you can ensure a smoother arrival in Salt Lake City.
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 41 miles from River Heights, UT, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.4 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41 miles or 49m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salt Lake City, 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 82 miles and 1h 35m.
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 53.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41 mi from River Heights, UT · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 41 miles from River Heights, UT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Salt Lake City, UT
The final approach into Salt Lake City, 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 Salt Lake City, 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
$12.99 one way
$25.99 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $13.66 | $27.32 |
| premium | $4.53 | $14.62 | $29.24 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.22 | $36.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.61 | $3.94 |
| Efficient EV | 20.5 | 0 | $7.18 | $3.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.8 | 0 | $11.48 | $5.25 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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
Salt Lake City, UT
Afternoon in Salt Lake City on Sunday
Local time
1:52 PM
MDT
Current temp
43°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
15 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
1h 35m 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 Salt Lake City, UT covers 82 miles and takes about 1h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Veterans Memorial Highway, US 89, 400 South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41 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 $12.99 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 11 significant decision points across 82 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 75.1 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from River Heights, UT to Salt Lake City, UT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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Return Trip
Salt Lake City, UT to River Heights, UTPlan the drive back the other way.
82.4 mi
1h 37m
Continue From Salt Lake City, UT
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