Origin
River Heights, UT
Afternoon in River Heights on Sunday
Local time
1:50 PM
MDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from River Heights, UT to Sandy, UT
Drive Time
1h 48m
Distance
94 mi
151 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 40m
★
6 AM
1h 48m
8 AM
2h 4m
10 AM
1h 54m
12 PM
1h 52m
3 PM
1h 54m
5 PM
2h 3m
8 PM
1h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
River Heights, UT
Matthew Montrone
Sandy, UT
Jan Kopřiva
Trip Overview
Traveling from River Heights to Sandy, Utah, covers a straightforward 94-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 48 minutes. Since this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Your route primarily utilizes Veterans Memorial Highway, US 89, and 9000 South to navigate through the Mountain West. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, it is a budget-friendly transit between these two Utah locations. Because there are no scheduled stops required by the itinerary, you have the flexibility to power through the drive or take breaks as your schedule permits. Overall, this is a practical connection that serves well for those looking to reach their destination efficiently.
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
47 miles from River Heights, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mix of driving conditions on this route, which is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive. Only 28% of your journey is spent on highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your time navigating local roads. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch during the 65.5 miles spent on Veterans Memorial Highway. As you transition away from the highway portions, the drive shifts into a more technical experience that requires your full attention at the wheel. The contrast between the open highway and the local road segments keeps the drive engaging, so be prepared for changing road dynamics as you approach Sandy.
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 65.5 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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 94 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 12 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.
6
83.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m 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
92.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward SR 209: 9000 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 295
Toward SR 209: 9000 South
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Memorial Highway | 65.5 mi | 1h 9m |
| US 89 | 25.6 mi | 31m |
| 9000 South | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| I 15 Business | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 8800 South | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| 700 South | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| State Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Summerwild Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 65.5 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between River Heights, UT and Sandy, 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
9.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 295
Toward SR 209: 9000 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
418 ft
·
12 sec
Toward SR 209: 9000 South, Mountain America Expo Center, America First Field, Sandy
13
Turn straight onto SR 209
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
9000 South
14
Turn left onto US 89
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
State Street
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto 8800 South
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
8800 South
16
Arrive at destination
8800 South
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of the local road segments, it is wise to plan your departure during daylight hours to ensure better visibility for navigation. Since the total drive time is under two hours, you have significant flexibility to pace the trip based on your personal comfort. Keep in mind that with zero mandatory stops, you are responsible for managing your own rest breaks along the way. While $15 should cover your fuel, consider topping off your tank before leaving River Heights to avoid searching for stations during the more local, turn-heavy sections. Focus on staying alert during the transition from Veterans Memorial Highway to the local streets of 9000 South to ensure a smooth arrival.
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 47 miles from River Heights, UT, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.5 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 47 miles or 55m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sandy, 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 94 miles and 1h 48m.
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 65.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47 mi from River Heights, UT · 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 47 miles from River Heights, 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 65.5 miles.
Arriving in Sandy, UT
The final approach into Sandy, 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 Sandy, 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
$14.90 one way
$29.79 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $15.66 | $31.32 |
| premium | $4.53 | $16.76 | $33.52 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $20.88 | $41.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.2 | 0 | $9.87 | $4.51 |
| Efficient EV | 23.5 | 0 | $8.23 | $3.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.6 | 0 | $13.16 | $6.02 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Sandy, UT
Afternoon in Sandy on Sunday
Local time
1:50 PM
MDT
Current temp
42°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
16 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 48m 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 Sandy, UT covers 94 miles and takes about 1h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Veterans Memorial Highway, US 89, 9000 South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 47 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 $14.90 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 12 significant decision points across 94 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 Sandy, UT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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