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Trip from Salt Lake City, UT to Moab, UT

Drive Time

4h 35m

Distance

233.9 mi

376 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 22m ★
6 AM
4h 36m
8 AM
5h 3m
10 AM
4h 45m
12 PM
4h 42m
3 PM
4h 46m
5 PM
5h 1m
8 PM
4h 28m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Moab, UT, UT

Moab, UT

James Lee

Trip Overview

The drive from Salt Lake City, UT to Moab, UT covers 233.9 miles and takes about 4h 35m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, I 15 ALT, US 191 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 146.1 miles on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.06 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

116.9 miles from Salt Lake City, UT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Salt Lake City, UT to Moab, UT covers 233.9 miles and takes about 4h 35m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 146.1 miles.

Elevation Profile

High-altitude sections with notable climbs

7,119 ft 4,031 ft

Total Climb

3,089 ft

Total Descent

3,322 ft

Highest Point

7,119 ft

~100.2 mi in

Elevation Range

3,088 ft

Notable High Points

4,527 ft at ~33.4 miles +1 ft prominence
7,119 ft at ~100.2 miles +559 ft prominence
4,795 ft at ~200.5 miles +233 ft prominence

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 0.1 miles in near 300 South.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 233.9 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 0.1 miles (300 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 15 ALT): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | 300 South

Turn right onto 300 South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
8
1.5 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 15 ALT

Keep slight right at fork onto I 15 ALT toward I 15 South, I 80 East: Las Vegas, Cheyenne

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward I 15 South, I 80 East: Las Vegas, Cheyen...
8
50.6 mi into trip | ~57m in

Take the exit toward US 6 East, SR 156: Spanish Fork, Main Street, Price

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 257B-A Toward US 6 East, SR 156: Spanish Fork, Main St...
8
51 mi into trip | ~58m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 6 East: Price

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Exit 257B Toward US 6 East: Price
8
202.3 mi into trip | ~3h 55m in | US 191

Keep slight right at fork onto US 191 toward Arches, Dead Horse Point, Canyonlands

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward Arches, Dead Horse Point, Canyonlands

Towns Along This Route

Between Salt Lake City, UT and Moab, UT, road signs point toward Price, Arches, Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands.

Price

50.6 mi in | ~57m

Arches

202.3 mi in | ~3h 55m | via US 191

Dead Horse Point

202.3 mi in | ~3h 55m | via US 191

Canyonlands

202.3 mi in | ~3h 55m | via US 191

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway 146.1 mi 2h 48m
I 15 ALT 49.1 mi 52m
US 191 27.2 mi 31m
US 6 3.7 mi 5m
Main Street 2.6 mi 6m
East Main Street 1.7 mi 3m
State Street 1 mi 1m
West Temple 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — 146.1 mi, about 2h 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Salt Lake City, UT and Moab, UT.

1

Start on Main Street

0.1 mi · 36 sec · Main Street
2

Turn right onto 300 South

0.1 mi · 37 sec · 300 South
Use the right lane.
3

Turn right onto SR 186

0.3 mi · 52 sec · State Street
4

Turn right onto SR 269

0.3 mi · 49 sec · 500 South
5

Turn left onto SR 270

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Temple
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 15 ALT

49 mi · 52 min · I 15 ALT
Toward I 15 South, I 80 East: Las Vegas, Cheyenne Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 257B-A Toward US 6 East, SR 156: Spanish Fork, Main Street, Price Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 257B Toward US 6 East: Price Use the straight lane.
9

Merge

0.2 mi · 15 sec
Toward US 6 East: Price
10

Continue on US 6

3.7 mi · 5 min · US 6
Use the left lane.
11

Continue on US 6

33 mi · 39 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
12

Continue on US 6

0.7 mi · 57 sec · State Street
13

Continue on US 6

35 mi · 42 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
14

Continue on US 6; US 191

0.5 mi · 49 sec · West Highway Drive
15

Continue on US 6; US 191

1.7 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
16

Continue on US 6; US 191

76 mi · 1 hr 23 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
Use the straight lane.
17

Take the exit onto US 191

0.3 mi · 37 sec · US 191
Exit 182 Toward US 191: Crescent Junction, Moab
18

Keep slight right at fork onto US 191

27 mi · 31 min · US 191
Toward Arches, Dead Horse Point, Canyonlands Use the left lane.
19

Keep slight right at fork onto US 191

2.1 mi · 3 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
20

Turn straight onto US 191

2.5 mi · 5 min · Main Street
21

Turn left onto Center Street

311 ft · 20 sec · Center Street
Use the left lane.
22

Continue on Center Street

81 ft · 8 sec · Center Street
23

Arrive at destination

Center Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 116.9 miles from Salt Lake City, UT, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.1 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 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 116.9 miles or 2h 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 3h 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Moab, UT than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Salt Lake City, 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 Salt Lake City, UT

This is one driving day of about 233.9 miles and 4h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Salt Lake City, UT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway for about 146.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 116.9 mi from Salt Lake City, UT · 2h 18m into the drive

Downtown Payson, UT, UT

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Payson, UT

117 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

Spanish Fork, UT

Fuel and coffee

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

Payson, UT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 116.9 miles from Salt Lake City, UT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 146.1 miles.

Arriving in Moab, UT

The final approach into Moab, 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 Moab, UT.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Arches National Park

Arches National Park

National Park

Discover a landscape of contrasting colors, land forms, and textures unlike any other. The park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balance...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour $30 near mile 225.8
View on nps.gov
Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Timpanogos Cave National Monument

National Monument

The visitor center, caves, and cave tours have not yet opened for the 2026 season. Hike your way past stunning vistas to explore a hidden underground world. Taste the thrill of caving as you twist and...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour $12 near mile 32.3
View on nps.gov
Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park

National Park

Canyonlands is a wilderness of canyons, buttes, and spires carved by the Colorado River and Green River. The park is divided into four distinct districts; no roads join them together. The districts sh...

29 mi from route ~72 min detour $30 near mile 233.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.06 one way

$74.13 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 82 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.23 $38.96 $77.92
premium $4.53 $41.71 $83.41
diesel $5.64 $51.96 $103.93

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$37

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 81.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 70.2 0 $24.56 $11.23
Efficient EV 58.5 0 $20.47 $9.36
EV Truck/SUV 93.6 1 $32.75 $14.97

Gas CO2

82 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 3 days ago

Origin

Salt Lake City, UT

Afternoon in Salt Lake City on Sunday

Local time

3:13 PM

MDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Moab, UT

Afternoon in Moab on Sunday

Local time

3:13 PM

MDT

Current temp

45°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

2 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

4h 35m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Salt Lake City, UT to Moab, UT covers 233.9 miles and takes about 4h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, I 15 ALT, US 191. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 116.9 miles from Salt Lake City, UT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.06 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 233.9 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 0.1 miles (300 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 15 ALT): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Salt Lake City, UT and Moab, UT, road signs point toward Price, Arches, Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs. The route ranges from 4,031 ft to 7,119 ft elevation with about 3,089 ft of total climbing. There are 3 notable high points along the way.

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