Trip from Sandy, UT to Ballard, UT

Drive Time

2h 59m

Distance

149.7 mi

241 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

2h 48m ★

6 AM

3h 0m

8 AM

3h 22m

10 AM

3h 8m

12 PM

3h 5m

3 PM

3h 9m

5 PM

3h 21m

8 PM

2h 53m

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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Sandy, UT

Jan Kopřiva

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Sandy to Ballard, expect a 149.7-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 59 minutes. This route stays within the Mountain West region of Utah, making it a straightforward drive that is easily manageable in a single day. You will primarily navigate via US 40, which is part of the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, the trip is budget-friendly and efficient for travelers looking to move between these two locations. Since this is a mixed drive, you have the flexibility to complete it in one go without the need for an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

74.9 miles from Sandy, UT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .

Drive Character

This 149.7-mile trek features a varied driving experience, with 58% of the journey spent on highways. You should prepare for a significant stint behind the wheel, as the longest uninterrupted stretch spans 86.5 miles along US 40. The route transitions through different road types, shifting from busier sections to more open stretches as you follow the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway. Because this is a mixed-profile drive, you will encounter changes in road pace that keep the journey engaging. Expect a steady, predictable flow once you settle into the longer highway segments.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 86.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 89 / State Street.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 149.7 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (US 89 / State Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 89 / State Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 89 / State Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

3.1 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the ramp toward I 215 East

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 215 East

12.3 mi into trip | ~16m in

Take the exit toward I 80 East: Park City, Cheyenne

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 2 Toward I 80 East: Park City, Cheyenne

30.7 mi into trip | ~37m in

Take the exit toward US 40 East: Heber City, Vernal

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 146 Toward US 40 East: Heber City, Vernal

30.9 mi into trip | ~37m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 40: Heber, Vernal

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 40: Heber, Vernal

Towns Along This Route

Between Sandy, UT and Ballard, UT, road signs point toward Cheyenne and Vernal.

Cheyenne

12.3 mi in | ~16m

Vernal

30.7 mi in | ~37m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 40	86.5 mi	1h 41m
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway	27.3 mi	31m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway	17.6 mi	19m
Belt Route	8.9 mi	9m
East 200 North	2.8 mi	3m
State Street	2.7 mi	5m
3500 East	0.7 mi	2m
700 South	0.4 mi	2m

Longest stretch: US 40 — 86.5 mi, about 1h 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sandy, UT and Ballard, UT.

Start on 8800 South

0.4 mi · 1 min · 8800 South

At end of road, turn right onto US 89

2.7 mi · 5 min · State Street

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward I 215 East Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 215

8.9 mi · 9 min · Belt Route

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 2 Toward I 80 East: Park City, Cheyenne Use the slight right lane.

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 22 sec · this road

Merge onto I 80

18 mi · 19 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Exit 146 Toward US 40 East: Heber City, Vernal Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Toward US 40: Heber, Vernal Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 40; US 189

87 mi · 1 hr 41 min · US 40; US 189

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 40; US 191

27 mi · 31 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway

Continue on US 40; US 191

0.4 mi · 29 sec · South Main Street

Continue on US 40; US 191

0.2 mi · 16 sec · North 200 East

Turn right onto US 40; US 191

2.8 mi · 3 min · East 200 North

Turn right onto 3500 East

0.7 mi · 2 min · 3500 East

Continue on 700 South

0.4 mi · 2 min · 700 South

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For a smooth trip, aim to depart early to make the most of your day since the drive requires about 3 hours of travel time. You are limited to one recommended stop, so plan your break strategically to maximize your efficiency on the road. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 86.5-mile stretch on US 40, as services may be spaced out. Since you are covering nearly 150 miles, checking local traffic conditions on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway before you leave Sandy is a smart move. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your pace to ensure a comfortable arrival in Ballard.

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 74.9 miles from Sandy, UT, or about 1h 29m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.5 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 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 74.9 miles or 1h 29m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 25m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Sandy, 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 Sandy, UT

This is one driving day of about 149.7 miles and 2h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sandy, 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 US 40 for about 86.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 74.9 mi from Sandy, UT · 1h 29m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Provo, UT

75 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

Provo, UT

Fuel and coffee

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

Provo, UT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 74.9 miles from Sandy, UT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.5 miles.

Arriving in Ballard, UT

The final approach into Ballard, 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 Ballard, 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

$23.72 one way

$47.44 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.23	$24.94	$49.87
premium	$4.53	$26.69	$53.39
diesel	$5.64	$33.26	$66.52

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	44.9	$15.72	$7.19
Efficient EV	37.4	$13.10	$5.99
EV Truck/SUV	59.9	$20.96	$9.58

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (65% 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 3 days ago

Origin

Sandy, UT

Afternoon in Sandy on Sunday

Local time

1:53 PM

MDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ballard, UT

Afternoon in Ballard on Sunday

Local time

1:53 PM

MDT

Current temp

35°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

7 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 59m 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 Sandy, UT to Ballard, UT covers 149.7 miles and takes about 2h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 40, Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 74.9 miles from Sandy, UT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.72 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.