Origin
Sandy, UT
Afternoon in Sandy on Sunday
Local time
1:54 PM
MDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
1h 47m
Distance
93.9 mi
151 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sandy, UT
Jan Kopřiva
River Heights, UT
Matthew Montrone
Connecting Sandy to River Heights is a straightforward journey spanning 93.9 miles through the heart of the Mountain West. You should plan for about 1 hour and 47 minutes of driving time, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Your route primarily utilizes Veterans Memorial Highway, US 89, and 1100 South to navigate between these two Utah communities. Budgeting approximately $15 for fuel will cover your transit costs comfortably. Since there are no mandatory stops required by the route data, you have the flexibility to power through or take breaks at your own pace. It is a practical, efficient connection that serves well for those looking to reach their destination without unnecessary complexity.
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
46.9 miles from Sandy, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Expect a drive defined by its turn-heavy local nature, which keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Only about 23% of the journey takes place on highways, meaning you will spend the bulk of your time navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted section is a 65.8-mile stretch on Veterans Memorial Highway, providing a brief period of steady cruising before the route shifts into more technical maneuvering. As you transition from the highway segments onto the local roads, the pace naturally shifts to accommodate the turns. This mix of fast highway stretches and winding local paths gives the 93.9-mile route a distinct, evolving personality that keeps you focused on the road ahead.
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 0.6 miles in near SR 209 / 9000 South.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 93.9 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 0.6 miles (SR 209 / 9000 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.4 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto SR 209 / 9000 South
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 15: Salt Lake City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Merge onto I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway toward Salt Lake City
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto 700 South
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Memorial Highway | 65.8 mi | 1h 9m |
| US 89 | 20.9 mi | 25m |
| 1100 South | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| I 15 Business | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 9000 South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 8800 South | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| 700 South | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Summerwild Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Sandy, UT and River Heights, UT.
Start on 8800 South
At end of road, turn left onto US 89
Turn right onto SR 209
Take the ramp
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 15
Take the exit onto I 15 Business; I 84 Business
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15 Business; I 84 Business
Merge onto US 91; I 15 Bus; I 84 Bus
Continue on US 89; US 91
Turn right onto 700 South
Turn left onto Summerwild Avenue
Continue on 600 South
Arrive at destination
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of being able to depart whenever fits your schedule best without needing a strict itinerary. Given the 1-hour and 47-minute duration, you can easily complete the entire 93.9-mile distance in a single push without feeling overly fatigued. Since the route is turn-heavy, keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition from Veterans Memorial Highway onto local roads like 1100 South. You won't need to worry about extensive refueling stops with a $15 fuel budget, but it is always wise to ensure your tank is topped off before leaving Sandy. Take advantage of the route's simplicity to focus on smooth driving through the turns rather than rushing to reach River Heights.
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.
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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.9 miles or 51m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near River Heights, UT than in the middle of the route.
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 93.9 miles and 1h 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.9 mi from Sandy, UT · 51m 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 46.9 miles from Sandy, 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 65.8 miles.
The final approach into River Heights, 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 River Heights, UT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$14.88 one way
$29.76 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $15.64 | $31.28 |
| premium | $4.53 | $16.74 | $33.49 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $20.86 | $41.72 |
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 | $9.86 | $4.51 |
| Efficient EV | 23.5 | 0 | $8.22 | $3.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.6 | 0 | $13.15 | $6.01 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Sandy on Sunday
Local time
1:54 PM
MDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in River Heights on Sunday
Local time
1:54 PM
MDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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