salt lake city to moab road trip

If you plan on visiting Arches National park between April and October, you will need to use the online bookings to get your reservation time. I opted to add an extra hour of driving to my road trip across Utah just so I could spend the night in Midway, which has been dubbed Utah's little Switzerland, according to Only In Your State. From there, its up to you. Moab to Salt Lake City road trip planner Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Moab to Salt Lake City. Road conditions from Salt Lake City to Moab Utah. Archaeologists estimate that the Bears Ears area contains more than 100,000 Indigenous cultural sites, and the concentration of human history here is truly awe-inspiring. Be sure to bring a vivid imagination and taste for exploration along with your hiking shoes, sunscreen and water bottle, because this is not your typical retreat. So even though I was visiting Canyonlands during its busy season, the park felt more deserted due to its large size and fewer visitors. Moab 27F. Theres no better way to experience Moab than exploring the off-road trails. During my short time in Moab, the Sunset Grill was mentioned multiple times by residents and due to its location, I was told it's supposed to be the best place to view a sunset (besides inside the nearby national parks). It was a stark contrast from Arches National Park, where I previously spent two daysconstantlyhunting for parking spots and avoiding people on crowded trails. Buckle up! Every Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., the Tabernacle choir group in Salt Lake City hosts rehearsals that are open to the public, according to the choir group's website. If you fancy a few days in Zion, check out an Airbnb or VRBO in Springdale! Check out the route. With mountain biking, hiking, climbing, OHV opportunities, climbing, and rafting, there's no shortage of things to do. Its a beautiful campus and also offers museum options (much less expensive than those at Thanksgiving Point) for kids. This includes my husband, our daughter (10 by the time we'll start our Adventure) and me. As your road trip progresses further south through Utah, you will come upon a number of towns, including Provo, Spanish Fork, Heber, Price, Green River, and Thompson Springs. Check the road conditions from Salt Lake City to Moab and plan a trip based on the weather along the way. These sites work like Airbnb and VRBO. 10:00 am leave from Moab. . WATCH: The Differences Between Salt Lake City & Denver. Do Car Rental Companies Check Your Driving License? Its not exactly a low-calorie option, but the buttery biscuits and juicy limeade are an SLC must! City: round-trip one-way. This local dive bar has morphed into a must-stop eatery on any road trip between Moab and Salt Lake City. In 1892, it became Moab's county courthouse,and today's kitchen wasoncethe courthouse's jail cell. One thing is for certain, you can always find something to do in Moab. A trip into the Utah desert requires an extensive packing list. Get up early to start your National Park tour. Copper Ridge Dinosaur Tracks Trail, Bone Trail, Willow Springs Dinosaur Track Site, and the Bull Canyon Overlook Dinosaur Track Site are other Moab locations for more Jurassic fun! From Zion, head back to UT-9 (24 miles, then take a left on US-89 north. The 76,000-acre park is home to more than 2,000 natural arches, otherworldly land forms, and expansive views. Or opt for a rowdy 2- or 3-day Westwater Canyon rafting trip, just upstream from Moab. Home of Brigham Young University, Provo is a good spot to stop and stretch your legs. Road Trip Conditions. Finally, turn right on UT-261 south (four miles) and keep an eye out for the Kane Gulch Ranger Station, where youll start your journey. Salt Lake City to Moab by bus. Some travelers drive from Salt Lake City to Arches National Park just to reconnect with nature and truly experience the sheer beauty of Moab and the surrounding areas. Theres a lot of hiking coming up! You can visit the Western Mining and Railroad Museum to learn more about the areas past. While I visited in the spring, I'm eager to return to Midway in the winter, when winter activities are in full swing and the town is blanketed in snow. SLC in mid-March - Salt Lake City Forum - Tripadvisor A straightforward road trip from Salt Lake City to Zion National Park will take 310 miles. Day 1 Salt Lake to Moab 234 Miles Arches National Park It takes about four hours to drive from Salt Lake City to Moab, or flights from Salt Lake City International Airport are available most days and only take about an hour. Best Route to drive from Salt Lake City to Moab Moab, Utah. Initially, I wasn't sure the extra mileage would be worth it. I arrived in Salt Lake on Thursday, and the choir practice was starting in just under an hour at the Tabernacle on Temple Square. 33 minutes Manti. Why Everyone Should Raft the Rogue River at Least Once, 10 of the Worlds Most Notorious Whitewater Rapids. If youre looking to explore Salt Lake and the surrounding areas along the way to Moab over an extended period of time, you might want to consider renting an RV. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. How Old Do You Have to Be to Rent a Uhaul? OARS is proud to be an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service and a permitted outfitter under the National Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. Exploring a national park can seem daunting. Just 15 minutes from Temple Square, and featuring two restaurants, it features everything you could need for a one-night downtown stay. I entered Canyonlands National Park and immediately wondered where all the people were. There are two main driving routes from Salt Lake City to Moab: I-15 S and US-6 E/US-191 S The quickest route is via I-15 S and US-6 E/US-191 S, which takes you through Spanish Fork and Price before reaching Moab. Both offer killer views of the towering rock formations. Flying Into Salt Lake City Once you land in Salt Lake City, plan to pick up your car or RV rental and head south toward Moab, Utah. Our family travels throughout the United States in our RV visiting beaches, national parks and everything in between. That same year, Arches National Park had 1.65 million visitors in a park that's about 180,000 acres smaller in size, according to the same source. This helps minimize overcrowding in the park. My sister loaned me her spare car while Im between vehicles, and Im kind of tempted to just take this one off her hands. In conclusion, the drive from Salt Lake City to Moab is a scenic and unforgettable experience that takes you through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Utah. You are going to love visiting Moab. : This national park is a must-see once you make your way to Moab. Follow those signs. While in Iosepa, they maintained their Hawaiian language, culture, and traditions, Insider previously reported. The more scenic route is via Highway 89 and Highway 24, which takes you through Mount Pleasant, Fairview, and Capitol Reef National Park before reaching Moab. Once in Moab, get settled into your hotel and have dinner. This is Utahs adventure epicenter a place where world-renowned natural destinations are scattered around a town thats brimming with local charm. On my last night in Moab, I drove up to the restaurant about a half hour before sunset. When I arrived, I sawfaint petroglyphs that I could only view from a distance. We want to be leisurely, so can you suggest an overnight stop between Santa Monica and the GC. I plugged in the Dream Mine on Google Maps, which led me to a gated road. Gas prices in Utah are relatively low compared to other states, and you can expect to pay around $35 for a full tank of gas. Park Fees: We recommend that you buy the $80 National Parks Pass that will allow you into all National Parks and Monuments. It features a pleasant outdoor patio for Tex-Mex fare. Salt Lake City to Moab, Utah - Distance, Drive Hours, Stops & Best The drive from Salt Lake City to Moab is not scary. I've never seen petroglyphs before, so when I learned Sego Canyon was within driving distance from Moab, I added it to my list of pit stops. As I drove through Provo, which is located 45 minutes south of Salt Lake, I was itching to stretch my legs. I later learned on Atlas Obscura that the amphitheater, which is sometimes called the Provo Castle, was built as part of the New Deal programs in 1936 as an event space. You wont be disappointed if you dine on the polenta con funghi wild mushrooms on gorgonzola-enriched polenta. The intrepid explorer can pilot their own ATV/UTV up and down the precarious rock formations following in the footsteps of many a skilled driver. As you visit, do your part to keep Utah Forever Mighty. Road Trip from Seattle to Moab - LazyTrips stay at Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City - a Kimpton Hotel. Power ranks Hertz as the best car rental company in North America, and for good reason. Home of the Truth's origin story is the most fascinating ghost-town story I've heard. Between eating, hiking, and exploring Utah, there are plenty of places I'm daydreaming about returning to, but there were a few pit stops that I don't think were worth my time. If you are short on time or if you are leaving Salt Lake City late in the day, you should continue to Moab without stopping here. I walked through the park and navigated my way to the entrance of the amphitheater where a group was practicing a play. Day 1: Salt Lake City A full day in Salt Lake City is an ideal way to start your trip. Road Trip From Salt Lake City To Moab | Visit Utah This route is approximately 240 miles long and takes about 3 hours and 48 minutes. Road Trip From Salt Lake City Airport | Avis Rent a Car OARS is an equal opportunity provider. Road conditions from Moab to Salt Lake City If youre visiting on a busy weekend, holiday or any day between mid-March through fall, youll also need to make a shuttle reservation online to access many parts of the park (shuttle tickets are not available at the park). You can take to the landscape or have fun checking out local shops and museums. Drive from Las Vegas (168 miles) or Salt Lake City (314 miles) to Springdale, gateway to Zion National Park. Road Trip Conditions. You can explore Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and the surrounding Moab area at your own pace. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. You can make stops in Boise, Twin Falls, and Salt Lake City to enjoy the sights. Start with the bruschetta misto or the pomodori e mozzarella to get your taste buds warmed up. Check the road conditions from Salt Lake City to Moab Utah and plan a trip based on the weather along the way. San Francisco to Salt Lake City - Road Trips Message Board - Tripadvisor This was one of our kids favorite things we did in Moab, and they are still talking about it. Nearly 70% of people living in Utah identify as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to the World Population Review. in Springdale. If you do visit, it is a good idea to make sure you bring a water bottle. Plus, a soda never cost me more than $3.14. Tours and equipment for these sports are available throughout the area and are a good time, especially if you are doing activities for the first time. The park also has two primitive campgrounds, which are free. After years of renting cars and sharing my findings with friends, I decided to start a blog so that I could help others save money and find the best possible car rental deals. *An earlier version of this Utah road trip post first appeared on the blog in 2013 and was last updated February 2021. Try the Sloppy Joe! This is the most convenient and easy way to get a rental car in Salt Lake City. But those views coupled with fewer crowds mean I'll come back to this national park over and over again. The distance between Salt Lake City to Moab, Utah is 233.8 miles (376.2 km). Essential Eligibility Criteria for River Trips, Essential Eligibility Criteria for Sea Kayaking Trips, Essential Eligibility Criteria for Hiking Trips, Essential Eligibility Criteria for Grand Canyon Hiking In/Out, Colorado River Rafting through Cataract Canyon. In my opinion, the only downside was that since no aquatic life lives in the crater, there was not much to view while diving. Salt Lake City . Fly into Denver, Salt Lake City or Las Vegas and rent a car. Offering fine Italian cuisine in an old brownstone, you will be charmed by the hip interior. On average, you can expect to pay around $60 per day for a standard car. Depending on when you arrive you may have enough time for a full afternoon in Arches National Park (Read: "The Best Time to Visit Moab"). While heavily trafficked, the 10.5 mile Slickrock Trail leads riders deep into a solitary ocean of rolling slickrock terrain. As an avid ghost-town explorer, a handful of my pit stops revolved around stopping at Utah's abandoned mines, deserted settlements, and empty, eerie hotels. Its towering cliffs, hidden side canyons and real-deal rapids are the stuff of river-rat legends. There are also tons of vocational rentals nearby! Stretch your legs after the drive and take a hike on the Devils Garden Trail in Arches National Park for a high concentration of arches, or drive out to Canyonlands National Parks Island in the Sky district and hike out to Murphy Point for a breathtaking view. If you do plan on going on many of the off-road trails without a travel guide, make sure you purchase the off-road guidebook called Moab, Ut Backroads & 4 Wheel Drive Trails. Make sure you have a good pair of walking shoesgood, sturdy tennis shoes will do! Check if you are overpaying for car insurance. Grand Circle Tour Itinerary | Utah.com I want to try it out on my car, but I cant seem to find the plug. Emma Walker is the author of the book Dead Reckoning: Learning from Accidents in the Outdoors. She earned her M.S. All needed equipment is provided as you learn rappelling, rope-assisted down climbs, and chimneying through slot canyons. * With Expedia member prices, you could save 10% or more right now on thousands of cars. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. But realize that if we do that it will take all of our time. One of the best things to do when traveling to Moab is to visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Plus, the trip gives you a backstage pass to Canyonlands National Park. The short hike to House on Fire from Mule Canyon is well worth the effort, and if you have more time, a longer hike in Road Canyon passes numerous archaeological sites. Discover rugged beauty and classic American hospitality on this trip into the west. Other popular stops include Utah Olympic Park, Salt Lake Utah Temple, and Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. Todays drive through Utahs high desert is around two hours and 45 minutes. However, when you step into the lobby, you quickly realize you have found something special a little hidden gem of a stay. is a trendy spot serving up a range of summer eats. In addition to the idyllic small towns, numerous attractions and natural wonders await you along the route: the Great Salt Lake, the Bonneville Salt Flats, and the Logan Canyon with the Wind . You would fly out of Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) to Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY), which is located 18 miles north of Moab. Road Trip from Salt Lake City to Zion National Park - LazyTrips We loved seeing the different sizes and different kinds of dinosaurs. While I didn't find much more than a cemetery, I was engulfed by the ghost town's history. This route takes about 4 hours. Our flight from ATL . For a more scenic drive, head up US191-N before driving east towards the Colorado state line. Afterwards, with tired legs and an unshakeable smile its time to head back into town for a bite to eat before gazing upwards into some of the darkest night skies anywhere in the world. How far is Salt Lake City to Moab by plane? In the morning, check out the. Its a great place to watch the sunset. drive for about 3 hours. Road conditions from Salt Lake City to Moab. Salt Lake City to Denver via Moab drive - plan a road trip Wandering around campus grounds brings back the halcyon days of college life. Take an archeological tour to get a sense of the lands history. Guided mountain biking tours along the Moab Courthouse Loop (introductory route, 7-10 miles) are a great option for families riding together who want to experience mountain biking at an introductory level. While its a bit longer, the stunning scenery along the way makes it worth the extra time. Operated by Salt Lake Express, the Salt Lake City to Moab bus service departs from Downtown Salt Lake and arrives in Moab, UT. The landscape along the way makes you want to grab your water bottle a must-have in the hot, desert environment and hike through the red rock formations. It also comes with some exclusive benefits, including car advice, key replacement, and Uber creditsand it only costs. We are excited to see this beautiful city. When you think of Moab you may think of hiking the Delicate Arch Trail, gazing over Canyonlands National Park or four wheeling down a slickrock trail. Start in Salt Lake City before heading to Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area where the Green River has been dammed to form a reservoir that's ideal for paddleboarding. Two intriguing and different Utah destinations Moab and Salt Lake City are waiting for you to explore their gifts. Road trips from Salt Lake City With soda shops sprinkled across the state, I chose pop more often than coffee during my road trip. They offer low rates on all of our vehicles, so you can hit the open road without breaking the bank. Its a little less than two hours of easy driving from Kane Gulch Ranger Station to Moab. The Ultimate Utah Road Trip (National Parks + Itinerary) This scenic drive really is a sight to behold. After 280 miles of freeway driving, take exit 27 toward Toquerville. While it may just be the start of the road trip, Salt Lake City is a fascinating metropolis in its own right. Grab a picnic table and a fist full of napkins their ooey-gooey quesadillas are legendary. From Salt Lake City, hop on I-15 south for a straight shot to the states southern reaches. The route from Salt Lake City to Moab is a very scenic route. Clear Sky. Enthusiastic adventurers will want to make a reservation at Devils Garden Campground to enjoy the immersive national park experience. Sunset Grill is a well-known Moab establishment. At the top of Dead Horse Point State Park, there is a large flat area the point surrounded by deep, rocky canyons with precipitous drops. Today, bits of Swiss culture are sprinkled throughout Midway. This is the best route to Moab and displays the greatest of what Utah has to offer as you navigate through mountains and valleys. I love exploring new places and love cars, so renting a car for my travels is most of the time the perfect way to find new adventures. As you pull into the downtown area of Salt Lake City, the pretty views of the Wasatch Mountains explain why the Mormon leaders decided to call it home. Its a must-see for the wonderfulif rather brasharchitecture alone. It's about a six hour drive from Denver, a 4.5 hour drive from Salt Lake City, or a 6.5 hour drive from Las Vegas. Their focus on customer satisfaction means youll have a great time renting from them from start to finish.