Spanning 344.7 miles from Blanding to Ogden, this trip through the Mountain West typically requires about 5 hours and 40 minutes of driving time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, it is best tackled as a single, focused day trip. You should budget approximately $53 for fuel to complete the journey. The path takes you across the diverse landscapes of Utah, utilizing West Center Street, North Grayson Parkway, and the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway. While the transit is manageable for a single driver, the winding nature of the roads means you should prioritize comfort and readiness for a full day behind the wheel.
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
171.7 miles from Blanding, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 24m into the drive
.
Toward I 15 North: Salt Lake CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 15
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 15
18 mi·18 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 341Toward SR 79: 31st StreetUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn right onto SR 79
0.7 mi·1 min·31st Street
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto SR 204
1.0 mi·1 min·Wall Avenue
22
Turn right onto 24th Street
0.3 mi·29 sec·24th Street
23
Arrive at destination
SR 53
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour and 40 minute duration, aim for an early morning departure to ensure you reach Ogden before dark. Since this route involves a heavy concentration of turns, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and reset your focus. Keep your $53 fuel budget in mind, as local roads can sometimes lead to fluctuating consumption rates compared to steady highway driving. Because you are navigating non-interstate roads, keep a close watch on local signage along the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway to avoid missing critical turns. This flexibility allows you to adjust your pace based on traffic or weather conditions without the pressure of a rigid highway schedule.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 171.7 miles from Blanding, UT, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 172.1 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 76 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.7 miles or 3h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ogden, UT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
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Open the route before leaving Blanding, UT so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
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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 Blanding, UT
This is one driving day of about 343.4 miles and 6h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Blanding, 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 172.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 106.1 and 341 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
106.1 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|US 191
Take the exit onto US 191 toward I-70 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I-70 West
6
130 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|US 6; US 191
Take the exit onto US 6; US 191 toward US 6 West, US 191 North: Price, Salt Lake City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 157
Toward US 6 West, US 191 North: Price, Salt Lak...
7
257 mi into trip|~5h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 15 North: Salt Lake City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 15 North: Salt Lake City
6
323.3 mi into trip|~6h 20m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
7
341 mi into trip|~6h 39m in
Take the exit toward SR 79: 31st Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 341
Toward SR 79: 31st Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.42 one way
$108.83 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$57.04
$114.08
premium
$4.53
$61.26
$122.52
diesel
$5.61
$75.82
$151.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103
1
$36.06
$16.48
Efficient EV
85.9
0
$30.05
$13.74
EV Truck/SUV
137.4
1
$48.08
$21.98
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Blanding, UT
Evening
in Blanding on Saturday
Local time
7:25 PM
MDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ogden, UT
Evening
in Ogden on Saturday
Local time
7:25 PM
MDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Fairview, UT
172 mi in
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
10 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
6h 43m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
$12
near mile 272.3
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
$30
near mile 59.2
Three majestic natural bridges invite you to ponder the power of water in a landscape usually defined by its absence. View them from an overlook, or hit the trails and experience their grandeur from b...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on experience on this route, as it relies entirely on local roads and highways rather than a high-speed interstate grind. With 0% of the trip spent on major interstates, you will navigate a turn-heavy environment that demands your constant attention. The drive lacks long, monotonous stretches, with the longest segment occurring on West Center Street. As you transition through the Mountain West, the road's personality shifts from local surface streets to the more structured Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway. Prepare for a driving experience that feels more personal and tactical than your typical highway cruise.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 172.1 mi on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 106.1 miles in near US 191.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 343.4 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 106.1 miles (US 191): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 130 miles (US 6; US 191): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,380 ft4,128 ft
Total Climb
4,575 ft
Total Descent
6,384 ft
Highest Point
7,380 ft
~220.7 mi in
Elevation Range
3,251 ft
Notable High Points
6,965 ft at ~24.5 miles+853 ft prominence
4,646 ft at ~98.1 miles+405 ft prominence
7,380 ft at ~220.7 miles+1,614 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Blanding, UT to Ogden, UT, road signs begin pointing toward Salt Lake City along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 43m. Total distance: 343.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 43m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 172.1 miles on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Ogden, UT before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 106.1 miles (US 191): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 130 miles (US 6; US 191): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Arches National Park, Timpanogos Cave National Monument and Canyonlands National Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ogden, UT before the return drive.
