Origin
Blanding, UT
Late night in Blanding on Sunday
Local time
1:54 AM
MDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 27m
Distance
271.8 mi
437 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Blanding, UT
Wikimedia Commons
Orem, UT
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Blanding to Orem covers 271.8 miles through the heart of the Mountain West, a journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 27 minutes. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stop. You will navigate via the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, North Grayson Parkway, and Veterans Memorial Highway. Budgeting roughly $43 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the drive. It is a straightforward route that transitions from the remote landscapes of southeastern Utah toward the urban corridor of the north, making it a functional connection between the two regions.
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
135.9 miles from Blanding, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway | 172.1 mi | 3h 18m |
| North Grayson Parkway | 76.8 mi | 1h 36m |
| Veterans Memorial Highway | 12.5 mi | 13m |
| East US-6 | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| West Center Street | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| Main Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| US 6 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| State Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Blanding, UT and Orem, UT.
Start on South 100 West
Turn right onto West Center Street
Turn straight onto US 191
Continue on US 191
Take the exit onto US 191
Merge onto I 70; US 6; US 50; US 191
Take the exit onto US 6; US 191
Merge onto US 6; US 191
Continue on US 6; US 191
Continue on US 6; US 191
Continue on US 6; US 191
Continue on US 6
Continue on US 6
Continue on US 6
Continue on US 6
Take the exit
Merge onto I 15
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto West Center Street
Continue on East Center Street
Turn right
Turn sharp right onto US 89
Arrive at destination
Since this is a one-day trip, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and maximize daylight. Plan for at least one dedicated stop during your 5-hour and 27-minute trek to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $43, so check your levels before tackling the 172.1-mile stretch on the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway to ensure you do not run low in a remote area. Because you only have one mandatory stop built into this 271.8-mile route, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your itinerary based on traffic or personal preference. Staying alert during the long highway segments will make your transition into the Orem area much smoother.
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.
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 60 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.9 miles or 2h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Orem, UT than in the middle of the route.
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.
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 271.8 miles and 5h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 135.9 miles from Blanding, UT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 172.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 106.1 and 270.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit onto US 191 toward I-70 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
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
Take the exit toward I 15 North: Salt Lake City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Orem, Center Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$43.07 one way
$86.14 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $45.15 | $90.29 |
| premium | $4.53 | $48.49 | $96.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.01 | $120.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.5 | 1 | $28.54 | $13.05 |
| Efficient EV | 68 | 0 | $23.78 | $10.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.7 | 1 | $38.05 | $17.40 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Blanding on Sunday
Local time
1:54 AM
MDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Orem on Sunday
Local time
1:54 AM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
71°F
Fairview, UT
136 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
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
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Expect a mixed driving experience that balances long, open stretches with more localized navigation. You will spend about 30% of your time on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stint spanning 172.1 miles along the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway. This particular segment defines the core of your journey and requires sustained focus as you traverse the region. The road character evolves as you move from the quieter southern stretches toward the busier infrastructure approaching Orem. Prepare for a ride that alternates between efficient transit and the standard pace of regional roadways.
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 106.1 miles in near US 191.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 271.8 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.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
Total Climb
4,493 ft
Total Descent
5,831 ft
Highest Point
7,235 ft
~213.5 mi in
Elevation Range
3,246 ft
Notable High Points
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Blanding, UT to Orem, UT, road signs begin pointing toward Salt Lake City along the way.
Salt Lake City
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 271.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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