Stretching 296.2 miles across the Mountain West, this trip from Blanding to Sandy takes approximately 5 hours and 53 minutes of drive time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, it is best suited for a single day of travel if you are comfortable with steady navigation. You should budget roughly $47 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Utah points. While the journey is manageable in one go, the winding nature of the roads means you should plan for a focused day behind the wheel. It is a straightforward transit within the state, perfect for those looking to connect the southeastern region to the more populated area near the capital.
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
148.1 miles from Blanding, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Toward I 15 North: Salt Lake CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 15
37 mi·40 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 295Toward SR 209: 9000 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
332 ft·10 sec
Toward SR 209: Snowbird, Alta, Sandy
20
Turn right onto SR 209
0.4 mi·54 sec·9000 South
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto US 89
0.3 mi·31 sec·State Street
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto 8800 South
0.4 mi·1 min·8800 South
23
Arrive at destination
8800 South
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 296.2-mile drive, aim to depart early in the morning to ensure you reach Sandy before dusk. With only one recommended stop planned, you have the flexibility to pull over when fatigue sets in rather than adhering to a rigid schedule. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $47 estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local station prices. Since the majority of your time is spent off major interstates, prioritize checking your tire pressure and fluid levels before leaving Blanding. This preparation will help you handle the technical sections of the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway with much greater confidence.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 148.1 miles from Blanding, UT, or about 2h 56m 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 65 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.1 miles or 2h 56m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sandy, UT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 296.2 miles and 5h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 295 — 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
7
294.7 mi into trip|~5h 49m in
Take the exit toward SR 209: 9000 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 295
Toward SR 209: 9000 South
7
295 mi into trip|~5h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 209: Snowbird, Alta, Sandy
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SR 209: Snowbird, Alta, Sandy
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.17 one way
$92.34 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$48.66
$97.33
premium
$4.47
$52.17
$104.35
diesel
$4.80
$55.93
$111.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.9
1
$31.10
$14.22
Efficient EV
74.1
0
$25.92
$11.85
EV Truck/SUV
118.5
1
$41.47
$18.96
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Blanding, UT
Late night
in Blanding on Sunday
Local time
3:06 AM
MDT
Current temp
84°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:38PM MDT until July 17 at 6:45PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:14PM MDT until July 17 at 5:15PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
Destination
Sandy, UT
Late night
in Sandy on Sunday
Local time
3:06 AM
MDT
Current temp
95°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
WNW 5 mph61% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:38PM MDT until July 17 at 6:45PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:14PM MDT until July 17 at 5:15PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
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
11 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 53m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Timpanogos Cave National Monument
National Monument
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
$12
near mile 275.7
Caution: Tickets are required to enter Timpanogos Cave
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...
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
$30
near mile 61.3
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 dynamic experience behind the wheel, as this route is far from a simple interstate cruise. Only 28% of the trip is comprised of traditional highways, meaning you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is a 172.1-mile stretch along the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Transitioning through the North Grayson Parkway and the Veterans Memorial Highway, the route maintains a technical feel that requires your full attention. Prepare for a road that rewards drivers who prefer active steering over the monotony of long, straight highway miles.
Only 28% 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 296.2 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
7,182 ft4,094 ft
Total Climb
4,327 ft
Total Descent
5,974 ft
Highest Point
7,182 ft
~211.5 mi in
Elevation Range
3,088 ft
Notable High Points
7,063 ft at ~21.2 miles+951 ft prominence
4,858 ft at ~105.8 miles+288 ft prominence
7,182 ft at ~211.5 miles+1,304 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 Sandy, UT, road signs begin pointing toward Salt Lake City along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 53m. Total distance: 296.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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.
Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Sandy, 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. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Timpanogos Cave National Monument, Arches National Park 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 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sandy, UT before the return drive.
