Spanning 249.9 miles through the heart of the Mountain West, this trip from Cedar City to West Valley City takes approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes to complete. It is an ideal distance for a single-day journey, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $40 for fuel as you navigate this route. While the drive is manageable in one go, you will want to account for at least one stop to break up the time behind the wheel. The journey remains entirely within Utah, offering a straightforward connection between these two points. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, this route provides a practical path across the state.
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
124.9 miles from Cedar City, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
232.5 mi
3h 49m
Belt Route
5.8 mi
6m
Main Street
3.8 mi
5m
3500 South
2.4 mi
4m
3650 South
0.3 mi
<1m
4400 West
0.2 mi
<1m
Atlas Way
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 232.5 mi, about 3h 49m
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 226 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,372 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~252 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar City, UT and West Valley City, UT.
1
Start on I 15 Bus; SR 130
3.8 mi·5 min·Main Street
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 15 North
3
Merge onto I 15
233 mi·3 hr 49 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
2.6 mi·2 min
Exit 294A-CToward SR 48, I 215: 7200 South, Belt RouteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·24 sec
Toward I 215
6
Continue on this road
0.7 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 298Toward I 215
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 294CToward I 215 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 215
5.8 mi·6 min·Belt Route
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 18BToward SR 171 West: 3500 SouthUse the right lane.
10
Turn straight onto SR 171
2.4 mi·4 min·3500 South
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto 4400 West
0.2 mi·32 sec·4400 West
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto 3650 South
0.3 mi·54 sec·3650 South
13
Turn left onto Atlas Way
464 ft·16 sec·Atlas Way
14
Arrive at destination
Atlas Way
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 15-minute drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid congestion as you approach the West Valley City area. Since this is a turn-heavy route, plan for your one necessary stop during the longest 232.5-mile stretch on the Veterans Memorial Highway to stretch your legs and refuel. Keeping your $40 fuel budget in mind, ensure your tank is topped off before hitting the more technical local roads near your destination. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so monitor local traffic reports on the Belt Route to adjust your pace if needed. Prioritize comfort and alertness, as the frequent turns demand more focus than a standard highway trek.
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 124.9 miles from Cedar City, UT, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 232.5 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 55 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.9 miles or 2h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Valley City, UT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cedar City, 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 Cedar City, UT
This is one driving day of about 249.9 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Cedar City, 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 Veterans Memorial Highway for about 232.5 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.1 and 249.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.1 mi into trip|~6m in|I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
236.6 mi into trip|~3h 56m in
Take the exit toward SR 48, I 215: 7200 South, Belt Route
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 294A-C
Toward SR 48, I 215: 7200 South, Belt Route
8
240.1 mi into trip|~4h in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 215 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 294C
Toward I 215 West
7
246.6 mi into trip|~4h 7m in
Take the exit toward SR 171 West: 3500 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 18B
Toward SR 171 West: 3500 South
6
249.3 mi into trip|~4h 13m in|4400 West
Turn left onto 4400 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.95 one way
$77.90 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$41.06
$82.11
premium
$4.47
$44.02
$88.04
diesel
$4.80
$47.19
$94.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75
0
$26.24
$12.00
Efficient EV
62.5
0
$21.87
$10.00
EV Truck/SUV
100
1
$34.99
$15.99
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Cedar City, UT
Late night
in Cedar City on Sunday
Local time
2:22 AM
MDT
Current temp
65°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
ESE 2 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 10:51PM MDT until July 19 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
Destination
West Valley City, UT
Late night
in West Valley City on Sunday
Local time
2:22 AM
MDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 10:51PM MDT until July 19 at 12:00AM 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
6 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
4h 15m 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
~19 min detour
$12
near mile 215.4
Caution: Tickets are required to enter Timpanogos Cave
Crowning the Grand Staircase, Cedar Breaks sits at over 10,000 feet and looks down into a half-mile deep geologic amphitheater. Come wander among timeless bristlecone pines, stand in lush meadows of w...
Follow the paths where people have walked for thousands of years. Gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into a brilliant blue sky. Experience the tall, stretching walls...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local driving experience as you make your way north. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Veterans Memorial Highway, which accounts for a 232.5-mile stretch of the journey. Because the highway share for the total trip is 0%, you should be prepared for a drive that prioritizes local navigation over high-speed interstate cruising. The character of the road shifts significantly as you transition from the open stretches of the highway into the more dense, turn-heavy segments of the Belt Route and Main Street. Staying attentive is key, as the road requires frequent adjustments rather than long periods of cruise control.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 232.5 mi on Veterans Memorial 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 4.1 miles in near I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway.
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 11 significant decision points across 249.9 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 4.1 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 236.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 240.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,052 ft4,306 ft
Total Climb
1,516 ft
Total Descent
3,055 ft
Highest Point
6,052 ft
~71.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,747 ft
Notable High Points
6,052 ft at ~71.4 miles+94 ft prominence
5,910 ft at ~124.9 miles+874 ft prominence
5,156 ft at ~160.6 miles+74 ft prominence
4,612 ft at ~214.2 miles+38 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 Cedar City, UT to West Valley City, UT, road signs begin pointing toward Belt Route along the way.
Cedar City is a small city in Dixie, Utah, and is a good place to stock up on supplies before heading into beautiful wilderness areas stretching out in all directions. The city is sandwiched between mountain ranges covered by Dixie National Forest, while further to the southwest lie the remotest areas of Zion National Park, and to the east Cedar Breaks National Monument and Bryce Canyon National Park.
West Valley City is a city of 113,000 near Salt Lake City in the Wasatch Range. Although it is Utah's second largest city, it is a suburb of the capital and has little to offer a traveler. On the other hand, West Valley City is home to the most diverse community in Utah, with approximately 45% of the residents being immigrants from Vietnam, Mexico, Pacific Islanders and others. Tourists may want to try to come to WVC to eat various ethic dishes in West Valley City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 249.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 232.5 miles on Veterans Memorial 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 West Valley City, 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 4.1 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 236.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 240.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Timpanogos Cave National Monument, Cedar Breaks National Monument and Zion National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at West Valley City, UT, but most travelers stay overnight.
