Yamato Japanese Restaurant
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Orem, Utah
Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm
+18012277100
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 15m
Distance
249.9 mi
402 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cedar City, UT
Hao Ma
West Valley City, UT
Quang Vuong
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar City, UT and West Valley City, UT.
Start on I 15 Bus; SR 130
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 15
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 215
Take the exit
Turn straight onto SR 171
Turn left onto 4400 West
Turn right onto 3650 South
Turn left onto Atlas Way
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 124.9 miles from Cedar City, UT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 232.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Orem, Utah
Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm
+18012277100
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Riverton, Utah
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+18012542555
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Orem, Utah
Hours: 10:30 am–8:30 pm
+18017228585
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
Orem, Utah
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+18019609612
Near the end, ~12 min detour
American Fork, Utah
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+18017566138
Visit websiteNear the end, ~12 min detour
Sandy, Utah
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+13852744177
Visit websiteNear the end, ~12 min detour
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hours: 11 am–5 pm
+18019756565
Near the end, right off the route
West Valley City, Utah
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
West Valley City, Utah
Hours: Open 24 hours
Near the end, short detour
Vineyard, Utah
Near the end, short detour
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Cedar City, Utah
+14358650003
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Orem, Utah
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Taylorsville, Utah
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Nephi, Utah
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Cedar City, Utah
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+14355869290
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Cedar City, Utah
Hours: 8:30 am–5 pm
+14355865124
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Parowan, Utah
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+14354778190
Near the start, short detour
Cedar City, Utah
Visit websiteNear the end, ~12 min detour
Sandy, Utah
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+13854687275
Visit websiteNear the end, ~12 min detour
Sandy, Utah
Hours: 2–10 pm
+13852168915
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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.
Merge onto I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 215 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward SR 171 West: 3500 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto 4400 West
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$39.60 one way
$79.20 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $41.51 | $83.02 |
| premium | $4.53 | $44.58 | $89.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.17 | $110.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
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, 2026-04-13.
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Cedar City on Sunday
Local time
8:40 AM
MDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in West Valley City on Sunday
Local time
8:40 AM
MDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Belt Route
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
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.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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