Cottonwood Heights to Saint George is 296.9 miles and takes about 5h 2m via Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Utah, moving from the Mountain West region to the same region, offering a straightforward trip. With most of the mileage on surface roads, expect a more grounded travel experience compared to a pure highway route. This option is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Plan for a steady pace as you navigate the roads connecting these two Utah locales.
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
148.5 miles from Cottonwood Heights, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
288.5 mi
4h 43m
Fort Union Boulevard
4.3 mi
8m
Trailblazer Boulevard
0.9 mi
2m
I 15 BUS
0.8 mi
2m
7200 South
0.6 mi
1m
University Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
2870 East
0.3 mi
<1m
7230 South
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 288.5 mi, about 4h 43m
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 454 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,083 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~241 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.1×
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 Cottonwood Heights, UT and Saint George, UT.
1
Start on 7230 South
244 ft·10 sec·7230 South
2
Turn right onto 2870 East
0.3 mi·56 sec·2870 East
3
Turn left onto Fort Union Boulevard
4.3 mi·8 min·Fort Union Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on SR 48
0.6 mi·1 min·7200 South
5
Take the ramp
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 15 South: Las Vegas
6
Merge onto I 15
289 mi·4 hr 43 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto I 15 BUS
0.8 mi·2 min·I 15 BUS
Exit 8Toward SR 34: Saint George BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
8
Turn left onto University Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·University Avenue
Use the left lane.
9
Turn right onto Trailblazer Boulevard
0.9 mi·2 min·Trailblazer Boulevard
10
Turn right onto 100 West
230 ft·12 sec·100 West
11
Turn right
510 ft·37 sec
12
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 5h 2m drive, consider an early start to maximize daylight, especially since it's a single-day trip. The longest stretch is 288.5 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway, so plan a break roughly midway through that segment to stretch and refuel. With a fuel cost estimated at $48, it's wise to fill up before leaving Cottonwood Heights. Since the route is mostly surface roads, keep an eye out for local speed limits and potential traffic, particularly as you pass through populated areas. There's one stop indicated, so use it strategically for a longer break.
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 148.5 miles from Cottonwood Heights, UT, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 288.5 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 65 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.5 miles or 2h 32m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint George, UT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cottonwood Heights, 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 Cottonwood Heights, UT
This is one driving day of about 296.9 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Cottonwood Heights, 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 288.5 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 295.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|2870 East
Turn right onto 2870 East
Navigation decision point
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Fort Union Boulevard
Turn left onto Fort Union Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
6.1 mi into trip|~12m 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.
7
294.6 mi into trip|~4h 56m in|I 15 BUS
Take the exit onto I 15 BUS toward SR 34: Saint George Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 8
Toward SR 34: Saint George Boulevard
5
295.4 mi into trip|~4h 58m in|University Avenue
Turn left onto University Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.28 one way
$92.55 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$48.78
$97.56
premium
$4.47
$52.30
$104.59
diesel
$4.80
$56.06
$112.12
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: 103.9 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
89.1
1
$31.17
$14.25
Efficient EV
74.2
0
$25.98
$11.88
EV Truck/SUV
118.8
1
$41.57
$19.00
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
Cottonwood Heights, UT
Late night
in Cottonwood Heights on Monday
Local time
1:39 AM
MDT
Current temp
97°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
N 3 mph64% 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
Saint George, UT
Late night
in Saint George on Monday
Local time
1:39 AM
MDT
Current temp
98°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 6 mph27% 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
1 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 2m 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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
$12
near mile 30.7
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...
13 mi from route
~31 min detour
$10
near mile 235.5
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$35
near mile 266.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily surface roads, with no highway driving indicated by the data. You'll cover 288.5 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway, which is the longest continuous stretch. Given the lack of highway share, anticipate navigating through various towns and developed areas rather than open freeway cruising. This means you'll likely experience more traffic signals and varied speed limits throughout the 5h 2m drive.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 288.5 mi on Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 2870 East.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 2m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (2870 East): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Fort Union Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.1 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Cottonwood Heights is southeast of Salt Lake City in Utah's Wasatch Range. It is a suburban community between Big Cottonwood Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon with a population of 34,000 (2019).
Top landmarks
•Granite Hydroelectric Power Plant Historic District — historic hydroelectric plant in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, United States
St. George is a city in southwestern Utah, on the Utah-Arizona border, known regionally as "Utah's Dixie" (a nickname given to the area for its warm southern Utah climate which was used to grow cotton by early settlers). The city is nestled in a scenic valley of desert vistas in the northeastern Mojave Desert, adjacent to the majestic Pine Valley Mountains.
Top landmarks
•St. George Utah Temple — temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in St. George, Utah, U...
•St. George Opera House — opera house
•Brigham Young Winter Home and Office — historic house in Utah, United States
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 288.5 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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.
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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (2870 East): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Fort Union Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.1 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saint George, UT before the return drive.
