Elk Ridge to Saint George is 248.6 miles and takes about 4h 13m via Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Mountain West region, traversing Utah the entire way. Expect a drive primarily on surface roads, offering a more local perspective than a pure interstate cruise. With just one recommended stop and a manageable duration, it's a straightforward option for a single-day excursion.
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
124.3 miles from Elk Ridge, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
239.8 mi
3h 52m
Goosenest Drive
2.4 mi
5m
800 South
1.4 mi
2m
Trailblazer Boulevard
0.9 mi
2m
I 15 BUS
0.8 mi
2m
South 600 East
0.6 mi
1m
University Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
East 800 South Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 239.8 mi, about 3h 52m
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 94 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,373 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,924
Quietest
2 AM
~107 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 78 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 Elk Ridge, UT and Saint George, UT.
1
Start on South Astor Lane
0.1 mi·34 sec·South Astor Lane
2
Turn left onto East Alpine Drive
331 ft·16 sec·East Alpine Drive
3
Turn right onto North Escalante Drive
0.1 mi·41 sec·North Escalante Drive
4
Turn left onto East Park Drive
0.3 mi·48 sec·East Park Drive
5
At end of road, turn right onto North Park Drive
0.4 mi·55 sec·North Park Drive
6
Enter roundabout onto Goosenest Drive
129 ft·3 sec·Goosenest Drive
7
Continue on Goosenest Drive
2.3 mi·5 min·Goosenest Drive
8
Turn straight onto East 300 South
0.4 mi·55 sec·East 300 South
9
Turn left onto South 600 East
0.6 mi·1 min·South 600 East
10
Turn right onto East 800 South Street
0.5 mi·47 sec·East 800 South Street
11
Turn slight right onto 800 South
1.4 mi·2 min·800 South
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 15 South: Las Vegas
13
Merge onto I 15; US 6
240 mi·3 hr 52 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
14
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.
15
Turn left onto University Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·University Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto Trailblazer Boulevard
0.9 mi·2 min·Trailblazer Boulevard
17
Turn right onto 100 West
230 ft·12 sec·100 West
18
Turn right
510 ft·37 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 13m drive, consider an early morning departure from Elk Ridge to maximize your daylight. Since the route is primarily surface roads and covers 248.6 miles, it's easily manageable in one day, allowing for flexibility. Plan for your single recommended stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach Saint George, as the $41 estimate is based on the total mileage.
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 124.3 miles from Elk Ridge, UT, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 239.8 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 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.3 miles or 2h 8m 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 25m
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 Elk Ridge, 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 Elk Ridge, UT
This is one driving day of about 248.6 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Elk Ridge, 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 239.8 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 247.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|East Alpine Drive
Turn left onto East Alpine Drive
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|North Escalante Drive
Turn right onto North Escalante Drive
Navigation decision point
5
6.2 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the ramp toward I 15 South: Las Vegas
Navigation decision point
Toward I 15 South: Las Vegas
7
246.3 mi into trip|~4h 6m 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
247.1 mi into trip|~4h 9m in|University Avenue
Turn left onto University Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.11 one way
$86.23 round trip
$4.41/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$45.09
$90.18
premium
$4.95
$48.45
$96.90
diesel
$5.60
$54.80
$109.60
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: 87 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.6
0
$26.10
$11.93
Efficient EV
62.2
0
$21.75
$9.94
EV Truck/SUV
99.4
1
$34.80
$15.91
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 Sep 2, 2026
Origin
Elk Ridge, UT
Evening
in Elk Ridge on Friday
Local time
5:26 PM
MDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 6 to 12 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued September 1 at 3:42PM MDT until September 1 at 10:45PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
Destination
Saint George, UT
Evening
in Saint George on Friday
Local time
5:26 PM
MDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 9 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued September 1 at 3:42PM MDT until September 1 at 10:45PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
55°F
Beaver, UT
124 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
12 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 13m 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.
Cedar Breaks National Monument
National Monument
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
~32 min detour
$10
near mile 188.6
Danger: State Route 148 Closed Through Cedar Breaks National Monument
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 222.9
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, meaning you'll spend very little time on limited-access highways. The longest stretch on Veterans Memorial Highway covers 239.8 miles before transitioning to local streets like Goosenest Drive and 800 South. Given the profile, anticipate frequent intersections and a more relaxed pace as you navigate through communities rather than bypassing them.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 239.8 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 around 0.1 miles in near East Alpine Drive.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 13m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Alpine Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (North Escalante Drive): Navigation decision point; at 6.2 miles: Navigation decision point.
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 239.8 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Alpine Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (North Escalante Drive): Navigation decision point; at 6.2 miles: Navigation decision point.
Yes — Cedar Breaks National Monument, Zion National Park and Timpanogos Cave National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint George, UT, but most travelers stay overnight.
