Ephraim, UT to Sandy Hills, UT is 106 miles and takes about 2h 4m via Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Mountain West region, specifically within Utah, making it a convenient local trip. Expect a route that involves frequent turns and a lower highway percentage, suggesting a more local, less freeway-centric experience. Given its relatively short duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day, offering a straightforward journey between these two Utah locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53 miles from Ephraim, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
67.8 mi
1h 9m
Duck Springs Drive
20.8 mi
27m
SR 132
7.3 mi
9m
Main Street
5.4 mi
8m
Sego Lily Drive
1.1 mi
1m
9400 South
1 mi
1m
State Street
0.8 mi
1m
700 East
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 67.8 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ephraim, UT and Sandy Hills, UT.
1
Start on SR 290
238 ft·10 sec·Center Street
2
Turn right onto US 89
4.7 mi·6 min·Main Street
3
Turn left onto SR 132
7.3 mi·9 min·SR 132
4
Turn left onto SR 132
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
5
Continue on SR 132
21 mi·27 min·Duck Springs Drive
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 15 North
7
Merge onto I 15
68 mi·1 hr 9 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
327 ft·4 sec
Exit 293Toward SR 151: 10600 SouthUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
204 ft·2 sec
Toward Monroe Street North, 10600 South EastUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·10 sec
Toward East 10600 SouthUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto 10600 South
0.3 mi·41 sec·10600 South
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto US 89
0.8 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto Sego Lily Drive
1.1 mi·1 min·Sego Lily Drive
14
Turn left onto SR 71
0.5 mi·1 min·700 East
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto 9400 South
0.6 mi·1 min·9400 South
16
Continue on SR 209
0.4 mi·50 sec·9400 South
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto 1300 East
0.1 mi·20 sec·1300 East
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Silvercrest Drive
516 ft·19 sec·Silvercrest Drive
19
Turn right onto Sandy Hills Drive
485 ft·16 sec·Sandy Hills Drive
20
Arrive at destination
Sandy Hills Drive
Trip Plan
As this is a relatively short, 106-mile drive that can be completed in just over two hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving Ephraim in the morning to give yourself ample time to reach Sandy Hills without feeling rushed. Since the longest stretch is under 70 miles, you won't need to worry excessively about fuel stops, but it's always wise to check your tank before departing, especially given the $17 estimated fuel cost. Keep an eye out for the frequent turns that define this route; a reliable GPS will be your best friend here.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53 miles from Ephraim, UT, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.8 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 23 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sandy Hills, UT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ephraim, 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 Ephraim, UT
This is one driving day of about 106 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Ephraim, UT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Veterans Memorial Highway for about 67.8 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 33.9 and 102 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
33.9 mi into trip|~46m 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
101.8 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward SR 151: 10600 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 293
Toward SR 151: 10600 South
9
101.8 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Monroe Street North, 10600 South East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Monroe Street North, 10600 South East
8
101.9 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward East 10600 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward East 10600 South
6
102 mi into trip|~1h 56m in|10600 South
Turn right onto 10600 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.80 one way
$33.59 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$17.61
$35.21
premium
$4.53
$18.91
$37.82
diesel
$5.61
$23.40
$46.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.8
0
$11.13
$5.09
Efficient EV
26.5
0
$9.27
$4.24
EV Truck/SUV
42.4
0
$14.84
$6.78
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Ephraim, UT
Night
in Ephraim on Saturday
Local time
10:37 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Sandy Hills, UT
Night
in Sandy Hills on Saturday
Local time
10:37 PM
MDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
20 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 4m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 84.1
Caution: Tickets are required to enter Timpanogos Cave
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with only about 7% of the journey on highways. You'll navigate primarily on local roads like Veterans Memorial Highway and Duck Springs Drive, interspersed with SR 132. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 67.8 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway, meaning much of the trip will involve more frequent adjustments. This driving profile suggests a pace that is less about high-speed travel and more about engaging with the local road network.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.8 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 33.9 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 17 significant decision points across 106 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 33.9 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 4m. Total distance: 106 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.8 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Hills, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 33.9 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Timpanogos Cave National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Sandy Hills, UT before heading back.
