Traveling from Layton to Cedar City covers 272.3 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 35 minutes of drive time. You will primarily utilize I-15 South, navigating through local access points like Main Street and Layton Parkway to reach the interstate. Because the total duration is under five hours, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, though you may prefer an overnight stay if you have a busy schedule upon arrival. Expect to budget approximately $43 for fuel to complete the journey. Both cities are located within the Mountain West, ensuring a consistent regional experience as you head south through Utah.
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
136.2 miles from Layton, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
267.1 mi
4h 26m
North Main Street
3.9 mi
6m
Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Gentile Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Layton Parkway
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 267.1 mi, about 4h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Layton, UT and Cedar City, UT.
1
Start on Gentile Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·Gentile Street
2
Turn right onto SR 126
0.3 mi·40 sec·Main Street
3
Turn left onto SR 126
258 ft·5 sec·Layton Parkway
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 15 South: Salt Lake City
5
Merge onto I 15
16 mi·17 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 15
8.2 mi·8 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 15
243 mi·4 hr·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
Exit 62Toward SR 130: Enoch
9
Turn left onto I 15 Bus; SR 130
3.9 mi·6 min·North Main Street
10
Arrive at destination
I 15 Bus; SR 130
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 272.3-mile journey, consider departing early in the morning to bypass the heaviest local traffic in the Layton area. Planning for at least one stop is a smart way to break up the 4-hour and 35-minute drive, ensuring you stay refreshed behind the wheel. Since fuel costs are estimated at $43, check your tank before leaving to avoid unnecessary stops in high-traffic zones. A key tip for this specific route is to stay vigilant during the early turn-heavy segments on Main Street and Layton Parkway; once you merge onto I-15 South, the navigation becomes much more straightforward. The flexibility of this one-day trip allows you to adjust your pace based on traffic conditions and your personal comfort.
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 136.2 miles from Layton, UT, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 267.1 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 60 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.2 miles or 2h 17m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar City, UT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Layton, 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 Layton, UT
This is one driving day of about 272.3 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Layton, 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 267.1 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 268 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|SR 126 / Layton Parkway
Turn left onto SR 126 / Layton Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
1 mi into trip|~2m 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.
6
17.3 mi into trip|~19m in|I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
25.5 mi into trip|~28m in|I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
268 mi into trip|~4h 28m in
Take the exit toward SR 130: Enoch
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 62
Toward SR 130: Enoch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.15 one way
$86.30 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$45.23
$90.46
premium
$4.53
$48.57
$97.15
diesel
$5.61
$60.12
$120.24
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: 95.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.7
1
$28.59
$13.07
Efficient EV
68.1
0
$23.83
$10.89
EV Truck/SUV
108.9
1
$38.12
$17.43
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Layton, UT
Night
in Layton on Saturday
Local time
10:36 PM
MDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar City, UT
Night
in Cedar City on Saturday
Local time
10:36 PM
MDT
Current temp
62°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
3 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
4h 35m 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
~18 min detour
$12
near mile 56.3
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
$10
near mile 272.3
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
$35
near mile 272.3
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 drive as you transition from city streets onto the primary artery of I-15 South. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route requires more focus during the initial urban navigation phase. While the highway share is 0% of the total distance, you will spend the vast majority of your time on major transit corridors connecting the northern and southern parts of the state. The road’s personality shifts from the busy local atmosphere of Layton into a more direct, flowing transit experience as you head toward Cedar City. Stay alert during the early segments, as the transition from local roads to the interstate can be quite active.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 267.1 mi on Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near SR 126 / Layton Parkway.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 272.3 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (SR 126 / Layton Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.3 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 35m. Total distance: 272.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 267.1 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.
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 0.6 miles (SR 126 / Layton Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.3 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Cedar City, UT, but most travelers stay overnight.
