Layton to Kanab is 334 miles and takes about 6h 3m via US 89, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Mountain West region, traversing the state of Utah from north to south. Expect a turn-heavy local drive, so it's not a route for pure highway cruising. It's a manageable one-day journey, but be prepared for a good amount of time on the road, with the majority of your driving on Veterans Memorial Highway and US 89. This route offers a straightforward way to get from point A to point B within 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
167 miles from Layton, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
235 mi
3h 56m
US 89
70.4 mi
1h 30m
SR 20
20.5 mi
24m
Center Street
6.8 mi
8m
Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Gentile Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Layton Parkway
<0.1 mi
<1m
100 East
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 235 mi, about 3h 56m
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 251 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,738 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~266 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.6×
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 Layton, UT and Kanab, 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
210 mi·3 hr 30 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 95Toward SR 20: Panguitch, Kanab
9
Turn left onto SR 20
20 mi·24 min·SR 20
10
At end of road, turn right onto US 89
9.2 mi·10 min·US 89
11
Continue on US 89
0.9 mi·1 min·US 89
12
Turn left onto US 89
6.8 mi·8 min·Center Street
Use the left lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 89
23 mi·28 min·US 89
14
Continue on US 89
37 mi·49 min·US 89
15
Continue on US 89
190 ft·5 sec·100 East
16
Arrive at destination
US 89
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 3m estimated duration, departing early in the morning from Layton is recommended to maximize daylight hours. While this is a one-day trip, planning for one stop is built into the data; consider breaking up the 334 miles to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 235-mile stretch on Veterans Memorial Highway, as services might be less frequent. The $53 fuel cost is an estimate, so adjust based on current prices and your vehicle's efficiency. This route's 'turn-heavy' nature means staying attentive to navigation is key.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 167 miles from Layton, UT, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 235 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 73 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167 miles or 2h 49m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kanab, 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 334 miles and 6h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 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 235 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 266.8 — 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.
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.
6
235.9 mi into trip|~3h 58m in
Take the exit toward SR 20: Panguitch, Kanab
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 95
Toward SR 20: Panguitch, Kanab
6
266.8 mi into trip|~4h 37m in|US 89 / Center Street
Turn left onto US 89 / Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.71 one way
$117.43 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg117 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.67
$61.40
$122.79
premium
$4.99
$65.62
$131.23
diesel
$5.35
$70.35
$140.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
100.2
1
$35.07
$16.03
Efficient EV
83.5
0
$29.23
$13.36
EV Truck/SUV
133.6
1
$46.76
$21.38
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (67% 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Layton, UT
Afternoon
in Layton on Wednesday
Local time
1:08 PM
MDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
NE 3 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kanab, UT
Afternoon
in Kanab on Wednesday
Local time
1:08 PM
MDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Clear
NW 2 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
79°F
Beaver, UT
167 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
2 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
6h 3m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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
~19 min detour
$12
near mile 57.6
Caution: Tickets are required to enter Timpanogos Cave
Hoodoos (irregular columns of rock) exist on every continent, but here is the largest concentration found anywhere on Earth. Situated along a high plateau at the top of the Grand Staircase, the park's...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
$35
near mile 276.4
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
$10
near mile 287.9
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
$35
near mile 310.9
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,' meaning you'll encounter frequent changes in direction rather than long stretches of straight highway. While only 27% of the drive is on highways, you will experience a significant uninterrupted segment of 235 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. This suggests a journey that balances some faster-paced driving with more winding, local road conditions. As you progress, the landscape will likely shift from the northern Utah environs to more central and southern Utah terrains, with the road adapting to the terrain.
Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 235 mi on Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 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 Effort6/10
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 334 miles you will encounter 11 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 17.3 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.5 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Kanab is a small town in the Canyon Country region of the state of Utah, in the United States of America. It is famous for its past use as a backdrop for many famous western movies as well as a good base for exploring the surrounding area. It is also well known as the home of Best Friends Animal Society. Destinations within driving distance include Zion National Park and the north rim of the Grand Canyon as well as Las Vegas.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 3m. Total distance: 334 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 3m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 235 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.
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 Kanab, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (SR 126 / Layton Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.3 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.5 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Timpanogos Cave National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kanab, UT before the return drive.
