This 275.4-mile journey from Monticello to Sandy, Utah, will take approximately 5 hours and 26 minutes of driving time. Designed as a single-day trip, it covers a manageable distance with a projected fuel cost of around $44. The route primarily follows the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway and Veterans Memorial Highway, offering a taste of local driving with a turn-heavy profile. You'll be traveling within the Mountain West region for the entire duration, so expect consistent scenery. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace this drive.
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
137.7 miles from Monticello, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Toward I 15 North: Salt Lake CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 15
37 mi·40 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 295Toward SR 209: 9000 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
332 ft·10 sec
Toward SR 209: Snowbird, Alta, Sandy
18
Turn right onto SR 209
0.4 mi·54 sec·9000 South
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto US 89
0.3 mi·31 sec·State Street
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto 8800 South
0.4 mi·1 min·8800 South
21
Arrive at destination
8800 South
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 26-minute duration, this route is best tackled in a single day. Aim for an early morning departure from Monticello to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you anticipate needing fuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, as services might be less frequent there. This route's turn-heavy nature means staying attentive to your GPS and posted speed limits is key.
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 137.7 miles from Monticello, UT, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 172.1 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 61 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.7 miles or 2h 42m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sandy, UT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Monticello, 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 Monticello, UT
This is one driving day of about 275.4 miles and 5h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Monticello, 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 Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway for about 172.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 85.4 and 274.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
85.4 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|US 191
Take the exit onto US 191 toward I-70 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I-70 West
6
109.3 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|US 6; US 191
Take the exit onto US 6; US 191 toward US 6 West, US 191 North: Price, Salt Lake City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 157
Toward US 6 West, US 191 North: Price, Salt Lak...
7
236.3 mi into trip|~4h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 15 North: Salt Lake City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 15 North: Salt Lake City
7
274 mi into trip|~5h 23m in
Take the exit toward SR 209: 9000 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 295
Toward SR 209: 9000 South
7
274.3 mi into trip|~5h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 209: Snowbird, Alta, Sandy
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SR 209: Snowbird, Alta, Sandy
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.93 one way
$85.85 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$45.25
$90.49
premium
$4.47
$48.51
$97.02
diesel
$4.80
$52.00
$104.00
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: 96.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.6
1
$28.92
$13.22
Efficient EV
68.9
0
$24.10
$11.02
EV Truck/SUV
110.2
1
$38.56
$17.63
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Monticello, UT
Late night
in Monticello on Sunday
Local time
3:37 AM
MDT
Current temp
60°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 5 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:56PM MDT until July 17 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 10:28AM MDT until July 18 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
Destination
Sandy, UT
Late night
in Sandy on Sunday
Local time
3:37 AM
MDT
Current temp
69°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SSE 5 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:56PM MDT until July 17 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 10:28AM MDT until July 18 at 12:00AM 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
9 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 26m 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.
Arches National Park
National Park
Discover a landscape of contrasting colors, land forms, and textures unlike any other. The park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balance...
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 256.5
Canyonlands is a wilderness of canyons, buttes, and spires carved by the Colorado River and Green River. The park is divided into four distinct districts; no roads join them together. The districts sh...
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 rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. While the highway share is relatively low, you'll experience an uninterrupted stretch of 172.1 miles along the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway. This suggests a significant portion of the drive will be on two-lane roads, possibly with varied speed limits and more frequent opportunities to observe your surroundings. The character of the drive will likely shift as you transition between these main roads, requiring your attention to navigation and speed.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 172.1 mi on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric 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 85.4 miles in near US 191.
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 11 significant decision points across 275.4 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 85.4 miles (US 191): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 109.3 miles (US 6; US 191): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 236.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,328 ft4,079 ft
Total Climb
3,533 ft
Total Descent
6,136 ft
Highest Point
7,328 ft
~196.7 mi in
Elevation Range
3,249 ft
Notable High Points
4,607 ft at ~78.7 miles+264 ft prominence
7,328 ft at ~196.7 miles+1,448 ft prominence
4,580 ft at ~255.8 miles+20 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Monticello, UT to Sandy, UT, road signs begin pointing toward Salt Lake City along the way.
Monticello is a cool haven in the midst of the Canyon Country region of Utah. Located at the base of the Blue Mountains (aka "Abajo" Mountains) in the center of San Juan County, Monticello typically has cooler weather than the surrounding desert. This makes it ideal for summer hiking, biking, horseback riding and motorsports and a delightful place to cross country ski or snowmobile in the winter. From the Blue Mountains you can see the Four Corners Region, consisting of Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 26m. Total distance: 275.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 172.1 miles on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 Sandy, 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 85.4 miles (US 191): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 109.3 miles (US 6; US 191): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 236.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Arches National Park, Timpanogos Cave National Monument and Canyonlands National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sandy, UT before the return drive.
