Ogden, UT to Vernal, UT is 204.6 miles and takes about 3h 56m via US 40 and I 84, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Mountain West region, connecting two points in Utah. Most of the drive is on highways, offering a straightforward transit experience. With a recommended single day for this route, you can anticipate a relatively quick and efficient passage, making it ideal for a direct trip between these two cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
102.3 miles from Ogden, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 40
114.7 mi
2h 13m
I 84
31.7 mi
33m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
20 mi
21m
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
17.3 mi
19m
East 200 North
11.7 mi
13m
Washington Boulevard
7.4 mi
12m
West Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
US 189
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 40
— 114.7 mi, about 2h 13m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~527 veh/hr typical
· worst 730
Quietest
2 AM
~75 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 67 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 Ogden, UT and Vernal, UT.
1
Start on SR 53
0.2 mi·24 sec·24th Street
2
Turn right onto US 89
7.4 mi·12 min·Washington Boulevard
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 84 East
4
Merge onto I 84
32 mi·33 min·I 84
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 120BToward I 80 West: Salt Lake City
6
Merge onto I 80; US 189
20 mi·21 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7
Take the exit onto US 189
0.2 mi·29 sec·US 189
Toward US 40 East, US 189 South: Heber, Vernal, Provo
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 189
0.1 mi·17 sec·US 189
Toward US 40 East, US 189 South: Heber, Vernal, Provo
9
Continue on US 40
115 mi·2 hr 13 min·US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto US 40; US 191
12 mi·13 min·East 200 North
11
Continue on US 40; US 191
17 mi·19 min·Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
12
Continue on US 40; US 191
0.8 mi·1 min·West Main Street
13
Turn right onto South Vernal Avenue
72 ft·1 sec·South Vernal Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
South Vernal Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 56m estimated drive time, it's best to depart in the morning to maximize daylight. This is a one-day route, so you have the flexibility to take your time or push through. Plan for one stop, as the longest stretch between potential services is 114.7 miles on US 40. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach that longer segment, to ensure you have enough to reach Vernal comfortably. The $33 fuel estimate should help you budget accordingly.
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 102.3 miles from Ogden, UT, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.7 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 45 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.3 miles or 1h 58m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vernal, UT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ogden, 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 Ogden, UT
This is one driving day of about 204.6 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Ogden, 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 US 40 for about 114.7 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 60 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 89 / Washington Boulevard
Turn right onto US 89 / Washington Boulevard
Navigation decision point
5
7.9 mi into trip|~13m in|I 84
Merge onto I 84
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
39.6 mi into trip|~46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West: Salt Lake City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 120B
Toward I 80 West: Salt Lake City
5
59.8 mi into trip|~1h 8m in|US 189
Take the exit onto US 189 toward US 40 East, US 189 South: Heber, Vernal, Provo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 40 East, US 189 South: Heber, Vernal,...
7
60 mi into trip|~1h 8m in|US 189
Keep slight left at fork onto US 189 toward US 40 East, US 189 South: Heber, Vernal, Provo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 40 East, US 189 South: Heber, Vernal,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.85 one way
$73.70 round trip
$4.58/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.78
$38.49
$76.97
premium
$5.11
$41.13
$82.26
diesel
$6.18
$49.77
$99.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.4
0
$21.48
$9.82
Efficient EV
51.2
0
$17.90
$8.18
EV Truck/SUV
81.8
1
$28.64
$13.09
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Ogden, UT
Morning
in Ogden on Monday
Local time
7:47 AM
MDT
Current temp
69°F
Sunny
S 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Vernal, UT
Morning
in Vernal on Monday
Local time
7:47 AM
MDT
Current temp
61°F
Partly Sunny
0 mph1% chanceLive 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
8 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
3h 56m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
$12
near mile 77.6
Park Closure: Temporary Closure - July 30th
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?
You'll spend about 72% of the 204.6 miles on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a main road is 114.7 miles along US 40. Expect a good amount of highway cruising before transitioning to surface roads. This route features a significant amount of time on interstates and major highways, minimizing time spent on slower, more complex roads.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.7 mi on US 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 40 and I 84. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 89 / Washington Boulevard.
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 204.6 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.2 miles (US 89 / Washington Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 7.9 miles (I 84): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,661 ft4,303 ft
Total Climb
4,346 ft
Total Descent
3,317 ft
Highest Point
7,661 ft
~102.3 mi in
Elevation Range
3,358 ft
Notable High Points
6,463 ft at ~58.5 miles+722 ft prominence
7,661 ft at ~102.3 miles+726 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 Ogden, UT to Vernal, UT, road signs begin pointing toward Provo along the way.
Vernal is a city of 10,000 people (2019) in Northeastern Utah. Tourists are drawn to Vernal by the town's roots in the Old West and because of a large site of dinosaur fossils. Vernal and the surrounding area are popular among outdoor enthusiasts as they are near plentiful spots for fishing, fly fishing, hunting, and other outdoor activities.
Top landmarks
•Dinah the Pink Dinosaur — sculpture in Vernal, Utah, United States
•Lewis Curry House — historic two-story house in Vernal, Utah, United States
•Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum — museum and state park in Vernal, Utah, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 56m. Total distance: 204.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 114.7 miles on US 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 0.2 miles (US 89 / Washington Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 7.9 miles (I 84): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Timpanogos Cave National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Vernal, UT, but most travelers stay overnight.
