Orem to Plain City is 83.7 miles and takes about 1h 35m via Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Utah, moving through the Mountain West region. The route is primarily on surface roads, making it a straightforward, local-feeling transit. It's a good option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points without extensive highway time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.9 miles from Orem, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
77 mi
1h 22m
2600 North
1.9 mi
3m
Canyon Parkway
1.2 mi
2m
State Street
1.1 mi
2m
2700 North
1.1 mi
1m
4350 West
0.5 mi
1m
2575 North
0.2 mi
<1m
2200 North
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 77 mi, about 1h 22m
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 152 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~7,671 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~342 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
22.4×
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 Orem, UT and Plain City, UT.
1
Start on US 89
1.1 mi·2 min·State Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
2
Turn left onto SR 52
1.2 mi·2 min·Canyon Parkway
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward I 15 North: Salt Lake CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Merge onto I 15
52 mi·55 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 15
25 mi·26 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 349Toward SR 134: 2700 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
142 ft·10 sec
Toward SR 134: Plain City
8
Turn left onto SR 134
1.1 mi·1 min·2700 North
9
Continue on SR 134
1.9 mi·3 min·2600 North
10
Turn left onto SR 134
227 ft·5 sec·4200 West
11
Continue on SR 134
0.2 mi·29 sec·2575 North
12
Turn left onto SR 134
0.5 mi·1 min·4350 West
13
At end of road, turn right onto SR 134
408 ft·9 sec·2200 North
14
Arrive at destination
SR 134
Trip Plan
Since this is a short drive of just over an hour and a half, you have plenty of flexibility for departure time. Aim to leave Orem when local traffic is lighter, perhaps mid-morning or early afternoon. With only 83.7 miles, you won't need many stops, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge as the estimated cost is $14. The longest continuous stretch is 77 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway, so plan for that segment to be the most time-consuming part of your drive.
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 41.9 miles from Orem, UT, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77 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 18 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.9 miles or 47m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plain City, UT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Orem, UT so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Orem, UT
This is one driving day of about 83.7 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Orem, 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 77 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 80 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.3 mi into trip|~4m 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
5
2.7 mi into trip|~5m 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
54.5 mi into trip|~1h 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.
7
79.7 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward SR 134: 2700 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 349
Toward SR 134: 2700 North
6
80 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 134: Plain City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward SR 134: Plain City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.71 one way
$29.43 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.67
$15.39
$30.77
premium
$4.99
$16.44
$32.89
diesel
$5.35
$17.63
$35.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.1
0
$8.79
$4.02
Efficient EV
20.9
0
$7.32
$3.35
EV Truck/SUV
33.5
0
$11.72
$5.36
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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 Jun 3, 2026
Origin
Orem, UT
Afternoon
in Orem on Wednesday
Local time
12:58 PM
MDT
Current temp
87°F
Sunny
W 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued June 2 at 11:02AM MDT until June 4 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
Destination
Plain City, UT
Afternoon
in Plain City on Wednesday
Local time
12:58 PM
MDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
NE 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued June 2 at 11:02AM MDT until June 4 at 9:00PM 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
34 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
1h 35m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
$12
near mile 8.7
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 trip features a low highway percentage, with only about 1% of the 83.7 miles on high-speed roads. You'll spend most of your time on surface streets, with the longest stretch on Veterans Memorial Highway covering 77 miles. Expect a largely surface-road experience, which means you'll be navigating local traffic patterns and intersections for the majority of the drive.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77 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 2.3 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.5 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
4,773 ft4,221 ft
Total Climb
599 ft
Total Descent
1,128 ft
Highest Point
4,773 ft
Elevation Range
552 ft
Notable High Points
4,710 ft at ~17.9 miles+85 ft prominence
4,308 ft at ~47.8 miles+40 ft prominence
4,594 ft at ~65.8 miles+227 ft prominence
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Farmington, UT
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Th 05:00-21:00; Fr 05:00-21:30; Sa 05...
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 83.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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 Plain City, UT before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.5 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Plain City, UT before heading back.
