If you are planning a trip from Orem to River Heights, you are looking at a 119.1-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. This trek stays entirely within Utah’s Mountain West region, making it a manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $19 on fuel for the one-way drive. Because the route relies on a combination of Veterans Memorial Highway, US 89, and 1100 South, it is best suited for those who don't mind navigating local turns. It is a straightforward transit between two points in the state that offers enough variety to keep you engaged without feeling like an exhausting marathon.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.5 miles from Orem, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
89.7 mi
1h 35m
US 89
20.9 mi
25m
1100 South
4.5 mi
5m
Canyon Parkway
1.2 mi
2m
State Street
1.1 mi
2m
I 15 Business
0.5 mi
<1m
700 South
0.3 mi
1m
Summerwild Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 89.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orem, UT and River Heights, 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
38 mi·39 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto I 15 Business; I 84 Business
0.2 mi·21 sec·I 15 Business; I 84 Business
Toward US 91
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15 Business; I 84 Business
0.3 mi·36 sec·I 15 Business; I 84 Business
8
Merge onto US 91; I 15 Bus; I 84 Bus
4.5 mi·5 min·1100 South
9
Continue on US 89; US 91
21 mi·25 min·US 89; US 91
10
Turn right onto 700 South
0.3 mi·1 min·700 South
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto Summerwild Avenue
0.3 mi·47 sec·Summerwild Avenue
12
Continue on 600 South
0.2 mi·41 sec·600 South
13
Arrive at destination
600 South
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever it suits your schedule without needing to plan for overnight stops. With zero designated stops required, you can easily complete the drive in one go, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise given the $19 estimated cost. Prioritize leaving during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the local segments of the route. Because the drive is characterized by its turn-heavy nature at the end, ensure your GPS is updated before you head out to navigate the transition onto 1100 South smoothly. Use this day trip window to your advantage by planning your departure to avoid the heaviest local traffic patterns.
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 59.5 miles from Orem, UT, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.7 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 26 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.5 miles or 1h 5m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near River Heights, 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.
+
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 Orem, UT
This is one driving day of about 119.1 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 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 89.7 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 2.3 and 118.3 — 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.
5
92.6 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|I 15 Business; I 84 Business
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15 Business; I 84 Business
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
118.3 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|700 South
Turn right onto 700 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.87 one way
$37.75 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$19.78
$39.57
premium
$4.53
$21.25
$42.49
diesel
$5.61
$26.30
$52.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.7
0
$12.51
$5.72
Efficient EV
29.8
0
$10.42
$4.76
EV Truck/SUV
47.6
0
$16.67
$7.62
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Orem, UT
Late night
in Orem on Sunday
Local time
1:54 AM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
River Heights, UT
Late night
in River Heights on Sunday
Local time
1:54 AM
MDT
Current temp
43°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
21 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
2h 15m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 8.2
Caution: Tickets are required to enter Timpanogos Cave
One of the greatest technological achievements of the 19th century is the completion of the first transcontinental railroad across the United States. Visitors to the park can see the location of the L...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
$20
near mile 90.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a shift in pace as you move from high-speed transit to more technical driving. Only 19% of this route consists of highway travel, meaning you will spend the bulk of your time on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 89.7 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway, providing a consistent rhythm before the drive transitions into a turn-heavy local segment. Navigating these final miles requires more focus than standard interstate cruising, as the road personality shifts from a fast-paced arterial flow to a more localized environment. You will want to stay alert as the layout changes, especially as you approach the final destination.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.7 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 is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 119.1 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 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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 15m. Total distance: 119.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.7 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 River Heights, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 and Golden Spike National Historical Park. 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 River Heights, UT before heading back.
