Traveling from River Heights to Salt Lake City is a straightforward 82-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes. Since the entire trip stays within the Mountain West region of Utah, you will experience a familiar landscape throughout your drive. This route is perfectly suited for a one-day excursion, meaning you can easily complete the round trip without needing an overnight stay. Budgeting approximately $13 for fuel will cover your transit costs comfortably. Whether you are heading into the city for business or a quick getaway, this drive offers a practical and efficient connection between these two locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41 miles from River Heights, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
53.4 mi
56m
US 89
25.6 mi
31m
400 South
1.2 mi
3m
I 15 Business
0.4 mi
<1m
700 South
0.3 mi
1m
Summerwild Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
600 South
0.2 mi
<1m
Main Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 53.4 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between River Heights, UT and Salt Lake City, UT.
1
Start on 600 South
0.2 mi·43 sec·600 South
2
Continue on Summerwild Avenue
0.3 mi·45 sec·Summerwild Avenue
3
Turn right onto 700 South
0.3 mi·1 min·700 South
4
Turn left onto US 89; US 91
489 ft·11 sec·Main Street
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 89; US 91
26 mi·31 min·US 89; US 91
Use the slight right lane.
6
Take the exit onto I 15 Business; I 84 Business
0.4 mi·40 sec·I 15 Business; I 84 Business
7
Merge onto I 15; I 84
21 mi·21 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 15
27 mi·29 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 15
5.2 mi·5 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 307Toward 400 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
509 ft·14 sec
Toward City Center, Temple Square, Vivint ArenaUse the left lane.
12
Turn straight onto 400 South
1.2 mi·3 min·400 South
13
Turn left onto Main Street
80 ft·3 sec·Main Street
Use the left lane.
14
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to depart whenever it suits your plans. Since there are no mandatory stops required to complete the 1 hour and 35-minute drive, you can travel straight through without needing to build in long breaks. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is estimated at $13, so topping off your tank before you leave River Heights will get you to your destination with ease. Use the Veterans Memorial Highway for the majority of your transit to maintain a steady pace, as it serves as the backbone of this route. By planning your departure to avoid peak local traffic hours on 400 South, you can ensure a smoother arrival in Salt Lake City.
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 miles from River Heights, UT, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.4 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41 miles or 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 1h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salt Lake City, UT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving River Heights, UT so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from River Heights, UT
This is one driving day of about 82 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from River Heights, 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 53.4 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 0.9 and 80.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|US 89; US 91
Keep slight right at fork onto US 89; US 91
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
47.7 mi into trip|~56m 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
75.1 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
80.3 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward 400 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 307
Toward 400 South
8
80.7 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward City Center, Temple Square, Vivint Arena
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward City Center, Temple Square, Vivint Arena
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.99 one way
$25.99 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$13.62
$27.24
premium
$4.53
$14.63
$29.26
diesel
$5.61
$18.10
$36.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.6
0
$8.61
$3.94
Efficient EV
20.5
0
$7.18
$3.28
EV Truck/SUV
32.8
0
$11.48
$5.25
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
River Heights, UT
Late night
in River Heights on Sunday
Local time
4:24 AM
MDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Salt Lake City, UT
Late night
in Salt Lake City on Sunday
Local time
4:24 AM
MDT
Current temp
48°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
5 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
1h 35m 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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
$12
near mile 82
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 28.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience as you navigate this 82-mile path. You will spend roughly 32% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing the Veterans Memorial Highway, US 89, and 400 South. The most significant portion of your travel includes a 53.4-mile stretch along the Veterans Memorial Highway, which provides the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip. The transition between these roads creates a varied pace, moving from highway speeds to the local conditions required once you reach the city limits. This blend of road types ensures the drive remains engaging while keeping your travel time predictable.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.4 mi on Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near US 89; US 91.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82 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 0.9 miles (US 89; US 91): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.7 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.1 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Salt Lake City is the capital of, and largest city in, the U.S. state of Utah. It is a destination for outdoor recreation, with nearby mountains full of hiking trails and ski resorts made famous by the 2002 Winter Olympics. It is also well known as the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon church). The city is set to host the Winter Olympics again in 2034.
Salt Lake City has about 200,000 residents within the city limits (2019), and is the downtown hub for a metro area of over a million people. It sits on the border between the Rocky Mountains and the Great Basin, lying in the Salt Lake Valley along the Wasatch Range urban corridor, sandwiched between the Wasatch Mountains to the east and the Oquirrh Mountains and the Great Salt Lake to the west.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 82 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (32%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.4 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 Salt Lake 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 0.9 miles (US 89; US 91): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.7 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.1 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 Salt Lake City, UT before heading back.
