Traveling from River Heights to Sandy, Utah, covers a straightforward 94-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 48 minutes. Since this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Your route primarily utilizes Veterans Memorial Highway, US 89, and 9000 South to navigate through the Mountain West. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, it is a budget-friendly transit between these two Utah locations. Because there are no scheduled stops required by the itinerary, you have the flexibility to power through the drive or take breaks as your schedule permits. Overall, this is a practical connection that serves well for those looking to reach their destination efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47 miles from River Heights, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
65.5 mi
1h 9m
US 89
25.6 mi
31m
9000 South
0.5 mi
<1m
I 15 Business
0.4 mi
<1m
8800 South
0.4 mi
1m
700 South
0.3 mi
1m
State Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Summerwild Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 65.5 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between River Heights, UT and Sandy, 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
8.2 mi·8 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 15
9.1 mi·9 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 295Toward SR 209: 9000 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
418 ft·12 sec
Toward SR 209: 9000 South, Mountain America Expo Center, America First Field, Sandy
13
Turn straight onto SR 209
0.5 mi·59 sec·9000 South
14
Turn left onto US 89
0.3 mi·31 sec·State Street
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto 8800 South
0.4 mi·1 min·8800 South
16
Arrive at destination
8800 South
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of the local road segments, it is wise to plan your departure during daylight hours to ensure better visibility for navigation. Since the total drive time is under two hours, you have significant flexibility to pace the trip based on your personal comfort. Keep in mind that with zero mandatory stops, you are responsible for managing your own rest breaks along the way. While $15 should cover your fuel, consider topping off your tank before leaving River Heights to avoid searching for stations during the more local, turn-heavy sections. Focus on staying alert during the transition from Veterans Memorial Highway to the local streets of 9000 South to ensure a smooth arrival.
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 47 miles from River Heights, UT, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.5 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 21 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47 miles or 55m 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 28m
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 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 94 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 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 65.5 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 92.5 — 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.
6
83.3 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
92.5 mi into trip|~1h 44m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.90 one way
$29.79 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$15.61
$31.23
premium
$4.53
$16.77
$33.54
diesel
$5.61
$20.75
$41.51
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: 32.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.2
0
$9.87
$4.51
Efficient EV
23.5
0
$8.23
$3.76
EV Truck/SUV
37.6
0
$13.16
$6.02
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 20, 2026
Origin
River Heights, UT
Late night
in River Heights on Tuesday
Local time
4:25 AM
MDT
Current temp
43°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Sandy, UT
Late night
in Sandy on Tuesday
Local time
4:25 AM
MDT
Current temp
49°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 7 mph0% 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
6 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 48m 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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$12
near mile 94
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
~66 min detour
$20
near mile 25.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mix of driving conditions on this route, which is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive. Only 28% of your journey is spent on highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your time navigating local roads. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch during the 65.5 miles spent on Veterans Memorial Highway. As you transition away from the highway portions, the drive shifts into a more technical experience that requires your full attention at the wheel. The contrast between the open highway and the local road segments keeps the drive engaging, so be prepared for changing road dynamics as you approach Sandy.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.5 mi on Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 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 94 miles you will encounter 12 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 94 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.5 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 Sandy, 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 Sandy, UT before heading back.
