Saint George, UT to Vernal, UT is 402.4 miles and takes about 7h 18m via Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $64 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Mountain West region of Utah, taking you through varied landscapes as you head northeast. It's a solid choice if you're looking for a single-day transit between these two points. Plan for a route that mostly uses surface roads, so expect a steady pace rather than high-speed interstate cruising. This trip is well within the capabilities of a single day, making it a convenient option for many travelers.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
201.2 miles from Saint George, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
248.2 mi
4h
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
123.2 mi
2h 29m
East 200 North
11.7 mi
13m
Emma Park Road
5.8 mi
10m
US 6
4.7 mi
6m
Kyune Pass Road
3.6 mi
6m
Saint George Boulevard
1.4 mi
3m
West Main Street
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 248.2 mi, about 4h
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 53 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,598 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,112
Quietest
2 AM
~115 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.9×
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 Saint George, UT and Vernal, UT.
1
Start on this road
510 ft·39 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto 100 West
387 ft·19 sec·100 West
3
Turn right onto 200 South
0.1 mi·32 sec·200 South
4
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·Main Street
5
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
82 ft·1 sec·Main Street
6
Continue on Main Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Main Street
7
Turn right onto I 15 BUS; SR 34
1.4 mi·3 min·Saint George Boulevard
8
Take the ramp onto I 15 BUS
0.3 mi·43 sec·I 15 BUS
Toward I 15 North: Salt Lake CityUse the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Merge onto I 15
248 mi·4 hr·Veterans Memorial Highway
10
Take the exit onto US 6
0.2 mi·24 sec·US 6
Exit 257A-BToward SR 156, US 6 East: Spanish Fork, Main Street, PriceUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
4.4 mi·6 min·US 6
Exit 257BToward US 6 East: PriceUse the right lane.
Given the 7-hour drive time, starting your trip from Saint George in the morning is highly recommended to make the most of daylight. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 402.4 miles into manageable segments, perhaps one around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you move away from the initial highway portion, as services can become less frequent. The $64 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in when you depart and how long you spend at your stops.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 201.2 miles from Saint George, UT, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 248.2 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 89 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 201.2 miles or 3h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 8m
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 Saint George, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Saint George, UT
This is one driving day of about 402.4 miles and 7h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Saint George, UT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Veterans Memorial Highway for about 248.2 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 250.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|100 West
Turn right onto 100 West
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|200 South
Turn right onto 200 South
Navigation decision point
5
0.5 mi into trip|~2m in|Main Street
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
250.6 mi into trip|~4h 7m in|US 6
Take the exit onto US 6 toward SR 156, US 6 East: Spanish Fork, Main Street, Price
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 257A-B
Toward SR 156, US 6 East: Spanish Fork, Main St...
8
250.8 mi into trip|~4h 7m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward US 6 East: Price
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 257B
Toward US 6 East: Price
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$70.74 one way
$141.47 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg141 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.67
$73.97
$147.94
premium
$4.99
$79.05
$158.11
diesel
$5.35
$84.76
$169.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$71
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$96–$121
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 140.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
120.7
1
$42.25
$19.32
Efficient EV
100.6
1
$35.21
$16.10
EV Truck/SUV
161
2
$56.34
$25.75
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 1, 2026
Origin
Saint George, UT
Afternoon
in Saint George on Wednesday
Local time
1:46 PM
MDT
Current temp
65°F
Clear
ENE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Vernal, UT
Afternoon
in Vernal on Wednesday
Local time
1:46 PM
MDT
Current temp
44°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNW 5 to 10 mph19% 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
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
7h 18m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Cedar Breaks National Monument
National Monument
Crowning the Grand Staircase, Cedar Breaks sits at over 10,000 feet and looks down into a half-mile deep geologic amphitheater. Come wander among timeless bristlecone pines, stand in lush meadows of w...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$10
near mile 55.5
Danger: State Route 148 Closed Through Cedar Breaks National Monument
Follow the paths where people have walked for thousands of years. Gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into a brilliant blue sky. Experience the tall, stretching walls...
13 mi from route
~34 min detour
$35
near mile 27.7
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
$12
near mile 249.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only a 100% highway share meaning you'll be on Veterans Memorial Highway for the longest stretch of 248.2 miles. After that, you'll transition to surface roads like Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway and East 200 North. Expect a consistent driving experience without significant periods of high-speed interstate travel. The majority of the drive will feel like navigating through communities and open country.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 248.2 mi on Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 100 West.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 18m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 14 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (100 West): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (200 South): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
9,077 ft2,696 ft
Total Climb
8,598 ft
Total Descent
5,963 ft
Highest Point
9,077 ft
~316.1 mi in
Elevation Range
6,381 ft
Notable High Points
6,226 ft at ~115 miles+384 ft prominence
5,358 ft at ~172.4 miles+256 ft prominence
5,152 ft at ~229.9 miles+49 ft prominence
9,077 ft at ~316.1 miles+1,790 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 Saint George, UT to Vernal, UT, road signs begin pointing toward Price along the way.
St. George is a city in southwestern Utah, on the Utah-Arizona border, known regionally as "Utah's Dixie" (a nickname given to the area for its warm southern Utah climate which was used to grow cotton by early settlers). The city is nestled in a scenic valley of desert vistas in the northeastern Mojave Desert, adjacent to the majestic Pine Valley Mountains.
Top landmarks
•St. George Utah Temple — temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in St. George, Utah, U...
•St. George Opera House — opera house
•Brigham Young Winter Home and Office — historic house in Utah, United States
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 7h 18m. Total distance: 402.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 18m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 248.2 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Vernal, 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. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (100 West): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (200 South): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes — Cedar Breaks National Monument, Zion National Park and Timpanogos Cave National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Vernal, UT before the return drive.
