Origin
Salt Lake City, UT
Night in Salt Lake City on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
MDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Salt Lake City, UT to Ballard, UT
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 56m
Distance
147.1 mi
237 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 45m
★
6 AM
2h 57m
8 AM
3h 19m
10 AM
3h 4m
12 PM
3h 2m
3 PM
3h 6m
5 PM
3h 18m
8 PM
2h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Salt Lake City, UT
Wikimedia Commons
Ballard, UT
Ankit Bisht
Trip Overview
This 147.1-mile drive from Salt Lake City to Ballard, Utah, will take you about 2 hours and 56 minutes, making it a perfect one-day trip. You'll primarily be on US 40 and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with about 60% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $23, and you'll experience a mixed drive profile as you travel within the Mountain West region. This route offers a straightforward path to your destination, with only one main stop recommended along the way. It's a manageable distance for a single day's travel, allowing for a relaxed pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
73.5 miles from Salt Lake City, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 40 | 86.5 mi | 1h 41m |
| Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway | 27.3 mi | 31m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 24.1 mi | 26m |
| East 200 North | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| I 15 ALT | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| 3500 East | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| West Temple | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 700 South | 0.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 40
— 86.5 mi, about 1h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salt Lake City, UT and Ballard, UT.
1
Start on Main Street
0.1 mi
·
36 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto 300 South
0.1 mi
·
37 sec
·
300 South
Use the right lane.
3
Turn right onto SR 186
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
State Street
4
Turn right onto SR 269
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
500 South
5
Turn left onto SR 270
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Temple
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15 ALT
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 15 ALT
Toward I 15 South, I 80 East: Las Vegas, Cheyenne
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 304
Toward I 80 East: Cheyenne
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Merge onto I 80
24 mi
·
26 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 146
Toward US 40 East: Heber City, Vernal
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward US 40: Heber, Vernal
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto US 40; US 189
87 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
US 40; US 189
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 40; US 191
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
13
Continue on US 40; US 191
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
South Main Street
14
Continue on US 40; US 191
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
North 200 East
15
Turn right onto US 40; US 191
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
East 200 North
16
Turn right onto 3500 East
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
3500 East
17
Continue on 700 South
0.4 mi
·
2 min
·
700 South
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 147.1-mile trip, flexibility is key. Aim to depart Salt Lake City in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and allow ample time for any spontaneous stops. With a duration of under three hours, you won't need to split the journey, and the single recommended stop is easily incorporated. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before tackling the longest stretch of 86.5 miles on US 40, as services can be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $23 is a helpful budget marker for this Utah to Utah adventure.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.5 miles from Salt Lake City, UT, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.5 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 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.5 miles or 1h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ballard, UT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Salt Lake City, 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 Salt Lake City, UT
This is one driving day of about 147.1 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Salt Lake City, UT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 40 for about 86.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 73.5 miles from Salt Lake City, UT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 28.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
300 South
Turn right onto 300 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
1.5 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 15 ALT
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15 ALT toward I 15 South, I 80 East: Las Vegas, Cheyenne
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 15 South, I 80 East: Las Vegas, Cheyen...
7
3.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Cheyenne
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 304
Toward I 80 East: Cheyenne
8
28.1 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward US 40 East: Heber City, Vernal
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 146
Toward US 40 East: Heber City, Vernal
8
28.3 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 40: Heber, Vernal
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 40: Heber, Vernal
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.31 one way
$46.62 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $24.43 | $48.87 |
| premium | $4.53 | $26.24 | $52.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.48 | $64.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.1 | 0 | $15.45 | $7.06 |
| Efficient EV | 36.8 | 0 | $12.87 | $5.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.8 | 0 | $20.59 | $9.41 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Ballard, UT
Night in Ballard on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
MDT
Current temp
73°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
25 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
2h 56m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, with a significant portion, around 60%, being highway driving. You'll encounter an uninterrupted stretch of 86.5 miles on US 40, which offers a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. While not exclusively highway, the main roads like US 40 and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway provide a generally smooth journey. The drive transitions between different road types, offering variety without becoming overly complex or demanding. This character means you can enjoy both efficient travel and moments of more local road exploration.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.5 mi on US 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 0.1 miles in near 300 South.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 147.1 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 0.1 miles (300 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 15 ALT): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,983 ft
4,264 ft
Total Climb
5,000 ft
Total Descent
4,213 ft
Highest Point
7,983 ft
~63 mi in
Elevation Range
3,719 ft
Notable High Points
6,932 ft at ~21 miles
+273 ft prominence
7,983 ft at ~63 miles
+339 ft prominence
5,333 ft at ~136.6 miles
+47 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Salt Lake City, UT to Ballard, UT, road signs begin pointing toward Vernal along the way.
Vernal
28.1 mi in
|
~33m
About the Cities
Starting in Salt Lake City, UT
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 147.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.5 miles on US 40. 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 Ballard, 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (300 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 15 ALT): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ballard, UT before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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