Salt Lake City to Carbonville is 116.3 miles and takes about 2 hours 20 minutes via Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, I 15 ALT, and US 6, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Mountain West region, moving from Utah's capital to a more rural area. You'll experience a mixed drive profile, meaning it's not all highway, so be prepared for varying speeds and road types. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is best suited for a single-day excursion. Consider this drive if you're looking for a straightforward journey with a moderate fuel cost.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.2 miles from Salt Lake City, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Salt Lake City, UT and Carbonville, 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
49 mi·52 min·I 15 ALT
Toward I 15 South, I 80 East: Las Vegas, CheyenneUse the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 257B-AToward US 6 East, SR 156: Spanish Fork, Main Street, PriceUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 257BToward US 6 East: PriceUse the straight lane.
9
Merge
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward US 6 East: Price
10
Continue on US 6
3.7 mi·5 min·US 6
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on US 6
33 mi·39 min·Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
12
Continue on US 6
0.7 mi·57 sec·State Street
13
Continue on US 6
25 mi·30 min·Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
15
Continue on North Carbonville Road
1.2 mi·2 min·North Carbonville Road
16
Turn left onto North 1500 West
160 ft·6 sec·North 1500 West
17
Turn right onto North Mountain States Road
0.5 mi·1 min·North Mountain States Road
18
Continue on West 1500 North
0.1 mi·16 sec·West 1500 North
19
Turn right onto North 1100 West
501 ft·13 sec·North 1100 West
20
Continue on West 1300 North
0.2 mi·25 sec·West 1300 North
21
Arrive at destination
West 1300 North
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just 2 hours and 20 minutes, this trip from Salt Lake City to Carbonville offers considerable flexibility. You can easily complete it in a single day, leaving ample time for exploration at your destination. The estimated fuel cost is around $18, so plan accordingly. While there are no designated stops mentioned, the longest stretch on the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway is over 58 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. Departing in the morning will give you the most daylight to complete the drive comfortably.
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 58.2 miles from Salt Lake City, UT, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.3 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.2 miles or 1h 7m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carbonville, 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 116.3 miles and 2h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Salt Lake City, UT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway for about 58.3 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 0.1 and 51 — 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.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|SR 186 / State Street
Turn right onto SR 186 / State Street
Navigation decision point
8
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. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 15 South, I 80 East: Las Vegas, Cheyen...
8
50.6 mi into trip|~57m in
Take the exit toward US 6 East, SR 156: 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 257B-A
Toward US 6 East, SR 156: Spanish Fork, Main St...
8
51 mi into trip|~58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 6 East: Price
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 257B
Toward US 6 East: Price
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.43 one way
$36.86 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$19.32
$38.64
premium
$4.53
$20.75
$41.49
diesel
$5.61
$25.68
$51.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.9
0
$12.21
$5.58
Efficient EV
29.1
0
$10.18
$4.65
EV Truck/SUV
46.5
0
$16.28
$7.44
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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 16, 2026
Origin
Salt Lake City, UT
Night
in Salt Lake City on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
MDT
Current temp
55°F
Showers And Thunderstorms then Snow Showers Likely
NNW 13 mph84% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 10:33AM MDT until April 16 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 10:33AM MDT until April 16 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Destination
Carbonville, UT
Night
in Carbonville on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
MDT
Current temp
61°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
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
2h 20m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
$12
near mile 32.1
Caution: Tickets are required to enter Timpanogos Cave
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 116.3-mile journey offers a mixed drive experience, with 45% of the route utilizing highway conditions. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 58.3 miles on the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. The drive progresses from interstate alternatives to US highways, suggesting a change in scenery and traffic patterns as you move from the Salt Lake City area toward Carbonville. Expect a blend of faster-paced sections and potentially slower, more winding roads as you navigate through Utah's varied terrain.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.3 mi on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 300 South.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 116.3 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 0.1 miles (300 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (SR 186 / State Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (I 15 ALT): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Carbonville, UT, road signs begin pointing toward Price along the way.
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 2h 20m. Total distance: 116.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (45%). 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 58.3 miles on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric 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 Carbonville, 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 0.1 miles (300 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (SR 186 / State Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (I 15 ALT): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Timpanogos Cave National Monument. 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 Carbonville, UT before heading back.
