Traveling from Salt Lake City to Monroe covers 175.4 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 11 minutes of driving time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate sprint, you should plan on this being a full-day adventure. Budget approximately $28 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. While it is certainly possible to tackle this journey in a single day, the winding nature of the roads makes the pace feel slower than a standard highway commute. Both the origin and destination are located within the Mountain West, ensuring a consistent regional feel as you traverse the heart of Utah.
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
87.7 miles from Salt Lake City, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 15 ALT
118.5 mi
1h 59m
State Street
24.6 mi
30m
I 70
16.5 mi
15m
Main Street
4.3 mi
7m
SR 118
3.7 mi
5m
SR 24
2.4 mi
2m
West Main Street
1.3 mi
2m
US 50
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 15 ALT
— 118.5 mi, about 1h 59m
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 210 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~6,554 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~295 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
22.2×
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 Salt Lake City, UT and Monroe, 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
119 mi·1 hr 59 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·29 sec
Exit 188Toward US 50 East: Scipio
8
Turn left onto US 50
0.7 mi·1 min·US 50
9
Turn right onto US 50
24 mi·29 min·State Street
Use the right lane.
10
Turn right onto SR 260
4.2 mi·6 min·Main Street
11
At end of road, turn right onto SR 24
2.4 mi·2 min·SR 24
12
Turn right onto SR 259
0.3 mi·30 sec·SR 259
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward I 70 West: Richfield
14
Merge onto I 70; US 89
16 mi·15 min·I 70; US 89
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward Elsinore, Monroe
16
Turn left onto SR 258
309 ft·5 sec·Elsinore Road
17
Continue on SR 258
1.3 mi·2 min·West Main Street
18
Turn right onto West 3000 North
0.5 mi·1 min·West 3000 North
19
Turn right onto SR 118
3.7 mi·5 min·SR 118
20
Turn left onto East 100 South
169 ft·7 sec·East 100 South
21
Arrive at destination
East 100 South
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy local route, you should aim to depart during daylight hours to ensure you have clear visibility for every navigation change. Planning for at least one stop is essential to maintain your focus and comfort over the 175.4-mile distance. With a fuel budget of $28, you can easily manage your costs, but keep an eye on your gauge since local roads may offer fewer service stations than major thoroughfares. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of flexibility; use your one scheduled stop to reset before tackling the final leg of the drive into Monroe. Stay alert for frequent speed limit changes as you transition through the various local road segments.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 87.7 miles from Salt Lake City, UT, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.5 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 39 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.7 miles or 1h 31m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monroe, 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 175.4 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 I 15 ALT for about 118.5 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 152.4 — 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...
6
121.1 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|US 50 / State Street
Turn right onto US 50 / State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
152.4 mi into trip|~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West: Richfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 70 West: Richfield
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.83 one way
$61.67 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.67
$32.24
$64.48
premium
$4.99
$34.46
$68.92
diesel
$5.35
$36.94
$73.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.6
0
$18.42
$8.42
Efficient EV
43.9
0
$15.35
$7.02
EV Truck/SUV
70.2
0
$24.56
$11.23
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
21 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Salt Lake City, UT
Afternoon
in Salt Lake City on Wednesday
Local time
3:55 PM
MDT
Current temp
50°F
Partly Cloudy
ENE 3 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Monroe, UT
Afternoon
in Monroe on Wednesday
Local time
3:55 PM
MDT
Current temp
48°F
Clear
E 2 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
2 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
3h 11m 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
~18 min detour
$12
near mile 30.2
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?
Expect a hands-on experience behind the wheel, as this 175.4-mile trip relies entirely on local roads rather than interstate highways. You will navigate via 300 South, State Street, and 500 South, resulting in a 0% highway share for the entire duration. This is a turn-heavy drive that demands your full attention, moving away from the monotony of straight, flat stretches. Because the route prioritizes local connectivity, you will find a much more intimate, technical driving experience compared to typical regional travel. Be prepared for constant adjustments and a steady, rhythmic pace that keeps you engaged with the road throughout the 3-hour and 11-minute journey.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.5 mi on I 15 ALT.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 15 ALT and State Street. You will hit about 17 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 175.4 miles you will encounter 17 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.
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.
Top landmarks
•Temple Square — religious complex in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
•Utah State Capitol — state capitol building of Utah, United States
•Salt Lake Tabernacle — building in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 11m. Total distance: 175.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.5 miles on I 15 ALT. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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 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 Monroe, 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. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Monroe, UT, but most travelers stay overnight.
