Spanning 276.5 miles through the Mountain West, this trip from Sandy Hills to Monticello is a solid one-day endeavor. Expect to spend about 5 hours and 30 minutes behind the wheel as you navigate away from the urban grid. Budget approximately $42 for fuel to cover the distance. Because this journey relies entirely on local roads rather than high-speed interstates, it offers a distinct, hands-on driving experience that differs from typical highway cruising. Whether you are heading south for business or a change of scenery, this route is best tackled as a single-day push to keep your travel plans efficient.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
138.3 miles from Sandy Hills, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Toward Arches, Dead Horse Point, CanyonlandsUse the left lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 191
2.1 mi·3 min·Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
20
Turn straight onto US 191
56 mi·1 hr 11 min·Main Street
21
Arrive at destination
US 191
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour and 30 minute duration, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue on these local roads. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, as the continuous turning can be more taxing than standard highway driving. Since the entire route is comprised of local streets, keep a close eye on your navigation to ensure you don't miss any of the frequent turns required along 1300 East or 11400 South. Flexibility is your best asset here; because there are no major highway segments, you have the freedom to adjust your pace as needed throughout the day. Always double-check your fuel levels before leaving, as the $42 estimate is a baseline that can fluctuate based on your specific vehicle's efficiency.
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 138.3 miles from Sandy Hills, UT, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.1 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 61 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.3 miles or 2h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monticello, UT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sandy Hills, 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 Sandy Hills, UT
This is one driving day of about 276.5 miles and 5h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Sandy Hills, 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 Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway for about 146.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 191.1 — 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|Silvercrest Drive
Turn left onto Silvercrest Drive
Navigation decision point
8
39.4 mi into trip|~47m 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
39.8 mi into trip|~47m 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
6
190.8 mi into trip|~3h 44m in|US 191
Take the exit onto US 191 toward US 191: Crescent Junction, Moab
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 182
Toward US 191: Crescent Junction, Moab
8
191.1 mi into trip|~3h 45m in|US 191
Keep slight right at fork onto US 191 toward Arches, Dead Horse Point, Canyonlands
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Arches, Dead Horse Point, Canyonlands
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.10 one way
$86.19 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$45.43
$90.85
premium
$4.47
$48.70
$97.41
diesel
$4.80
$52.21
$104.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83
1
$29.03
$13.27
Efficient EV
69.1
0
$24.19
$11.06
EV Truck/SUV
110.6
1
$38.71
$17.70
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Sandy Hills, UT
Late night
in Sandy Hills on Sunday
Local time
3:40 AM
MDT
Current temp
70°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 2 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:56PM MDT until July 17 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 10:28AM MDT until July 18 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
Destination
Monticello, UT
Late night
in Monticello on Sunday
Local time
3:40 AM
MDT
Current temp
60°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 5 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:56PM MDT until July 17 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 10:28AM MDT until July 18 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
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
10 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
5h 30m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Arches National Park
National Park
Discover a landscape of contrasting colors, land forms, and textures unlike any other. The park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balance...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
$30
near mile 209.8
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...
Canyonlands is a wilderness of canyons, buttes, and spires carved by the Colorado River and Green River. The park is divided into four distinct districts; no roads join them together. The districts sh...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
$30
near mile 238.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention from start to finish. You won't find any highway stretches here, meaning the entire 276.5-mile journey consists of navigating local infrastructure like Silvercrest Drive, 1300 East, and 11400 South. Because there are no long, straightaways—with the longest stretch on Silvercrest Drive measuring 0 miles—you should anticipate constant adjustments and frequent turns. This route is far from a monotonous interstate grind, offering a technical, localized road profile. Stay alert, as the absence of highway miles means you will be managing consistent, low-speed maneuvers for the duration of your trip.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 146.1 mi on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric 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 0.1 miles in near Silvercrest Drive.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 276.5 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 (Silvercrest Drive): Navigation decision point; at 39.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,350 ft4,117 ft
Total Climb
5,961 ft
Total Descent
3,652 ft
Highest Point
7,350 ft
~79 mi in
Elevation Range
3,234 ft
Notable High Points
7,350 ft at ~79 miles+1,439 ft prominence
4,613 ft at ~197.5 miles+229 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sandy Hills, UT and Monticello, UT, road signs point toward Price, Moab, Arches, Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands.
Monticello is a cool haven in the midst of the Canyon Country region of Utah. Located at the base of the Blue Mountains (aka "Abajo" Mountains) in the center of San Juan County, Monticello typically has cooler weather than the surrounding desert. This makes it ideal for summer hiking, biking, horseback riding and motorsports and a delightful place to cross country ski or snowmobile in the winter. From the Blue Mountains you can see the Four Corners Region, consisting of Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 30m. Total distance: 276.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 146.1 miles on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Monticello, 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 (Silvercrest Drive): Navigation decision point; at 39.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Arches National Park, Timpanogos Cave National Monument and Canyonlands National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Monticello, UT before the return drive.
