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Trip from Sandy, UT to Ephraim, UT

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 1m

Distance

105.3 mi

169 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 53m ★
6 AM
2h 2m
8 AM
2h 19m
10 AM
2h 8m
12 PM
2h 6m
3 PM
2h 9m
5 PM
2h 18m
8 PM
1h 57m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Sandy, UT, UT

Sandy, UT

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Ephraim, UT, UT

Ephraim, UT

Hao Ma

Trip Overview

Sandy, UT to Ephraim, UT is 105.3 miles and takes about 2h 1m via Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Mountain West region, specifically within Utah, offering a straightforward trip between two points. Given its relatively short distance and duration, it's an ideal candidate for a same-day excursion, allowing for a relaxed pace. You can expect a local driving feel for much of the journey, making it a practical choice for those looking for a simple, direct route.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

52.6 miles from Sandy, UT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway 69.8 mi 1h 11m
100 North 20.9 mi 28m
15950 North 6.9 mi 8m
US 89 4.7 mi 6m
Main Street 0.7 mi 1m
9000 South 0.5 mi <1m
400 East 0.4 mi <1m
8800 South 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Veterans Memorial Highway — 69.8 mi, about 1h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sandy, UT and Ephraim, UT.

1

Start on 8800 South

0.4 mi · 1 min · 8800 South
2

At end of road, turn left onto US 89

0.2 mi · 26 sec · State Street
3

Turn right onto SR 209

0.5 mi · 58 sec · 9000 South
Use the right lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Use the left lane.
5

Merge onto I 15

70 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec
Exit 225 Toward SR 132
7

Turn sharp left onto SR 132

21 mi · 28 min · 100 North
8

Continue on SR 132

0.7 mi · 1 min · Main Street
9

Turn right onto SR 132

0.4 mi · 54 sec · 400 East
10

Continue on SR 132

6.9 mi · 8 min · 15950 North
11

Turn right onto US 89

4.7 mi · 6 min · US 89
12

Turn left onto SR 290

238 ft · 8 sec · Center Street
13

Arrive at destination

SR 290

Trip Plan

Since this is a short, single-day drive of just over 100 miles, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow ample time for any unexpected delays. With a 2h 1m estimated duration, you won't need to plan for overnight stays. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; while the estimated cost is $17, it's always wise to top off before leaving Sandy, especially since the longest stretch on Veterans Memorial Highway is nearly 70 miles, and you'll want to avoid needing to search for a station mid-route.

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 52.6 miles from Sandy, UT, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.8 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 23 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 52.6 miles or 56m 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 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ephraim, UT than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Sandy, 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, UT

This is one driving day of about 105.3 miles and 2h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Sandy, UT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Veterans Memorial Highway for about 69.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Utah County, Utah, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Payson, UT

53 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

Lehi, UT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Payson, UT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52.6 miles from Sandy, UT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69.8 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 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 71.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 89 / State Street

At end of road, turn left onto US 89 / State Street

Navigation decision point

6
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | SR 209 / 9000 South

Turn right onto SR 209 / 9000 South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
1.5 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway

Merge onto I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
71.3 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in

Take the exit toward SR 132

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 225 Toward SR 132
5
71.6 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | SR 132 / 100 North

Turn sharp left onto SR 132 / 100 North

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.69 one way

$33.37 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $17.49 $34.98
premium $4.53 $18.78 $37.57
diesel $5.61 $23.25 $46.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 36.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.6 0 $11.06 $5.05
Efficient EV 26.3 0 $9.21 $4.21
EV Truck/SUV 42.1 0 $14.74 $6.74

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (68% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Sandy, UT

Night in Sandy on Saturday

Local time

10:34 PM

MDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ephraim, UT

Night in Ephraim on Saturday

Local time

10:34 PM

MDT

Current temp

64°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

17 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 1m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Timpanogos Cave National Monument

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 21.8
Caution: Tickets are required to enter Timpanogos Cave
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route has a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, with only 4% of the journey on major highways. You'll spend most of your time navigating local roads, including sections of Veterans Memorial Highway, 100 North, and 15950 North. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 69.8 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway, offering a solid block of driving before transitions. Be prepared for frequent turns and changes in road character as you move through different local areas, rather than a sustained interstate experience.

Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69.8 mi on Veterans Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

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 0.4 miles in near US 89 / State Street.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 1m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (US 89 / State Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (SR 209 / 9000 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Sandy, UT

Full guide →

Sandy is a city just south of Salt Lake City in Utah's Wasatch Range. It is one of the major suburbs of Salt Lake City.

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 1m. Total distance: 105.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (4%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 69.8 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (US 89 / State Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (SR 209 / 9000 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Ephraim, 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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