Traveling from Sandy to Hildale covers approximately 302 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 13 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey stays entirely within the Mountain West region of Utah, you will experience a consistent high-desert atmosphere throughout the trip. It is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, provided you are comfortable with over five hours of driving time. Expect to budget roughly $48 for fuel to complete the trek. With only one recommended stop planned, this route is best suited for travelers who prefer to minimize interruptions and reach their destination efficiently.
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
151 miles from Sandy, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
267.7 mi
4h 22m
East 100 South
21.8 mi
27m
SR 17
8.7 mi
14m
West Utah Avenue
1.9 mi
4m
9000 South
0.5 mi
<1m
8800 South
0.4 mi
1m
State Street
0.2 mi
<1m
South 100 East
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 267.7 mi, about 4h 22m
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 216 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,361 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~249 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.5×
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 Sandy, UT and Hildale, 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
268 mi·4 hr 22 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward SR 17: Toquerville, Hurricane
7
Turn left onto SR 17
8.7 mi·14 min·SR 17
8
Turn left onto South 100 East
0.1 mi·23 sec·South 100 East
9
Turn left onto SR 59
22 mi·27 min·East 100 South
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left onto West Utah Avenue
1.9 mi·4 min·West Utah Avenue
11
Arrive at destination
East Utah Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 302-mile trek, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue during the final approach into Hildale. Since the route includes only one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs, as the 267.7-mile stretch on the Veterans Memorial Highway can be monotonous. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the secondary road portions, as service intervals may be less frequent than on the main highway. Given the turn-heavy nature of the final miles, ensure your vehicle is prepped for non-highway driving conditions. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; since this is a one-day drive, consider starting your trip before peak traffic hours to ensure a smooth transition onto the local roads.
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 151 miles from Sandy, UT, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 267.7 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 66 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151 miles or 2h 30m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hildale, 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 302 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Sandy, 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 Veterans Memorial Highway for about 267.7 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 278.2 — 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
269.2 mi into trip|~4h 26m in
Take the exit toward SR 17: Toquerville, Hurricane
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SR 17: Toquerville, Hurricane
6
278.2 mi into trip|~4h 41m in|SR 59 / East 100 South
Turn left onto SR 59 / East 100 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.07 one way
$94.14 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$49.62
$99.23
premium
$4.47
$53.19
$106.39
diesel
$4.80
$57.02
$114.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.6
1
$31.71
$14.50
Efficient EV
75.5
0
$26.43
$12.08
EV Truck/SUV
120.8
1
$42.28
$19.33
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 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 17, 2026
Origin
Sandy, UT
Evening
in Sandy on Saturday
Local time
7:29 PM
MDT
Current temp
95°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 5 mph61% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:42PM MDT until July 17 at 5:45PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:16PM MDT until July 17 at 3:15PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
Destination
Hildale, UT
Evening
in Hildale on Saturday
Local time
7:29 PM
MDT
Current temp
88°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 9 mph46% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:42PM MDT until July 17 at 5:45PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:16PM MDT until July 17 at 3:15PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
57°F
Beaver, UT
151 mi in
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
7 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 13m 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.
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 20.8
Caution: Tickets are required to enter Timpanogos Cave
Crowning the Grand Staircase, Cedar Breaks sits at over 10,000 feet and looks down into a half-mile deep geologic amphitheater. Come wander among timeless bristlecone pines, stand in lush meadows of w...
13 mi from route
~31 min detour
$10
near mile 229.1
Follow the paths where people have walked for thousands of years. Gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into a brilliant blue sky. Experience the tall, stretching walls...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
$35
near mile 260.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a turn-heavy local drive profile, offering a shift in pace from standard interstate cruising. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Veterans Memorial Highway, which accounts for the longest stretch of 267.7 miles. Despite the heavy reliance on this main artery, the overall highway share is quite low at just 3 percent, meaning you will navigate significant portions of secondary roads like East 100 South and SR 17. As you transition away from the primary highway, the road becomes more technical and demands your full attention. Expect a mix of long-distance speed and localized maneuvering as you navigate the final segments of the journey.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 267.7 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 Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 13m drive. You will face about 9 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.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,532 ft3,817 ft
Total Climb
3,623 ft
Total Descent
3,045 ft
Highest Point
6,532 ft
~172.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,715 ft
Notable High Points
5,307 ft at ~86.3 miles+17 ft prominence
6,532 ft at ~172.5 miles+152 ft prominence
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 Sandy, UT to Hildale, UT, road signs begin pointing toward Hurricane along the way.
Colorado City is a city of 4,900 people (2018) straddling the Utah/Arizona border, although most of the city is on the Arizona side. The Utah portion is known as Hildale.
Colorado City is the largest and best-known polygamist community in the United States, and there are few facilities for travelers.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 267.7 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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.
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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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, Cedar Breaks National Monument and Zion National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hildale, UT before the return drive.
