If you are planning a quick getaway within the Mountain West, the 88.3-mile trip from Sandy to Mount Pleasant is an efficient choice. You can easily complete this drive in about 1 hour and 46 minutes, making it a perfect one-day excursion that doesn't require an overnight stay. Budgeting around $14 for fuel will cover your transit across these Utah corridors. By utilizing a combination of Veterans Memorial Highway, US 89, and the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, you transition smoothly from the northern urban areas toward the heart of the state. It is a straightforward route that provides a balanced mix of infrastructure, ideal for those who prefer a reliable, uncomplicated journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.2 miles from Sandy, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
37 mi
39m
US 89
35 mi
43m
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
10.1 mi
12m
US 6
3.7 mi
5m
9000 South
0.5 mi
<1m
8800 South
0.4 mi
1m
State Street
0.2 mi
<1m
North State Street
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 37 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sandy, UT and Mount Pleasant, 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
37 mi·39 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
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.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 257BToward US 6 East: PriceUse the straight lane.
8
Merge
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward US 6 East: Price
9
Continue on US 6
3.7 mi·5 min·US 6
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on US 6
10 mi·12 min·Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
12
Turn right onto US 89
35 mi·43 min·US 89
Use the right lane.
13
Arrive at destination
US 89
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. You won't need to worry about planning complex rest stops along the way, as the 1 hour and 46 minute duration is manageable in a single stint. Before heading out, double-check your fuel levels, as the $14 estimate is based on typical transit conditions; having a full tank before leaving Sandy ensures you won't need to hunt for gas stations mid-route. Keep in mind that because this is a mixed-road trip, traffic patterns may fluctuate more on the local sections than on the highway portions. Use your departure time to avoid potential congestion on the Veterans Memorial Highway segments to make your arrival in Mount Pleasant as smooth as possible.
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 44.2 miles from Sandy, UT, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37 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 19 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.2 miles or 51m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Pleasant, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Sandy, UT
This is one driving day of about 88.3 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 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 37 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 38.9 — 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.
8
38.5 mi into trip|~43m 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
38.9 mi into trip|~44m 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
$13.99 one way
$27.98 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$14.67
$29.33
premium
$4.53
$15.75
$31.50
diesel
$5.61
$19.50
$38.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.5
0
$9.27
$4.24
Efficient EV
22.1
0
$7.73
$3.53
EV Truck/SUV
35.3
0
$12.36
$5.65
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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 18, 2026
Origin
Sandy, UT
Night
in Sandy on Saturday
Local time
10:34 PM
MDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Mount Pleasant, UT
Night
in Mount Pleasant on Saturday
Local time
10:34 PM
MDT
Current temp
20°F
Mostly Clear
ESE 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 17 at 10:15PM MDT until April 18 at 12:00PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 17 at 10:15PM MDT until April 18 at 12:00PM 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
27 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
1h 46m 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 21.3
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 mixed-drive experience that shifts in pace as you navigate the 88.3-mile distance. Roughly 44% of your journey takes place on highways, providing a steady rhythm for a significant portion of your time behind the wheel. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch early on, with 37 miles along the Veterans Memorial Highway. As you move off the main highway segments and onto US 89 and the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, the character of the road changes, requiring more focused attention than a standard interstate cruise. This variation keeps the drive engaging without becoming overly strenuous or technical.
44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37 mi on Veterans Memorial 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 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 89 / State Street.
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 88.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.4 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
6,394 ft4,437 ft
Total Climb
2,154 ft
Total Descent
694 ft
Highest Point
6,394 ft
~75.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,957 ft
Notable High Points
4,643 ft at ~12.6 miles+71 ft prominence
4,649 ft at ~25.2 miles+78 ft prominence
6,394 ft at ~75.7 miles+404 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 Mount Pleasant, UT, road signs begin pointing toward Price along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 88.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (44%). 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 37 miles on Veterans Memorial 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 Mount Pleasant, UT before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 Mount Pleasant, UT before heading back.
