This 306.7-mile journey from Santa Clara, UT to Salt Lake City, UT will take approximately 5 hours and 12 minutes of driving time. Designed as a single-day trip, it's a manageable drive with a fuel cost estimated at $49. The route predominantly follows local roads, indicated by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, rather than major highways. You'll experience a continuous drive with the longest stretch covering 298.5 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. Both your origin and destination are within the Mountain West region, so expect consistent scenery throughout this Utah-based adventure.
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
153.3 miles from Santa Clara, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
298.5 mi
4h 54m
Saint George Boulevard
2 mi
5m
West Sunset Boulevard
2 mi
3m
Santa Clara Drive
1.1 mi
2m
Bluff Street
1 mi
1m
SR 269
0.7 mi
1m
I 15 BUS
0.3 mi
<1m
West Temple
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 298.5 mi, about 4h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Clara, UT and Salt Lake City, UT.
1
Start on Santa Clara Drive
1.1 mi·2 min·Santa Clara Drive
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on West Sunset Boulevard
2.0 mi·3 min·West Sunset Boulevard
3
Continue on SR 18
1.0 mi·1 min·Bluff Street
4
Turn left onto I 15 BUS; SR 34
2.0 mi·5 min·Saint George Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp onto I 15 BUS
0.3 mi·43 sec·I 15 BUS
Toward I 15 North: Salt Lake CityUse the slight left / straight lanes.
6
Merge onto I 15
299 mi·4 hr 54 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·26 sec
Exit 306Toward 600 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on SR 269
0.7 mi·1 min·SR 269
Exit 121; 306Toward SR 269: 600 South
9
Turn left onto SR 270
0.3 mi·50 sec·West Temple
10
Turn right onto US 89
0.2 mi·30 sec·400 South
11
Turn left onto Main Street
80 ft·3 sec·Main Street
Use the left lane.
12
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour, 12-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Santa Clara to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 298.5 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway, as services might be less frequent on local roads. This route is well-suited for a single day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, you could plan for a brief overnight stop.
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 153.3 miles from Santa Clara, UT, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 298.5 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 67 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.3 miles or 2h 39m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salt Lake City, UT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara, UT
This is one driving day of about 306.7 miles and 5h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Santa Clara, 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 298.5 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.2 and 306.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.2 mi into trip|~8m in|I 15 BUS; SR 34 / Saint George Boulevard
Turn left onto I 15 BUS; SR 34 / Saint George Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
6.2 mi into trip|~13m in|I 15 BUS
Take the ramp onto I 15 BUS toward I 15 North: Salt Lake City
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 15 North: Salt Lake City
5
6.6 mi into trip|~14m 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.
7
305.1 mi into trip|~5h 9m in
Take the exit toward 600 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 306
Toward 600 South
7
306.6 mi into trip|~5h 12m in|Main Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.60 one way
$97.20 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$50.94
$101.89
premium
$4.53
$54.71
$109.42
diesel
$5.61
$67.72
$135.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92
1
$32.20
$14.72
Efficient EV
76.7
0
$26.84
$12.27
EV Truck/SUV
122.7
1
$42.94
$19.63
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Santa Clara, UT
Evening
in Santa Clara on Saturday
Local time
7:32 PM
MDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Salt Lake City, UT
Evening
in Salt Lake City on Saturday
Local time
7:32 PM
MDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
66°F
Delta, UT
153 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
30 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 12m 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 274.9
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
~32 min detour
$10
near mile 63.4
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 31.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a driving experience characterized by frequent turns and local road navigation, with a 0% highway share. This isn't a high-speed interstate cruise; instead, it's a more engaged, turn-heavy drive. The bulk of your time on Veterans Memorial Highway will be a continuous 298.5-mile stretch, offering a prolonged period of consistent driving before you transition. The profile suggests a route that keeps you connected to the local landscape, rather than bypassing it.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 298.5 mi on Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
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 4.2 miles in near I 15 BUS; SR 34 / Saint George Boulevard.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 12m 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 4.2 miles (I 15 BUS; SR 34 / Saint George Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles (I 15 BUS): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 298.5 miles on Veterans Memorial 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.
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 4.2 miles (I 15 BUS; SR 34 / Saint George Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles (I 15 BUS): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 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 Salt Lake City, UT before the return drive.
