Santa Clara, UT to Sandy Hills, UT is 295.6 miles and takes about 5h 3m via Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Mountain West region, entirely within Utah. Expect a trip dominated by surface roads, making it a more relaxed, scenic pace than a highway cruise. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 284.7 miles, it's a straightforward route for a single day trip.
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
147.8 miles from Santa Clara, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
284.7 mi
4h 39m
Saint George Boulevard
2 mi
5m
West Sunset Boulevard
2 mi
3m
Santa Clara Drive
1.1 mi
2m
Sego Lily Drive
1.1 mi
1m
Bluff Street
1 mi
1m
9400 South
1 mi
1m
State Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 284.7 mi, about 4h 39m
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 428 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,841 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,592
Quietest
2 AM
~228 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 79 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 Santa Clara, UT and Sandy Hills, 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
285 mi·4 hr 39 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
327 ft·4 sec
Exit 293Toward SR 151: 10600 SouthUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
204 ft·2 sec
Toward Monroe Street North, 10600 South EastUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·10 sec
Toward East 10600 SouthUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn right onto 10600 South
0.3 mi·41 sec·10600 South
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto US 89
0.8 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto Sego Lily Drive
1.1 mi·1 min·Sego Lily Drive
13
Turn left onto SR 71
0.5 mi·1 min·700 East
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto 9400 South
0.6 mi·1 min·9400 South
15
Continue on SR 209
0.4 mi·50 sec·9400 South
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto 1300 East
0.1 mi·20 sec·1300 East
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Silvercrest Drive
516 ft·19 sec·Silvercrest Drive
18
Turn right onto Sandy Hills Drive
485 ft·16 sec·Sandy Hills Drive
19
Arrive at destination
Sandy Hills Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 3m estimated drive time, departing in the morning is ideal to ensure you have plenty of daylight. There's only one recommended stop, so you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially since this route involves 295.6 miles of surface roads which can sometimes consume more fuel than highways. The $52 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra. Since it's a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to start later if needed, but be aware of the 284.7-mile stretch on Veterans Memorial Highway and plan your breaks accordingly.
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 147.8 miles from Santa Clara, UT, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 284.7 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 65 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.8 miles or 2h 33m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sandy Hills, 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 295.6 miles and 5h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 284.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.2 and 291.5 — 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.
7
291.3 mi into trip|~4h 54m in
Take the exit toward SR 151: 10600 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 293
Toward SR 151: 10600 South
9
291.3 mi into trip|~4h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Monroe Street North, 10600 South East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Monroe Street North, 10600 South East
8
291.4 mi into trip|~4h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward East 10600 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward East 10600 South
6
291.5 mi into trip|~4h 54m in|10600 South
Turn right onto 10600 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.24 one way
$106.49 round trip
$4.58/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.78
$55.61
$111.21
premium
$5.11
$59.42
$118.85
diesel
$6.18
$71.91
$143.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.7
1
$31.04
$14.19
Efficient EV
73.9
0
$25.87
$11.82
EV Truck/SUV
118.2
1
$41.38
$18.92
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Santa Clara, UT
Late night
in Santa Clara on Monday
Local time
5:06 AM
MDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Cloudy
E 2 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Sandy Hills, UT
Late night
in Sandy Hills on Monday
Local time
5:06 AM
MDT
Current temp
48°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 2 mph1% chanceLive forecast
64°F
Nibley, UT
148 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 3m 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 275.2
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 61.1
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 30.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely surface roads, with no highway miles to speak of. You'll spend the full 295.6 miles navigating local streets and avenues, with the longest continuous stretch on Veterans Memorial Highway at 284.7 miles. Expect a consistent pace without the frequent on-and-off ramps of interstate travel, likely meaning more traffic signals and intersections.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 284.7 mi on Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.2 miles in near I 15 BUS; SR 34 / Saint George Boulevard.
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 295.6 miles you will encounter 16 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 4.2 miles (I 15 BUS; SR 34 / Saint George Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 291.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 291.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 3m. Total distance: 295.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 284.7 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.
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 Sandy Hills, 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. There are 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.2 miles (I 15 BUS; SR 34 / Saint George Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 291.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 291.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sandy Hills, UT before the return drive.
