Santa Clara, UT to Sandy, UT is 294.6 miles and takes about 4h 59m via Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Mountain West region, traversing the state of Utah entirely. It's a trip primarily on surface roads, offering a chance to see more of the local landscape rather than just highway miles. Given the relatively short duration and the route profile, it's a manageable one-day drive for most.
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
147.3 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
286.6 mi
4h 41m
Saint George Boulevard
2 mi
5m
West Sunset Boulevard
2 mi
3m
Santa Clara Drive
1.1 mi
2m
Bluff Street
1 mi
1m
9000 South
0.4 mi
<1m
8800 South
0.4 mi
1m
I 15 BUS
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 286.6 mi, about 4h 41m
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 454 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,953 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,738
Quietest
2 AM
~235 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.1×
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, 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
287 mi·4 hr 41 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 295Toward SR 209: 9000 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
332 ft·10 sec
Toward SR 209: Snowbird, Alta, Sandy
9
Turn right onto SR 209
0.4 mi·54 sec·9000 South
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto US 89
0.3 mi·31 sec·State Street
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto 8800 South
0.4 mi·1 min·8800 South
12
Arrive at destination
8800 South
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Santa Clara in the morning should allow you to reach Sandy with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop for this 294.6-mile drive, you can choose to make it a quick fuel and stretch break or a more leisurely meal. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially since most of this route is on surface roads where fuel stops might be less frequent than on major interstates. The estimated fuel cost is around $49.
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 147.3 miles from Santa Clara, UT, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 286.6 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 147.3 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sandy, 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 294.6 miles and 4h 59m.
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 286.6 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 4.2 and 293.5 — 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.
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
293.2 mi into trip|~4h 56m in
Take the exit toward SR 209: 9000 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 295
Toward SR 209: 9000 South
7
293.5 mi into trip|~4h 57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 209: Snowbird, Alta, Sandy
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SR 209: Snowbird, Alta, Sandy
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.64 one way
$111.28 round trip
$4.80/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.09
$59.04
$118.07
premium
$5.34
$61.90
$123.80
diesel
$6.32
$73.28
$146.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.4
1
$30.93
$14.14
Efficient EV
73.7
0
$25.78
$11.78
EV Truck/SUV
117.8
1
$41.24
$18.85
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Santa Clara, UT
Afternoon
in Santa Clara on Sunday
Local time
4:13 PM
MDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 2 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Sandy, UT
Afternoon
in Sandy on Sunday
Local time
4:13 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
56°F
Nibley, UT
147 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
9 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
4h 59m 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 274.3
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...
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 30.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend almost no time on highways, with a 0% highway share. The vast majority of this 294.6-mile trip is on surface roads. The longest stretch without a significant road change is 286.6 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway, indicating a consistent surface road experience for most of the drive. Be prepared for more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you navigate through towns and more populated areas.
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: 286.6 mi on Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 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 Effort5/10
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 294.6 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 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 59m. Total distance: 294.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 286.6 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.
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 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.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Sandy, UT, but most travelers stay overnight.
