Taylorsville, UT to Santa Clara, UT is 301 miles and takes about 5 hours and 6 minutes via Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Mountain West region, offering a straightforward drive. With a single recommended day, it’s a manageable route for a quick getaway or a travel day. The majority of the driving is on surface roads, so plan for a less highway-intensive experience. You'll find the route is direct and efficient for reaching your destination.
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
150.7 miles from Taylorsville, 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
292.7 mi
4h 48m
I 15 BUS
2.2 mi
5m
West Sunset Boulevard
2 mi
3m
Taylorsville Expressway
1.5 mi
2m
Santa Clara Drive
1.1 mi
2m
Bluff Street
1 mi
1m
4500 South
0.3 mi
<1m
4700 South
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 292.7 mi, about 4h 48m
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 227 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,083 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~241 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.1×
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 Taylorsville, UT and Santa Clara, UT.
1
Start on SR 266
23 ft·6 sec·4700 South
2
Continue on SR 266
0.2 mi·24 sec·4700 South
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on SR 266
1.5 mi·2 min·Taylorsville Expressway
4
Continue on SR 266
0.3 mi·31 sec·4500 South
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 15 South: Las VegasUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 15
293 mi·4 hr 48 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto I 15 BUS
2.2 mi·5 min·I 15 BUS
Exit 8Toward SR 34: Saint George BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
8
Turn slight right
213 ft·7 sec
Use the right lane.
9
Turn straight onto SR 18
1.0 mi·1 min·Bluff Street
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on SR 8
2.0 mi·3 min·West Sunset Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on Santa Clara Drive
1.1 mi·2 min·Santa Clara Drive
Use the straight lane.
12
Arrive at destination
Santa Clara Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving Taylorsville in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. You'll want to plan for at least one stop to break up the drive, especially since most of the route involves surface roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $53, and it's always wise to refuel before hitting the longest stretch of road. The longest continuous stretch is 292.7 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration before setting out. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your timing.
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 150.7 miles from Taylorsville, UT, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 292.7 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 150.7 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 Santa Clara, UT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Taylorsville, 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 Taylorsville, UT
This is one driving day of about 301.4 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Taylorsville, 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 292.7 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 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 297.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 266 / 4700 South
Continue onto SR 266 / 4700 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 15 South: Las Vegas
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 15 South: Las Vegas
5
2.3 mi into trip|~4m 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
295 mi into trip|~4h 52m in|I 15 BUS
Take the exit onto I 15 BUS toward SR 34: Saint George Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 8
Toward SR 34: Saint George Boulevard
3
297.1 mi into trip|~4h 57m in
Turn slight right
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.98 one way
$93.96 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$49.52
$99.03
premium
$4.47
$53.09
$106.18
diesel
$4.80
$56.91
$113.82
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: 105.5 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
90.4
1
$31.65
$14.47
Efficient EV
75.4
0
$26.37
$12.06
EV Truck/SUV
120.6
1
$42.20
$19.29
Gas CO2
105 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
Taylorsville, UT
Evening
in Taylorsville on Saturday
Local time
7:27 PM
MDT
Current temp
95°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 5 mph59% 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
Santa Clara, UT
Evening
in Santa Clara on Saturday
Local time
7:27 PM
MDT
Current temp
98°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 6 mph26% 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
87°F
Nibley, 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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 6m 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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
$12
near mile 31.2
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...
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 270.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily on surface roads, with only about 2.7% on highways. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on local streets, covering 292.7 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. Expect a steady pace with frequent intersections and potential traffic as you navigate through towns. The transition from highway to surface roads will be apparent early on.
Only 1% 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: 292.7 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 early in the drive near SR 266 / 4700 South.
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 6m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 266 / 4700 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 292.7 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 266 / 4700 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 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 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Santa Clara, UT before the return drive.
