Origin
Taylorsville, UT
Late night in Taylorsville on Sunday
Local time
4:22 AM
MDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Taylorsville, UT to Vernal, UT
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 22m
Distance
173.8 mi
280 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 10m
★
6 AM
3h 22m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 32m
5 PM
3h 45m
8 PM
3h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Taylorsville, UT
Rockwell branding agency
Vernal, UT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 173.8-mile drive from Taylorsville, UT to Vernal, UT is a manageable one-day adventure, taking approximately 3 hours and 22 minutes. Primarily following US 40 and the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, with a portion on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, this route offers a mixed driving experience across the Mountain West region. With an estimated fuel cost of $28, it's an economical option for a short getaway. The drive is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
86.9 miles from Taylorsville, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 40 | 86.5 mi | 1h 41m |
| Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway | 44.6 mi | 50m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| East 200 North | 11.7 mi | 13m |
| Veterans Memorial Highway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Taylorsville Expressway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| West Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 40
— 86.5 mi, about 1h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Taylorsville, UT and Vernal, 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
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
4500 South
5
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 15 North: Salt Lake
6
Merge onto I 15
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward Salt Lake City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 304
Toward I 80 East: Cheyenne
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 146
Toward US 40 East: Heber City, Vernal
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward US 40: Heber, Vernal
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto US 40; US 189
87 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
US 40; US 189
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 40; US 191
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
13
Continue on US 40; US 191
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
South Main Street
14
Continue on US 40; US 191
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
North 200 East
15
Turn right onto US 40; US 191
12 mi
·
13 min
·
East 200 North
16
Continue on US 40; US 191
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
17
Continue on US 40; US 191
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
18
Turn right onto South Vernal Avenue
72 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Vernal Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
South Vernal Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 22-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Taylorsville to maximize your time in Vernal. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 86.5 miles, you'll have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer segments on US 40, as services can be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $28 makes this an affordable trip, but it's always wise to have a bit extra budgeted for any unexpected needs.
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 86.9 miles from Taylorsville, UT, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.5 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 38 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.9 miles or 1h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vernal, 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 173.8 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 US 40 for about 86.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.9 miles from Taylorsville, UT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 29.2 — 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
2.5 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway toward Salt Lake City
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Salt Lake City
7
4.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Cheyenne
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 304
Toward I 80 East: Cheyenne
8
29 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward US 40 East: Heber City, Vernal
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 146
Toward US 40 East: Heber City, Vernal
8
29.2 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 40: Heber, Vernal
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 40: Heber, Vernal
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.54 one way
$55.08 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $28.87 | $57.74 |
| premium | $4.53 | $31.00 | $62.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.37 | $76.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.1 | 0 | $18.25 | $8.34 |
| Efficient EV | 43.5 | 0 | $15.21 | $6.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.5 | 0 | $24.33 | $11.12 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Vernal, UT
Late night in Vernal on Sunday
Local time
4:22 AM
MDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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
3h 22m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with about 51% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 86.5 miles along US 40, so be prepared for a solid period of driving without significant breaks. This section of the drive is likely to feel more like a traditional highway cruise, while other parts may involve different road types. The character of the road will evolve as you progress toward Vernal.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.5 mi on US 40.
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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 266 / 4700 South.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 173.8 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (SR 266 / 4700 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 173.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.5 miles on US 40. 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.
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 Vernal, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 266 / 4700 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 15 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Vernal, UT, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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