Vernal, UT to West Valley City, UT is 176.9 miles and takes about 3h 27m via Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Mountain West region, transitioning from a more rural starting point to the Salt Lake City metro area. Given the relatively short distance and time, it's a straightforward drive that doesn't require an overnight stay. Plan for a day trip that gets you where you need to go without significant hassle.
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
88.5 miles from Vernal, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
46220 West
85 mi
1h 39m
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
44.6 mi
50m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
22.6 mi
24m
200 North
11.7 mi
13m
2100 South Freeway
3.8 mi
4m
Bangerter Highway
2.1 mi
2m
East Main Street
0.9 mi
1m
3500 South
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
46220 West
— 85 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vernal, UT and West Valley City, UT.
1
Start on South Vernal Avenue
72 ft·9 sec·South Vernal Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 40; US 191
0.8 mi·56 sec·West Main Street
3
Continue on US 40; US 191
17 mi·19 min·Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
4
Continue on US 40; US 191
12 mi·13 min·200 North
5
Continue on US 40; US 191
0.2 mi·14 sec·North 200 East
6
Continue on US 40; US 191
0.4 mi·27 sec·South Main Street
7
Continue on US 40; US 191
27 mi·31 min·Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
8
Continue on US 40; US 191
0.9 mi·1 min·East Main Street
9
Continue on US 40
85 mi·1 hr 39 min·46220 West
Use the left lane.
10
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Toward I 80 West
11
Merge onto I 80
23 mi·24 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 123Toward I 15 South, SR 201 West: Las Vegas, West ValleyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 123Toward I 15 South, SR 201 West: Las Vegas, West ValleyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 123AToward SR 201 West: West ValleyUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on SR 201
3.8 mi·4 min·2100 South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 13Toward SR 154: Bangerter HighwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Use the left / right lanes.
18
Merge onto SR 154
2.1 mi·2 min·Bangerter Highway
Use the slight left lane.
19
Turn right onto SR 171
0.8 mi·1 min·3500 South
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto 4400 West
0.2 mi·32 sec·4400 West
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto 3650 South
0.3 mi·54 sec·3650 South
22
Turn left onto Atlas Way
464 ft·16 sec·Atlas Way
23
Arrive at destination
Atlas Way
Trip Plan
For this 3h 27m drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and avoid potential evening traffic near West Valley City. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short distance, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 85-mile stretch on 46220 West, as services might be less frequent there. The $28 fuel cost estimate should help you budget for the trip. This is a manageable one-day drive, so you can depart at your leisure.
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 88.5 miles from Vernal, UT, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85 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 39 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.5 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Valley City, UT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Vernal, 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 Vernal, UT
This is one driving day of about 176.9 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Vernal, 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 46220 West for about 85 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 168 and 173.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
168 mi into trip|~3h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 15 South, SR 201 West: Las Vegas, West Valley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123
Toward I 15 South, SR 201 West: Las Vegas, West...
9
168.5 mi into trip|~3h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 15 South, SR 201 West: Las Vegas, West Valley
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123
Toward I 15 South, SR 201 West: Las Vegas, West...
8
168.6 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 201 West: West Valley
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 123A
Toward SR 201 West: West Valley
7
173.1 mi into trip|~3h 20m in
Take the exit toward SR 154: Bangerter Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 13
Toward SR 154: Bangerter Highway
7
173.3 mi into trip|~3h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.03 one way
$56.06 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$29.38
$58.77
premium
$4.53
$31.56
$63.11
diesel
$5.61
$39.06
$78.11
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: 61.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.1
0
$18.57
$8.49
Efficient EV
44.2
0
$15.48
$7.08
EV Truck/SUV
70.8
0
$24.77
$11.32
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Vernal, UT
Late night
in Vernal on Tuesday
Local time
3:41 AM
MDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Valley City, UT
Late night
in West Valley City on Tuesday
Local time
3:41 AM
MDT
Current temp
61°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
1 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 27m 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.
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...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
$12
near mile 128.1
Caution: Tickets are required to enter Timpanogos Cave
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, with only about 2% of the 176.9-mile route on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 85 miles on 46220 West. Expect mostly rural cruising for the majority of the drive, with a gradual increase in traffic and exits as you approach West Valley City. The transition from the open road to more developed areas will be noticeable.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85 mi on 46220 West.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 168 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 176.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 168 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Vernal, UT to West Valley City, UT, road signs begin pointing toward Valley along the way.
West Valley City is a city of 113,000 near Salt Lake City in the Wasatch Range. Although it is Utah's second largest city, it is a suburb of the capital and has little to offer a traveler. On the other hand, West Valley City is home to the most diverse community in Utah, with approximately 45% of the residents being immigrants from Vietnam, Mexico, Pacific Islanders and others. Tourists may want to try to come to WVC to eat various ethic dishes in West Valley City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 27m. Total distance: 176.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85 miles on 46220 West. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 West Valley City, 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 168 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Timpanogos Cave National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at West Valley City, UT, but most travelers stay overnight.
