West Jordan, UT to Vernal, UT is 177.7 miles and takes about 3 hours 26 minutes via US 40, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Mountain West region, offering a straightforward drive through Utah. Expect a mixed driving profile that's manageable for a single day, making it a convenient option for getting from point A to point B. It's a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient journey rather than an extended scenic exploration.
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
88.8 miles from West Jordan, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 44m 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
17.6 mi
19m
Belt Route
11.8 mi
12m
East 200 North
11.7 mi
13m
Redwood Road
2.3 mi
4m
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 West Jordan, UT and Vernal, UT.
1
Start on SR 48
86 ft·9 sec·7800 South
2
Turn left onto SR 68
2.0 mi·3 min·Redwood Road
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on SR 68
0.3 mi·36 sec·Redwood Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 215 EastUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 215
12 mi·12 min·Belt Route
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 2Toward I 80 East: Park City, CheyenneUse the slight right lane.
7
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·22 sec·this road
8
Merge onto I 80
18 mi·19 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 146Toward US 40 East: Heber City, VernalUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward US 40: Heber, VernalUse 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
With a drive time of just over 3.5 hours, this is a perfect same-day trip, allowing for a flexible departure time. You'll want to ensure you have adequate fuel before leaving West Jordan, as the longest stretch without a significant break is 86.5 miles. While there's only one recommended stop, it's wise to be aware of your fuel gauge, especially during the longer segments on US 40. Consider leaving mid-morning to allow for a relaxed start and still arrive well before evening.
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 88.8 miles from West Jordan, UT, or about 1h 44m 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 39 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.8 miles or 1h 44m 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 49m
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 West Jordan, 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 West Jordan, UT
This is one driving day of about 177.7 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from West Jordan, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 33.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 68 / Redwood Road
Turn left onto SR 68 / Redwood Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 215 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 215 East
8
14.5 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Park City, Cheyenne
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 2
Toward I 80 East: Park City, Cheyenne
8
32.9 mi into trip|~38m 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
33.1 mi into trip|~38m 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
$28.16 one way
$56.32 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$29.52
$59.03
premium
$4.53
$31.70
$63.40
diesel
$5.61
$39.23
$78.47
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: 62.2 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
53.3
0
$18.66
$8.53
Efficient EV
44.4
0
$15.55
$7.11
EV Truck/SUV
71.1
0
$24.88
$11.37
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 15, 2026
Origin
West Jordan, UT
Night
in West Jordan on Saturday
Local time
10:35 PM
MDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Vernal, UT
Night
in Vernal on Saturday
Local time
10:35 PM
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 26m 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
~39 min detour
$12
near mile 6.1
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?
This route features a 49% highway share, meaning you'll experience a blend of faster-paced driving and more local road conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 86.5 miles on US 40, providing a significant period of consistent travel. You'll find the drive generally follows a mixed profile, transitioning between different road types as you progress toward Vernal. It's not an all-interstate grind, nor is it a purely rural, winding road, offering a balanced driving experience.
49% 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 68 / Redwood Road.
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 177.7 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 68 / Redwood Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 West Jordan, UT to Vernal, UT, road signs begin pointing toward Cheyenne along the way.
Cheyenne
14.5 mi in|~17m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 177.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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 68 / Redwood Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Timpanogos Cave National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 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 Vernal, UT, but most travelers stay overnight.
