El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant
Near the start, short detour
Orem, Utah
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+18019609612
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 52m
Distance
286.7 mi
461 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
9 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Valley City, UT
Quang Vuong
LaVerkin, UT
Aleksei Pribõlovski
West Valley City, UT to LaVerkin, UT is 286.7 miles and takes about 4h 52m via Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Mountain West region, connecting two points in Utah. You'll primarily be on surface roads for this drive, which offers a more relaxed pace compared to interstate travel. Given the manageable distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination with time to spare.
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
143.3 miles from West Valley City, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Memorial Highway | 269.7 mi | 4h 24m |
| SR 17 | 6.7 mi | 10m |
| Belt Route | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| 4700 South | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| 4100 South | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Bangerter Highway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Atlas Way | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| 4400 West | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 432 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,201 veh/hr typical · worst 5,998
Quietest
2 AM
~243 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 79 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between West Valley City, UT and LaVerkin, UT.
Start on Atlas Way
Turn left onto Volta Avenue
Turn right onto 4400 West
Turn left onto 4100 South
Turn right onto SR 154
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto 4700 South
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 215
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 15
Take the exit
Turn left onto SR 17
Turn left onto West Center Street
Turn right onto South Main Street
Arrive at destination
For this 4h 52m drive, departing in the morning will give you ample daylight to complete the 286.7 miles. While there's only one recommended stop, you might want to plan for additional breaks as needed, especially since much of the route is on surface roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $48 and services can be more spread out on non-highway sections. The flexibility of a single-day trip means you can adjust your timing based on traffic or personal preference.
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.
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 63 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.3 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near LaVerkin, UT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving West Valley City, 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 Valley City, UT
This is one driving day of about 286.7 miles and 4h 52m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
143 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.
A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 143.3 miles from West Valley City, UT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 269.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · first break window
Orem, Utah
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+18019609612
The Pub Spirits + Craft Kitchen
Cedar City, Utah
Yamato Japanese Restaurant
Orem, Utah
Best coffee break · early in the drive
Santaquin, Utah
Early in the drive, short detour
Hours: 7:30 AM–3 PM
+18016092290
Azúcar Café
West Valley City, Utah
Northfield Cafe
Cedar City, Utah
Near the start, short detour
Orem, Utah
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+18019609612
Near the end, short detour
Cedar City, Utah
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+14358671400
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Orem, Utah
Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm
+18012277100
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cedar City, Utah
Hours: 9 am–9 pm
+14353592868
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Orem, Utah
Hours: 10:30 am–8:30 pm
+18017228585
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hours: 11 am–5 pm
+18019756565
Near the start, ~12 min detour
Riverton, Utah
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+18012542555
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Santaquin, Utah
Hours: 7:30 AM–3 PM
+18016092290
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
West Valley City, Utah
Hours: 7 AM–8 PM
+13859004763
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cedar City, Utah
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
Near the start, short detour
Lehi, Utah
Hours: 11 AM–3 PM
+18017684996
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cedar City, Utah
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+14358675333
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Hurricane, Utah
Hours: 7 am–8:30 pm
+14359220635
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cedar City, Utah
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+14352630586
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cedar City, Utah
Hours: 5:30 am–3 pm
Near the end, right off the route
La Verkin, Utah
+14356350277
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
West Valley City, Utah
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
West Valley City, Utah
Hours: Open 24 hours
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Fillmore, Utah
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Nephi, Utah
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Provo, Utah
Near the start, short detour
Taylorsville, Utah
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cedar City, Utah
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+14355869290
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lehi, Utah
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+18017682300
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Hurricane, Utah
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+14356353245
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cedar City, Utah
Hours: 8:30 am–5 pm
+14355865124
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lehi, Utah
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+18017682300
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
Cedar City, Utah
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~12 min detour
Parowan, Utah
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+14354778190
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto 4400 West
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto 4100 South
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 15: Salt Lake City, Las Vegas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 15 South: Las Vegas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$51.64 one way
$103.28 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.78 | $53.93 | $107.86 |
| premium | $5.11 | $57.63 | $115.27 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $69.74 | $139.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
EV Charging Along Route
9 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
West Valley City, UT - Tesla Supercharger
West Valley City, UT
20 DCFC
South Salt Lake City, UT - Tesla Supercharger
South Salt Lake City, UT
10 DCFC
WinCo Foods - West Valley #75
West Valley City, UT
6 DCFC
RMP West Valley City (West Valley City, UT)
West Valley City, UT
6 DCFC
KEN GARFF WVF LV3-02
West Valley City, UT
2 DCFC
KEN GARFF WVF LV3-01
West Valley City, UT
2 DCFC
JWV CHARGER CPE250-1
West Valley City, UT
1 DCFC
STATE OF UTAH UDOT SOUTH L3 2
Taylorsville, UT
1 DCFC
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86 | 1 | $30.10 | $13.76 |
| Efficient EV | 71.7 | 0 | $25.09 | $11.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.7 | 1 | $40.14 | $18.35 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in West Valley City on Monday
Local time
5:18 AM
MDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Late night in LaVerkin on Monday
Local time
5:18 AM
MDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Cloudy
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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This route features a high percentage of surface roads, with only a small portion on highways. You'll spend most of your time navigating local routes like SR 17 and Belt Route. The longest continuous stretch on a highway, Veterans Memorial Highway, covers 269.7 miles. Expect to encounter more frequent intersections and a generally slower pace as you move away from any primary highway sections.
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 0.7 miles in near 4400 West.
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 17 significant decision points across 286.7 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 0.7 miles (4400 West): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (4100 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
Total Climb
3,375 ft
Total Descent
4,490 ft
Highest Point
6,473 ft
~184.3 mi in
Elevation Range
3,283 ft
Notable High Points
Founded 1980
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 ethnic dishes in West Valley City.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 52m. Total distance: 286.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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