West Valley City, UT to Maeser, UT is 177.4 miles and takes about 3h 31m 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, connecting two points in Utah. The drive primarily uses US 40, a significant artery for this part of the country, offering a straightforward path. With a relatively short duration and manageable fuel cost, it’s a practical option for a single-day excursion or as a segment of a larger regional 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
88.7 miles from West Valley City, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 40
86.5 mi
1h 41m
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
42.1 mi
48m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
23.8 mi
25m
East 200 North
11.7 mi
13m
2100 South Freeway
4 mi
4m
South 2500 West
3.3 mi
6m
Bangerter Highway
1.9 mi
2m
3500 South
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 40
— 86.5 mi, about 1h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Valley City, UT and Maeser, UT.
1
Start on Atlas Way
464 ft·20 sec·Atlas Way
2
Turn right onto 3650 South
0.3 mi·52 sec·3650 South
3
At end of road, turn left onto 4400 West
0.2 mi·35 sec·4400 West
4
Turn right onto SR 171
0.8 mi·1 min·3500 South
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto SR 154
1.9 mi·2 min·Bangerter Highway
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward SR 201 East: Salt Lake CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto SR 201
4.0 mi·4 min·2100 South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 80 East: CheyenneUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 80
24 mi·25 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 146Toward US 40 East: Heber City, VernalUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward US 40: Heber, VernalUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto US 40; US 189
87 mi·1 hr 41 min·US 40; US 189
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 40; US 191
27 mi·31 min·Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
14
Continue on US 40; US 191
0.4 mi·29 sec·South Main Street
15
Continue on US 40; US 191
0.2 mi·16 sec·North 200 East
16
Turn right onto US 40; US 191
12 mi·13 min·East 200 North
17
Continue on US 40; US 191
15 mi·16 min·Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
18
Turn left onto South 2500 West
3.3 mi·6 min·South 2500 West
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto West 1500 North
0.5 mi·2 min·West 1500 North
20
Arrive at destination
West 1500 North
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 31m estimated drive time, leaving West Valley City in the morning should allow ample time to reach Maeser comfortably. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $28, this route is flexible for a single-day trip; you can depart at your leisure. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer 86.5-mile stretch on US 40, as services might be less frequent in some areas. This direct route doesn't necessitate splitting the drive, giving you the freedom to adjust your departure time as needed.
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 88.7 miles from West Valley City, UT, or about 1h 45m 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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.7 miles or 1h 45m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Maeser, UT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 177.4 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from West Valley City, 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 32.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|SR 171 / 3500 South
Turn right onto SR 171 / 3500 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
3.3 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward SR 201 East: Salt Lake City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 201 East: Salt Lake City
7
7.7 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Cheyenne
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 80 East: Cheyenne
8
32 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
32.3 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
$28.11 one way
$56.22 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$29.47
$58.93
premium
$4.53
$31.65
$63.29
diesel
$5.61
$39.17
$78.34
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: 62.1 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
53.2
0
$18.63
$8.52
Efficient EV
44.4
0
$15.52
$7.10
EV Truck/SUV
71
0
$24.84
$11.35
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
West Valley City, UT
Late night
in West Valley City on Tuesday
Local time
4:46 AM
MDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Maeser, UT
Late night
in Maeser on Tuesday
Local time
4:46 AM
MDT
Current temp
36°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
25 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 31m 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 48.9
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 about 51% of this drive on highways, covering 86.5 miles on US 40 as the longest stretch. The profile indicates a mix of highway and surface roads, meaning you'll transition from faster-paced driving to more rural cruising. Expect to notice more open terrain as you leave the denser highway sections behind and head towards Maeser.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 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?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near SR 171 / 3500 South.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 177.4 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 0.6 miles (SR 171 / 3500 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 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 West Valley City, UT to Maeser, UT, road signs begin pointing toward Vernal 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 31m. Total distance: 177.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m 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.
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 Maeser, 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 0.6 miles (SR 171 / 3500 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 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 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Maeser, UT, but most travelers stay overnight.
