West Valley City, UT to Panguitch, UT is 243.1 miles and takes about 4h 16m via Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Mountain West region, specifically within Utah. Expect a drive that primarily uses surface roads for much of the way. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion. Consider this if you're looking for a straightforward drive with minimal complexity.
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
121.6 miles from West Valley City, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
202.5 mi
3h 21m
SR 20
20.5 mi
24m
US 89
10.1 mi
12m
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
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 202.5 mi, about 3h 21m
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 424 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,388 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~249 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 79 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Valley City, UT and Panguitch, UT.
1
Start on Atlas Way
0.4 mi·1 min·Atlas Way
2
Turn left onto Volta Avenue
0.2 mi·41 sec·Volta Avenue
3
Turn right onto 4400 West
0.2 mi·36 sec·4400 West
4
Turn left onto 4100 South
0.8 mi·1 min·4100 South
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Turn right onto SR 154
0.7 mi·50 sec·Bangerter Highway
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
222 ft·8 sec
Use the slight left lane.
8
Turn left onto 4700 South
1.4 mi·2 min·4700 South
9
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·43 sec
Toward I 215 SouthUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 215
3.3 mi·3 min·Belt Route
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
426 ft·5 sec
Exit 12Toward I 15: Salt Lake City, Las VegasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·59 sec
Toward I 15 South: Las VegasUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward I 15 South: Las Vegas
14
Merge onto I 15
202 mi·3 hr 21 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 95Toward SR 20: Panguitch, Kanab
16
Turn left onto SR 20
20 mi·24 min·SR 20
17
At end of road, turn right onto US 89
9.2 mi·10 min·US 89
18
Continue on US 89
0.9 mi·1 min·US 89
19
Turn right onto Center Street
30 ft·1 sec·Center Street
Use the right lane.
20
Arrive at destination
Center Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 16m duration, leaving West Valley City in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive in Panguitch with ample daylight. While the drive is manageable in one day, factor in the single recommended stop for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you move onto surface roads where gas stations might be less frequent. The $42 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to have a bit extra. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility to depart when you feel most rested.
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 121.6 miles from West Valley City, UT, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 202.5 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 53 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.6 miles or 2h 7m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Panguitch, 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 243.1 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 Veterans Memorial Highway for about 202.5 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 212.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|4100 South
Turn left onto 4100 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
2.6 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
7.9 mi into trip|~12m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward I 15: Salt Lake City, Las Vegas
7
8 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 15 South: Las Vegas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 15 South: Las Vegas
6
212.2 mi into trip|~3h 37m in
Take the exit toward SR 20: Panguitch, Kanab
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 95
Toward SR 20: Panguitch, Kanab
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.07 one way
$88.15 round trip
$4.61/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$46.17
$92.34
premium
$5.13
$49.08
$98.16
diesel
$6.28
$60.07
$120.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.9
0
$25.53
$11.67
Efficient EV
60.8
0
$21.27
$9.72
EV Truck/SUV
97.2
1
$34.03
$15.56
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 20, 2026
Origin
West Valley City, UT
Late night
in West Valley City on Thursday
Local time
5:17 AM
MDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Sunny
SSE 6 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Panguitch, UT
Late night
in Panguitch on Thursday
Local time
5:17 AM
MDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain
SSE 2 to 12 mph15% chanceLive 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
9 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
4h 16m on the road
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.
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
$12
near mile 33.5
Caution: Tickets are required to enter Timpanogos Cave
Hoodoos (irregular columns of rock) exist on every continent, but here is the largest concentration found anywhere on Earth. Situated along a high plateau at the top of the Grand Staircase, the park's...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
$35
near mile 243.1
Crowning the Grand Staircase, Cedar Breaks sits at over 10,000 feet and looks down into a half-mile deep geologic amphitheater. Come wander among timeless bristlecone pines, stand in lush meadows of w...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
$10
near mile 243.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only 13% on highways. You'll encounter the longest stretch of highway driving, 202.5 miles, on Veterans Memorial Highway. After that, expect to transition to surface roads for the remainder of your trip. The shift from highway to surface roads will be noticeable as you navigate through more local traffic and potentially lower speed limits.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 202.5 mi on Veterans Memorial Highway.
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 0.9 miles in near 4100 South.
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 17 significant decision points across 243.1 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 0.9 miles (4100 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,047 ft4,306 ft
Total Climb
3,670 ft
Total Descent
1,350 ft
Highest Point
7,047 ft
~225.8 mi in
Elevation Range
2,741 ft
Notable High Points
4,640 ft at ~34.7 miles+69 ft prominence
5,132 ft at ~86.8 miles+107 ft prominence
5,575 ft at ~121.6 miles+420 ft prominence
7,047 ft at ~225.8 miles+421 ft prominence
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 Panguitch, UT, road signs begin pointing toward Kanab 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 ethnic dishes in West Valley City.
Panguitch is a city of 1,700 people (2017) in the Canyon Country of Utah in the Western United States. Panguitch is a good jumping-off point for travelers who want to hike in the Grand Circle of U.S. national parks.
Top landmarks
•Panguitch Historic District — historic district in Utah, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 16m. Total distance: 243.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 202.5 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 Panguitch, 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (4100 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 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, Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Panguitch, UT, but most travelers stay overnight.
