Mi Ranchito AF
Near the start, short detour
American Fork, Utah
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+18017566138
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 56m
Distance
230.5 mi
371 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
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
Parowan, UT
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 230.5 miles across the Mountain West, this trip from West Valley City to Parowan typically takes about 3 hours and 56 minutes. Because the total duration is under four hours, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate via Veterans Memorial Highway, the Belt Route, and 4700 South to reach your destination. Budget approximately $37 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Mountain West region, you will experience a consistent high-desert atmosphere throughout the drive. It is a straightforward, manageable trek that works well for travelers looking for a direct path between these two Utah locations.
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
115.3 miles from West Valley City, UT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Memorial Highway | 219.2 mi | 3h 37m |
| Belt Route | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| 4700 South | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| North Main Street | 1.2 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between West Valley City, UT and Parowan, 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 I 15 Bus; SR 274
Turn right onto West Center Street
Arrive at destination
Given the total travel time of nearly four hours, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential congestion on the local roads that make up this trip. Since you are not sticking to major interstates, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge and don't push your limits between stations, even though the $37 budget is based on average consumption. Use the flexibility of this shorter drive to pace yourself, as you aren't constrained by a long-haul schedule. My best tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the transition points between 4700 South and the Veterans Memorial Highway before you head out, as these turns are central to your navigation.
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 51 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.3 miles or 2h 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Parowan, 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 230.5 miles and 3h 56m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 115.3 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 219.2 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.
Near the start, short detour
American Fork, Utah
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+18017566138
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Riverton, Utah
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+18012542555
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Sandy, Utah
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+13852744177
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hours: 11 am–5 pm
+18019756565
Near the start, right off the route
West Valley City, Utah
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Nephi, Utah
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
West Valley City, Utah
Hours: Open 24 hours
Near the start, short detour
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Vineyard, Utah
Near the start, short detour
Taylorsville, Utah
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
West Valley City, Utah
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Parowan, Utah
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+14354778190
Near the start, ~11 min detour
Sandy, Utah
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+13854687275
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Sandy, Utah
Hours: 2–10 pm
+13852168915
Visit websitePlace 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
$36.53 one way
$73.05 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $38.29 | $76.57 |
| premium | $4.53 | $41.12 | $82.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.89 | $101.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.1 | 0 | $24.20 | $11.06 |
| Efficient EV | 57.6 | 0 | $20.17 | $9.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.2 | 1 | $32.27 | $14.75 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in West Valley City on Tuesday
Local time
3:01 AM
MDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Parowan on Tuesday
Local time
3:01 AM
MDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Monument
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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Veterans Memorial Highway, which accounts for a 219.2-mile uninterrupted stretch. Because the road lacks a high percentage of interstate travel, you should prepare for a more involved driving experience with frequent turns. The character of the road shifts as you transition away from the city streets of West Valley City toward the more localized infrastructure leading into Parowan. Staying attentive is key, as the technical nature of these local roads requires more focus than a standard highway route.
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 16 significant decision points across 230.5 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
4,000 ft
Total Descent
2,292 ft
Highest Point
6,583 ft
~182.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,277 ft
Notable High Points
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 56m. Total distance: 230.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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