Road Trip in Utah

When your U.S. road trip reaches Utah, you'll step into the shoes of the earliest pioneers who traversed the same sandstone landscapes in their desires to settle the western frontier. That pioneer mentality of an open heart and a want to travel will come in handy as you navigate the Beehive State.

This guide will give you information on Utah traffic laws, major roads, and finally, the destinations you won't want to miss. Keep reading for all that you'll need to know during your road trip through UT.

Utah Rules of the Road

To make your road trip as stress- and ticket-free as possible, make sure you're somewhat familiar with UT traffic laws.

As a quick point of reference, take a look at our guide on Utah safety laws. These laws can vary from state to state, especially regarding seat belt and cell phone use. Some of these might seem like no-brainers, but could end up saving your life.

When you have some downtime, consider flipping through the Utah driver's manual. Again, there could be traffic regulations in Utah you just aren't used to dealing with in your home state or country. The time it'll take you to get a general idea of UT traffic laws is certainly worth not getting a ticket or in an accident.

Acceptable Driving Documentation

Now that you're familiar the rules of Utah roads, let's make sure you'll have the right documentation for getting out on those roads. Drivers from another U.S. state must have a valid driver's license from your home state.

Major Utah Roads

Below you'll find some of Utah's major roads, the counties and/or cities they pass through, and the states they connect to (if applicable):

  • I-15 (north to south).
    • Intersects Brigham City, Pleasant View, Ogden, Layton, Farmington, Salt Lake City, Taylorsville, West Jordan, Orem, Provo, Nephi, Fillmore, Beaver, Parowan, and Saint George.
    • Continues into Idaho and Arizona.
  • I-70 (west to east).
    • Goes through Richfield, Salina, Emery County, Green River, and Grand County.
    • Connects to Colorado.
  • I-80 (west to east).
    • Passes through Wendover, Tooele County, Green River, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City, Summit Park, Silver Summit, Snyderville, Summit County, Coalville, and Evanston.
    • Links with Nevada and Wyoming.
  • I-84 (north to south).
    • Runs through Box Elder County, Howell, Tremonton, Elwood, Honeyville, Brigham City, Perry, Willard, Pleasant View, Ogden, Morgan County, Summit County, and Echo.
    • Continues into Idaho.
  • US-6 (west to east).
    • Goes through Utah County, Spanish Fork, Helper, Wasatch County and Carbon County.
  • US-40 (west to east).
    • Intersects Heber City, Wasatch County, Fruitland, Uinta and Ouray Reservation, Vernal, Naples, Jensen, and Uinta County.
    • Connects to Colorado.
  • US-50 (west to east).
    • Passes through Millard County, McCornick, Holden, Scipio, Salina, Sevier County, Emery County, Green River, Grand County, and Thompson.
    • Links to Nevada and Colorado.
  • US-89 (north to south).
    • Runs through Tremonton, Roy, Ogden, Layton, Salt Lake City, Orem, Provo, Mount Pleasant, Salina, Richfield, Panguitch, Orderville, Kanab, and Big Water.
    • Continues into Idaho and Arizona.
  • US-191 (north to south).
    • Goes through Vernal, Duchesne, Price, Moab, and Monticello.
    • Connects to Wyoming and Arizona.

Utah Road Trip Destinations

Below you'll find some suggestions on where to visit, but along the way, don't forget to channel the inner pioneer spirit that's sure to take you on adventures you'd never expect.

Utah's Natural World

If you've got a craving for camping, a hankering for a hike, or a desire to dip in the cool waters of the Great Salt Lake, make sure you stop by a few of Utah's natural attractions, including:

  • Zion National Park—Springdale, UT.
    • Experience the unparalleled natural beauty of Utah's first national park.
  • Canyonlands National Park—Moab, UT.
    • Huge park filled with sandstone geological formations carved out by the Colorado River.
  • Arches National Park—Moab, UT.
    • Explore vast amounts of red rock arches, spires, and impossibly balanced boulder formations.
  • Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park—Oljato-Monument Valley, UT.
    • See breathtaking rock formations sculpted by eons of natural wind and water processes.
  • Great Salt Lake—Salt Lake, Tooele, Box Elder, and Weber County, UT.
    • Numerous campsites and natural parks surround Utah's enormous, salty lake.
    • One to visit is Antelope Island. This preserve protects a genetically pure strain of wild bison.
  • Bear Lake State Park.
    • Visit Utah's only lake known for its strikingly blue waters (caused by calcium carbonate deposits).
  • Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge—Brigham City, UT.
    • Truly a birdwatcher's paradise, this refuge serves as resting, breeding, and feeding grounds for a myriad of bird species every year.
  • Park City.
    • This scenic and mountainous region is a great place to visit year-round, but is world-famous for its ski slopes.
  • Timpanogos Cave—American Fork, UT.
    • Experience the alien-like geological wonders of Utah's underground natural world in this sprawling cave.
  • Bonneville Salt Flats—Tooele County, UT.
    • Miles upon miles of salt-covered earth make this one of Utah's most unique natural attractions.

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UT Arts & Culture

If you're an art buff or want to see what makes up Utah's cultural landscape, be sure to visit some of the following places:

  • Utah Museum of Contemporary Art—Salt Lake City, UT.
    • Exercise your interpretive muscles as you take in contemporary artwork done by artists all over the world.
  • Art at the Main—Salt Lake City, UT.
    • Located at Utah's beautiful Main Library, this artist co-op provides a gallery and working space for local artists.
  • Kimball Art Center—Park City, UT.
    • Find your inspiration with this museum's rotating art exhibits that cover all types of mediums and subjects.
  • Tuacahn Theatre—Ivins, UT.
    • Have an unforgettable experience at this outdoor amphitheater, carved into Utah's red rock cliffs.

Fun-Filled UT Destinations

If you're looking for some good old-fashioned Utah fun or are in need of kid-friendly entertainment, look no further than the suggestions below.

  • Treehouse Museum—Ogden, UT.
    • Award-winning children's museum with plenty of hands-on exhibits that'll keep your kids entertained (and learning) for hours.
  • The Leonardo—Salt Lake City, UT.
    • Museum inspired by the Renaissance man himself, with a focus on learning about a myriad of subjects through thought- and question-provoking exhibits.
  • Hill Aerospace Museum—Hill Airforce Base, UT.
    • Huge collection of U.S. military artifacts, vehicles, artwork, and aircrafts.
  • Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum—Provo, UT.
    • Museum dedicated to educating the public on all types of plants, animals, and ecosystems.
  • Willow Park Zoo—Logan, UT.
    • Spend some quality time with a wide variety of mammals, reptiles, and birds from all over the world.
  • Tracy Aviary—Salt Lake City, UT.
    • Aviary offers a chance to see birds from all over the world, some of which you may never see anywhere else.
  • Loveland Living Planet Aquarium—Draper, UT.
    • Come ready to learn at this aquarium that's focused on aquatic mammals, birds, and fish.
  • Lagoon Park—Farmington, UT.
    • Spend a fun-filled day at this amusement, water, and entertainment park with attractions suitable for all ages.

Unique Utah Attractions

Just when you think you've seen all that Utah has to offer, think again! You've yet to experience some of UT's oddest and most unique attractions, including:

  • Four Corners—Bluff, UT.
    • The only place in the U.S. where you can be in Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico all at the same time.
  • World of Puppetry Museum—Brigham City, UT.
    • Your one-stop shop for everything you'd want to learn about puppets all over the world.
  • Thistle Ghost Town—Fairview, UT.
    • This eerie town was once a flourishing farming community before being hit by a major flood.
  • Pando, the Trembling Giant—Richfield, UT.
    • Made up of a huge grove of genetically-identical Aspen trees, this natural wonder is one of the world's largest living organisms.
  • Gilgal Sculpture Garden—Salt Lake City, UT.
    • Collection of massive hand-carved stone sculptures dedicated to honoring the Mormon culture and religion.
  • Hole 'N the Rock—Moab, UT.
    • This unique full-sized home is built into a huge portion of carved out rock in the Canyonlands National Park.
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