You're standing in downtown Salt Lake City, staring at the Wasatch Range, and suddenly the urge hits. You need red rocks. You need that dusty, high-desert air that smells like sagebrush and adventure. But then the practical part of your brain kicks in. You start wondering about the logistics. Specifically, how far is moab from salt lake city, and more importantly, how much of your weekend is going to be eaten up by a windshield?
Most people just glance at a map and think it’s a quick hop. It’s not. But it’s also not a cross-country odyssey.
The distance between the two is roughly 235 miles. If you’re a "no-stops, bladder-of-steel" kind of driver, you’re looking at about 3 hours and 45 minutes to four hours. But honestly? If you do it in under four hours, you’ve probably missed the best parts of the trip. The drive isn't just a means to an end; it’s a transition from the alpine-industrial vibe of the Wasatch Front into the alien, terracotta landscapes of Southern Utah. It’s a mood shift.
The Standard Route: Why Everyone Takes Highway 6
Most GPS units are going to scream at you to take I-15 South to US-6 East. It’s the classic. You’ll head south through the suburban sprawl of Provo and Spanish Fork before the road tilts upward into Spanish Fork Canyon.
This stretch of how far is moab from salt lake city is where things get interesting. US-6 is a legendary road in Utah, mostly because it’s a winding, two-lane highway that handles a massive amount of semi-truck traffic. It’s beautiful, but it requires your full attention. You’ll climb up toward Soldier Summit, which sits at nearly 7,500 feet. In the winter? It's a snowy gauntlet. In the summer? It’s a relief from the valley heat.
Breaking Down the Miles
- SLC to Spanish Fork: About 50 miles of standard interstate driving.
- The US-6 Canyon Stretch: Roughly 65 miles of winding canyon and high plateau.
- Price to Green River: About 60 miles of straight, desolate desert road.
- Green River to Moab: The final 50-mile kick.
Once you drop out of the mountains, you hit Price. This is the heart of Utah's coal country. If you have kids—or just an inner eight-year-old—the USU Prehistoric Museum here is a legit stop. They have fossils actually found in the area, not just plastic replicas.
The Long Way Round: I-15 to I-70
If you absolutely loathe two-lane highways or if the weather over Soldier Summit looks like a scene from The Day After Tomorrow, there’s an alternative. You can stay on I-15 South all the way past Beaver and then hook onto I-70 East.
Is it longer? Yeah. It adds about 70 miles and at least an hour to the trip.
But here’s the secret: the stretch of I-70 that crosses the San Rafael Swell is arguably one of the most scenic interstate drives in the United States. You’re driving through a massive geologic upheaval. The road literally cuts through rock layers that have been tilted on their sides. It feels like you’re driving through a giant’s cracked ribcage.
Can You Fly? (And Should You?)
Technically, you can fly into Canyonlands Regional Airport (CNY).
The flight from SLC is barely an hour. It’s fast. It’s convenient. But unless you’re planning on renting a Jeep the second you land, you’re going to feel a little stranded. Moab is a town built for wheels. Having your own car (or a sturdy rental) is basically a requirement for hitting the Arches National Park entrance at 5:00 AM to beat the crowds or driving out to Dead Horse Point for sunset.
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Delta usually runs these flights, and sometimes boutique carriers jump in. If you’re short on time but have a healthy budget, flying is a sleek way to solve the "how far is moab from salt lake city" problem. Just know you’ll miss the weird roadside jerky stands and the slow reveal of the red rocks.
Essential Pit Stops for the Weary Traveler
You're going to get hungry. It’s inevitable.
When you hit Green River, you have a choice to make. Most people swear by Ray’s Tavern. It’s a classic "river rat" hangout. The burgers are thick, the beer is cold, and the vibe is strictly "no-nonsense." It’s the kind of place where you’ll see world-class mountain bikers sitting next to local ranchers.
If you’re looking for something weirder, check out Helper. It’s a tiny town just north of Price that has spent the last few years reinventing itself as an artist colony. The main street looks like a movie set from the 1950s. Grab a coffee, walk past the old restored gas stations, and stretch your legs. It’s a much better vibe than the greasy fast-food rows in Spanish Fork.
A Note on Gas and Cell Service
Don't be a hero.
Once you leave Price, the services get thin. Really thin. There’s a stretch between Green River and Moab where your cell signal will likely go to zero, and if you're driving a car that sips gas, you don't want to be testing your "miles to empty" light out here. Fill up in Price or Green River.
The Final Approach: US-191
The last leg of the journey begins when you exit I-70 onto US-191 South. This is where the payoff happens. The sky feels bigger here. You’ll pass the turnoff for Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky district) and Dead Horse Point State Park.
The road starts to descend, and suddenly, you’re flanked by massive red sandstone walls. The Arches National Park entrance will be on your left just before you cross the Colorado River and enter Moab proper.
Why Timing Matters
If you leave Salt Lake City at 4:00 PM on a Friday, you are joining the "weekend warrior" migration. You’ll be fighting traffic through Utah County, and you’ll likely be driving US-6 in the dark.
Driving US-6 in the dark is... an experience. It’s pitch black, there are deer everywhere, and the semi-trucks don't slow down for anything. If you can, leave SLC on a Thursday night or early Friday morning. The lighting as you hit the desert in the morning is worth the lost sleep.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Distance
The biggest mistake is thinking about it in miles instead of "Utah hours."
A mile in the city is two minutes. A mile on I-15 is 45 seconds. A mile in a canyon behind a slow-moving tractor-trailer? That could be five minutes of your life you're never getting back.
When people ask how far is moab from salt lake city, they usually want to know if they can do it as a day trip.
The answer is a hard no.
Could you physically drive there and back in one day? I suppose. But you’d spend 8–9 hours in the car just to spend maybe two hours looking at an arch. It’s a recipe for burnout. Give yourself at least two nights in Moab. It takes time for the desert pace to sink in.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
Don't just wing it. The "Mighty Five" parks have become incredibly popular, and some logistical prep will save you a massive headache.
- Check Arches Reservations: Depending on the time of year, you might need a timed-entry reservation to get into Arches National Park. Check the NPS website months in advance.
- Download Offline Maps: Your GPS will fail you somewhere near Thompson Springs. Download the Google Maps area for "Central Utah" before you leave SLC.
- Check the Weather at Soldier Summit: If it’s winter, check the UDOT (Utah Department of Transportation) cameras. US-6 can go from "dry road" to "ice skating rink" in twenty minutes.
- Hydrate Early: The elevation and the dry air will give you a headache before you even reach Price. Start drinking water while you're still in Salt Lake.
The drive from Salt Lake to Moab is a rite of passage for anyone living in or visiting Utah. It’s the bridge between the urban north and the wild south. Respect the road, grab a burger in Green River, and keep your eyes peeled for the first flash of red rock on the horizon.
Ready to start your journey? Pack an extra gallon of water in the trunk, make sure your spare tire is actually inflated, and hit the road before the Friday afternoon rush turns the interstate into a parking lot.