I am planning a trip toMoab in May. We are flying into Salt Lake City and driving to Moab the same day. I understand the most direct route is I15 to route 6 (between Provo and Green River) to I70 to route 191. My question is how is the route 6 section of road? Is it well traveled easy driving with restaurants and gas stations along the way or would I feel nervous driving in the middle of nowhere? Or should I spend the extra time to drive I15 to route 28 (to Salina)to I70 to route 191?
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Kbecjeans⛺
Salt Lake City, Utah
Destination Expert
for Utah, Zion National Park
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1. Re: route from Salt Lake City to Moab
15 years ago
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Driving hwy 6 has never been a problem for me (unless there is a snowstorm which there shouldn't be in May). It takes about 4 hours SLC toMoab. It is a two lane road much of the way and through a narrow canyon. If that bothers you then go the other way. It is not in the middle of nowhere and you'll have plenty of other traffic, but if you need anything stop in Spanish Fork before entering the canyon. The next place would be Helper/Price about an hour. Then once you get Wellington there isn't anything till Green River.
Though the stretch of I-70 that goes through the San Rafael Swell is amazing and a great intro to the geology of Southern Utah.
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Tet14
Uden, The...
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2. Re: route from Salt Lake City to Moab
15 years ago
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Hi
If you have the time take the I70 stretch (bit longer than the other route) between Salina andGreen River. There are 6 parkinglots along this relatively short drive and you'll see why!
Tet
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Bobada
Cleveland, OH
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3. Re: route from Salt Lake City to Moab
15 years ago
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Thanks for both perspectives. Now I know exactly what to expect either way I go. I can't wait to get back toUtah!
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brettyb
Salt Lake City, UT
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4. Re: route from Salt Lake City to Moab
15 years ago
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I'd not be too afraid of the US 6 route, though I-70 actually has the advantage in scenery. Ironically, though, the I-70 route actually traverses more remote terrain than the non-interstate route--there are no gas stations between Salina andGreen River, a distance of about 110 miles. Of course, it is an interstate highway, so there is always some other traffic.
US 6 b/w Spanish Fork and Wellington does traverse the Wasatch Mountains, but it's fairly gently as mountain roads go. No steep switchbacks or long sections of steep grades. Much of the way is 2 or 3 lanes (1 uphill passing lane), however, and the road is heavily travelled.
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Bobada
Cleveland, OH
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5. Re: route from Salt Lake City to Moab
14 years ago
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Thanks brettyb for the extra insight. I am now thinking of going the interstate route down toMoab for the scenery and going the route 6 way back to SLC. Thanks again for all who responded so fast to my inquiry.
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aaronb
Louisville, ky
6. Re: route from Salt Lake City to Moab
14 years ago
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I am in the same boat, and I think I will do the same as Bobada. One question though, when driving the 1-70 route, do you take 50 or 28 to connect the two interstates? Thanks,
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Tet14
Uden, The...
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7. Re: route from Salt Lake City to Moab
14 years ago
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We once saw a couple of bold eagles along us50 having their lunch along the roadside. That's was something we never forget so to us us50 it is! Plus us50 is one of the classic US roads and we are very sentimental-lol- Can't tell you about 28 but I'm sure this route is as scenic as well.
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Noel-Donna 🍺
New South Wales...
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8. Re: route from Salt Lake City to Moab
14 years ago
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We drove route 50 last week and it is a classic road, didn't see any bald eagles though. The previous trip we took route 28 and if we were to choose we would probably use 28 in future (if we weren't using route 6).
Spoke to a family on Christmas day inMoab who drove route 6 on Christmas eve in the dark and the snow. They didn't have a good time and at 25mph it was slow going.
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brettyb
Salt Lake City, UT
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9. Re: route from Salt Lake City to Moab
14 years ago
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>>I am in the same boat, and I think I will do the same as Bobada. One question though, when driving the 1-70 route, do you take 50 or 28 to connect the two interstates? Thanks,<<
It's pretty much a toss up time wise, I've found, unless there is road construction. (In 2006, coming back from Labor Day weekend, I deliberately took 28 to avoid construction on I-15 south of Nephi; this decision saved me a lot of time waiting in traffic.) Of course, the general rule holds, that getting off the interstate sooner makes for a more interesting drive, though not dramatically so in this case.
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TumbleweedandCactus
Park City, Utah
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10. Re: route from Salt Lake City to Moab
14 years ago
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Before you get all that enthused about the I-70 route, you ought to check the drive times. It's probably a good two hours longer.
That having been said, US6 between Spanish Fork and Helper is a pretty dangerous road. UDOT has done a ton to help make it safer including passing lanes, better signage, upgraded law enforcement, etc. But you have to be careful on this stretch.
From a scenery perspective, I would not consider the I-15 to I-70 route to be more scenic. As an alternative, you could take US6 to Helper/Price, then take 10 down to I-70. That would be about an hour longer, but would give you the fantastic drive through the San Rafael Swell.
One final note. Absolutely makeRay's Tavern in Green River one of your stops for burgers, steaks or pizza. It's the best!