Blanding to Groveland: Epic Road Trip Guide via Utah & Nevada

The drive from Blanding, Utah to Groveland, California spans roughly 820 miles, crossing three states and dramatic shifts in geography. Blanding sits at 6,100 feet on the Colorado Plateau, while Groveland lies at 3,170 feet in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The route includes US-191, I-70, US-6, I-15, and CA-120, with an estimated driving time of 13 hours without stops. Along the way, you'll traverse the Great Basin Desert, the Wasatch Range, and the eastern Sierra.

One little-known fact: the section of US-6 through Nevada was originally part of the Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental highway in the United States. Today, it remains a lonely two-lane road with long stretches devoid of services. This guide helps you navigate that emptiness and uncover the best stops between Blanding, UT and Groveland, CA.

For more strategies on planning road trips, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Family and Child Suitability

This road trip is best for children who can handle long drives (13+ hours). Short breaks at attractions like Goblin Valley (kids love climbing hoodoos) and the Great Basin Visitor Center (junior ranger programs) keep them engaged. The Nevada stretch has limited activities, so pack games. Stops every 2 hours recommended.

• Family-friendly stops: Cove Fort (near I-15, free historical site), Kanosh’s rock shop, the Ghost Town of Osceola (near Ely), and the Tuolumne County Museum in Groveland
• Kid-friendly food: Smith’s Grocery in Delta, UT for snacks; Dairy Queen in Ely

Pet-Friendly Framework

Pets welcome at most national forest land (dispersed camping) and rest areas. Hotels like Days Inn in Green River and Motel 6 in Ely allow pets. On CA-120 through Yosemite, pets must stay on pavement. Stop at the Antelope Valley rest area (NV) for a leash walk. Always bring extra water for pets in desert heat.

• Pet relief stations: I-70 rest areas near Green River (eastbound), US-50 rest area at the Utah/Nevada border, CA-120 pullouts in Stanislaus National Forest
• Vet clinics: Blanding Animal Clinic (435-678-1234), Ely Animal Hospital (775-289-3333)

Fatigue Management and Rest Zones

Long, monotonous stretches like US-50 in Nevada require careful pacing. Plan to stop every 100 miles. Rest areas are sparse; in Nevada, only a few exist (e.g., Antelope Valley Rest Area near the Utah border). Use town pullouts for breaks. Caffeine units: Maverik gas stations in Utah sell energy drinks. Napping in a safe pullout is better than drowsy driving.

• Recommended rest stops: Green River Rest Area (I-70, water and picnic tables), Delta City Park (shade), Ely's White Pine Public Museum (free parking), Mono Lake South Tufa Boardwalk (walking break)
• Hotels for a break: If you need to split the drive, Ely, NV (Bristlecone Motel) or Tonopah, NV (Mizpah Hotel) are mid-point about 6 hours in

Hidden Off-Route Spots

Detour 15 min north of US-6 near Delta: Topaz Mountain offers sunstone collecting (public digging). Near Ely, the Ward Charcoal Ovens are a short 11-mile gravel road detour—historic beehive-shaped ovens. Between Tonopah and Lee Vining, the ghost town of Bodie (off CA-270) is a must-see preserved Gold Rush town. From Lee Vining, CA-158 (June Lake Loop) offers a scenic alternative to CA-120, adding 20 minutes but with alpine lakes.

• Coordinates: Topaz Mountain: 39.7000, -113.1000; Ward Charcoal Ovens: 39.0833, -114.8667; Bodie: 38.2121, -119.0122
• Accessibility: Most require a vehicle with moderate ground clearance; Bodie's last 3 miles are unpaved

Natural Landscapes and Attractions

From Blanding, head west on US-191 past the Abajo Mountains. East of Blanding lies the 1,600-foot deep Arch Canyon. Near Green River, stop at the San Rafael Swell—a massive anticline with slot canyons and petroglyphs. Continuing on I-70, you pass through the Book Cliffs, the longest continuous escarpment in the world (200 miles).

• Must-see natural stops: Goblin Valley State Park (off I-70 exit 149, quirky hoodoos), Little Wild Horse Canyon (near Goblin Valley), and the Spiral Jetty (Great Salt Lake, detour added 2h)
• Hidden gem: The Fort Pearce Paiute petroglyph site off US-191 south of Blanding

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

A slight detour from Blanding (60 mi south on US-191) leads to Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO site with Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Within the route itself, no UNESCO sites lie directly, but the San Rafael Swell and Great Basin are culturally significant. Nearby, the University of Utah’s Range Creek Canyon holds Ancient Puebloan rock art.

• Closest UNESCO site: Mesa Verde (detour required)
• Other heritage: The entire Great Basin region holds evidence of prehistoric lakes and human occupation

Culinary Infrastructure

Blanding has a few diners like the Patio Drive-In for burgers. Green River offers Ray's Tavern with chicken fried steak. Provo boasts farm-to-table at the Block Restaurant. In Nevada, Ely has Jailhouse Casino Café, and Tonopah’s Mizpah Hotel serves steaks. Lee Vining has nicestops like the Mono Inn. Groveland features Iron Door Grill, a historic brewery.

• Unique eats: Fry bread in Blanding, pasties in Ely (mining heritage), and Mono Lake brine shrimp tasting at the Mono Basin Scenic Area

Local Commerce and Culture

Blanding is a gateway to the Navajo Nation; check out the Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum for pottery. Green River’s John Wesley Powell River History Museum celebrates river exploration. In Ely, the Nevada Northern Railway Museum offers train rides. Groveland is steeped in Gold Rush history, with the Groveland Hotel dating to 1849.

• Market stops: Blanding’s local co-op, Green River’s farmer’s market (summer), Provo’s Downtown Cloth, and Lee Vining’s Mono Lake Committee Bookstore

Fuel and Route Economics

Fuel stations become sparse after Green River, UT, and especially between Ely, NV and Tonopah, NV. The longest fuel gap is about 150 miles on US-6. Always fill up when you can. Pre-download fuel price apps as cellular coverage is unreliable. Gas prices in Nevada rural areas tend to be higher than Utah's Wasatch Front.

• Fuel stops: Blanding, UT; Green River, UT; Price, UT; Provo, UT; Nephi, UT; Delta, UT; Ely, NV; Tonopah, NV; Lee Vining, CA
• Cost estimate: ~$120-$150 for a full tank (based on 25 mpg and $4/gallon average)

Road Quality and Infrastructure Safety

I-70 and I-15 are well-maintained interstates. US-6 from Provo to Delta is a good two-lane highway. The section from Delta to Ely is US-50 ("Loneliest Road") and US-6, with rough patches and limited shoulder. Nevada roads can have sharp curves and wildlife. CA-120 (Tioga Pass) is closed in winter (typically Nov-May). Check Caltrans conditions before departure.

• Road surface: Mostly asphalt, with occasional gravel in Nevada rest areas
• Emergency services: Cell coverage spotty; carry paper maps. Emergency call boxes exist on interstates but not on US-6.

Climatic Conditions and Route Aesthetics

Blanding to Groveland spans high desert, mountain passes, and sagebrush steppes. Summer temperatures range from 90°F in Utah to 70°F in the Sierra passes. Winter can bring snow and ice on all mountain sections (Wasatch, Schell Creek, Sierra). Spring offers wildflowers in Nevada. Fall colors peak in Utah's canyons and California's Sierra.

• Best time: May-October for Tioga Pass open
• Weather hazards: Thunderstorms (July-Aug), flash floods in dry washes, snow (Nov-Apr)