Blanding UT to Placerville CA: Road Trip Guide & Hidden Gems

This 12-hour, approximately 720-mile route via US-191, I-70, US-50, and CA-49 traverses the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Sierra Nevada. The highest point is near 9,100 feet at Carson Pass, while the lowest is around 4,000 feet in the Great Basin valleys.

One curious fact: the stretch of US-50 through Nevada is known as 'The Loneliest Road in America,' but the section from Ely to Fallon offers isolated beauty and a surprising number of ghost towns.

Remote stretches require preparedness: carry water, blankets, and a first-aid kit. Desert sections can be scorching (100°F+) in summer, while mountain passes see snow from October to May.

• I-70 between Green River and Salina has long straightaways that induce drowsiness. Power nap at the Green River Welcome Center or the Scipio rest area.
• For families, the Utah Field House of Natural History in Vernal (15 min off-route) has life-sized dinosaur replicas.
• Children will love the model railroad and train rides at the Nevada Northern Railway Museum in Ely.

Pet-friendly notes: Most rest stops have designated pet areas. The Eureka (NV) rest area offers a fenced dog run. In Bishop, CA (just off US-6), the Schat's Bakery has dog treats at the drive-through.

Hidden off-route spots: The Sunken City of St. Thomas (low water years near Overton, NV) and the Hot Creek Geological Site (near Mammoth Lakes, 30 min detour) are worth the offbeat diversion. For a curated list, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Fuel up in Blanding, then next best options are Green River (UT), Salina (UT), Ely (NV), and Fallon (NV). Gas stations become sparse between Ely and Fallon—don't let your tank drop below half.

• Interstate I-70 and US-50 are well-paved but remote; sections lack cell service.
• Carry cash for small-town gas stations that may not accept cards.
• Estimated fuel cost: $100-$120 for a standard sedan.

Tolls: None on this route. Speed limits: 75-80 mph on interstates, 55-65 on two-lane highways. Construction is common in summer; check NDOT and Caltrans websites.

From Blanding, you immediately enter Bears Ears National Monument with its red rock canyons and Ancestral Puebloan sites. Nearby Natural Bridges National Monument is a dark sky park.

Next, detour to Capitol Reef National Park (30 min off I-70) for its fruit orchards and Waterpocket Fold. The town of Torrey has local diners serving Utah's famous 'funeral potatoes'.

Great Basin National Park (near Ely) features Lehman Caves and bristlecone pines. The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive offers alpine views above 10,000 feet.

The route passes the Black Rock Desert and Pyramid Lake; stop at the Paiute Reservation for authentic fry bread.