Cody to St. George: Ultimate Road Trip Guide via Wyoming, Utah

This route follows US-191 south from Cody through the Wind River Canyon—a narrow gorge carved by the Wind River through the Owl Creek Mountains, exposing 2.9-billion-year-old Precambrian granite. The canyon is so narrow that the highway shares the passage with a railroad, and you'll likely see coal trains threading alongside the river. This 670-mile journey to St. George, Utah, traverses three distinct geological provinces, making it one of the most diverse drives in the American West.

Is it worth driving Cody, WY to St. George, UT? Absolutely, but plan for fatigue. The long stretches across the Wyoming Red Desert (between Rock Springs and Green River) can be monotonous. Use the rest areas near Little America, WY, or the scenic overlooks at Flaming Gorge. For families, the Dinosaur National Monument (near Jensen, UT) is a must-see with hands-on fossil quarries.

• Family-friendly: Tracy Aviary's Bird Show in Salt Lake City (detour) or the St. George Children's Museum.
• Pet-friendly: All rest stops allow pets; many motels (e.g., Best Western in Rock Springs) accept pets. The Petrified Forest (near Vernal, UT) is a good off-leash area.
• Fatigue management: Stop every 2 hours. Ideal rest zones: Riverton City Park (playground), Flaming Gorge Dam Visitors Center (air conditioning), and Kanab, UT (shady picnic area).

Things to do between Cody, WY and St. George, UT beyond the interstate: explore the Fossil Butte visitor center, hike the Hidden Valley Trail in Moab (short detour), or visit the St. George Temple grounds. Hidden off-route spots include the Gilmore ghost town (south of Leadore, ID—too far) or the more accessible ghost town of Eureka, UT (near Price).

How long to drive Cody, WY to St. George, UT? Without stops, the drive takes about 10.5 hours. But you should budget at least three days to truly experience the landscapes. Fuel stations are sparse between Rock Springs and Green River, WY, as well as between Price, UT and Green River, UT. Fill up whenever you have half a tank.

• Essential fuel stops: Riverton, WY (halfway to Rock Springs); Rock Springs, WY; Price, UT; St. George, UT.
• Road quality: US-191 is generally well-paved but narrow in the Wind River Canyon. I-70 and I-15 are wide interstates. Winter can bring snow and ice, especially in Wyoming and the Wasatch Plateau.
• Toll roads: None on the main route, though some canyon roads near St. George (like the Zion-Mount Carmel tunnel) have entrance fees.

This road trip passes through four UNESCO World Heritage sites (if you count Yellowstone as a detour) and several state parks. The best stops Cody, WY to St. George, UT include the Wind River Indian Reservation (Great Plains tribes), Fossil Butte National Monument (Eocene lake fossils), and Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area (crimson cliffs).

• Wind River Canyon: Watch for bighorn sheep on the cliffs.
• Farson Mercantile: Known for giant ice cream cones; a classic Wyoming stop.
• Flaming Gorge: Kayak or drive the Sheep Creek Canyon Geological Loop.

Local commerce highlights include the Cowboy Shop in Cody (custom boots) and the historic Union Bar in Farson (oldest bar in Wyoming). For more curated stops, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.