Driggs to Hanksville: Epic Idaho-Utah Road Trip Guide

Driving from Driggs, Idaho to Hanksville, Utah covers roughly 400 miles of ever-changing terrain. The route begins on Idaho State Highway 33 and transitions onto US-20, then Interstate 15, and eventually Utah State Route 24. The entire drive takes about 6.5 to 7.5 hours without stops, but the allure lies in its detours. This corridor cuts through the Snake River Plain, the Wasatch Range, and ends in the red-rock desert of central Utah.

A historical quirk: the 3.5-mile-long bridge spanning the American Falls Reservoir on I-86 was, at its completion in 1956, the longest continuous steel girder bridge west of the Mississippi. That bridge marks a transition from farmland to high desert, setting the tone for the journey south. The question “is it worth driving Driggs, ID to Hanksville, UT?” is answered by the sheer geological diversity compressed into a day’s drive.

This route is a transect of the Western Cordillera, starting in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest (Driggs at 6,200 ft) and descending to Hanksville in the San Rafael Swell (4,300 ft). The most dramatic geological feature is the transition from the sagebrush steppe of Idaho to the red Navajo Sandstone of Utah near the San Rafael Reef. Keep an eye out for the volcanic cones near Craters of the Moon National Monument, visible from US-20.

• Natural highlights: Palisades Reservoir (turn off near Alpine), Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge (near Brigham City), Cedar Breaks National Monument (detour via UT-14).
• Local commerce: Driggs has a farmers market on Saturdays (summer). In Hanksville, the small store is a hub for gas and supplies.
• UNESCO connection: While no UNESCO sites are on the direct route, Dinosaur National Monument (2 hours east of Hanksville) is a tentative UNESCO site.

Driving fatigue is a real concern on the long I-15 stretch. Plan stops every 2 hours: Idaho Falls (nice river walk), Pocatello (Portneuf River Trail), and Brigham City (Peach Days if traveling in September). For families, the American Falls Reservoir and the Dinosaur Museum in Ogden are great diversions. Pets are welcome at most rest areas; the Utah rest area near Beaver has a designated pet walk area.

• Safety: I-15 has construction zones; obey reduced speeds. On UT-24, watch for wildlife (deer, cattle) especially at dusk.
• Child-friendly: Idaho Falls Zoo, Ogden’s Treehouse Museum, and the Bean Museum at BYU in Provo.
• Pet-friendly: Many rest stops have grass patches. Dog-friendly lodging is available in Richfield (Hampton Inn allows pets).

Road quality on this route is generally excellent, with well-maintained interstates and state highways. The most fuel-efficient way is to follow ID-33 to US-20 west, then I-15 south to UT-24. Estimated driving time: 6.5 hours. Fuel stations are plentiful every 50-60 miles along I-15, but sparse on UT-24 between Richfield and Hanksville (about 120 miles). Plan to fill up in Richfield.

• Distance: 400 miles (643 km) via the fastest route.
• Fuel stops: Idaho Falls (ID), Pocatello (ID), Malad City (ID), Brigham City (UT), Ogden (UT), Provo (UT), Richfield (UT).
• Tolls: None on this route.
• Road conditions: Check weather for mountain passes near Malad Summit (6,800 ft) in winter.

Venture 10 miles off I-15 to the town of Corinne, the “Gateway to the Golden Spike” and site of the transcontinental railroad completion. For a unique desert experience, detour to Goblin Valley State Park (25 miles from Hanksville) — its hoodoos are otherworldly. Culinary highlights: in Driggs, Royal Wolf Bistro serves farm-to-table dishes; in Richfield, Iceberg Drive Inn for classic shakes; in Hanksville, Stan’s Burger Shack has hearty burgers.

• Hidden gems: Corinne historic district, Cutler Marsh wetlands, and the Moonflower geode beds near Delta.
• Food stops: The Owl Bar in McCammon (historic), Man vs. Fries in Pocatello, and the Ramen Bar in Provo.