Gilbert to Orderville, UT: Desert Drive Guide

The drive from Gilbert, Arizona to Orderville, Utah is a journey of about 380 miles (612 km), traversing the Arizona Transition Zone—a geological province where the Colorado Plateau meets the Basin and Range. You'll climb from 1,200 feet to over 5,400 feet elevation, dramatically shifting ecosystems and temperatures. This route offers a blend of desert plains, red rock canyons, and high desert forests.

For many travelers, this drive is not just a means to an end but a scenic corridor to the gateway of Zion National Park. You'll spend roughly 6-7 hours on the road if driving non-stop, but most visitors take at least two days to savor the natural wonders and small towns en route.

Both Arizona and Utah have strict seatbelt laws, and Utah bans texting while driving. In the hotter months, carry extra water for your passengers and pets. Rest areas are plentiful along I-17 and US-89; take advantage of the scenic overlook at Cliff Dwellers to stretch your legs. Given the long stretches of open road, fatigue can creep up—consider breaking the drive with a night in Flagstaff (family-friendly with the Lowell Observatory) or Kanab (near the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, a top pet-friendly stop).

• Pet-friendly: Many motels in Flagstaff and Kanab welcome pets, but always confirm; the Red Canyon Petroglyphs trail off US-89A allows leashed pets.
• Family-friendly: The Meteor Crater near Winslow offers an interactive visitor center; the Navajo Bridge over the Colorado River is a safe, quick viewpoint.
• Hidden gems: Check out the ghost town of Jerome (detour ~1 hr east) or the Little Pahsimeroi River Trail for a quiet picnic. For planning a custom route, read how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Wildlife such as elk and deer can appear suddenly near twilight, so slow down in the high forests. Cell phone coverage is sporadic in remote canyons, so download offline maps.

From the saguaro-studded Sonoran Desert, you transition into pine forests around Payson, then the Painted Desert and Little Colorado River Valley near Winslow. Further north, the Kaibab Plateau gives way to the dramatic Vermilion Cliffs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Grand Canyon–Parashant National Monument. The town of Kanab, nicknamed 'Little Hollywood' for its film history, serves as a hub for local artisans and outfitters.

This is a land of cinematic vistas: the famous Horseshoe Bend overlook near Page offers a stunning incised meander of the Colorado River (detour 45 minutes). In Orderville itself, you'll find the historic Orderville Pioneer Museum, which preserves the area's communal ranch heritage.

For culinary stops, locals recommend the family-owned diner in Jacob Lake (the Jacob Lake Inn) for its legendary cookies and homemade pies. Flagstaff's Beaver Street Brewery offers a robust tap list and pub fare, while Winslow's historic La Posada Hotel features fine dining in a restored railroad depot.

The core route follows US-60 East to Interstate 17 North, then US-89A North and US-89 North. You'll pass through the towns of Payson, Winslow, Flagstaff, and Kanab before reaching Orderville. Expect well-maintained multi-lane highways for most of the drive, with the notable exception of the switchbacks on US-89A near the Vermilion Cliffs, where road quality remains good but curves are sharp.

• Fuel stops: Major towns like Payson, Flagstaff, and Kanab have multiple gas stations; between smaller towns, fuel gaps of 60-80 miles are common.
• Route economics: Gas prices tend to be 5-10% higher in remote areas than in Phoenix metro; consider filling up in Flagstaff or Page if possible.
• Road quality: Speed limits are 65-75 mph on interstates, dropping to 45-55 mph in mountainous sections; no tolls on this route.