Gillette to Orderville Road Trip: Guide & Hidden Gems

This route from Gillette, Wyoming to Orderville, Utah, spans roughly 670 miles, crossing the high plains, the Utah badlands, and the edge of the Colorado Plateau. The drive takes about 11 hours without stops, but the real value lies in the journey. Gillette sits at 4,550 feet, while Orderville sits at 5,000 feet, so you'll be dealing with moderate altitudes throughout.

One quirky detail: the route passes through the 'Red Desert' of Wyoming, a vast, often empty expanse that's actually a high-altitude cold desert, not a hot one. The highway parallels parts of the old Oregon Trail, and you might spot wagon ruts still visible near Guernsey. This is a drive for those who love wide-open spaces and geological drama.

Infrastructure safety is a priority. I-80 and I-25 have well-marked emergency call boxes, but on rural US-191 and UT-12, you'll have no cell service for long stretches. Carry extra water and blankets in case of breakdowns. Winter travel requires chains; summer brings extreme heat and isolated thunderstorms that can cause flash flooding.

For families, there are several kid-friendly stops. The Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis (a short detour) and the Dinosaur National Monument visitor center both offer interactive exhibits. The Flaming Gorge Dam Visitor Center has a fascinating display on hydroelectric power, and the nearby Red Canyon Overlook is a stunning photo stop.

Fatigue is a real hazard on long empty stretches. Plan to take breaks every two hours. Recommended rest stops include the Little America Travel Center near Granger, Wyoming (with clean restrooms and a deli), the Rock Springs Historical Museum (a quick walk), and the town park in Duchesne, Utah. Avoid driving through the night in the Red Desert as wildlife like antelope and deer are active on the roads.

The scenery transitions from rolling grasslands to the rocky hogbacks of the Wyoming Basin, then to the painted deserts of Utah's Uinta Basin and the colorful cliffs of the Grand Staircase-Escalante region. Near Vernal, you'll encounter the Uinta Mountains, one of the few east-west mountain ranges in the US. The route also skirts Dinosaur National Monument, famous for its prehistoric fossils.

Local commerce along the way includes small ranch towns like Baggs and Manila, where you'll find basic services like groceries and motels. In Orderville, the local economy is driven by tourism and the nearby Zion National Park. You'll find a few family-owned restaurants and craft shops.

For a deeper dive on discovering offbeat attractions, check out this guide on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities. This route is also rich in cultural history: near Rock Springs, you can see the remnants of Chinese immigrant labor camps that built the transcontinental railroad.

The route is a mix of interstate and two-lane highways. I-25 and I-80 are wide and well-maintained, but the two-lane stretches, especially UT-12 through the Boulder Mountains, are slower and require attention. Expect average speeds of 60 mph on freeways and 45-50 mph on scenic byways.

Fuel economy matters: Wyoming and Utah have sparse gas stations in rural sections. Plan to fill up in Rawlins, Rock Springs, Green River, and Duchesne. Between Green River and Duchesne, there's about a 150-mile gap with only one small service station at Sand Wash, which might be closed during off-hours. It's wise to carry a spare gallon or two.

• Estimate $80-100 for fuel in a mid-size SUV (based on $3.20/gal average).
• Road construction is common on I-80 near Laramie and Rawlins; check Wyoming 511 before departing.
• UT-12 is a designated All-American Road, but it closes intermittently in winter due to snow.