Hanksville to Price: Utah's Scenic Highway 24 Guide

The route from Hanksville, UT to Price, UT follows US-24 for roughly 78 miles, a drive that typically takes 1 hour and 20 minutes without stops. This section of Highway 24 cuts through the San Rafael Swell, a 2,000-square-mile dome of rock that's part of the Colorado Plateau's dramatic uplift. The road itself is a modern engineering marvel, but the landscape around it holds fossils of Jurassic-era dinosaurs and evidence of ancient inland seas.

Driving this route in 2025, you'll notice the pavement is well-maintained, with occasional passing lanes on grades. The highway is two lanes for most of the stretch, but traffic is light. This is a drive that rewards a slow pace—every mile reveals a new layer of geology, from red Navajo sandstone to gray-green Morrison Formation. It's no wonder this corridor is a favorite among road-trippers seeking a genuine Western experience.

For those wondering is it worth driving Hanksville, UT to Price, UT, the answer lies in the unmatched landscapes and quiet roads. The route passes near Goblin Valley State Park and the San Rafael Reef, offering more scenic value than most interstate drives. Even casual travelers will find the journey memorable.

Fuel is scarce along this route. The last reliable gas station is in Hanksville, run by a local family, and the next is in Green River, 30 miles north of the Highway 24 junction. Plan your fuel stops accordingly, as running on empty here is risky.

• Hanksville: Gas, groceries, and fast food (Subway)
• Green River (detour): Full service stations, diners
• Price: Multiple fuel options, major chains

Average fuel economy matters on this drive. With little in between, you'll want to start with a full tank. The route includes a few grades where fuel consumption rises, especially when hauling a trailer.

Dining options are limited but authentic. In Hanksville, Duke's Slickrock Grill serves solid American fare. At the Goblin Valley Junction, the Red Desert Diner offers classic burgers and shakes. In Price, you'll find everything from Mexican to Chinese, plus a famous local pizza place. None are gourmet, but they're honest and filling.

If you're planning a road trip, this how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities guide offers practical strategies for discovering lesser-known attractions along any route.

US-24 is a well-maintained two-lane highway with a 65 mph speed limit, though reduced to 55 mph through the San Rafael Reef area. Watch for wildlife, especially deer and cattle, particularly at dawn and dusk. In winter, the road can be icy, but it's plowed regularly. Summer heat is intense, so carry water and a spare tire.

For families, Goblin Valley is a paradise. Kids can scramble among the hoodoos, and the visitor center offers interactive exhibits. Little Wild Horse Canyon is suitable for children over 6, but keep an eye on them in the narrow passages. The route also has several picnic areas with shaded tables, perfect for a rest breaks.

Pet-friendly options include Goblin Valley, which allows dogs on leash, and the desert terrain is easy on paws, though watch for hot sand in summer. Many motels in Hanksville and Price are pet-friendly, but call ahead. In terms of fatigue, rest areas are limited, but the San Rafael rest stop near mile marker 104 offers basic facilities. For longer breaks, consider pulling off at one of the many BLM campgrounds.

Infrastructure safety is solid, with cell service spotty but improved in recent years. The highway is lined with emergency pull-offs and mile markers. If you're traveling with kids or pets, plan for frequent stops to stretch and hydrate. The drive is short enough that fatigue is rarely an issue, but if you're coming from a long journey, use the listed stops to recharge.

The San Rafael Swell is a geologist's playground. The fold's rock layers expose 200 million years of Earth's history, including dinosaur fossils from the Jurassic Morrison Formation. This area is not a national park, but it's managed by the Bureau of Land Management, offering free backcountry camping and hiking.

Goblin Valley State Park, just off Highway 24, features thousands of hoodoos—rock formations that resemble mushroom-capped goblins. The park's entrance fee is $20 per vehicle, and it's a blast for kids. For a deeper dive, the nearby Little Wild Horse Canyon offers a slot canyon hike with narrow walls and stunning light

Hidden off-route spots include the Bell Canyon pictographs, ancient rock art just a short walk from the road, and the Wedge Overlook, sometimes called the 'Little Grand Canyon,' which offers a dramatic view of the San Rafael River gorge. Both are accessible via unpaved roads that are passable in dry weather.

Local commerce along the route is sparse but intriguing. In Hanksville, the Hollow Mountain Gas Station is built into a sandstone cliff, a nod to the area's mining history. In Price, the Western Mining and Railroad Museum tells the story of coal mining that shaped the region. These stops connect you to the human history woven into the landscape.