Heber City to Pinedale: Scenic Drive Guide

The drive from Heber City, UT to Pinedale, WY follows the historic Lincoln Highway (US-189 and US-191) through the Uinta Mountains and the Green River Basin. Along the way, you'll cross the Continental Divide at an elevation of 9,095 feet near James Peak Lake.

Expect to spend about $25 on fuel for an average car, as gas prices range from $3.50 to $4.00 per gallon. US-191 is the main artery; it's a two-lane highway with periodic passing lanes, well-maintained but remote in stretches.

• Fuel up in Heber City or Evanston; the stretch between has few services.
• Cell coverage is spotty beyond Evanston; download offline maps.
• No tolls on this route.

Expect rain and snow from October to May; pack chains. The highway is plowed frequently, but check weather at Wyoming 511. For families, the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis (a 2-hour detour) is a hit, but closer is the free Pinedale Aquatic Center.

• Pets are welcome at rest areas; use designated dog-waste stations.
• Designated rest stops every 30-40 miles; take a 15-minute break every 2 hours.
• For a hidden gem, detour 8 miles on Forest Road 302 to Big Sandy Lodge for rustic cabins and fishing.

For more on discovering offbeat stops, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities. The route's remote nature means you should maintain a full tank and a spare tire.

This route skirts the western edge of the Wind River Range, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering dramatic granite peaks and glacial lakes. The Uinta Mountains' high desert gives way to pine forests and sagebrush plains.

In Heber City, the weekly farmers market (Mondays in summer) showcases local honey and stone fruits. Pinedale's Museum of the Mountain Man celebrates fur-trade history with dioramas and artifacts.

• Stop at the Wyoming/Utah border for the 'Welcome to Wyoming' sign photo op.
• For geology, visit Fossil Butte National Monument, 25 miles south of Kemmerer.
• Try a bison burger at the Wind River Brewing Company in Pinedale.