Kanab to Cedar City Road Trip: Scenic Stops & Hidden Gems

On the 75-mile stretch of US-89 and UT-14 from Kanab to Cedar City, you cross the boundary of the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument and climb 2,000 feet onto the Markagunt Plateau. The road was originally a Paiute footpath, later a wagon route, and now a scenic byway that reveals the geologic story of the Colorado Plateau giving way to the Great Basin.

This route takes about 75 to 90 minutes of pure driving time, but the best stops Kanab, UT to Cedar City, UT offer can easily stretch it to a full day. Is it worth driving Kanab, UT to Cedar City, UT? Absolutely, for the diversity of landscapes alone: vermilion cliffs, alpine forests, and lava flows appear within an hour.

For a systematic approach to uncovering roadside attractions, refer to how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities. The key is to balance planned detours with spontaneous pull-offs.

Fuel stations are sparse along this route. Fill up in Kanab (last gas for 50 miles) or at the Shell station in Mount Carmel Junction. Cedar City has ample fuel near I-15 exits.

• Highways: US-89 from Kanab to Long Valley Junction, then UT-14 west to Cedar City.
• Driving time: 75 minutes nonstop; plan 4-6 hours with stops.
• Road conditions: UT-14 has winding sections and snow closures December-March. Check UDOT for updates.
• Cell service: Spotty beyond Mount Carmel; download offline maps.

How long to drive Kanab, UT to Cedar City, UT? About 1.5 hours without stops. But with the numerous things to do between Kanab, UT and Cedar City, UT, you'll want to allocate half a day.

Natural Landscapes & Attractions

• Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park: 15 mi east of Kanab on Hancock Road. Sandboarding and photography. Entry $10.
• Cedar Breaks National Monument: 23 mi east of Cedar City on UT-14. A natural amphitheater of hoodoos and wildflowers in summer. Entry $10.
• Virgin River Canyon: Scenic pull-off near Mile 7 on US-89. Photo-worthy gorge views.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites While this route doesn't contain a UNESCO site itself, it serves as a corridor to two: Grand Canyon National Park (60 mi south of Kanab) and Zion National Park (40 mi west of Mount Carmel Junction). Both are Biosphere Reserves and World Heritage Sites.

Climatic Conditions & Route Aesthetics Elevation ranges from 4,970 ft in Kanab to 10,000 ft at Cedar Breaks. Spring and fall offer crisp air and clear skies. Summer afternoons bring monsoonal thunderstorms, creating dramatic lighting but potential flash floods. Winter transforms the route into a snow-dusted wonderland, but UT-14 may require chains.

Fuel and Route Economics Gas prices tend to be $0.15-$0.30 higher in Kanab than in Cedar City. No EV charging stations along the route; the closest Supercharger is in Kanab. Total fuel cost for an average car: about $8-$12.

Culinary Infrastructure Limited; best options are in Kanab (Rocking V Cafe, Escobar's Mexican) and Cedar City (Centro Woodfired Pizzeria, The French Spot). At Mount Carmel Junction, Thunderbird Restaurant offers Navajo tacos and milkshakes.

Family and Child Suitability Highly suitable. Stops like Coral Pink Sand Dunes (sandboarding rentals) and Cedar Breals (easy boardwalk trails) engage kids. Restrooms are available at most major stops.

Pet-Friendly Framework Pets allowed at Coral Pink Sand Dunes (leashed) and on BLM lands. Cedar Breaks prohibits pets on trails except service animals. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab is a must-visit for pet lovers.

Hidden Off-Route Spots Check out the Skutumpah Road (dirt, high clearance) linking to Bull Valley Gorge and Grosvenor Arch. Also, the ghost town of Rockville near Zion is a short detour.

Local Commerce & Culture Kanab's small-town arts scene includes the Kanab Heritage Museum and local galleries. Cedar City hosts the Utah Shakespeare Festival and Southern Utah University.

Infrastructure Safety & Road Quality US-89 is a well-maintained two-lane highway with shoulders. UT-14 is narrower with steep grades and switchbacks. Watch for wildlife (deer, elk) especially at dawn/dusk. No street lighting beyond town limits.

Fatigue Management & Rest Zones Take breaks at the Kanab Visitor Center (open 8am-5pm), Long Valley Junction's picnic area (unpaved but scenic), or the Cedar Breaks visitor area (summer only). Recommend stopping every 45 minutes.

Suggested family-friendly itinerary: Start at Kanab's Best Friends Sanctuary (arrive by 10am), then drive to Coral Pink Sand Dunes for lunch and play (1-2 hours). Continue to Long Valley Junction, then up UT-14 to Cedar Breaks for sunset. Arrive in Cedar City by 7pm.