Kanab to Driggs Road Trip: Utah to Idaho Scenic Drive Guide

The route from Kanab, Utah to Driggs, Idaho covers approximately 520 miles (837 km) via US-89, I-15, and ID-33, typically taking 8-9 hours of driving time without stops. This corridor parallels the western edge of the Colorado Plateau, offering a transition from red rock desert to the volcanic plains of the Snake River Plain and finally to the Teton Valley.

One historical quirk: near the junction of US-89 and I-15 in Utah, you'll cross the Sevier River, which flows into the Bonneville Basin—a remnant of ancient Lake Bonneville that covered much of western Utah 14,000 years ago. The drive passes through landmarks like the Great Salt Lake and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.

Fuel stops are plentiful along I-15, but sparse on US-89 north of Kanab and on ID-33. Key stations include Kanab (last cheap gas before national parks), Beaver, Provo, Tremonton, and Rexburg. Fill up in Tremonton before crossing into Idaho's remote stretches.

• Kanab, UT: 3 gas stations, 2 with diesel.
• Beaver, UT: 5 stations, fast food.
• Tremonton, UT: 4 stations, 24-hour options.
• Rexburg, ID: 6 stations, grocery stores.

Road quality is excellent on interstates but variable on ID-33 east of Rexburg, with some frost heaves in spring. For tips on planning stops, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Is it worth driving Kanab to Driggs? Absolutely, if you value diverse landscapes—from red cliffs to pine forests—and low traffic compared to I-15 alternatives.

Leaving Kanab, US-89 ascends the Paunsaugunt Plateau, passing Coral Pink Sand Dunes (state park, $10 entry). The highway then hugs the eastern edge of the Great Basin before dropping into the Sevier River Valley.

• Natural Landscapes & Attractions: Bryce Canyon (40 min detour), Red Canyon Tunnel, Grand Staircase–Escalante viewpoints.
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Within reach are Grand Canyon (south rim 2h detour) and Zion National Park (1h detour), though not directly on route.

Cultural stops include Beaver's historic downtown (Victorian architecture and the Beaver County Courthouse) and Provo's Brigham Young University campus. In Idaho, visit the BYU-Idaho campus in Rexburg or the Teton Valley Museum in Driggs.

Winter travel requires chains or snow tires on ID-33 and US-89; check conditions via UDOT and ITD. Summer brings thunderstorms near the Great Salt Lake, reducing visibility. Rest zones every 60-80 miles include:

• Kanab Visitor Center (free Wi-Fi)
• Panguitch City Park (shade, playground)
• Beaver Rest Area (I-15, clean facilities)
• Portage Rest Area (ID-33, picnic tables)

For families: stop at the Bean Museum in Provo (free, interactive) or the Yellowstone Bear World in Rexburg (drive-through wildlife park). Pet-friendly framework: most rest areas allow leashed pets, but hotels in Kanab and Driggs are pet-friendly (e.g., La Quinta Kanab).

Things to do between Kanab, UT and Driggs, ID include hiking at Maple Grove Canyon, visiting the Intergalactic Spaceport (a quirky museum in Beaver), and sampling the fry sauce at Arctic Circle in Rexburg.