Kanab to Ely: Utah's Grand Staircase to Nevada's Steppe

The route from Kanab, Utah to Ely, Nevada crosses a remarkable transition zone: from the red cliffs of the Grand Staircase-Escalante to the high desert steppes of the Great Basin. The road follows US-89, then US-89A, and finally US-93 and US-50, passing through the Kaibab Plateau and the ghost towns of Nevada. The entire journey spans approximately 300 miles (480 km) and takes about 5 hours of pure driving time. This guide provides everything you need to know for this epic drive.

Road quality is generally good, but watch for livestock and wildlife, especially near dawn and dusk. The stretch from Mesquite to Caliente has sharp curves and limited shoulders. How long to drive Kanab, UT to Ely, NV without stops is 5 hours; add 2–3 hours for sightseeing. Is it worth driving Kanab, UT to Ely, NV? Absolutely for the dramatic scenery and solitude.

• Top family stops: Coral Pink Sand Dunes (sledding), Cathedral Gorge (hiking), and the ghost town of Pioche (historic mining town).
• Pet-friendly stops: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Pioche's town park, and the Ely Renaissance Village (dogs on leash).
• Rest zones: Fredonia Town Park, Colorado City's canyon overlook, Caliente's city park with old trains.

Fatigue: Take breaks every 90 minutes. Useful stops: Kanab (0 mi), Fredonia (20 mi), Colorado City (40 mi), Mesquite (100 mi), Glendale (130 mi), Caliente (180 mi), Pioche (210 mi), Ely (300 mi).

Southern Utah's geology is on full display. The Vermilion Cliffs, White Cliffs, and Gray Cliffs stack like a layer cake. North of Kanab, the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park offers a surreal landscape of shifting sand. Further west, the Virgin River Gorge carved through the Beaver Dam Mountains. As you approach Nevada, the vegetation shifts to sagebrush and juniper.

For best stops Kanab, UT to Ely, NV, don't miss:

• Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (Kanab): a 3,700-acre haven for rescued animals. Tours available.
• Pipe Spring National Monument (Arizona): a Mormon fort and historic ranch.
• Cathedral Gorge State Park (Nevada): a bizarre landscape of clay spires and slot canyons.

For a deeper dive on finding hidden attractions, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

While no UNESCO sites lie directly on the route, Grand Canyon National Park (about 80 miles south of Kanab) is a World Heritage site. The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a candidate for UNESCO status due to its fossil troves. The nearby Zion National Park is also a UNESCO site.

Culinary Infrastructure

Dining options are limited. Kanab offers a few local restaurants: Rocking V Cafe (American), Sego Restaurant (Mexican), and Jakey Leaps (burgers). In Colorado City, there's a small grocery store. Mesquite has fast food and sit-down options. Caliente has the Clown Motel (surprisingly good burgers). In Ely, try La Fiesta (Mexican) or the Jailhouse Casino (steaks).

• Pack snacks and water for the long stretches.
• Roadside picnic areas are scarce; use state parks.

The drive from Kanab to Ely is well-maintained but remote. US-89 and US-89A are two-lane highways with occasional passing lanes. US-93 and US-50 are also two-lane but with wider shoulders. Traffic is light outside of Las Vegas commuters. The route crosses the Arizona Strip, a sparsely populated area with no services for 70 miles between Kanab and Colorado City.

• Fuel up in Kanab; next gas is in Fredonia (20 miles) or Colorado City (40 miles). After that, no gas until Glendale (70 miles) or Mesquite (100 miles).
• After Mesquite, the next reliable fuel is in Ely (150 miles). Fill up in Caliente if needed.
• Cell phone coverage: spotty through the Grand Staircase and Nevada. Download offline maps.