Kanab to Redding: Desert to Forest Road Trip Guide

When you depart Kanab, Utah (elevation 4,970 ft), you are standing on the Colorado Plateau, a high desert that was once a vast inland sea. The drive to Redding, California (elevation 560 ft) traverses 500+ miles of the Basin and Range Province, crossing the Great Basin Desert and the Sierra Nevada rain shadow. This is not a straight shot; US-89A, US-89, I-15, UT-14, CA-139, and CA-299 weave through four states and three distinct biomes.

A specific road quirk: near Littlefield, Arizona, you cross the Utah-Arizona border three times in less than five miles as the highway jogs around the state line. This anomaly, known as the Arizona Strip, is a sparsely populated region that is closer to St. George, Utah and Kanab than to the Arizona state capital.

Estimated Driving Time & Distance

The most direct route (approximately 510 miles) takes 8–9 hours without stops. However, curvy mountain roads, altitude changes, and mandatory rest breaks push a realistic duration to 10–12 hours. Most travelers split the journey near Cedar City, UT or Ely, NV (though Ely is 200 miles off course). A common midpoint is the town of Alturas, California, 260 miles from Kanab and 250 miles to Redding.

This guide answers the questions: best stops Kanab, UT to Redding, CA, how long to drive Kanab, UT to Redding, CA, is it worth driving Kanab, UT to Redding, CA, and things to do between Kanab, UT and Redding, CA. For a broader philosophy on trip planning, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

This route passes near two UNESCO sites: Zion National Park (full name: Virgin River Gorge) and Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim is 2 hours detour). Neither is directly on the route, but Zion’s Kolob Canyons entrance is just off I-15 near New Harmony. The Kolob Canyons section offers a five-mile scenic drive without the crowds of the main canyon. If you have time, a detour to Bryce Canyon National Park (a UNESCO candidate) from Kanab adds 2 hours.

Natural Attractions on Route

• Coral Pink Sand Dunes (10 miles west of Kanab): 3,600 acres of red dunes. Off-road vehicles allowed – rent a ATV in Kanab.
• Parowan Gap Petroglyphs (just west of Parowan, UT): Ancient petroglyphs carved by the Fremont people. Short boardwalk.
• Eagle Lake (near Susanville, CA): California’s second-largest natural freshwater lake. Picnic area; parking fee $5.
• Lassen Volcanic National Park (30 miles east of Redding): Active hydrothermal features; Sulphur Works and Bumpass Hell. $30 entry.

Local Commerce & Culture

In Kanab, visit the Frontier Movie Town (part of the historic movie set) and the Paria River Pottery studio. Cedar City is home to the Utah Shakespeare Festival (June-October). Caliente’s downtown has a train depot and a small museum. Alturas has the Modoc County Museum (free) and a vibrant Basque community – try the chile relleno burger at the Niles Hotel. Redding’s local culture centers on the Sundial Bridge (glass and steel bridge), Turtle Bay Exploration Park, and the Redding Farmers Market (Saturdays on Market Street).

Culinary Infrastructure

• Kanab: Rocking V Cafe (Southwestern), John's Smokehouse (BBQ).
• Cedar City: Centro Woodfired Pizza (Neapolitan), The Dutchman's Market (deli).
• Caliente: Caliente Cafe (home-style, try the green chili).
• Alturas: Mandarin Garden (Chinese buffet), Antlers Restaurant (steakhouse).
• Redding: Mosaic Restaurant (seasonal farm-to-table), Kobe Steakhouse (hibachi).

Vegetarians: options limited in small towns. Pack snacks especially through Nevada.

Road Hazards & Safety

• Wildlife: deer, elk, antelope, and cattle (especially at dawn/dusk in Modoc County). Reduce speed in posted zones.
• Weather: flash floods in slot canyons near Kanab are a real risk. Never drive through flood waters.
• Cell service: dead zones extend for 30-40 miles east of Caliente and along CA-299 east of Adin. Download offline maps (Google Maps or maps.me).
• Emergency services: call 911; tow services are limited. AAA has coverage but response times may exceed 2 hours in remote areas.

Family and Child Suitability

This route offers plenty of kid-friendly stops: Coral Pink Sand Dunes (sledding, sandboarding), Parowan Gap Petroglyphs (educational), and Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding (with a reptile house, aquarium, and gardens). Lassen National Park has easy trails like Mill Creek Falls (0.5 mile). Restrooms are available at most gas stations but are infrequent on remote stretches. Plan for a break every 2 hours.

Pet-Friendly Framework

Pets are allowed at Coral Pink Sand Dunes (on leash), Parowan Gap petroglyphs, and on most BLM land. National parks (Zion, Lassen) restrict pets on trails; they are allowed on paved paths and in parking lots. Dog-friendly motels: Super 8 in Cedar City, Holiday Inn Express in Alturas (pet fee). Always carry water and a collapsible bowl – summer pavement can burn paws.

Hidden Off-Route Spots

• Bishop Creek Petroglyph Site (north of Bishop, CA, a 30-minute detour from US-395): Hundreds of Paiute carvings and grinding stones.
• Surprise Valley Hot Springs (near Cedarville, CA, off CA-299): Natural hot pools overlooking the Warner Mountains. Modest fee.
• Fairyland Loop Trail (Bryce Canyon, 1h detour): Hoodoos without the crowds – start at Sunrise Point.

Fatigue Management & Rest Zones

Long straightaways on CA-299 can induce highway hypnosis. Use rest areas: Kanab Rest Area (at the town entrance), Lund Rest Area (Hwy 56 near Lund, UT), and Alturas Rest Area (east of Alturas on 299). Coffee options: Maverik convenience stores in Utah/Nevada (24h), and independent cafes in Alturas (Java Junction). Short walks: stretch in Price City Park (Alturas) or the Lassen Viewpoint (milepost 90).

Fuel stations are scarce in eastern Nevada and Modoc County, California. Fill up in Kanab, UT; St. George, UT; or Cedar City, UT before heading west. The longest stretch without services is on UT-14 (35 miles) and CA-299 between Alturas and Redding (90 miles, with only a single gas station in Adin). Plan to carry extra water and snacks.

• Recommended fuel stops: Kanab (multiple stations), Cedar City (I-15 corridor), Caliente, NV (one station), Alturas, CA (two stations with diesel), Redding (ample options).
• Pay at the pump: most stations require a ZIP code for credit cards; out-of-state visitors may need to prepay inside. Carry cash as backup.

Road Quality & Tolls

US-89A from Kanab to Fredonia is a well-maintained two-lane road with moderate traffic. I-15 from Fredonia to Cedar City is interstate-grade. UT-14 (Cedar City to US-89) is a mountain pass with steep grades and winding curves – stay alert. NV-322 from Caliente to Pioche is scenic but narrow, with occasional cattle grids. CA-139 from the Nevada line to Susanville is straight but potholed in sections; CA-299 from Alturas to Redding has long straightaways through farmland and then mountain curves around Weaverville. No toll roads on this route.

Seasonal Considerations

• UT-14 (Cedar Mountain) is subject to snow closures from November to April. Check UDOT conditions. Chains may be required even in May.
• CA-299 through the Modoc Plateau and Coast Range can have ice in winter and fog in summer mornings. Fires are common in late summer; check Caltrans for closures.
• Best months: May-June and September-October. Summer temperatures exceed 100°F in the desert valleys; winter brings snow at high elevations.

Accommodations & Camping

Cedar City has chain motels and a KOA. Caliente has a historic hotel (the Caliente Hot Springs Motel) and a small RV park. Alturas offers budget motels and a county campground. Redding has all hotel tiers. For off-grid camping: dispersed camping is allowed on BLM land in the Paria River Valley (outside Kanab) and Modoc National Forest (near Alturas).