Kanab to Redlands Road Trip Guide: Best Stops & Hidden Gems

The 450-mile drive from Kanab, Utah (elevation 4,970 ft) to Redlands, California (elevation 1,350 ft) drops over 3,600 feet while crossing the Mojave Desert and the eastern slopes of the San Bernardino Mountains. This route largely follows US-89A, I-15, and I-215, with a driving time of roughly 7 to 8 hours without stops. The stark elevation change means you'll pass from piñon-juniper woodlands into creosote bush flats, then into citrus groves.

An often-overlooked fact: the section of US-89A between Kanab and Fredonia, Utah, crosses the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, where Jurassic-era sandstones create a palette of reds and oranges that shift with the sun. This road was originally a mail route for Mormon settlers in the 1860s. For travelers asking is it worth driving Kanab, UT to Redlands, CA?, the answer lies in the region's superlative geological variety and the chance to trace the edge of the Colorado Plateau.

Fueling strategy is critical on this route. The longest gap between gas stations is the 100-mile stretch from Kanab to St. George, Utah (US-89A east then US-89 south). Fill up in Kanab at the Chevron on US-89. Once on I-15, stations are frequent in St. George and Mesquite, but then there's a 60-mile desert run from Mesquite to the Nevada town of Glendale (exit 91) with limited services.

• Kanab, UT: 35.5 mpg average for compact cars; diesel at Sinclair (37th St.)
• St. George, UT: multiple stations near Exit 6 – best prices at Sam's Club (requires membership)
• Mesquite, NV: Shell on Mesa Blvd – often a few cents cheaper than Utah
• Las Vegas area: huge price variance; avoid stations on the Strip
• Redlands, CA: station density high near I-10 interchange

The route's economic geography: I-15 from St. George to Las Vegas carries high truck traffic, so rest stops are well-patrolled. Tolls are none on this route. Safety infrastructure includes rumble strips on US-89A and high desert winds in the Virgin River Gorge. For detailed trip planning, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

1. Fuel stops: Kanab (start), St. George (fill up), Mesquite (top off), Las Vegas (optional), Redlands (arrive)
2. Rest areas: Virgin River Gorge Rest Area (NV), Primm Rest Area (CA)
3. Services: A/C check essential before desert leg

Road quality: US-89A is a narrow two-lane road with blind curves; drive at posted speeds (55 mph). I-15 is well-maintained but has heavy truck traffic near Vegas. In the Virgin River Gorge (Arizona strip), watch for falling rocks signs. The California leg from Cajon Summit to Redlands has steep downgrades; use lower gears to avoid brake fade. For families, the best stops Kanab, UT to Redlands, CA include the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site and the Las Vegas Natural History Museum.

• Family: St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site (footprints, hands-on exhibits)
• Child: Zion National Park's Riverside Walk (easy, shaded)
• Teen: Mojave National Preserve's Kelso Depot and sandboarding at Kelso Dunes
• Pet: red rock trails near Kanab; leashes required in national parks

Fatigue management: the long desert stretches can cause monotony. Recommended rest zones include the Virgin River Gorge rest area (30 miles south of St. George) and the Primm rest area just after the Nevada-California border. Hidden off-route spots: the Joshua trees along I-15 near Mountain Pass and the abandoned mining town of Goodsprings, NV (20 min from I-15 exit 12). The weather can swing from subfreezing in Kanab to over 100°F in the Mojave; always carry extra water.

• Rest stops: Virgin River Gorge (clean restrooms), Primm (grassy area for pets)
• Hidden gem: Valley of Fire State Park (off I-15 exit 75) – ancient petroglyphs
• Climate: pack layers; desert nights cold even in summer in Kanab; Vegas heat
• Safety: carry 1 gallon per person per day in summer; watch for flash flood warnings near washes

The first 50 miles from Kanab reveal the Vermilion Cliffs, a UNESCO candidate site (part of the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument). The wave-like sandstone formations at White Pocket are a hidden gem accessible via high-clearance vehicles. Off US-89, the Toadstool Hoodoos trail (milepost 28) is a 1.5-mile round trip through eerie mushroom-shaped rocks. Things to do between Kanab, UT and Redlands, CA include photography at these geologic oddities.

• Vermilion Cliffs National Monument: requires permit for Coyote Buttes North (The Wave)
• Zion National Park: short detour (20 min from I-15 exit 16) – worth the side trip
• Mojave National Preserve: on route via I-15, Kelso Dunes and Lava Tube
• San Bernardino National Forest: after Cajon Pass, pine forests contrast with desert

Local commerce along the way includes Navajo artisans near the Utah-Arizona border selling silver jewelry and pottery at roadside stalls. In St. George, the historic downtown offers galleries and the Brigham Young Winter Home. Further west, the town of Primm, Nevada, has outlet shopping. In Redlands, the citrus heritage is preserved at the Citrus State Historic Park and the downtown farmers market on Saturdays.

• Kanab: Frontier Movie Town (nostalgic shops), Best Friends Animal Sanctuary tours
• St. George: Tuacahn Amphitheatre (live performances), Utah Tech University campus
• Mesquite: CasaBlanca Resort (golf, spa, but avoid for family unless careful)
• Redlands: historic Fox Theatre, Lincoln Memorial Shrine