Midway to Pinedale: Scenic Drive Guide

The journey from Midway, Utah, to Pinedale, Wyoming, traces the western flank of the Uinta Mountains, crossing the Bear River Divide at an elevation of 7,480 feet. This route uses US-189 and US-191, passing through the Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

Driving distance is 225 miles, with a typical travel time of 5 hours without stops. The quickest path is via US-40 East to US-191 North, though the more scenic alternative follows US-189 through the Provo River Canyon.

Fuel stops are sparse between Duchesne and Vernal, so fill up in Heber City (76 gas) and plan a second stop in Vernal. Diesel is available at most stations along US-40.

The route offers two distinct driving options: the faster US-40 corridor with a 4.8-hour travel time, or the slower, twisty US-189 (extending to 5.5 hours) with scenic river views. Both converge at I-80 near Evanston, Wyoming.

• Restrooms available at the Dinosaur Quarry Visitor Center in Jensen, Utah.
• No tolls on this route.
• Cell coverage is spotty between Roosevelt and Manila; download offline maps.

Speed limits are 70 mph on US-40 and 65 mph on US-191. Winter tires are required from October to April; chains may be needed during storms.

Rest areas near Duchesne and Manila offer picnic tables and shade. For a break, the Flaming Gorge Dam Visitor Center in Dutch John has exhibits and restrooms.

Field operations are well-maintained, but wildlife (elk, moose) are common at dawn and dusk. Collisions are rare but possible.

For families, the Dinosaur Quarry and the Flaming Gorge Dam are kid-pleasers. Pet-friendly portions include the Sheep Creek Canyon Loop, where dogs are permitted on leash.

Fatigue can set in over long stretches; plan to change drivers every 2 hours. Caffeine stops at Sinclair in Vernal and the Coffee Shop in Pinedale.

This route passes near the Uinta Mountains, one of the few east-west ranges in North America, and the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. The Green River carved the dramatic red cliffs visible near the Utah-Wyoming border.

Dinosaur National Monument, straddling the border, preserves a wall of dinosaur bones. The Quarry Exhibit Hall displays over 1,500 fossils, including Allosaurus and Stegosaurus.

In Vernal, the Utah Field House of Natural History offers a glimpse of local paleontology. Pinedale's Museum of the Mountain Man chronicles fur trade history.

The Ute Tribe's Uintah and Ouray Reservation near Fort Duchesne is a center of Ute culture. Local arts and crafts are sold at the Uintah River Trading Post.