Moab to Cedar City Road Trip: Ultimate Guide for Scenic Drive - Wayro

At mile 0 on US-191 south of Moab, the elevation is 4,000 feet. By the time you reach Cedar City, you'll have climbed past 5,800 feet, but the road dips and rises through at least three distinct climate zones. This 260-mile journey follows US-191 south, merges onto I-70 west for a brief 30-mile stint, then drops onto US-89 and finally UT-14, a designated Scenic Backway. The drive takes approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes without stops, but that would be a crime against the landscape.

In 1872, John Wesley Powell's survey party noted the stark transition from the Colorado Plateau's red slickrock to the Great Basin's sagebrush flats. Today, that same transition is the heart of this route. The how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities is essential reading before you leave home.

From Moab southward, the red Navajo sandstone of Arches and Canyonlands gives way to the gray-blue Mancos Shale near Green River. The change is abrupt. At the Green River exit, stop at the John Wesley Powell River History Museum (free on Wednesdays). It details the 1869 exploration of the Green and Colorado rivers.

• Goblin Valley State Park: detour 12 miles off I-70 at exit 149. Hundreds of hoodoos resembling goblins. Entry $20.
• San Rafael Swell: a huge geological dome visible from I-70. Best seen from the rest area at milepost 135.
• Fishlake National Forest: UT-14 climbs through aspen groves and dark fir forests. Contrast to desert. Free.

Local commerce along the way includes Paiute Indian Tribe gift shops near Cedar City and the historic New West Building in Parowan. In Parowan, visit the Old Rock Church (1862) and the nearby iron mines that supplied rails for the transcontinental railroad. For things to do between Moab and Cedar City, consider a 30-minute walk on the Panguitch Lake Trail or a quick stop at the Bryce Canyon turnoff (60 miles east of Panguitch—worth the detour if you have time, but beyond this route).

Road quality is excellent: US-191 and I-70 are four-lane divided highways; US-89 is two-lane undivided with passing lanes; UT-14 is a winding two-lane mountain road with hairpin turns. Winter conditions (November to April) can bring snow and ice on UT-14; chains are required at times. Check UDOT.utah.gov before departure. In summer, temperatures exceed 100°F between Green River and Salina—carry extra water and check tire pressure.

• Best family stops: Green River's water park (summer only) and the Parowan Community Park with playgrounds.
• Pet-friendly: Most gas stations allow leashed pets; hiking trails in Fishlake NF are dog-friendly (but not in the national park).
• Fatigue management: Rest stops at I-70 milepost 149 (Goblin Valley viewpoint) and US-89 at Panguitch (with shade).

The route includes two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: none inside this corridor directly, but you can detour 60 miles to Grand Canyon National Park (although that is a separate trip). However, the nearby Zion National Park (45 miles south of Cedar City) is part of a UNESCO cluster. Hidden off-route spots include the Crack Canyon Wilderness Study Area near I-70 (exit 131) and the remains of the 1870s Mormon settlement of Kingston. For fatigue management, I recommend a 20-minute stop at the Panguitch Lake rest area, where the shade of pine trees and a lake view provide genuine rest.

Fuel up in Moab where prices are moderate for a tourist town. Along I-70, the next gas is at Green River (exit 164) and then at Salina (exit 106). After turning onto US-89, fuel stations become sparse; the next reliable stops are in Panguitch and Parowan. The best stops Moab to Cedar City for fuel include the Maverik in Green River and the Chevron in Panguitch. If you drive a diesel, plan around these locations—some rural stations only carry regular.

• Total distance: 260 miles.
• Estimated drive time: 4 hours 15 minutes.
• Recommended tank range: 300+ miles minimum.
• Cell service: Strong on I-70, spotty on US-89 and UT-14 (AT&T and Verizon best).

Regarding how long to drive Moab to Cedar City, the pure travel time is under 5 hours, but you should budget a full day. Restrooms are available at most fuel stops, but public rest areas are rare—plan to use fast-food restaurants or gas station facilities. The route crosses the Sevier River near Hanksville, and water is not always available in the desert sections. Carry at least a gallon per person.