Moab to Murphys Road Trip Guide: Stops, Tips & Hidden Gems

This roughly 750-mile drive from Moab, UT to Murphys, CA traces the Old Spanish Trail, a historic trade route connecting Santa Fe to Los Angeles. The route crosses the Colorado Plateau, the Great Basin, and the Sierra Nevada foothills, each with distinct geology.

Driving time is about 11-13 hours without stops, but is it worth driving Moab, UT to Murphys, CA? Absolutely—the diversity of landscapes and cultural stops makes it a quintessential American road trip. Use the how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities approach to uncover lesser-known spots.

Natural Landscapes & Attractions

Arches National Park near Moab features sandstone arches. Less crowded: Goblin Valley State Park (off I-70). Along US-6/US-50: Great Basin National Park (Wheeler Peak, Lehman Caves) is a must. In California, Ebbetts Pass (CA-4) offers alpine lakes and granite peaks.

• Arches NP: Balanced Rock, Delicate Arch viewpoint.
• Goblin Valley: Hoodoos like goblins.
• Great Basin NP: Bristlecone pines, stargazing.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

There are no UNESCO sites directly on this route, but Mesa Verde National Park (south of Moab) is a UNESCO site—detour 2 hours. The route itself passes near the Old Spanish Trail, a designated National Historic Trail.

Local Commerce and Culture

Moab's local economy thrives on tourism, with art galleries and gear shops. Salina's historic downtown has antique stores. Ely's Renaissance Village re-creates a mining town. In Murphys, Main Street is lined with wine tasting rooms and historic buildings from the Gold Rush era.

• Moab: Moab Brewery, local artwork at Tom Till Gallery.
• Ely: Nevada Northern Railway Museum.
• Murphys: Ironstone Vineyards, Murphys Historic Hotel.

The primary highways are US-191, I-70, US-6, US-50, and CA-49. US-50 across Nevada is famously remote, with stretches of no services for 100+ miles. Plan fuel stops: Moab, Green River, Salina, Delta, Ely, Eureka, Fallon, and Sonora. Gas stations are sparse between Ely and Fallon—fill up in Ely.

• Fuel economy: Expect 18-25 mpg depending on vehicle; fill tank at half.
• Elevation: High passes like Soldier Summit (7,480 ft) and Monitor Pass (8,314 ft) can affect performance.
• Toll roads: None on this route.

Road quality is mostly good, but US-50 (Loneliest Road) has two-lane sections with occasional rough patches. Winter tires required Nov-April in mountains. Summer brings heat >100°F in Nevada deserts—carry extra water.

Infrastructure Safety & Road Quality

US-50 is infamous for being remote—no cell service for long stretches. Carry a paper map. I-70 has good shoulders and rest areas. US-6 over the Wasatch Plateau can be icy in winter. CA-4 (Ebbetts Pass) is winding and may close due to snow; check Caltrans for conditions.

Family and Child Suitability

Great Basin NP's Lehman Caves tour is kid-friendly (ages 5+). Ely Railroad Museum offers train rides. In Murphys, children can pan for gold at Moaning Cavern Adventure Park. Long driving stretches—plan stops every 2 hours.

• Lehman Caves: 60-min guided tour, 50°F constant temp.
• Nevada Northern Railway: Steam train rides (seasonal).
• Moaning Cavern: Family rappelling and zip-line.

Pet-Friendly Framework

Most national parks restrict pets on trails. Arches allows dogs on paved roads only. Goblin Valley is dog-friendly on trails. In Nevada, Great Basin permits dogs on leash. Murphys is pet-friendly with patios and pet-friendly lodging like Murphys Suites.

Fatigue Management & Rest Zones

Rest stops exist on I-70 at Loa (mile 5) and on US-50 near Illipah (mile 80). Driver fatigue: stop at least every 3 hours. Ely offers several hotels (Hotel Nevada, Bristlecone Motel) for an overnight break. Short naps at scenic viewpoints like Sevier Valley overlook.

Hidden Off-Route Spots

Lesser-known: Capitol Reef National Park (south of I-70 via UT-12) offers the Waterpocket Fold and petroglyphs. Just north of Great Basin, Baker, NV has the Silver Jack Saloon. In California, the Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park near Murphys shows Native American bedrock mortars.

• Capitol Reef: 2-hour detour, scenic UT-12.
• Baker: Hot springs nearby (Spencer Hot Springs).
• Indian Grinding Rock: Picnic area, interpretive trails.