Moab to Torrey: Utah Scenic Byway 24 Guide

The 125-mile drive from Moab to Torrey along UT-24 is more than a scenic shortcut—it’s a geological time capsule. This highway follows the historic path of the Old Spanish Trail, a 19th-century trade route linking Santa Fe to Los Angeles. Today, it cuts through the San Rafael Swell, a massive 80-mile-long anticline lifted 60 million years ago. The road itself is a masterclass in adaptive engineering: switchbacks over the San Rafael Reef were realigned in the 1960s to accommodate modern vehicles, yet the route still crests at 7,000 feet near the Mars-like landscape of Goblin Valley. Whether you’re wondering how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities, this guide will show you exactly where to pause, explore, and refuel.

The route is a flowing gallery of Earth’s extremes. Leaving Moab, the red Navajo Sandstone of Arches yields to the gray-green bentonite clay of the Blue Hills. At mile 25 (UT-24 junction), Goblin Valley State Park emerges—a forest of hoodoos sculpted from Jurassic-era Entrada Sandstone. Further west, Capitol Reef’s Waterpocket Fold is a 100-mile monocline that buckles the landscape into layered cliffs. Local commerce here is raw: roadside stands sell turquoise jewelry (often from a Navajo cooperative near Hanksville) and jars of apricot jam from Fruita, a historic Mormon settlement inside the park that still harvests orchards planted in the 1880s. The best stops between Moab, UT and Torrey, UT aren’t just viewpoints—they’re cultural intersections.

• Goblin Valley: $20 entry (Utah state parks pass accepted). Best time: late afternoon for long shadows.
• Capitol Reef Scenic Drive: $20 (National Parks pass accepted). 25 miles roundtrip on dirt/gravel, suitable for sedans when dry.
• Hanksville: Population 219. Stock up on snacks at Hollow Mountain (rock shop/cafe/ifta gas).
• Torrey: Gateway to Capitol Reef. Local art galleries on UT-24 showcase petrified wood sculptures.

Much of UT-24 has no shoulders and occasional livestock on the road (especially at dawn/dusk). Speed limits drop to 45 mph through canyon sections. Cell service vanishes near the San Rafael Reef; download offline maps. Families should prioritize Goblin Valley—kids can scramble among the hoodoos without ropes. For a break, the best stops between Moab, UT and Torrey, UT include the Swing Arm City ghost town (just off UT-24 near mile 40) and the Mars Desert Research Station (a simulated habitat visible from the road). Fatigue management: Pull over at the Temple Mountain Rest Area (mile 66 on I-70, then exit 131) or the Hanksville BLM campground—both have picnic tables and shade. Pet-friendly framework: Dogs allowed on leash in Goblin Valley and Capitol Reef (except on trails with ladders). No water stations outside towns; carry 1 gallon per pet for the drive.

• Family: Goblin Valley offers easy trails, restrooms, and a covered picnic area.
• Pet: Keep dogs on leash; avoid slickrock in summer (paw pad temps can exceed 140°F).
• Hidden gems: The Wedge Overlook (8 miles north of I-70 on UT-10) provides a mini-Grand Canyon view with zero crowds.
• Rest zones: Mile 88 on UT-24 (Wash area) has a dirt pullout with stunning cliff views.

The most direct route today is US-191 north to I-70 west, then UT-24 south at exit 149, but the more rewarding (and original) path is the scenic backway: from Moab, take UT-313 west past Dead Horse Point State Park, merge onto UT-24 at Hanksville. This adds 30 minutes and 25 miles but avoids the interstate monotony. Fuel stations are sparse: last gas in Moab is at the Chevron on Main Street (38.5723° N, 109.5503° W). Next reliable fuel is in Hanksville (55 miles) at Hollow Mountain Gas & Grub (38.3731° N, 110.7051° W). Beyond that, Torrey has two stations near the junction of UT-24 and UT-12. No diesel after Hanksville until Torrey. Check tire pressure before leaving Moab—sharp volcanic rock near the Reef can cause punctures.

• Distance between Moab and Torrey: 125 miles (direct on I-70) or 150 miles (scenic via UT-313)
• Estimated driving time (no stops): 2 hours 15 minutes (direct), 2 hours 45 minutes (scenic)
• Cell signal: Reliable on I-70 and near towns; dead zones on UT-24 from Temple Mountain to Hanksville (about 20 miles)
• Road quality: UT-24 is two-lane asphalt in good condition; watch for cattle grates and occasional gravel washouts after rain