Orderville to Kemmerer Road Trip Guide: Utah to Wyoming

Orderville, Utah, was founded in 1875 as a communal society under the United Order, where residents shared everything from homes to livestock. Today, it's a quiet launch point for a road trip that climbs from the red-rock canyons of the Colorado Plateau to the high desert plains of Wyoming. Your destination, Kemmerer, is home to the very first J.C. Penney store, opened in 1902 by James Cash Penney himself.

The route spans about 300 miles along US-89, I-15, and US-30, taking roughly five to six hours of driving time without stops. But the real value lies in the detours: slot canyons, dinosaur fossils, and ghost towns. For tips on uncovering hidden gems between cities, check out how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Fuel up in Orderville at the single gas station on US-89; prices are higher due to remoteness. Better options exist in Kanab (10 miles south) or in Beaver at I-15 exit 112. On the Wyoming stretch, US-30 has sparse services—fill up in Evanston before the final 50-mile push to Kemmerer.

• Road surfaces are generally good, with occasional gravel on shortcut roads like Johnson Canyon Road (UT-301).
• I-15 is well-maintained with rest areas every 30 miles; US-89 has pullouts but few services.
• Winter driving (November–March) requires chains or 4WD on mountain passes near Bear Lake.

The total cost for a standard sedan: roughly $45–60 in fuel (assuming $3.50/gallon). Budget for a toll? None—all roads are toll-free. Cell coverage is spotty between Kanab and Beaver on US-89; download offline maps before leaving.

The route is generally safe, but watch for wildlife (mule deer, antelope) on US-30 at dusk. Speed limits are 55-65 mph on highways; I-15 allows 80 mph. Road quality is excellent except for short gravel detours. Keep an emergency kit with water, food, and blankets—especially in winter.

• Family-friendly stops: Kanab's sand dunes; Cove Fort historical site (free guided tours); Evanston's Bear River State Park with bison.
• Pet-friendly: Most rest areas allow dogs on leash; in Kanab, the Dog Trail behind the visitor center is a great stretch.
• Fatigue management: Plan stops every 2 hours. Rest areas near Beaver (I-15 milepost 112) and Evanston (I-80) have picnic tables.

Climatic conditions: Summer highs exceed 95°F in Orderville, but Kemmerer sits at 6,900 feet—expect 30°F cooler. Spring brings rain and mud; autumn offers perfect driving weather with golden aspen. The best aesthetic months are May and October.

Leaving Orderville, the Vermilion Cliffs dominate the sky to the south. Within 20 minutes, you can detour to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab or hike the Wire Pass Trail into Buckskin Gulch—the longest slot canyon in the world. Further north, the landscape shifts to alpine forests as you approach the Tushar Mountains near Beaver.

• Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: Although not a UNESCO site, it's a world-class geological wonder with slickrock and dinosaur fossils. Consider the 3-mile roundtrip hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls.
• Near Kemmerer, Fossil Butte National Monument preserves a 50-million-year-old lake bed with complete fish fossils. Entry is $5 per vehicle.
• Local commerce: Orderville has a small grocery; Kanab offers artisan shops; Kemmerer's main street has the J.C. Penney Museum and vintage hardware stores.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: None directly on the route, but Zion National Park is a 1-hour detour from Kanab. The park is not UNESCO-listed, but it's part of the Grand Staircase region. If you have extra time, Bryce Canyon is 90 minutes from Orderville via UT-12.