Placerville to Orderville: Route Guide

This route from Placerville, CA to Orderville, UT spans approximately 790 miles, crossing two major mountain ranges and four distinct climate zones. It passes through the historic Donner Pass, the high desert of Nevada, and the red rock canyons of southern Utah.

A notable quirk: the final 80 miles into Orderville follow the Scenic Byway 12, a road that loses elevation faster than the average mountain descent, with an 8% grade in places. This is one of the few drives in the US that transitions from alpine forest to desert scrub within a single day.

The route showcases stark transitions: the Sierra Nevada’s granite peaks, the Great Basin’s sagebrush plains, and the spectacular cliffs of Zion National Park’s east side. Orderville is a gateway to the park, and the surrounding area includes the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In Placerville, savor the Gold Country heritage with a breakfast at the historic Cary House Hotel, operating since 1857. Farther east, the town of Austin, Nevada, offers a quirky local museum and a classic diner, the Toiyabe Café.

Near the route’s end, visit the small community of Glendale, Utah, known for its artisan cheeses and a winery that produces fruit wines from local orchards.

The region’s commerce is deeply tied to tourism; along UT-9 between Zion and Orderville, you’ll find numerous family-run rock shops and trading posts selling Native American crafts.

Given the length, plan rest breaks every 2-3 hours. Smart places for a stretch include the town of Eureka, Nevada, with its railroad museum, and the scenic overlook at Panaca Summit on UT-14, which has picnic tables and dramatic views.

For families, the route is generally kid-friendly: many stops, such as the Great Basin National Park, offer easy, short hikes and visitor centers with interactive exhibits. Pets are welcome in most rest areas and campgrounds; keep them on leashes at all times.

One of the hidden gems is the Cathedral Gorge State Park near Panaca, just off UT-93, where you can walk among towering rock formations on a short, level trail—perfect for a picnic break.

Fatigue management is crucial. Avoid driving late at night, especially on the two-lane sections of US-50, which have no lighting and frequent wildlife crossings.

In terms of safety, carry an emergency kit with water and blankets, as cell coverage is nonexistent in long stretches. The route includes several steep grades, so check your brakes before entering the mountains. The roads are well-maintained, but summer monsoon storms can cause flash floods in slot canyons; avoid driving through flooded washes.

Orderville itself has minimal services, so fill your tank and grab groceries in Cedar City, the last major town before reaching the destination.

The primary highways are US-50 east from Placerville, then US-93 south through Nevada, and finally UT-14 and UT-89 into Orderville. This route is largely rural; fuel stations are sparse, especially on the Nevada stretch, where they can be over 80 miles apart.

Driving time from start to finish is typically 12-14 hours without stops, but plan for two overnight stays to break up the trip comfortably.

• Fuel costs: Budget around $210 for gas, as prices in remote Nevada towns can be 15% higher than in California.
• Road quality: The highways are well-maintained, but watch for potholes on US-50 near the Nevada-Utah border.
• Rest stops: Major towns like Reno, Ely, and Cedar City have 24-hour convenience stores and restaurants.

For planning purposes, check real-time road conditions via the Nevada DOT and Utah DOT websites. This is particularly important in winter, as Donner Pass can close without warning.

If you’re looking to optimize your stops, consider the method described in this guide on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.