Prescott to Afton Road Trip: Ultimate Guide to Scenic Drives and Hidden Gems

The route from Prescott, Arizona to Afton, Wyoming follows the historic corridor of US Route 89 for much of its length, a road that once served as a primary artery connecting the Desert Southwest to the Northern Rockies. In central Utah, the highway passes through the ghost town of Thistle, which was devastated by a massive landslide in 1983 that rerouted the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. That event remains one of the costliest landslides in US history, and remnants of the buried town are still visible from the road.

The drive covers approximately 760 miles and, without stops, takes roughly 11.5 hours of pure driving time. However, the journey warrants at least two days to savor the landscape. The fastest route uses I-15 from Salt Lake City north to Ogden, then I-84 east, but the more scenic alternative is US-89 north through the Wasatch Mountains, then cutting east on US-30 toward Afton. This guide focuses on the latter, richer option.

Gas stations are sparse between Kanab, Utah and Salina, Utah (a 90-mile stretch on US-89), so fill up in Kanab or Page. Diesel is widely available, but electric vehicle charging stations are concentrated in larger towns like Page, Richfield, and Provo. Cell service is intermittent through the Kaibab Plateau and the remote stretches of central Utah; download offline maps before leaving Prescott.

• Best fuel stops: Page, AZ (Chevron at Lake Powell Blvd); Kanab, UT (Sinclair on US-89); Salina, UT; Nephi, UT.
• Rest areas: Kaibab National Forest rest area (milepost 625 on US-89A); Bear Lake State Park rest area near Garden City, UT.
• Road quality: US-89 is well-maintained but narrow in places, especially through the Sevier River Valley. Watch for deer and elk at dawn and dusk.

Sharp curves and elevation changes on US-89 through the Sevier River Valley require cautious driving, especially for RVs. Winter conditions from November through March can bring snow on the Wasatch Front and near Bear Lake. For real-time road conditions, call 511 in Utah or Wyoming.

• Family-friendly stops: The Eccles Dinosaur Park in Ogden, Utah features full-scale dinosaur replicas and a fossil dig pit. The Bear Lake State Park Marina has a sandy beach and paddleboard rentals.
• Pet-friendly framework: Dogs are allowed on the Tangerine Trail in the Dixie National Forest (near Panguitch) but must be leashed. The Kanab Dog Park (off N 200 E) offers a fenced area for exercise.
• Fatigue management: Alternate drivers on long stretches from Salina to Nephi (110 miles). Use the Scipio rest area (milepost 133 on I-15) for a power nap.

For curated hidden gems, check out how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

The route traverses the Colorado Plateau’s red rock canyons, the pine-covered Kaibab Plateau, the Great Basin’s sagebrush flats, and the Rocky Mountains’ alpine meadows. The transition from desert to high desert to montane forest is dramatic and photographically rewarding.

• Key natural attractions: Horseshoe Bend near Page (short hike to a stunning curve in the Colorado River); Bryce Canyon National Park (accessible via a 20-mile detour from US-89 at Mount Carmel); Red Canyon on UT-12 near Panguitch; the Fishlake National Forest’s aspen groves near Koosharem.
• Local commerce: In Kanab, the Kane County Information Center sells handmade Paiute beadwork and local honey. In Afton, the Star Valley Swiss Cheese Co. offers curds and aged gouda, reflecting the region’s dairy heritage.