Red Lodge to Orderville: A Monumental Road Trip Guide

This route covers 740 miles (1190 km) across four states, descending from the 10,000-foot Beartooth Plateau to the 5,000-foot high desert of southern Utah. The driving time is approximately 12 hours without stops, but expect 2–3 days for full immersion.

The highway logic is untamed: US-212, I-90, US-191, I-80, US-189, I-15, and UT-9 form a spine through Wyoming's wind-scoured basins and Utah's red-rock cathedrals. A curious fact: the segment from Rock Springs, WY to Price, UT parallels the 1869 transcontinental railroad survey route.

For those wondering how long to drive Red Lodge, MT to Orderville, UT, the non-stop time is 11.5–12 hours. But the question is it worth driving Red Lodge, MT to Orderville, UT is answered by the surreal transition from alpine to desert—an experience unmatched in the lower 48. Use this guide to identify best stops Red Lodge, MT to Orderville, UT and things to do between Red Lodge, MT and Orderville, UT.

To discover more about uncovering hidden gems, read how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Infrastructure Safety & Road Quality

All highways are paved and well-marked. I-80 has wide shoulders; US-191 north of Rock Springs is two-lane with rumble strips. Beartooth Highway lacks guardrails in some sections. Most roads are open year-round except Beartooth. Emergency phones are sparse; carry a satellite communicator.

Police presence is low; speed limits are 75 mph on interstates, 65 on two-lanes. Wildlife collisions are a top risk.

Family and Child Suitability

The route is family-friendly with many educational stops: dinosaur museums (Thermopolis's Wyoming Dinosaur Center), geyser basins (Yellowstone detour), and historic trains (Helper). Kids enjoy the Wind River Canyon's folding rocks and the Flaming Gorge dam tour.

Pack-able entertainment: binoculars for wildlife spotting, audio books about the Old West.

Pet-Friendly Framework

Most national forests allow leashed pets. National parks restrict them on trails. In Zion, pets aren't allowed on shuttles or most trails. Best stops for pets: Beartooth Highway overlooks, Green River's river walk, and the Red Desert. Many motels in Cody and Rock Springs accept pets, with fees.

Carry a collapsible bowl and water. Heat can be extreme; never leave a pet in the car.

Hidden Off-Route Spots

Off US-310 near Lovell, the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area offers boat tours. The Red Desert's Killpecker Sand Dunes are the largest active dunes in the U.S. Near Price, the Manti-La Sal National Forest has aspen groves. Between Mt Carmel and Orderville, a dirt road leads to the ghost town of Grafton.

These spots require high-clearance vehicles and careful navigation.

Fatigue Management & Rest Zones

Designated rest areas on I-80 every 30–60 miles. Wyoming has 'rest stops' with vending machines. In small towns, consider 'coffee breaks' at local cafes. Nap zzz: parking lots of casinos (Rock Springs) or BLM lands (dispersed camping allowed, no services).

Swap drivers every 2 hours. The long straight stretches on I-80 can induce highway hypnosis; vary speed.

Fuel and Route Economics

Fuel stations cluster around towns: Red Lodge, Cody, Thermopolis, Riverton, Rock Springs, Green River, Price, Helper, Moab, and Orderville. Intervals between stations can exceed 80 miles in Wyoming's Red Desert.

Plan to refuel when your tank reaches half. Diesel is widely available for trucks. Gas prices vary; Utah tends to be cheaper than Montana. Bring extra cash for historic stations that may not accept cards.

Road Conditions

US-212 over Beartooth Pass is closed from Oct to May. In summer, it's paved but has sharp switchbacks. I-90 and I-80 are well-maintained. UT-9 from Mt. Carmel to Orderville is a scenic byway. Watch for wildlife dawn/dusk, especially deer and antelope.

Construction zones are common on I-80. Check WYDOT and UDOT apps for delays. In winter, carry chains.

Climatic Conditions & Route Aesthetics

Red Lodge: summer temps 60–80°F, snow possible June. Wyoming basins: windy, 70–90°F, sudden thunderstorms. Utah: dry, 80–100°F, monsoons July–Aug. The aesthetic shifts from green forests to badlands to red cliffs. Fall colors peak late Sept in the north.

Best photo stops: Beartooth Pass overlook, Wind River Canyon, Flaming Gorge, and Kolob Terrace road.

Natural Landscapes & Attractions

The route includes Beartooth Highway (US-212), a designated All-American Road. It climbs to 10,947 ft, offering glacier-carved valleys and alpine lakes. In Cody, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West boasts five museums. The Wind River Canyon (US-20) cuts through the Owl Creek Mountains, exposing 2.9-billion-year-old rock.

Further south, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area (Utah) features a 91-mile reservoir and red cliffs. The final leg through Zion's east entrance includes checkboard mesa and the Zion-Mt. Carmel tunnel.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming) is a UNESCO site, reachable via a 55-mile detour from Cody. It contains half the world's active geysers. Orderville is near two more: Zion National Park and Grand Canyon–Parashant National Monument. While not directly on the route, they justify the journey.

These sites preserve unique geological features and cultural history of Native American tribes.

Culinary Infrastructure

Red Lodge: The Carbon County Steakhouse serves bison burgers. Cody: The Wyoming Cattle Company for prime rib. In Rock Springs, try the historic Bitter Creek Brewing for elk chili. Helper's Main Street has Italian bakeries from the mining era. Orderville: a few diners and the Orderville Mercantile sell Navajo tacos.

Vegetarians will find limited options; pack snacks. Local specialties include fry bread, huckleberry shakes (Montana), and Utah scones (fried dough).

Local Commerce & Culture

Cody's downtown retains a Wild West vibe with nightly rodeos in summer. Thermopolis has hot springs and a dinosaur museum. Rock Springs has a Chinese immigrant history museum. Helper is an artist enclave with galleries. Orderville's polygamous history is quiet now; the town is a gateway to Zion.

Buy local: Montana sapphires, Wyoming jade, Ute pottery.