Riverton to Orderville Road Trip Guide

The drive from Riverton, Wyoming (elevation 4,961 feet) to Orderville, Utah (elevation 5,458 feet) covers roughly 480 miles if you take US-191 south through Rock Springs and I-80 west, then US-189 south through Provo and I-15 south to UT-9. Expect around 7.5 hours of pure driving time, but plan for a full day with stops.

This route traverses the Continental Divide twice, crossing from the Wind River Basin into the Great Divide Basin, then over the Wasatch Range into the Colorado Plateau. This is one of the few drives in the US that moves from high desert sagebrush to alpine forests to slickrock canyons.

The route is bookended by the Wind River Range in Wyoming and the Vermilion Cliffs in Utah, but the middle offers a surprising variety. In Utah, you'll pass through the Wasatch Range and the Colorado Plateau, where red rock formations dominate.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites are scarce here—the nearest is Grand Canyon National Park, 100 miles south of Orderville. However, Zion National Park, though not UNESCO-listed, offers similar geological wonders like the Narrows and Angels Landing.

Local commerce thrives in small towns like Rock Springs, with its Chinese heritage museum, and Springdale, the gateway to Zion, known for art galleries. Orderville, a tiny community founded by Mormon settlers in 1875, maintains a cooperative history—its name reflects the United Order.

For how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities, consider chatting with locals at diners or fuel stops. Hidden off-route spots include the Fossil Butte National Monument near Kemmerer, Wyoming, or the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, 20 miles west of Orderville.

Climate varies dramatically: expect snow in Wyoming from October to May, with icy patches on I-80. In Utah, summer temps exceed 100°F in Orderville, making afternoon hikes uncomfortable. Spring and fall are ideal for this drive.

Fatigue management is critical on long stretches—plan to stop every two hours. Notable rest areas include the Green River Overlook and the Beaver Mountain viewpoint.

For families, the route offers several child-friendly attractions: the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis (slight detour), the BYU Museum of Paleontology in Provo, and the Zion Human History Museum. Many parks have interactive exhibits.

Pet-friendly framework: most rest stops have designated pet areas, and many hotels along I-15 welcome pets for a fee. National parks like Zion allow leashed pets on trails but not on shuttle buses—plan accordingly.

Local cuisine includes Wyoming's famed bison burgers at the Rancher's Grill in Lyman, and Utah's fry sauce—a must-try at any drive-in. For a quick bite, the A&W in Kanab is a reliable classic.

Fuel prices vary significantly along the route: expect higher costs in remote Wyoming stretches and lower near urban Provo. On average, a mid-size car will need about 2.5 tanks for the round trip, so budget accordingly. Gas stations are plentiful in Rock Springs and Provo, but sparse between Orderville and Kanab.

• Cheapest fuel: Provo, UT (often 10-15 cents cheaper than rural stations).
• Longest gap without services: Rock Springs to Green River (15 miles) and between Orderville and Kanab (30 miles).

Infrastructure and Road Quality

Interstates 80 and 15 are well-maintained with rest areas every 50-60 miles. US-191 in Wyoming is a two-lane highway with occasional passing lanes; watch for slow-moving ranch vehicles. UT-9 through Zion National Park is curvy and narrow, with tunnels that restrict vehicle widths.

For real-time road conditions, check the Wyoming Department of Transportation and Utah Department of Transportation apps, which update travel alerts and weather delays.