Santa Fe to Hanksville: A Desert Road Trip Through Time

This 550-mile route from Santa Fe, NM (elevation 7,199 ft) to Hanksville, UT (4,300 ft) follows US-84, US-285, I-70, and UT-24 through the heart of the Colorado Plateau. It passes within 15 miles of the exact spot where the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary layer is exposed, marking the dinosaur extinction event.

The drive takes about 9 hours without stops, but you'll want 2–3 days to explore. The landscape shifts from piñon-juniper woodlands to high desert mesas to the Martian-like badlands of Utah. Truckers on I-70 call this stretch "the loneliest highway" due to 100+ miles between services.

The drive crosses three major geological provinces: the Rio Grande Rift, the San Juan Basin, and the Paradox Basin. At Ghost Ranch (Abiquiú), the multicolored Triassic Chinle Formation erodes into iconic hoodoos. Further north, Chaco Canyon's petroglyphs date to 850 AD.

• Best stops Santa Fe, NM to Hanksville, UT: Chaco Canyon, El Morro National Monument, Natural Bridges NM, Goblin Valley SP.
• Things to do between Santa Fe, NM and Hanksville, UT: hike to the Window at Natural Bridges, slot canyon at Little Wild Horse, star party at the Hanksville Observatory.
• Hidden off-route spot: the abandoned uranium mill site near Ticaboo, UT – eerie and photogenic.

Local commerce: In Chama, stop for green chile stew at the High Country Saloon. In Blanding, Utah, buy pinyon nuts from roadside stands (cash only). Hanksville's only restaurant, the Whispering Sands Cafe, serves Frisco burgers – a local beef brand.

The area has strong Navajo and Ute influences. The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe manages the White Mesa area; photography permits may be required near sacred sites. Gas stations double as trading posts – you can buy turquoise jewelry alongside beef jerky.

Road quality on I-70 is excellent (shoulder width 10 ft, rumble strips). UT-24 is narrower (shoulders 2 ft) with occasional cattle grids. Wildlife (mule deer, pronghorn) are active at dawn/dusk. Speed limits: 75 mph on I-70, 55-65 on UT-24.

Fatigue management: the straight stretches on US-285 (Glorieta to Clines Corners) are notorious for monotony. The recommended rest zone is the scenic overlook at milepost 130 on I-70 (Lazy Point) with vault toilets and a view of the La Sals. For longer stops, the San Rafael Rest Area (I-70 exit 119) has picnic tables and shade.

Family and child suitability: This route is not ideal for toddlers due to long distances between services. However, Goblin Valley State Park is a hit – kids can climb the mushroom rocks. Pet-friendly framework: most rest stops allow dogs on leash; Chaco Canyon does not permit pets on trails due to archaeological sensitivity. The Hanksville KOA has a dog run.

• Infrastructure safety: Emergency call boxes every 2 miles on I-70, none on UT-24. Cell service is patchy – download offline maps or consider a satellite communicator like a Garmin inReach.
• Climatic conditions: summer highs 95°F in Hanksville, winter lows 10°F. The aesthetics shift from the golden cottonwoods of the Rio Grande valley (October) to the deep red of the Entrada sandstone near Goblin Valley (best in late afternoon).

For a deeper approach on discovering unique stop ideas, check out this guide on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Fuel is scarce after Santa Fe until you hit Moab. Fill up at the Santa Fe Love's (I-25 & US-285) or wait for the Sinclair in Chama, NM (50 cents more per gallon). In Utah, the only gas between I-70 exit 149 and Hanksville is at Hanksville itself (one station, hours vary).

• Recommended tank range: minimum 300 miles.
• Closest Tesla Supercharger: Moab (250 kW) – no fast charging on US-285.
• Cell service: AT&T and Verizon drop out for 40-mile stretches near Chaco and UT-24.

The roads: US-285 from Santa Fe to Chama is winding two-lane with 55 mph limits; I-70 is smooth divided highway; UT-24 is a scenic two-lane with occasional potholes west of Goblin Valley. RVs and trailers should avoid the Chaco detour (unpaved last 25 miles).

• Winter (Nov–Mar): I-70 may require chains, but UT-24 is usually cleared within 24 hours of snow.
• Summer monsoon (Jul–Sep): flash floods possible on UT-24 dips.