Show Low to Kanarraville Road Trip: Hidden Gems & Stops

The direct drive from Show Low, Arizona (elevation 6,400 ft) to Kanarraville, Utah (elevation 5,000 ft) covers 310 miles, but the recommended scenic route via U.S. 89 and U.S. 89A extends to 380 miles and adds about an hour of driving. Typically, the journey takes 5.5 to 7 hours without extended stops.

Highway 89 features long straight stretches with occasional wildlife crossings, especially at dawn and dusk. Road quality is generally good, but expect delays due to maintenance in summer. Keep a full tank and water supply.

For families, the Rim Country Museum in Payson (if detoured) has kid-friendly exhibits, and the Pipe Spring National Monument near Kanab offers a historic fort. Pets are welcome at both. Rest zones with picnic tables appear every 20–30 miles; use them to combat fatigue.

Hidden off-route spots include the Moon House ruin in Bears Ears National Monument, accessible via dirt road, and the Belly of the Dragon slot canyon near Kanab, a photogenic walk-through.

Fuel costs vary with gas prices around $3.50/gallon in Arizona and Utah. For a 380-mile route with an average of 25 mpg, expect about 15.2 gallons, costing roughly $53. Fuel stops are sparse: plan to fill in Show Low, Holbrook, Page, and Kanab.

• Holbrook offers the last major services for 110 miles to Page.
• Page has multiple gas stations near Highway 89.
• Kanab serves as a fuel point before the final 62 miles to Kanarraville.

Leaving Show Low, the route ascends through ponderosa pine forests of the Mogollon Rim, transitioning to the high desert of the Painted Desert. Near Holbrook, consider a short detour to the Petrified Forest National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage candidate known for its fossilized logs and colorful badlands.

The drive along Highway 89A past the Vermilion Cliffs offers sheer red-rock walls and often views of California condors. Local commerce thrives in Kanab, a base for outfitters and galleries, but on the route you'll find roadside stands selling Navajo tacos and fry bread.

For a broader perspective on finding how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.