may appear arid and sparse, there’s plenty to do in the Beehive State. And if you’re willing to embrace the great outdoors, a long-winded journey from Salt Lake City to Moab features the best wildlife and scenery the state has to offer. The best part is it only takes four days.

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Key trip details

Distance: 649 miles

Driving time: 11 hours and 6 minutes

Suggested length of trip: 1 to 3 days

Itinerary

Salt Lake City, UT

Springdale, UT

Bryce Canyon, UT

Moab, UT

Start—Salt Lake City

While it may just be the start of the road trip, Salt Lake City is a fascinating metropolis in its own right. Spend the day in the city, sampling food and enjoying local culture before you hit the road.

What to eat in Salt Lake City

Sweet Lake Biscuits and Limeade

($$): Grab breakfast from Sweet Lake Biscuits and Limeade. It’s not exactly a low-calorie option, but the buttery biscuits and juicy limeade are an SLC must!

Feldman’s Deli

($$): For lunch, head to Feldman’s Deli, a New York City-style deli. Try the Sloppy Joe!

What to do in Salt Lake City

Utah Museum of Natural History

: Utah is known as a hub of Mormon history, but you don’t have to be religious to appreciate its culture. In the morning, check out the Utah Museum of Natural History. It features 10 revolving exhibits, each delving into the culture, history, and geography of Utah and The Great Salt Lake.

Temple Square

: After lunch, take a stroll around Temple Square. It’s a must-see for the wonderful—if rather brash—architecture alone.

Redwood Drive-In theater

: Once you’re finished with dinner, see if you can catch a film at the Redwood Drive-In movie theater over in West Valley City.

Where to stay in Salt Lake City

Peery Hotel

: Bed-down for the night at the Peery Salt Lake City. Just 15 minutes from Temple Square, and featuring two restaurants, it features everything you could need for a one-night downtown stay. Cost per night: from $139

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Salt Lake City to Springdale, UT

51 miles, 49 minutes

Get up early to start your National Park tour. Once you get to Zion, have a look around before checking into your hotel for the evening. There’s a lot of hiking coming up!

Take I-15 S to get to Springdale.

What to eat from Springdale to Bryce Canyon

Oscar’s Cafe

($$): Enjoy a drawn-out lunch at Oscar’s Cafe in Springdale. It features a pleasant outdoor patio for Tex-Mex fare.

Spotted Dog Cafe

($$): For dinner, head to Spotted Dog Cafe, a healthy spot for a variety of fresh eats.

What to do from Springdale to Bryce Canyon

Grafton Ghost Town

: Leave SLC early, heading south towards Zion. Stop at Grafton, a classic desert ghost town along the way. Make sure to bring plenty of snacks and water, as it gets hot out there!

Take a hike: Try to get up early to avoid the mid-afternoon heat while you’re still out and about. Hike the famous

Watchman Trail

early in the morning before heading to

Zion Narrows

for cool landscapes and Instagram-ready scenes—and, most importantly, a little bit of shade!

Where to stay in Springdale

Springdale Lodge

Springdale, right on the southern tip of Zion, has a number of cozy hotels. Bed-down at The Driftwood Lodge. There are also tons of vocational rentals nearby! Cost per night: from $139

Pro tip If you fancy a few days in Zion, check out an Airbnb or VRBO in Springdale!

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Springdale to Bryce Canyon

90 miles, 2 hours 8 min

Bryce Canyon isn’t lacking in outdoor activities to experience. From horseback riding to backcountry hiking, the options are endless. Take advantage of some of them, and make sure you take in the wonderful views!

Get to Bryce Canyon via UT-9 E and US-89 N.

What to eat in Bryce Canyon

Whiptail Grill

($$): Lunch depends on your hiking preferences, but Whiptail is a trendy spot serving up a range of summer eats.

What to do in Bryce Canyon

Explore the area: Get up early and start exploring the park. To start, take a look around the

visitor center

to get a sense of the park. From there, it’s up to you.

Explore by horseback: Guided horseback tours into the canyon are very popular and are less strenuous than hiking the Canyon.

Canyon Rides

and

Ruby’s Inn

are good options.

Take a hike: If you feel like stretching your legs, there are several trails. For eager hikers, the

Swamp Canyon Trail

is a lovely four-mile tour of the park’s backcountry.

Bryce Canyon to Moab, UT

253 miles, 4 hours 24 min

From Bryce Canyon, head northeast to Moab. Enjoy the scenery on the four-hour drive before exploring the fringes of Arches National Park.

Get to your destination via I-70 E.

What to eat in Moab

Love Muffin Cafe

($): For some quick pre-adventure fuel, stop be here for small bites and a caffeine kick.

Desert Bistro

($$): Finish your trip with a fancy dinner from Moab Bistro in downtown Moab—check out its extensive wine list.

What to do in Moab

Guided Archeology Tours

: Want to learn about the natural environment around you? Take an archeological tour to get a sense of the land’s history.

Arches National Park

: This national park is a must-see once you make your way to Moab. Be prepared to stand in awe of the famous geological formations that it features.

Where to stay in Moab

Red Cliffs Lodge

: For a proper western experience, stay at the Red Cliffs Lodge, a rustic hotel right on the banks of the Colorado River. Summer rates are reasonable, and potential activities are plentiful. Cost per night: from $190

Be prepared with roadside assistance

No matter where you are, a breakdown could happen. But luckily, no matter where you are,

Jerry

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Jerry’s comprehensive roadside assistance package features up to 10 miles of towing plus jump starts, tire changes, fuel deliveries, and more. It also comes with some exclusive benefits, including car advice, key replacement, and Uber credits—and it only costs $6.99 for one car.

The fast route back

The quickest way back is directly up State Route 61-North. It should only take about 3 and a half hours!

The scenic route back

For a more scenic drive, head up US191-N before driving east towards the Colorado state line. Cross over and check out Dinosaur National Monument. Drive back via Ashley National Forest.

To break things up, you can spend the night in Park City—there are numerous good hotels to consider.

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Finding cheap car insurance

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FAQs

What gear do I need to bring?

A trip into the Utah desert requires an extensive packing list. Make sure you have a good pair of walking shoes—good, sturdy tennis shoes will do! Also remember to bring LOTS of water, especially to Bryce National Park, which has fewer stations than Zion. Aside from that, just remember your sunglasses and a comfy hat.

What happens if I break down?

First of all, don’t panic! Breakdowns happen to everyone, it’s just important that you and your car are prepared. That means purchasing the best, most affordable insurance—and signing up for Jerry’s roadside assistance program so that you’re always covered!

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