Travel across Utah (Salt Lake City, Provo, St. George: how much, safe, vacations)

[dabehm]

My family and I will be traveling from Nebraska across Wyoming and down through Utah on our way to San Diego. How is traveling from Salt Lake City down to St. George? Any "must-stop" places along that route? I have 2 girls and the hubby. Girls are 10 and 14. Also, how is the weather around the 2nd and 3rd week in April? Any helpful tips would be great. Thanks

[dreameyes]

Hot! Hot! Hot! make sure you have a/c in the car!
Can't tell you much about stops although I do think I-70 is quite a beautiful drive all the way. Spanish Fork Canyon is another nice place.

[Irish4evr]

Depending on your time frame there is alot to see. Zion Park is quite scenic, if so inclined, once in Parawan, exit and travel up the 143 (15 miles) to Brian Head. Elevation almost 11, 000 feet, ski center open until April 12th. (It's still winter up there) That highway (SR # 143) also cuts over to the 89...quite scenic. Be cautious of the wildlife both on the 15 and secondary roads....lots of Deer....especially around nightfall. Enjoy your trip....South/Central Utah has awesome sunsets !

[kaytidid]

Ah, one year we were in St. George the first week in April for my daughter's gymnastics competition and it was COLD and rainy. A very very cold rain!

[toby04]

Weather can still be cool in April. Not sure how much time you can spend on stops. There are several National Parks worth visiting in Utah. I would not attempt unless you could spend the better part of a day.
It is a flat, desolate, empty beautiful drive from SLC to Cedar City. Easily done in one day with stops here
Cove Fort | Utah.com
and
Kolob Canyons, Zion National Park, Utah
Next day could do Zion and drive to Las Vegas.

[markg91359]

Originally Posted by dabehm

My family and I will be traveling from Nebraska across Wyoming and down through Utah on our way to San Diego. How is traveling from Salt Lake City down to St. George? Any "must-stop" places along that route? I have 2 girls and the hubby. Girls are 10 and 14. Also, how is the weather around the 2nd and 3rd week in April? Any helpful tips would be great. Thanks

Ok, here's the deal. If you are coming through Nebraska and Wyoming you are following I-80. I-80 connects with I-15 in Utah and I assume you are thinking of driving that to San Diego.

I-15 is not the scenic route through Utah. You don't see much at from Provo south until you get to St. George (That's 270 miles of road).

Here's what I recommend: Take I-15 south until you get to Nephi. Than take the state road over the mountains to Gunnison. You will than be on Highway 89. Drive 89 south through Salina, follow I-70 until you get to Richfield. Than drive south again on 89 through the Big Rock Candy Mountain and south through Circleville, Junction, and Hatch. Keep going through Panguitch, Orderville, Mt. Carmel Junction etc. Go all the way to Kanab. Than head westbound to St. George on a state highway marked on the map. There's alot to see and many people find these small towns to be some of the most unique in the country.

If you do all that and do it during daylight hours, you'll have a scenic trip that will be worth taking. If all you do is stay on I-15, you won't see much at all. In fact, the highlight for me of driving I-15 is the Virgin River Gorge south of St. George (which is mostly in Arizona)

[toby04]

That would be a lovely scenic drive and a great way to see some of the history and small towns!

[Lamborgotti]

With the girls, I'd probably just do whatever is shortest. Much of the scenery is sort of gradual, you might not realize it's there until you're already in the middle of it, because you just ease into it. I'm not sure your girls would appreciate that or not, from my own family vacations, it usually doesn't go over well when dad takes a detour through the natural beauties of Utah. Beautiful? Yes. Something the kids wanna look at for hours? No.

[VC dreamer]

I've made the same trip you're gonna be doing several times. I'm assuming you'll be taking the I80 until you pick up the I15 in SLC?
After Wyoming, Utah will seem like paradise! If you don't ahve time for the national parks, and all that, there will still be plenty to see by way of great scenery.
IMHO the worst part of your trip will be after you leave Vegas. It will be hot, and there's not much to look at besides sand, and wind, and sand, and sky, and sand......lol
Bring activity bags for the girls, they're gonna need 'em.
Also, keep in mind that once you hit San Bernardino county and parts south the drivers on the freeway drive very fast and will weave in and out of traffic just as fast.
I hope you have a great trip. You're gonna love San Diego!

[ruthlopez22]

Utah is the safe for travelling with Family.