Driving through Utah (Provo, Spanish Fork, Price: construction, price, most dangerous)

[knrstz]

I'll be driving back to Kansas from San Francisco and have a few questions about which route to take. First I could take I80 to I15 South to I70. Would it be better to exit at Provo at take Hwy 6 to I70? Is Hwy 6 a four lane? Is it low traffic so I would save time or would it be about the same time since I'll be going through a few towns. Also, which route would u say is more scenic? Thanks in advance.

[IdahoMormon]

Highway 6 is NOT a four lane. Except the big hill just before the turn-off to Manti. It's definitely more scenic, and quite a bit shorter, but also slower. Lower traffic, but if you get stuck behind one slow vehicle it could be frustrating.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

I would not take it in the dark, if that's the time you will be there. Lots of fatal accidents on the 2-lane stretches.

[ChrisC]

They've been upgrading Highway 6 lately. There are pockets of construction going on--most notably at an area that used to be a rest stop called "Tucker" and near the mouth of Spanish Fork canyon. There are many more passing lanes than there used to be. Highway 6 is a pretty drive, especially as you get closer to the Price side of the drive. However... Highway 6 has traditionally been one of the most dangerous drives in Utah. It's a bit better, as they've widened the road in many areas, but folks tend to get in way, WAY too big of a hurry--pity, since it is quite pretty and no one seems to want to take the time to see the sights. I just made that drive twice last week (to the Price/Wellington area from Utah Valley), and it wasn't bad. Just be patient and you'll be fine. As was suggested above, take it during the day--you won't see much at night anyway... except perhaps a deer in your headlights!

Hwy 6 to I-70 is definitely more scenic than I-15 south to I-70. Although, I would suggest at Price, you go down SR 10 to I-70 (if you have time). That way you will catch the very pretty drive over San Rafael Swell (on I-70). I love this area. It's high desert/steppe with some great scenery and geological formation that you won't see elsewhere (especially the San Rafael Reef).

[fittj]

The most scenic rout would be to go I-80 and then in Salt Lake go south on I-15. Then take Hwy 6 in Spanish Fork (not Provo). You'll drive through some mountains, then down through a desert. Then you'll come to I-70 near Green River Utah. I-70 in that area will be mostly desert until you get to Grand Junction, Co. Then the Colorado Rockies start. I-70 east bound through the Rockies will be mostly up hill (in some cases a little steep). It's beautiful, though.

Hwy 6 in Utah is a two lane hwy that goes through a couple of towns. You may get stuck behind some slow people, etc. So, if you wanted to avoid Hwy 6 you could take I-15 south to I-70, like you said.

However, the quickest way from San Francisco to Kansas is take I-80 all the way to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Then south on I-25 to Denver, then East on I-70 in to Kansas. I have driven that way lots of times going from Salt Lake to Kansas City to visit my sister, and it's the fastest. I also verified that with Mapquest and Googlemaps; less mileage and it's freeway speeds all the way. It's more flat too.

[knrstz]

Thanks for the responses, everyone. They are much appreciated.