Driving Moab to Bryce Canyon

Old Jul 30th, 2014, 02:28 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Driving Moab to Bryce Canyon

We will be driving from Moab to Bryce in a couple of days time. There is only one driver. Is one route better than any other? Also, where would be a logical halfway rest point? Thanks to anyone who has done this trip before.
DownUnderDrifter is offline  
Old Jul 30th, 2014, 03:49 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,904
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The fastest way is to go north on 89 to I-70 then east to 191 south, a bit over 4 hours.

The way I would go would be to take 89 south to 12 east ( gob stopping beautiful), to Capitol Reef for a stop then 24 to I-70 etc.
emalloy is offline  
Old Jul 30th, 2014, 03:51 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 11,716
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 4 Posts
Turn off I-70 west of Green River onto UT 24 south. Make a stop at Goblin Valley State Park to see the HooDoos. Continue on UT 24 through Capitol Reef NP. See some petroglyphs right near the highway in the park.
Continue on 24 to the east end of Torrey and turn south on UT 12 which is one of the most scenic in Utah. The driving time to the entrance of Bryce excluding your stops is about 5.5 hours.
tomfuller is offline  
Old Jul 30th, 2014, 04:00 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,904
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry, I gave the directions from Bryce to Moab, go those routes in the opposite direction. I don't recall lots of places to stop for food that stand out, but we usually take sandwiches/finger food when we are in the area anyway. For a very quick stop off 24 you could visit Temple Mt Wash to see some nice petroglyphs and pictographs, a bit longer stop would be Goblin Valley SP, or Capitol Reef NP.
emalloy is offline  
Old Jul 30th, 2014, 04:01 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,204
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 1 Post
When are you going? Is snow an issue?

What time are you leaving Moab? Are you in a hurry.

Both routes are about the same distance. 265 miles. However, Rte 70 & 89 is about 4:15 and Rte 24 & 62 & 22 is about 5 hours.

Obviously one is on a much faster higher but the other is the very much scenic route.

Unless you are in a hurry the scenic route is what you should be taking.

Who will be in the car with you?

There are some very worthy sights along the scenic route. Goblin Valley State Park, Lower Calf Creek Falls hike (2.5 miles each ways so allow a few hours), Devil's Garden Escalante, possibly Willis Creek Slot Canyon (if you have time and can find it).

Torrey and Capitol Reef NP are about half way. It's a little town along the scenic route but has a few restaurants I think.

I drove the scenic route about 6 years ago.

We left Moab late in the afternoon and stopped at Goblin Valley. We got to Torrey at night, slept there and spent the next day in Capitol Reef. Then left there late in the afternoon and stayed overnight in Boulder UT at Boulder Mountain Lodge.

Then we went to Lower Calf Creek Falls, Devil's Garden and Willis Creek before getting to Bryce Canyon.
Myer is offline  
Old Jul 30th, 2014, 05:15 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Another vote for the scenic route stopping at Goblin Valley State Park and Capitol Reef National Park.

We drove from Bryce to Moab last year and highway 12 was fabulous. We spent the night in Torrey. Enjoyed seeing sunrise and sunset at Capitol Reef. Places to stay overnight are extremely limited between Torrey and Interstate 70.
Shanti is offline  
Old Jul 30th, 2014, 05:17 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,530
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Torrey.
mlgb is offline  
Old Jul 30th, 2014, 05:19 PM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the responses. Snow is not an issue (we hope as we are leaving on 2 August. We are booked into Bryce that night. Mother is driving and twenty year old daughter is passenger / navigator (Australian mother / daughter road trip). We have identified the 3 possible routes, and were just wondering if the extra distance is worth it. We have come from Grand Canyon (North Rim), Lake Powell and Monument Valley and are headed to Bryce and Zion. (Having a wonderful trip!).
DownUnderDrifter is offline  
Old Jul 30th, 2014, 05:20 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Highway 12 is one of the most scenic roads in the country. If you have a few days, head north out of Moab on 191 to I70 west, then take Route 24 south to Hanksville. Goblin Valley State Park is a fun stop - you'll see the sign along Route 24 before you get to Hanksville.

Continue through Hanksville to Capitol Reef National Park. Spend the night in Torrey, Utah - a very scenic small town just outside Capitol Reef. Or spend a few hours checking out this beautiful national park and head south on scenic Route 12 over Boulder Mountain to Boulder, Utah. Spend the night at Boulder Mountain Lodge. Enjoy a great meal at Hells Backbone Grill at the Lodge.

Spend the next morning heading west on Route 12 stopping at every scenic overlook to take pictures and enjoy the incredible views all the way to Bryce Canyon NP, which is another amazing place.

I hope you'll take a day or two to enjoy this drive - you will be so glad that you did! Let us know if you have any questions.
sharondi is offline  
Old Jul 30th, 2014, 05:32 PM
  #10  
Hez
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A couple of restaurant recommendations - in Torrey Cafe Diablo is fantastic (my Australian in laws LOVED it and bought several pieces of art there). And one of my favorites is Hell's Backbone Grill in Boulder, UT.
Hez is offline  
Old Jul 30th, 2014, 06:37 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,754
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Downunder,
It sounds like you only have a day to travel from Moab to Bryce. Is that correct? If so, leave very early and drive the Hwy 12 route. You will be very happy you did.

If you have more time, yes stay over in Torrey or Escalante. If you want to eat dinner or lunch at Hells Backbone Grill, you will need reservations in advance. It's tiny. Food is very spicy, just so you know.
Dayle is offline  
Old Aug 1st, 2014, 07:04 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hez is correct.

Cafe Diablo (Devil's cafe) is highly recommended.
In addition to a traditional menu, this restaurant favors Southwestern-style food.

A large portion of their business comes from their bakery. Each day, at 4:00 AM they bake fresh fruit pies that are sold at Capitol Reef Park. Ask for a very cordial tour of that bakery. They are open from April through October.

Their chef, Gary Pankow, is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. Consequently, he has earned a place on the New York Times bestseller book list: 1,000 Places to See in the USA & Canada Before You Die.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX70F2DPw4A

And this town has economical motels and camping.

Vaga
RVvagabond is offline  
Old Aug 2nd, 2014, 06:25 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Too late to cast my vote as I see you are leaving this morning from Moab. I hope you let us know which route you took. 24 and 12...fingers crossed! I can't imagine ever driving the Interstate after driving that beautiful drive. You can go as slow as you want and enjoy the beauty, all the while still make it to Bryce for sunset
rjasnumberonefan is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
krm
United States
16
Mar 10th, 2015 05:30 PM
gloraway
United States
10
Jun 5th, 2009 01:12 PM
brooklandsbuttercup
United States
8
Feb 22nd, 2005 08:04 AM
MelissaBeckoff
United States
5
Jun 20th, 2004 10:42 PM
Sarah_and_Tim
United States
6
Apr 13th, 2003 04:05 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -