Bryce to Moab via Highways 12 & 24
 

First time in Utah and will go to Zion, Bryce, Moab (for the music festival) then down to Monument Valley, then home to Calif. I have reservations at Zion (2 nights) and Bryce (3 nights) lodges, but am now rethinking dates. (Moab, Sep 3, is fixed due to tickets to the concert.)
Reading here about highway 12 got me studying the maps a little more, and wondering if someone can give me some driving times? For instance, if we drive from Bryce to Moab via 12, to 24, to 70, then east to the Moab turnoff, what kind of drive times are we looking at? For these areas, not sure that I trust Google maps.
Plus, with all to see, I think we'd need at least one night in-between. Perhaps Boulder or Grover area. (Just glanced through trip advisor, but the Boulder Mountain Lodge looks like something we'd like.)
Major interest is sightseeing. We are older and major hiking is not in the cards. For us, most of our sightseeing must be "through the windshield" type, or at scenic overlooks, except for very easy level loop type trails. Have a large suv with 4 wheel, and not afraid to leave the pavement for reasonable unpaved roads (DW has nixed Moki Dugway, but I still have hope!)
Thinking of shaving one night off of Bryce, or alternatively, just backing the whole Zion/Bryce thing back one or two days (reservations might be hard).
Don't have a feel for the area, so any comments would be greatly appreciated.

A driving time of 8 hours from Zion through Bryce across 12 and 24 is reasonably close. If you can get lodging in Torrey, you could drop a night at Bryce.
Stop in Capitol Reef NP at least to see the petroglyphs near the highway. Farther east take the detour over to Goblin Valley State Park. You should enjoy a short walk among the hoodoos.
There is a good John Wesley Powell museum next to the river in the town of Green River.
About 21 miles north of Moab you can turn east off 191 on a dirt road (BLM) to Copper Ridge where you can see dinosaur tracks in stone.

The drive is very beautiful, esp. along 12. You will probably take more time just to stop and look along the way. You go right through Capitol Reef on this route and might want to drive down or stop for pie there. You also could stop in to Goblin Valley state park, about a half hour from 24 as I recall. Bryce is beautiful, but unless you are going to do a lot of hiking, 3 nights might be over kill. I think most folks would spend more time in Zion than Bryce, but for me, 2 nights would be enough unless you were going to do a lot of hiking.

Two nights at Bryce would be plenty for me, too, and I think one would be sufficient if you need the time elsewhere.

I broke up the drive on 12 (which is fabulous) by spending the night at Torrey and wished that I had alloted more time to visit Capitol Reef. Goblin Valley State Park is another fun stop along the way.

I like this map with travel times (which is from a poster at TripAdvisor) http://ohiohickstraveltips.weebly.co...-utah-map.html

Thank you everyone. This is good information, and I will shave a day off of Bryce and add a night around Torrey to break up that drive to Moab and allow more time to see things. Any lodging suggestions in the Torrey vicinity?

Thanks from me as well - filing this, as I am also considering mapping a route from Grand Canyon North via 12 to Torrey, then on to Moab the following day.

Shanti - great map.

Yes Shanti, Thanks. I've bookmarked the map, even though I've spent many vacations in the area it is great to know how long it really takes to get from one place to another (we tend to take longer because we "need" to stop to google).

I have printed that map out. It s a good one. I also obtained online a Delorme Utah Atlas. I used their Vermont and New Hampshire Atlas' a few years ago. For us, they are invaluable.

You are welcome. I'm glad that I found that map and that another traveler put in the time and effort to make it. It sure does make planning a lot easier.

I don't have any recommendations for lodging in Torrey. The place I stayed has changed ownership so don't know what it's like now.

Shanti, where did you stay? I have reservations at Austin's Chuckwagon Lodge (never been there, though).

It wasn't Austin's Chuckwagon Lodge. I had wanted to stay there but they close during the winter and since that's when I was there I couldn't.

Hi Bill,

Since you don't plan to do extensive hiking 2 nts Zion, 1 nt Bryce, 1 nt at either Boulder Mtn Lodge or in Torrey would be great. You would be able to do a lot of "windshield" sightseeing and stopping for photo ops.

Zion to Bryce is about 1.5 hours. Bryce to Boulder is about 1.5 hours, longer if you stop off at the Kiva Coffe House before Boulder to enjoy a coffee/dessert and the view!

I really do like Boulder Mtn Lodge and have stayed there several times since I live in Utah. A lot of people go there just for their Hell's Backbone Grill. Great food, but spicy. Must have reservations in advance. It's tiny. There is a bird refuge on the property, incredible views, large hot tub.

If you wanted to stay in Torrey and like B&B's a good one is the Sky Ridge B&B. Cafe Diablo is another dining highlight that you would never expect in this tiny rural town. Slacker's Burgers are awesome.

Torrey to Moab would be 2.5 hours without any stops. If want to visit Goblin Valley (recommend) add about an hour or a bit more.

Have fun! Keep your gas tank at least 1/2 full, have a cooler full of water and food, take sunscreen, polarizing sunglasses, a Camelbak or similar, wide brimmed hats, layers.

PS - Don't count on cell phone coverage in most places. In the Natl Parks only at the Visitor's Centers or in towns - Moab, Springdale.

Be persistent - Moki Dugway is a 2-wheel drive when dry. Memorable view. Use your 4-WD through Valley of the Gods en route to Moki.
http://www.utah.com/monumentvalley/ValleyOfTheGods.htm
There is a very quaint B&B there:
http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/utah-...thegodsbb.html

All your Highway 12/24, moab, Boulder, Torrey, Escalante, etc. questions are answered with this book including hotel/motel data:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00COBH45M

Dayle is right on the cell phone coverage BUT we did call home from Delicate Arch on Verizon! I think the elevation and clear view helped.

If Moki Dugway is out then I would imagine the Shafer Trail up into Canyonlands would be out too. It's amazing scenery! I love coming back on Long Canyon too.

http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/moab/...ng_canyon.html

Utahtea

Oh, I haven't given up on Moki, just have to deal with the pushback. Wow! that url is something. But I just have a regular old Sequoia, not a rock crawler. But the Shafer trail is on the list. Thanks a bunch for this.

I have made reservations at Austin's Chuckwagon in Torrey for the night in between Bryce and Moab. Thanks for all the info.

If you do the Shafer Trail take the short side trip on the White Rim Trail to Musselman Arch! You will take the Potash Road (279) for about 6 miles of paved road and look for petroglyphs as you go. You will also see Jug Handle Arch. Shortly after the arch you will reach the dirt section of the road. Take the turn outs to look at the river below. One of these turns out you will see where the filmed the end of Thelma and Louise movie. You will enter Canyonlands and shortly after that you will come to an intersection and you will see an outhouse to the left. The road to the left is the White Rim Trail. If you follow it for 4.3 miles you will come to Musselman Arch. Don't look for an arch in the sky. Get out of the vehicle and you will see you are level with the top of the arch! Then it's 4.3 miles back to the intersection and you will start up the Shafer trail.

http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/upload/island.pdf

Utahtea

BillJ, I understand that the store at Austin's has a deli that makes really good sandwiches (hot and cold). I even saw some good reviews of a Rueben there, of all things.

Thinking that would be a good place to pick up food for a picnic.

Yo - I'm back
Austin's Chuckwagon - Western styled
Now for grub which is rather austere in that part of the country.

The finest (not expensive) is: Cafe Diablo (Devil's cafe) in Torry. Inside/patio seating

It is recommended in the book: "1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada". This is where Capitol Reef pies are cooked. Ask for a tour of their kitchen. Chef Gary Pankow graduated from Culinary Institute of America.
http://cafediablo.net/

Note: If you have expired your wine/gin/rum, the town of Bicknell MAY have their liquor store open. Ask in Torrey. Otherwise, it is dry trip to Moab unless Green River's store is open
In Green River, the local pub is Rays - huge burgers and micro-brew beer

Vaga

Wow, Vaga, I just love when you chime in. Glad I hopped on here.