Hi - I have been reading the all of your recommendations on Utah and am now considering taking the scenic route to Bryce rather than driving most of the way on I-70. Does anyone know how long the drive would take without stopping for a "detour" in Capitol Reef?

(I know there are some people out there who would consider not-stopping at CR a sacriledge ;-), but I only have one day to get from Moab to Bryce.

Hi - does anyone out there know this route? Resending this question to bring it to the top of the in-box...

xxx,
Have not done this route myself, but according to my road atlas, it's 284 miles between Moab and Cedar City (west of Bryce.) You know they say Rt. 12 is one of the most scenic drives in the U.S. If you're going that way, I wouldn't miss it!

Using scenic rt. 12 it is just under 300 miles from Moab to Bryce. To be so close to CApitol Reef it would be a shame if you didn't spend a few hours driving around the park. There is a way to do this to insure a few hours at CApitol Reef. Do not overnight in Moab before leaving for Bryce. Leave Moab in late afternoon in the late afternoon and stopping for the night in Torry. You could spend the morning touring Capitol Reef leaving for Bryce around 1 pm which should get you to Bryce by 5pm .

YES, DO take the time to explore Capitol Reef. It was a delightful surprise to explore, and definitely worthy of it's new National Park Status (only since 2000, I think.)

We traveled most of this trip a month ago. Stayed at Green River,Utah on I-70 (50 miles from Moab, and left about 7:AM for Bryce gong down Hwy. 24. (Watch out for deer!) Took no hikes in Capitol Reef, but saw the Petroglyphs, Visitor's Center, and stopped at several scenic overlooks -all near the highway and took about an hour. We arrived At Ruby's Inn at 4:00PM. This included construction delay of 20 minutes and numerous stops to view more outstanding scenery. Heavier traffic may take longer. We drove on Hwy. 24 for forty minutes that morning before seeing another vehicle. Enjoy, it is a remarkable drive.

I fully agree with those who say Capitol Reef is a great place to visit. If nothing more, drive south along the road south of the visitor center and walk part of the way along the Grand Wash.
Route #12 to Bryce is spectacular.
I have driven it once, and I want to go back.
I can understand the urge to see Bryce. It is one of my top favorites, but don't underestimate Capitol Reef.

Moab to Torrey (capitol Reef) - 160 miles
Drive will take close to 4 hoursTorrey to Bryce - 115 miles, a 3 hour drive. Leave Moab by 7 am spend 3 or 4 hours touring CR and you could be at Bryce before 6 pm Leave Moab the evening before and you can spend at least 6 hours in the park and get to Bryce before 6 pm.

Thanks to you all. Unfortunately (or fortunately) we are already booked into Moab (and really want to spend some time there), so will have to take one day to drive to Bryce. Sounds like 7 hours in a car, but well worth taking a few vista stops! I guess the lunch stop is in Torrey? Anywhere decent?

i would personally get a light take-out lunch at torrey (2 nice restaurants and a general store/bakery) and walk one of the two wonderful washes going into the waterpocket fold. it is breathtaking.

Thanks Judith. Picnic lunch is a great idea.
I was looking at the map last night and wondering whether to take I-70 to 72 to Torrey and just drive a little way up to Capitol Reef and do a picnic lunch. Probably not as scenic, but how much driving time would it cut out? Do you know?

Going via 72 to Torrey is about 20 miles longer than going via 24. If you purchased lunch in Moab before leaving and took 24 you drive through CR and eliminate the need to stop in Torrey before going on to Bryce. 24 is a better road than 72 ..

Thanks for the advice. I will definitely go via Capitol Reef, the pictures I've seen on the web look beautiful. How long does it take to drive the scenic detour? I really appreciate all the knowledge-sharing and advice.

there are two scenic drives/walks. grand wash and capitol gorge. i went on capitol gorge drive. you drive down a paved road (scenic drive, i believe)off hwy 24, east of the visitor's center, through tiny fruita to the end (not very far) and then wind into the narrow canyon on a good dirt road. at the end, you can then hike into the slot canyon as far as you want. i would say it is 1/2 hour or less of stunning scenery to grand wash, less to capitol gorge - which is on the way on scenic drive, from hwy 24.