We are leaving tonight and were planning on going through the Monument Valley area on the way to Arches National park. We'll be dodging some rain and some wind. Does anyone know whether wind obliterates the views from these areas? It's faster for us to go over I70 than I44, and would give us time to visit Dead Horse Point State Park, if we passed on Monument Valley and Goosenecks State Park. Supposed to be scenic both routes. Would appreciate guidance. Thanks!

It will be magical in any weather...ENJOY!!!

High winds can make the sand blow which can obliterate views and make driving dangerous in the Monument Valley area...trust me....been there and done that twice!

That said, there is usually a weather alert advising of this kind of bad weather so check the weather before you leave. If it has rained the chances of blowing sand will decrease.

Not sure where I-44 is and it would be a big help to know where you are leaving from to know which is the fastest route.

Utahtea

Oops--typo. Leaving from Los Angeles. Original plan was I40 to 89 to 160. Revised plan would be to take 15 to I 70. Will check the weather. I think it is AM rain, followed by afternoon wind in the Monument Valley area. Thanks.

I-15 & I-70 is approx 730 miles and I-40 via Monument Valley is approx 785 miles so just in travel time Monument Valley will add about an hour.

The scenery is breathtaking and as deladeb said, it's magical in any weather. If they don't have any wind alerts or wind advisory's I think I'd shoot for MV.

Utahtea

Thanks so much. We have 'til Barstow, CA to make a decision, so will check the weather from there. There is way to much to see in Utah, and we were originally supposed to just be driving through!

Agree, go to Moab/ Arches I15-I70/US 191 south. Come back through Monument Valley when the weather is less iffy.
Southern Utah has so much more to see than just driving through Monument Valley.

Rain in Arches creates beautiful little short-lived water falls off of the sandstone formations! We were treated to these after some monsoon downpours last summer.