The best ways to get around Utah's wide open spaces

14.10.2024 - 21:28 / lonelyplanet.com

Oct 11, 2024 • 5 min read

Utah is a big state – covering nearly 85,000 sq miles, it's bigger than Great Britain, meaning there are some big distances to cover as you roam around its dramatic landscapes. When traveling around, a car or RV is the easy option, but public buses, commuter trains and light rail transit services are available in the state’s three biggest cities: Salt Lake City, Ogden and Provo.

As the thirteenth largest state in America, Utah has a disproportionate amount of things to see and do and loads of places to visit. This is also the state with the third highest number of national parks, which are known as The Mighty Five. Utah is also world-famous for its red rock canyons, rugged off-roading, scenic byways, and what locals describe as the “greatest snow on Earth.”

In other words, Utah is a car state. But there are other ways of getting around, especially along the vibrant and populous Wasatch Front, the metropolitan corridor containing the state's three biggest hubs. Here’s what you need to know before booking your next trip to the Beehive State.

Since most of Utah is accessible on paved and well-maintained roads, a car, camper or motorcycle is the easiest and most rewarding way to navigate the highways and byways. Having your own wheels gives you the greatest flexibility to explore national parks, follow scenic routes and visit the top spots for activities and culture on your own terms. Rental cars are available at major airports and in cities, and GPS directions work almost 100% of the time.

That said, many people rent 4WD vehicles to access the more remote parts of stunning Southern Utah, but even these areas are often accessible in a conventional car or a crossover vehicle with medium clearance. If you plan to drive to Utah's ski resorts in winter, be advised that the highway patrol will require all-wheel drive or chains to get to the slopes if there's heavy snow.

Why are cars my favorite way to travel in Utah? Having lived in and ventured to virtually every corner of the state over the last 20 years, I wouldn’t have seen and experienced everything this great state has to offer without a car. While tour buses can get you to some of the areas, neither they nor public transport will get you to the greatest of the state's outdoor spaces.

Some advice for first-time visitors – out-of-staters will quickly notice how Utah drivers seemingly have no concept of keeping to the right to allow for faster cars to pass on the left. This can be frustrating but I’ve yet to see it improve in the 20 years I've lived here!

Tip for electric car drivers: Utah has hundreds of charging stations, including in national parks such as Zion, but these are more widely spaced once you leave the Wasatch Front. When