Wife and I are planning a ride from WA to Las Vegas early next month. The route google maps suggested takes us on I-82 out of Yakima WA, onto I-84 through NE OR and into ID. From there we would continue on I-84 through Boise, Mountain Home and Twin Falls. Looks like we continue on that until Ogden, UT where we take I-15 down through UT and into Las Vegas.

Anyone have any feedback/suggestions on this route? Obviously trying to avoid I-5.

Thanks!!

 

Out of the many posts, this one attract my attention. I believe it is possible for anyone to participate.
Excellent ! I like it very much.

 

Are you looking to do the quickest route or the most scenic?

If you're looking for scenery stay off of I-15 in Utah as much as possible. Take one of the parallel back roads, hit some of the National Parks, etc.

If you're looking for the quickest route, I think Google has it spot on.

 

Thanks for the suggestions drfeelgood. We may take the quickest route on the way there and then mix it up a little on the way back. Nothing is written in stone yet.

How about cutting over to US 89 via I 70 and heading up around the Manti la Sal national forest?

Thanks again!

 

Feelgood is right, if you can get off I-15 you'll find some better rides on the other highways. Utah 89 is a good road especially into the southern half of the state (northern half is good, too). You'll ride past Big Rock Candy Mountain and into some beautiful mountain area around Marysville.

If you have to hit I-15 for speed then consider some spots along the way. Santaquin, UT, is a decent little town with some nice apple and fruit orchards right off the interstate.

Another decent stop is Nephi. If you have time hit the Nephi/Nebo scenic loop. Here's a picture to get your juices going ...



Beaver, UT, is another decent spot along the route south. It's just off I-15 and is home to some great trout fishing as well as beautiful ATV areas.

My home port is Cedar City, which is the largest city south of Provo (until you hit St. George). It is also home to my employer, Southern Utah University.

If you have time one of the better rides is to cut back off I-15 south of Beaver on Utah 20. This will take you over the mountain to Utah 89. It is a very nice ride. From 20/89 head south toward Panguitch, UT. There you can either continue south on 89 or you can take a really nice ride on Utah 143 toward Brian Head.

Brian Head is the ski lodge in this area, and this time of year the leaves are turning all kinds of colors. The ride out of Panguitch will take you right past the lake and into Cedar Breaks National Monument.



From Cedar Breaks head south on Utah 148 toward Cedar Canyon and Utah 14. You will then head back west on 14 to Cedar City, where you pick I-15 up again.

South of Cedar City you'll drop from 6000 feet to just under 2000 by the time you hit the Arizona border. St. George is just north of the border and is the largest city in southern Utah. Temperatures will generally rise 15 to 20 degrees from Cedar City to St. George. Right now day time highs in Cedar City are in the low to mid-70s and still in the 90s in St George.

Give it another week and here's what you'll likely see up near Panguitch lake and through Cedar Canyon.

 

doc cj, nice photos!

BikerDawg, if you've never been to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in Oregon, consider stopping by maybe on your way back. It's been over 10 years since I've been but I remember the painted hills being gorgeous. Here's an image I googled.

 

My wife and I just did that trip but in reverse we started in Snohomish Wa down the coast HWY 101 to LA then to Las Vegas into Utah through Zion N.P and Bryce Canyon NP. Staying off of I-15 we took HWY 12 north to Torey UT then up to Salt Lake City into Idaho through Salmon ID and Lolo pass to Lewiston ID and home to Snohomish.It was great trip I wish we had more time to explore Utah I will be back. My concern for you is the elevation and being Oct. you could run into snow. Here is a link for a map of our return route from Vegas. You must see Zion and Bryce it is out this world .http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...,19.709473&z=6

 

+1....If you're down that area, Zion, Bryce and 12 to Torrey, then head north/west towards home....it would be a shame to miss all of these.

 

Thanks for the great feedback so far everyone. Great suggestions and some real beautiful photos!

Thanks for the map link skydrifter. We are going the first week of October so hopefully snow won't be a factor at the higher elevations.

 

I'm in Seattle too... my buddy and I started out our Sturgis 2009 ride this year the same way you describe, as far as Boise and Mtn Home etc... then we headed toward West Yellowstone rather than starting south toward Utah.

That first part of the trip was good I thought... some highway riding but it helps to get through the long stretches of eastern WA more quickly and down into the more scenic areas.

Have a good time!