It’s 113 miles from downtown Grand Junction, Colorado to Moab, Utah, when driving on the Google recommended route. The drive would take you around an hour and a half to an hour, 45 minutes, but there’s a much more scenic route available, if you’re so inclined (more on that below).
Moab of course, is an outdoor recreation wonderland, with not one, but two gorgeous National Parks: the famous Arches National Park, and it’s underrated little sister: Canyonlands National Park. There’s also incredible climbing, and rafting, awe-inspiring Dead Horse State Park (you’ve seen pictures of it), in addition to being the mountain biking capital of the world. (Sorry Fruita, you’re second).
Located on the far western end of Colorado, Grand Junction is just 27 miles from the Utah border, making a day trip to parks, trails, rafting, tours in Moab a fairly easy day trip.
I live in Grand Junction and have been able to leave Grand Junction in the morning, hike a trail in Canyonlands National Park (which is near Moab), then make it back to my bed in GJ that evening. Of course, if you’re going to be hiking 10 mile trails, or wanting to explore Arches as well, you’re better off staying overnight in Moab, but the point is that Moab is a short and easy jaunt from the Grand Junction/Fruita and Palisade area.
Grand Junction to Moab (Fastest route)
From downtown Grand Junction, the 113 mile drive is mostly on Interstate 70 going west.
Once you get to the Utah border, the drive is mostly flat and desolate. It’s easy to find yourself going 90 miles an hour plus on this stretch.
After 82 miles, (or about an hour and 15 minutes driving), you’ll exit south at the Crescent Junction exit to Highway 191. There’s plenty of signage pointing you to Moab and this exit also has a “Jackass Joe’s UFO Jerky” store, (an no, I am not making that up).
From there, it’s just about a half hour into Moab proper. On the right side, well before you get into town, you’ll pass by Canyonlands Field Airport (the area’s little regional airport), after which you’ll see realistic-looking, life-size dinosaur statues that are part of the Moab Giants Museum.
A few minutes later, as you drive through the red rock canyon (and still a few miles before you get into Moab), the entrance to Arches National Park will be on your left.
Grand Junction to Moab (Scenic route)
The scenic route from GJ to Moab is actually a little shorter (102 miles vs 113), but takes a tad longer (2 hours vs. 1 hour 45 minutes).
The road is just two lane, but is a beautiful drive, as it meanders along the canyon floor, with the Colorado River to the west, and snow-capped La Salle Mountains to the east. There are numerous campgrounds along the river, (you may notice rafters), and the drive also provides Instagram worthy shots of Fisher Towers and the Castle Valley area.
The views are even better when driving this around sunset, with the sun enhancing the red rock walls. However you shouldn’t drive this route just one way, as there are different views you’ll miss if you only hit it one way. It kind of stinks being the driver on this route, as you have to keep your eyes on the two-lane road, rather than on the beautiful contrast between the river, red rock walls and blue mountains.
At close to the midway point, Dewey, you’ll cross the Colorado River over a modern bridge, while noticing the cool old Dewey Bridge to the north, which was burned down by a careless child in April of 2008.
Moab of course, has had tons of movies filmed in the area, with several shot on this Scenic Byway, including “Thelma and Louise.”
From Grand Junction, it’s 56 miles on I-70 to Exit 204, which is the exit you’ll take to get to the Utah Highway 128 Scenic Byway.
Alternatively, it’s just 52 miles to Exit 214 to Cisco, however this is a little rougher two lane road. It’s just 3 miles to the Scenic Byway from this exit.
Return Trip from Moab to Grand Junction
After a fun-filled day in Moab, the drive back to GJ can be a little long, but the scenic route mentioned above is curvy enough and with enough scenery to keep you awake. For some out-of-state visitors, a must stop is the iconic “Welcome to Colorful Colorado” sign on I-70 that greets you just as you leave the Utah state line.
One last note: it’s 57 miles from the Interstate 70 exit to Moab using this route, and there aren’t any gas stations or anything until you get to Moab.
- It’s 101 miles (or an hour and an half drive), from Fruita, Colorado to Moab, Utah (using the fastest route).
By Steve Beauregard. Delicate Arch photo courtesy of Romain Guy via Flickr. Mesa Arch and Dead Horse State Park photos copyright GJFruita.com. Highway 128 photo courtesy of faungg’s photos, and Colorado Sign picture is courtesy of Richard Masoner/Cyclelicious’s photostream via Flickr.