Utah road trips

Under two hours, but it includes the Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel, the checkerboard mesas and Red Canyon's hoodoo arches.

Scenic Byway 12, often called one of America's most beautiful roads, crosses the Hogback ridge with drop-offs on both sides.

Desert plateau driving past Goblin Valley and Green River on the way to the arches.

South on US-191 through Bluff and Mexican Hat, with stops at Goosenecks and the Valley of the Gods.

The easiest national park escape from the Strip: under three hours up I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge, with a stop for a mini-Zion at Snow Canyon or Kolob if you have time.

Four hours down US-6 through Price and Green River to Arches. Book Arches timed entry before you set off.

A core leg of the Grand Circle loop via Page, Kanab and the Zion–Mount Carmel tunnel.

A climb from desert to 8,000-foot forests. It's easy to fold Zion in on the way, either through the tunnel on UT-9 or by staying on I-15.

South on I-15 for four and a half hours. Detour to Cedar Breaks in summer for alpine views.

Two Mighty 5 parks connected by I-70 through the San Rafael Swell, or by Byway 12 if you want to see Bryce and Capitol Reef too.

I-70 through Glenwood Canyon and past Colorado National Monument, then south from Cisco along the Colorado River on UT-128.

A big day through Flagstaff, Page and Kanab. Horseshoe Bend makes a perfect midpoint stop.

Straight up I-15, the length of Utah. Zion's Kolob Canyons and the Fremont rock art are short detours from the interstate.

Fly-free access to Utah: through Vegas on I-15, with an overnight in St. George or Springdale.

A big desert crossing on I-15 and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell, one of the emptiest and most dramatic interstate stretches in the US.

Across the Navajo Nation via Monument Valley country. One of the most scenic long drives in the Southwest.

I-80 across Wyoming is the fastest, though storms can close it in winter. The I-70 route through the Rockies is slower but far prettier.