

ProTip: Arches National Park now requires you to reserve a timed-entry slot due to overcrowding in the park. The park is just 5 minutes from downtown Moab. Waste no time and arrive at Arches National Park in time for opening. The morning light reveals the orange and red rock formations surrounding the city. If you arrived in Moab after dark, prepare yourself! Day 2- Arches National Park Can you spot me under the massive Delicate Arch?! You’ll get to see the Great Salt Lake and have a chance to spot wildlife like bison roaming freely.

ProTip: If you’ve landed in Salt Lake City in the morning and have a full day to get to Moab, consider a stop at Antelope Island State Park. Whichever Moab hotelyou choose, plan to stay 2 nights. You can use IHG points to book the Holiday Inn Express. If you’re a miles and points enthusiast like me, it’s also one of several loyalty program hotels in Moab. Perfect when you’re planning a day of hiking and outdoor fun! It’s on the main road through town, close to 2 National Parks, and comes with a free breakfast. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Moab.

Once you arrive, settle in and get ready for a fresh start in the morning! Where to Stay: Moab will have everything you need from food to gas to lodging. Once you’ve picked up the car, head southeast for the 3.5-hour drive from Salt Lake City to Moab, Utah. A guided Mighty 5 tour takes the hassle out of planning a DIY Utah road trip and could make sense if you’d rather not drive. ProTip: If you’re doing a guided tour of the National Parks, flying into Salt Lake City makes the most sense. If you’re planning to drive to Utah from where you are, be sure your car (and everyone in it) is ready and prepared with this road trip packing list. That being said, I went in spring and rented a basic 4-door car and had no problems.Įither way, see how you can save money on your car rental with this car rental hack. If you want to do any off-roading, definitely rent a vehicle with 4-wheel drive. Some of the parks have steep and narrow roads. Both Salt Lake City and Las Vegas are major airports with plenty of car rental options.įor all my road trips, I use Kayak to search rental car costs because it compares prices on many sites all at once.Ĭonsider the time of year of your trip. Whichever airport you fly into, you’ll obviously need to rent a car if you’re traveling without a guide.
