Moab, Arches and Canyonlands

Fly-and-drive RV road trip · round trip from SLC

Salt Lake City to Moab RV Road Trip

About four hours south from Salt Lake City through Price to Moab, Arches and Canyonlands.

Photo: NPS Natural Resources (Public domain)

Salt Lake City to Moab by RV is about 240 miles and about 4½ hours of driving via Maleton, Price. This round trip covers 478 miles in 5 nights (6 days): Moab (3 nights), then back to Salt Lake City. Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. In season now · best Mar–May, Sep–Oct.

At a glance

Trip length
5 nights · 6 days
Route
Salt Lake City → Moab → Salt Lake City · 478 mi · about 9½ hours driving
Longest driving day
About 4½ hours
Arrive and depart
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
RV pickup and return
Salt Lake City area (rental listings around Salt Lake City)
Overnights
Scofield, UT → Moab → Salt Lake City (near the airport and RV return)
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Oct

Customize a suggested itinerary. RV rentals, campgrounds, and activities are booked separately with providers. Airports are planning reference points; flights are arranged separately.

Route map and itinerary

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  1. Day 1 Scofield, UT · about 2 hours
  2. Day 2 Moab · about 2½ hours
  3. Day 3 Moab (night 2)
  4. Day 4 Moab (night 3)
  5. Day 5 Salt Lake City (near the airport and RV return) · about 4½ hours
  6. Day 6 Fly home from SLC

Day by day

  1. Day 1 Arrive in Salt Lake City and pick up your RV

    Experience

    Land at SLC, get to your rental location (some owners offer airport pickup or delivery; otherwise allow for a taxi or rideshare), do the walkthrough and orientation, and stock up on groceries, water and propane before you leave town.

    Getting there

    After pickup: about 2 hours · 101 mi to Scofield, UT. Keep the first afternoon short; you're learning the vehicle.

    Your stay: 1 night

    Along the routeScofield State ParkScofield, UT · about 15 min to Scofield, UT (estimate)Why stay here: A practical overnight on the way; lists RV sites up to 50 ft; full hookups listed.
    Change or extend:
    Compare 2 other campgrounds

  2. Day 2 Drive to Moab

    Experience

    Three nights in Moab cover Arches, Canyonlands' Island in the Sky and Dead Horse Point State Park.

    Getting there

    about 2½ hours · 139 mi

    Your stay: 3 nights (check out Day 5)

    Inside the parkDevils Garden CampgroundMoab, UT · inside the park · 5.0★ (1282)Why stay here: Inside the park, so no daily drive to the entrance; lists RV sites up to 40 ft; 5.0★ from 1,282 reviews.
    Change or extend: Add a night here in the planner
    Compare 3 other campgrounds
    • Close to MoabSun Outdoors Moab DowntownMoab, UT · about 5 min to Moab (estimate) · 4.3★ (274)Lists sites up to 37 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Close to MoabSun Outdoors Arches GatewayMoab, UT · about 5 min to Moab (estimate) · 4.6★ (183)Lists sites up to 45 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Close to MoabSun Outdoors North MoabMoab, UT · about 5 min to Moab (estimate) · 4.4★ (215)Lists sites up to 50 ft; confirm your site fits

    Getting around Moab

    From Devils Garden Campground: you're inside the park.

    Driving the RV
    • Trailhead and town lots are often small; check RV parking before you go.
    Shuttles

    We don't have verified shuttle information for Moab; check the park or town's official site.

    Activities with pickup

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    Other local transport
    • Rideshare, taxis and bike rentals vary by area and season; arranged and paid separately.

  3. Day 3 Moab: explore

    Experience

    Three nights in Moab cover Arches, Canyonlands' Island in the Sky and Dead Horse Point State Park.

    Travel today

    No campground change today; local travel is additional.

    Your stay

    Stay a second night at Devils Garden Campground · same site, no packing up

  4. Day 4 Moab: explore

    Experience

    A free day: revisit a favorite viewpoint or take a longer hike.

    Travel today

    No campground change today; local travel is additional.

    Your stay

    Stay a third night at Devils Garden Campground · same site, no packing up

  5. Day 5 Drive back toward Salt Lake City

    Experience

    Spend the last night close to the rental return so departure morning is easy: dump tanks, refuel and clean up as your rental agreement requires.

    Getting there

    about 4½ hours · 239 mi

    Your stay: 1 night

    Near the airportSun Outdoors Salt Lake CityNorth Salt Lake, UT · about 5 min from the RV return area · 4.0★ (50)Why stay here: About 5 minutes from the RV return area; site length not listed (ask the campground); full hookups listed; 4.0★ from 50 reviews.
    Change or extend:
    Compare 2 other campgrounds
    • Near the airportSalt Lake City KOA HolidaySalt Lake City, UT · about 5 min from the RV return areaSite length not listed: ask the campground
    • Near the airportGreat Salt Lake State ParkMagna, UT · about 25 min from the RV return areaLists sites up to 40 ft; confirm your site fits

  6. Day 6 Return the RV and fly home from SLC

    Experience

    Return the RV at the agreed time (check-in times vary by owner), then get to the airport. Leave a buffer: returns, inspections and the transfer can take a couple of hours.

    Getting there

    Short drive to the rental return, then transfer to the airport.

Campgrounds are suggestions from our park data, ranked by estimated drive time to the destination first, then listed site length, then reviews; "Inside the park" uses the National Park Service's list. Drive times are estimates. Seasonal openings and live availability aren't in our static park data; the planner checks them for your dates. Open dates and prices are checked live in the planner.

RV pickup and return

Pick up and return the RV in the Salt Lake City area. Day 1 allows time to get from SLC to the rental (owners' locations vary; a few offer airport pickup or delivery), the walkthrough, and a grocery stop, so the first drive is short: about about 2 hours to Scofield, UT. The last night is near the return so you can refuel, empty the tanks and return on time before your flight.

Pickup and return times, mileage allowances and fees are set by each owner; check them before you book. This trip is about 478 miles.

RV rentals near Salt Lake City airport

Before you go

  • Arches has required timed-entry reservations in peak season in recent years; check nps.gov/arch.
  • Summer highs often pass 100°F; spring and fall are the best months.
  • Winter nights drop below freezing; some campgrounds close.

Official National Park Service pages: Plan your visit · Alerts & conditions · Directions & access · Fees & passes · Camping (official) · Hours & seasons

Salt Lake City to Moab by RV: common questions

How far is it from Salt Lake City to Moab?

Salt Lake City to Moab is about 240 miles, roughly about 4½ hours of driving via Maleton, Price without stops. The whole round trip in this itinerary is about 478 miles.

How many days do you need for Salt lake city to moab by RV?

Plan on 5 nights (6 days): Moab (3 nights), with an easy first afternoon after RV pickup and a final night near the RV return so departure day isn't rushed. The longest driving day is about 4½ hours.

When is the best time to go?

Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Arches has required timed-entry reservations in peak season in recent years; check nps.gov/arch.

Where can you camp with an RV?

Suggested RV campgrounds near Moab, Arches and Canyonlands include Devils Garden Campground, Sun Outdoors Moab Downtown, Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway. Inside the park: Devils Garden Campground. Check site length and hookups with each campground before booking.

Can you rent an RV near Salt Lake City International Airport?

Yes. RV rental listings from Outdoorsy and RVshare are available around Salt Lake City. A few owners mention airport pickup in their listings and some deliver; otherwise you arrange your own transfer to the owner's location. RVs and campgrounds are booked separately with each provider.

Related trips

RV parks near Arches National Park · All fly-and-drive trips · Road trip planner

Salt Lake City to Moab
5 nights · round trip