Red rock national parks loop
This is leg 4 of 4, the final leg.
Travel leg · Utah Mighty Five
Arches to Canyonlands
Arches and Canyonlands sit about 52 km (32 mi) apart in a straight line, with Canyonlands to the south-west. It is leg 4 of 4 on our Utah Mighty Five itinerary, an 8-day trip. Here is how long it takes by car, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 52 km · 32 mi
- Est. road distance
- 62–72 km
- Est. drive time
- 45 min – 1 h 30 min
- Direction
- Heading south-west
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By car
Most travelers on our Utah Mighty Five itinerary do this leg by car. We estimate 62–72 km (38–45 mi) of road and 45 min – 1 h 30 min behind the wheel, so check live traffic before you set off.
You will need a car, and most travelers fly into Las Vegas or Salt Lake City and drive the loop. Distances between parks are real, and services thin out in places. Check road, weather and park conditions before each leg and keep the tank filled.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Canyonlands
A full day at Island in the Sky works: sunrise at Mesa Arch, rim overlooks, then Dead Horse Point; base in Moab.
Mesa Arch
Short walk to a cliff-edge arch that glows red at sunrise.
Upheaval Dome
Short hike to a strange crater whose origin (salt dome or meteor) is still debated.
NAVTEC Expeditions
Moab outfitter running rafting and jet-boat trips on the Colorado River and Cataract Canyon.
Moab Diner
Retro diner on Main Street serving green chile, burgers and big breakfasts.
Moab Coffee Roasters
Main Street coffee and gelato stop for an early start before the drive to the park.
Island in the Sky Visitor Center
Info, maps and ranger talks on the mesa-top district.
Before you leave Arches
Spend 1–2 days from Moab: Delicate Arch at sunset, Windows and Devils Garden, then dinner on Main Street.
On this curated route
Where Arches → Canyonlands sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Canyonlands to Arches is the same 52 km in a straight line, heading north-east. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
Average daytime highs at both ends stay within 1°C of each other all year, so you can pack the same way for both.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arches high | 6° | 8° | 14° | 19° | 25° | 33° | 36° | 33° | 29° | 20° | 12° | 6° |
| Canyonlands high | 4° | 7° | 14° | 19° | 25° | 33° | 35° | 33° | 28° | 19° | 11° | 4° |
| Arches rain | 23 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 12 | 31 | 31 | 34 | 31 | 21 | 27 |
| Canyonlands rain | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 10 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 16 | 19 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Canyonlands month guides.
Arches to Canyonlands: questions travelers ask
How far is Arches from Canyonlands?
Arches is about 52 km (32 mi) from Canyonlands in a straight line, with Canyonlands to the south-west. By road, we estimate 62–72 km (38–45 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Arches to Canyonlands?
An estimated 45 min – 1 h 30 min, assuming 62–72 km of road at average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from Arches to Canyonlands?
Our Utah Mighty Five itinerary includes this leg. Utah Mighty Five runs about 8 days across 5 stops, best in Mar – May.
Getting to Arches
- Capitol Reef to Arches 153 km
Guides for both ends
- Arches travel guide
- Arches weather best time to visit
- Canyonlands travel guide
- Canyonlands weather best time to visit
Canyonlands by month
Plan Arches → Canyonlands with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.