Car Rental Utah

The crossroads of the West, Utah is where deserts states like Nevada and Arizona to the West meet the mountainous regions like Colorado to the East.

The north of the state is home to Salt Lake City, Ogden, Bear Lake and the Logan Canyon. In the south, you’ll find the state’s second largest city, St George, and its five national parks – Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion.

The longest interstate highway in Utah is I-15, running north/south. It takes in many must-see destinations including Ogden, Salt Lake City, Provo and St George before continuing south towards Las Vegas, Nevada. I-70 branches off from I-15 in the center of the state, heading east through Fishlake National Forest before crossing over the Colorado state line.

In northern Utah, I-80 provides an important route through Salt Lake City, connecting it with Nevada to the west and Wyoming to the east. At Echo in northwest Utah, I-80 branches off to become I-84, which runs all the way north to Portland, Oregon.

Outside the cities, the roads in Utah are wide, open and relatively free from traffic. When driving in Salt Lake City, be aware that there are several Express lanes – also known as car pool lanes - on I-15. These lanes are reserved for vehicles carrying multiple occupants.

The top speed limit in Utah is 80mph (129km/h) but only on selected interstate highways. The more usual limit is 70mph (113km/h).

Adventure awaits in Utah, where you’ll find everything from ski resorts to forests and national parks. When you rent a car, you’ll be able to explore Salt Lake City and the spectacular landscapes beyond.

Salt Lake sights

As Utah’s largest city - and home to its only international airport - Salt Lake City is the perfect gateway to the Beehive State. It’s also a largely Mormon state, with a large percentage practicing members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).

Many of the city’s most famous landmarks are around Temple Square at the heart of downtown. Owned by the LDS Church, the square houses Salt Lake Temple, an enormous Neo-Gothic structure built between 1853 and 1893. Only church members can enter, but members of the public are welcome to explore the grounds and stop off at the South Visitors’ Center to admire a scale model.

Other sights in the square include the Salt Lake Tabernacle, home of the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Admission to the building is free and you can even watch public rehearsals on a Wednesday and Thursday evening.

Greatest snow on earth

Just a short drive east is Park City, famous as the home of the annual Sundance Film Festival and world-class ski resorts. Utah claims to have the greatest snowfalls on earth and this is the perfect place to find out. Park City is also home to the Utah Olympic Park, built for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Today, it houses amazing ski facilities as well as the Winter Games Museum.

Park City Mountain and Deer Valley Resort offer the chance to tackle the routes skied by the pros, while the Soldier Hollow Nordic Center in Heber Valley boasts spectacular terrain for cross-country skiing. No matter what level you’re at, you’re sure to find something to suit your skiing and snowboarding abilities in this part of Utah.

The Mighty Five

Utah is home to five national parks. Drive through Arches National Park to enjoy views of its dream-like red rock landscapes, as well as snow-capped mountains in the distance.

One not to be missed is Bryce Canyon – it’s not a single canyon but instead a series of natural bowls, filled with jagged spikes that catch the light in spectacular fashion. There are hiking trails and viewpoints available around the park where you can admire the unique rock formations and colourful landscapes. You can even sleep out under a canopy of stars at one of the many camping sites in the area.

Canyonlands takes you through stunning scenery created by the Green and Colorado Rivers, giving you the chance to see one of the most famous natural landmarks in the West - the Mesa Arch. Meanwhile, Capitol Reef is home to otherworldly landscapes of desert rock and the Waterpocket Fold, a warp in the earth’s crust formed tens of millions of years ago.

Zion is one of the most visited national parks in the US, with hiking trails in the park that range from relaxed and family-friendly to routes that are more difficult. If you want to enjoy the views from the comfort of your rental car, follow the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.

With Utah car rental, you’ll be able to take in the sights of these national parks at your own pace and visit every corner of this breathtaking state.