Wanted to warn all who are considering a trip to Moab now through next spring that there is a major construction project on US 191 north of town right now. Last week, it took us between 45 minutes and 1 1/2 hours to get from the back of the line just to the bridge at the Colorado River (UT 128). So in a week, I spent almost 10 hours just waiting in traffic. Not exactly a restful vacation.One family I talked to got to the back of the line about where UT 313 turns off to go up to Dead Horse Point/Island in the Sky. They arrived at the back of the line at 6:00 p.m. and got into Moab at 9:00 p.m. Yep, three hours!Even going into town in the morning can take an extra 10 or 15 minutes. And northbound out of town in the a.m. can also get backed up clear into the middle of town as people head north to the parks, to jeep, or to mountain bike.This project is to last until May, 2021.

Wasn't there some sort of big jeep event there last week?

Yes, but three cheers to UT’s Dept of Transportation for improving their highways.

I've been to Moab twice. In 88 we drove in on 191, and after a brief stop at the visitor center visited Arches. We used BLM campgrounds on the river. Even when going up to Island In The Sky I bypassed most of 191, using Shafer Trail and Long Canyon.In the mid 2000s I skipped 191 north of the river entirely, going directly to Dead Horse Pt for camping, and down Long Canyon (under the newish bolder). After a brief stop in town for lunch and groceries, I took 128 to Castle Valley and looped around town via the La Sal Mtns.Admittedly both trips were in small campers (by RV.NET standards) - a 4x4 pickup with popup camper shell, and a CuteUte (with RT4WD).When complaining about how ugly the town is, keep in mind that there have only been two businesses there - mining and tourists. Most of the roads/tracks originated with uranium prospectors, and pretty potash ponds are only remaining industry. And tourists come to sightsee and play outside of town.

agesilaus wrote:We generally avoid Moab as much as possible anyway, Ugly townPolite people keep those thoughts to themselves.

dedmiston wrote:agesilaus wrote:We generally avoid Moab as much as possible anyway, Ugly townPolite people keep those thoughts to themselves.In this context, yes. But if someone were asking for opinions on Moab, I would think opinions like this would be germane.I'm still wondering if the traffic the OP reported might have been related to an event, and not reflective of what it's going to be like there every day from now until the project is finished.

A traffic mess in Moab | Good Sam Community

Rice
Explorer III
Oct 29, 2020
dedmiston wrote:
Rice wrote:
In this context, yes. But if someone were asking for opinions on Moab, I would think opinions like this would be germane.

This is Roads & Routes. Nobody asked if he thinks the town is ugly or not.

It sounds like you think I disagree, but I don't. I said in this context, opinions about the town's beauty are better kept to oneself.
donkeydew
Explorer
Oct 30, 2020
shft22 wrote:
Can anyone confirm if this issue with traffic on US-191 is an ongoing thing or was it just temporary.
We are picking up an RV in American Fork taking it to Florida in two weeks, our plan was to head south on 191, looking for I40 but if there is construction we may just head east on I70 instead.

if 191 is screwed up you can take 128 and follow the Colorado river in to moab. it is a little longer with curves as it follows the river but it is awesome scenery
riltri
Explorer
Oct 30, 2020
We were there 10-20 until 10-25. We drove up/down 191 thru the construction 6 times at various times of day. Never more than a 15 minute delay. The construction appears to be no where near completion.
paulj
Explorer II
Oct 30, 2020
UDOT project page

UDOT has a project description. They are expanding 191 from Motel 6 north to the bridge to have 5 lanes plus shoulders. They are also doing storm drain work.

Traffic volumes are above normal and congestion is anticipated particularly in the southbound lanes North of the Colorado River Bridge this week with an influx of tourists. Traffic models shows congestion typically picks up around meal times, and hotel check-in check-out times. It is particularly heavy at dusk. Avoid travel southbound into Moab between 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Northbound travel out of Moab typically peaks between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. While there are still single lanes running in each direction as previous to construction, left turns will be limited and disruptive to traffic flow during peak times.

UDOT has some web cams from Arches south through town.
paulj
Explorer II
Oct 30, 2020
donkeydew wrote:
...
if 191 is screwed up you can take 128 and follow the Colorado river in to moab. it is a little longer with curves as it follows the river but it is awesome scenery

While the backups may extend north of the Arches turnoff on 191, the actual construction is south of the bridge (where 128 turns off). It's the 2 lane stretch between the bridge and town that they are widening.
4runnerguy
Explorer
Oct 31, 2020
So for a few days I've been looking at the UDOT traffic cam at the interestion of US 191 and UT 128 (where US 191 goes over the river). For the last week anyway, it seems traffic in general is lighter so the lines are much less. Not surprising as it is almost November. The week of Thanksgiving might get a little busy, but were definitely into the off season now. I'm guessing things will be OK until early March, when people get tired of being cooped up and head to Moab for some outdoor time.

As for when we were there, coming into Moab on UT 128 in the afternoon was definitely the best choice if coming from the east. One day we even debated turning around and heading up to the interstate and down UT 128 since we were camped on the river. Waited it out as we didn't want gasoline to be an issue.
theczar
Explorer
Nov 01, 2020
I just got here to Moab Friday night. Went through town a couple times yesterday and the delay was not more than a couple mins. Construction was in full swing but I guess there are not as many visitors at the moment

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