Moab, UT to Vernal, UT via UT-128N to I-70

This is a beautiful drive. Have driven it many times. For a rig your size just take your time. No guard rails for many of the drop offs to the river. There ARE some hills after you pass the winery (Yes! There is a winery, right on the river!) but nothing you can't handle. The road was a bit rough the last time we were there. They had had some severe down pours that has washed debri onto the roads. This drive ranks right up there with Glenn Canyon for the first few miles coming out of Moab. I have also driven the 191 Route. It is a much easier drive but not near as scenic.

4runnerguy wrote:
UT 128 is indeed somewhat narrow for the first few miles above US 191 but they have constructed a pedestrian/bike bridge that helped take people and bikes off of the highway. Still a full two lanes of road, but cliff to one side and river to the other means being on your toes. Very scenic drive if you don't mind paying attention to staying in your lane.

Check out this video to see what the drive along the river is like. Remember that for this video, the play back speed is double the actual speed.

Ken,

Watched the video - the first time we drove this in 97' we did not pass 5 cars - OH how it has changed - Looks like Disneyland.

Think I need to go back to your old line -

"those of us from Colorado recommend that people from out of state don't attempt this road in ANY vehicle. It's narrow and curvey. There are trolls waiting under the bridges who will force you over the cliffs. A rogue avalanche might sweep you away in the summer. There are bandits waiting to hold you up and take your money and children. There's really nothing much to see, and Silverton isn't all that quaint and cute. The massive wildflower displays are vastly overrated. The vivid color combination of green vegetation against the red rocks can be seen at Christmas time in diplays all over North America. The mine and ghost town remains are just unpainted, weathered wood -- nothing special. So for your safety, avoid this road in any vehicle at all costs. ;)"


:B

:W

BigMac wrote:
We are heading from Moab to Steinaker SP near Vernal. We can either take. UT-128 up to I-70 and then go up CO-139 to make our way to Vernal and Steinaker SP, or we can take US-191 North from Moab to I-70 West, connecting again with US-191N up to Vernal. Either way, I know I will have one good climb and decent enroute. What I don't know is what UT-128 is like from Moab to I-70. It's just a State Route, and I am told it is narrow and tight turns in spots. I am a 37' Class A with toad. Any concerns with taking UT-128 from Moab to I-70? Thanks in advance for. Any feedback

Lets see;















Just going thru these images makes me smile, this IMHO is a drive that is just not to be missed.

Your trip, taking Rt 128 out to I-70 to Rt 139 and on to Vernal and Dinosaur NM will be rewarding.

From the CG on the Green River at DNM



I often say the "drive should be as good as he destination" In this case you win on both.

BOL,

128 is an easy drive with a big rig. It follows the river - no steep uphills or downhills. It's a normal width for a secondary road but no shoulders which makes it look narrower. As long as you typicall do not drive on shoulders you'll be just fine. :)

Route 128 is I believe a scenic byway and is a great drive. No grades at all as the road for the most part follows alongside the Colorado River. For a number of miles there are high cliffs on both sides, which gives the feeling of what you would see if you could drive at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. After that it widens out and about halfway to I70 you will pass Fisher Towers on the right, an unusual red/brown rock formation.

Earlier thread on route 139 going up to Vernal.

UT 128 is indeed somewhat narrow for the first few miles above US 191 but they have constructed a pedestrian/bike bridge that helped take people and bikes off of the highway. Still a full two lanes of road, but cliff to one side and river to the other means being on your toes. Very scenic drive if you don't mind paying attention to staying in your lane.

Check out this video to see what the drive along the river is like. Remember that for this video, the play back speed is double the actual speed.

Follow up, It's called the "mountain driving guide for Truckers and Motorhomes"

Hi from a former Cincinnatian (Mason). I'm now fulltime. Anyway I had some similar concerns about the grades on some of the western highways. The interstates are max 7% but there is no such limit on state roads.
I found an app that's for truckers that list's all the grades for highways as well much more info like bailout ramp locations, and curve details. I don't recall the app but it should be an easy google search.