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wvbike_99's avatar
wvbike_99
Explorer
Apr 27, 2023

Jackson to Moab

Will be in Yellowstone in August and thinking about going south to Moab on our way back home to WV. Looking for a good route that is rv friendly and scenic as well. We will be towing a 24 ft Rockwood Mini lite with a F150. Any ideas on stopovers , campgrounds or things to do are welcome, things to avoid, thanks in advance.
  • I will share a route which I have taken out of Jackson. This is not the shortest or quickest route but I have towed our 34' fifth-wheel over most of it.

    It is basically to follow US 191 all the way from Jackson to Moab. This will drive through the delightful town of Pinedale, WY. Which is surely worth a stop. As I recall we stopped there for lunch in a local restaurant. We had no trouble finding a place to park our rig.

    You will pass thorough the Flaming George National Recreation Area. Worth an overnight and maybe an extra day if you can possibly include that. We found it an unexpectedly scenic area. We had driven though it before, but staying there a day really allowed us to enjoy it.

    You will pass through Vernal, UT and a slight side trip (20 miles) would take you out to Dinosaur National Monument. My wife especially enjoyed that visit, but it would again take a bit of time.

    I will mention that we continued from the National Monument on US 40 and CO 64 to Rangely, CO then CO 139 over Douglas Pass down to I 70 West over to pick up US 191 near Moab. But I considered Douglas Pass to be a serious mountain drive with a fifth-wheel. We did not have a minute's trouble and I would do it again, but I cannot recommend it unless you have considerable mountain towing experience. (It might be much improved, our trip was several years ago.)

    So that brings me back to the simple "191 all the way."
  • Thanks , just the kind of info i was hoping for, doesn’t sound like that mountain pass would be all that bad for my rig, as for being used to Mountain driving i’m from West Virginia and while not as high, our mountains are just as curvy , will look over that route.
  • That's good. Just gives you two good choices for routes. Wish I could be up that way again.
  • I usually take 89 south to I15. This passes by Bear Lake.

    Take I15 to highway 6, highway 6 turns into 191 at Helper.

    191 between Flaming Gorge and Vernal is a pretty steep drop, with a lot of switchbacks. Keep your speed in check down the hill if you go that way.
  • padredw, that is the exact route that we take. I will be going back next summer for the month in September, 2024.

    To the original poster, do you realize how hot it gets in Moab in August. Expect upper 90's for daytime highs. We have been there in August several times and with proper hydration, you can have a great time.