St. George to Bonneville Salt Flats
Over 30,000 acres of blindingly white, perfectly flat salt crust. This otherworldly landscape is famous for land speed records and mesmerizing mirror-like reflections after rain.
I-15 N → I-80 W
345 miles
Distance
4 hr 50 min
Drive Time
north
Direction
Late Summer to Fall
Best Time
Driving from St. George to Bonneville Salt Flats
Route: I-15 N → I-80 W
Drive north on I-15 to Salt Lake City, then transition to I-80 West toward Wendover. The salt flats will suddenly appear right off the highway roughly 90 miles west of SLC.
About Bonneville Salt Flats
The Bonneville Salt Flats are one of Utah's most unique unearthly landscapes. Stretching for miles near the Nevada border, the flats are a remnant of the ancient Lake Bonneville. The crust is made almost entirely of common table salt and is so flat that you can actually see the curvature of the earth.
While it is a long drive from St. George (nearly 5 hours), it is a popular bucket-list destination for photographers and road-trippers. Depending on the season, the flats are either a blindingly bright white expanse that crunches underfoot, or a massive, shallow puddle that perfectly reflects the sky, creating a mesmerizing optical illusion.
The flats are most famous for the Bonneville Speedway, where numerous land speed records have been set since 1914. Speed Week in August draws custom cars and motorcycles from around the world.
Gas Stops Along the Way
- Salt Lake City
- Tooele/Grantsville
- Wendover
Weather & Climate
Extreme temperatures. Summer afternoons can easily clear 100°F with intense sun reflection. Winters are freezing and damp.
Best Time to Visit
Late Summer to Fall
Late summer (August-October) is generally when the salt is driest and hardest, and when Speed Week events take place. Winter and Spring the flats are often covered in an inch of water, which ruins driving but is incredible for photography.
Things to Do in Bonneville Salt Flats
From outdoor adventures to dining, here is everything worth experiencing when you visit Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah.
Top Attractions
Salt Flats Rest Area (Westbound)
FreeThe absolute best and easiest place to step out onto the salt. Located right off I-80 West, it has foot-washing stations (summer only) and unrestricted pedestrian access to the flats.
Bonneville Speedway
FreeLocated at the end of the paved access road north of I-80. Where racing history is made. You can drive your own car onto the salt here when conditions are dry.
DO NOT drive on the salt if it is wet — you will get stuck and towing costs thousands
Travel Tips for the St. George to Bonneville Salt Flats Drive
Bring sunglasses — the salt reflects sun like snow and is blindingly bright
Do NOT drive on wet or dark-colored salt. Vehicles easily sink into the mud underneath
There is no shade on the flats; bring plenty of water in the summer
Visit at sunrise or sunset for the most dramatic photography
Frequently Asked Questions: St. George to Bonneville Salt Flats
How do you get to the Salt Flats from St. George?
Drive north on I-15 to Salt Lake City, then head west on I-80 for about 90 miles past the Great Salt Lake. The drive takes just under 5 hours.
Can you drive your own car on the Salt Flats?
Yes, but ONLY when the salt is completely dry. Driving on wet salt will cause you to break through the crust into deep mud, resulting in massive towing fees. The safest place to drive is the designated access road near the Speedway.
Nearby Destinations from Bonneville Salt Flats
Salt Lake City
Utah's capital city offers world-class skiing, a thriving food scene, professional sports, and the international airport that connects Southern Utah to the world. The I-15 corridor is the most-traveled route for St. George residents.
Great Basin National Park
One of the least visited national parks in the Lower 48, Great Basin offers Lehman Caves, 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak, ancient bristlecone pines (some over 5,000 years old), and some of the darkest night skies in America.
Complete Guide: Driving from St. George to Bonneville Salt Flats
St. George to Bonneville Salt Flats — 345 miles, 4 hr 50 min Drive
The Bonneville Salt Flats are one of Utah's most unique unearthly landscapes. Stretching for miles near the Nevada border, the flats are a remnant of the ancient Lake Bonneville. The crust is made almost entirely of common table salt and is so flat that you can actually see the curvature of the earth.
The route from St. George, Utah to Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah covers 345 miles and takes approximately 4 hr 50 min via I-15 N → I-80 W. Drive north on I-15 to Salt Lake City, then transition to I-80 West toward Wendover. The salt flats will suddenly appear right off the highway roughly 90 miles west of SLC.
Things to Do in Bonneville Salt Flats
Top Attractions: Salt Flats Rest Area (Westbound), Bonneville Speedway.
Best Time to Visit Bonneville Salt Flats
Late summer (August-October) is generally when the salt is driest and hardest, and when Speed Week events take place. Winter and Spring the flats are often covered in an inch of water, which ruins driving but is incredible for photography.
Travel Tips
Bring sunglasses — the salt reflects sun like snow and is blindingly bright. Do NOT drive on wet or dark-colored salt. Vehicles easily sink into the mud underneath. There is no shade on the flats; bring plenty of water in the summer. Visit at sunrise or sunset for the most dramatic photography.
For more things to do near St. George, explore our Things to Do guide, browse the Events Calendar, or discover local businesses in the St. George Business Directory. Check out all road trip destinations from St. George including Salt Lake City, Great Basin National Park.