How to Get to Moab, Utah

Yes. Canyonlands Regional Airport (CNY) is a commercial airport located 18 miles north of downtown Moab, about 20 minutes from Main Street on US-191. It serves direct commercial flights to Denver and Salt Lake City. It is the most convenient arrival point for guests traveling to Moab for a river trip. 

Canyonlands Regional Airport (CNY) offers seasonal nonstop service to Salt Lake City through Delta Connection, with year-round nonstop service to Denver through United Express. Both routes are operated by SkyWest Airlines and connect Moab with the airlines’ broader networks. Book through United or Delta for connecting itineraries and frequent-flyer benefits. Salt Lake City service operates through Thanksgiving before pausing for winter and returning in March. For schedules and availability on your travel dates, check the airlines directly or search Google Flights for CNY. 

If direct flights to CNY don't work for your schedule, Grand Junction is the most practical alternative for avoiding a long drive. 

Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) in Grand Junction, Colorado is the closest major airport to Moab, approximately 113 miles and 1.5 hours by car via US-6 and US-191. It has direct service from Denver, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and other cities.

For most guests, yes. Moab's town center is walkable, and the Marriott SpringHill Suites is easy to reach from the airport. Getting to the national parks, the river put-in, and the airport itself requires a vehicle. Uber and Lyft coverage in Moab is limited and unreliable for time-sensitive logistics. 

Reserve your rental car when you book your trip. Peak season supply runs short at both Canyonlands Regional Airport and Grand Junction. 

If you're on a multi-day river trip and don't want to pay for rental days while you're on the water, our preferred partner Canyonlands Jeep and Car Rental offers a 24-hour rate and drop-off/parking at the Marriott SpringHill Suites for the duration of your trip.

The drive from Salt Lake City to Moab is approximately 4 hours (234 miles) under normal conditions. The most direct route takes I-15 south to US-6 east through Price, then south on US-191 to Moab. The drive passes through Price Canyon and the Book Cliffs and gives you your first view of canyon country as you descend toward the Colorado Plateau. Allow extra time in summer, US-191 through the national park corridor can have traffic during peak season.

Salt Lake Express runs ground shuttle service between Salt Lake City and Moab on a scheduled basis, a practical option if you're flying into SLC and don't want to rent a car for the full trip. 

Moab Express provides transfers from Grand Junction (GJT) to Moab as well as shuttles from the Moab Airport into town. 

Within Moab itself, the Moab Area Transit (MAT) system operates a free seasonal bus (mid-March through October) connecting hotels, the visitor center, and Main Street stops. 

There is no Amtrak train service to Moab. But if trains are your thing,  you may be interested in Canyon Spirit train that connects Salt Lake, Moab and Denver, Colorado.

Western River Expeditions uses the Marriott SpringHill Suites at 1861 N Highway 191 as its pre-trip meeting hotel for Desolation Canyon, Cataract Canyon and Southwest Sampler departures. Be sure to arrive the day before the departure. You'll have time to get settled and have dinner in town before an early morning start.

Spring (March through May) and fall (September through October) are the most comfortable times to drive to Moab. Summer temperatures in the canyon country corridor can reach 100°F or higher, and US-191 through the Arches corridor sees heavy traffic on peak summer weekends. If you're arriving in summer, an early morning arrival avoids both the heat and the crowds. Winter driving in the Moab area is generally mild at 4,026 feet elevation, though I-70 through the Colorado Rockies can have closures between Denver and the Utah border, check road conditions if driving from Denver between November and March.