Car Hire Utah

Utah is a place seemingly designed with cars in mind. Here in the west of the USA, bordered by Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming and Colorado, you’re surrounded by wide open spaces, stunning mountain ranges, great plains and desert. You’ll need a hire car to get about, and you’ll be rewarded with landscapes to dream about.

Whether in the south or north of the state, you’ll find vast spaces to traverse, criss-crossed with interstate roads – this isn’t a place of B-roads, as there’s so much desert. The I-15 runs from the state’s south-west, coming in from Nevada, and snakes up throughout Utah, taking in the cities of Provo, Salt Lake City and Ogden before continuing north into Idaho. From the centre of the state you can also jump onto the I-70, which opens up the east of Utah and then takes you to Colorado. The I-80 cuts through Salt Lake City and will lead you west to Nevada and, eventually, San Francisco, or east to Wyoming and, much further on, Chicago.

When driving in the US you’ll find that the roads are wide open and relatively quiet, especially when outside of major cities. You’ll be driving on the right and overtaking on the left, and speed limits vary by road type. On the interstates, they vary from 75 to 80mph, on highways from 65 to 70mph, decreasing sharply as you enter towns and cities. One other major difference in the US is that you make a right turn on a red light when the way is clear. Seat belts are compulsory for the driver and all passengers.

Forests, national parks, canyons and deserts, Utah is all about the natural beauty that abounds in every corner. People travel here from around the world to hike, ski and gaze in awe not only at the landscape but also at the stars, as the sky is so clear on the grand plains. Behind the wheel of your hire car in Utah you’ll weave your way through arid and lush areas, and the lively cities that stud the state.

Park city peaks

Park City is one of the more cosmopolitan parts of Utah, a friendly place that is famed for hosting the world’s largest indie film festival, Sundance, every year. It sits in a valley that’s especially majestic during snow season, the white peaks overlooking the twinkling lights below. It’s no surprise that this is ski central, the largest resort of its kind in the USA. There are advanced trails, but also child and beginner-friendly slopes. Once the snow melts, people take to the slopes on mountain bikes or in walking boots, before enjoying the numerous welcoming restaurants in the city itself.

Landscape to love

There are more than a dozen national parks in Utah. For stunning, Instagram-worthy moments head for Bryce Canyon which boasts both verdant forest and towering spires in a myriad of colours. The power of erosion has worked wonders here, with peaks, plateaus and jagged spikes catching the unique light.

Zion Canyon should also be on your list, with its white and red mountains overlooking wildflowers, rivers and steep trails such as Angel’s Landing. It’s popular with visitors but it’s so vast you’re bound to be able to find a quiet, secluded area. Last up, Goblin Valley looks different again, as if the landscape has melted under the sun. It’s unspoiled, despite the lack of paths and trails – the fun of this place is meandering through the goblins.

A pinch of Salt Lake City

Utah’s capital, Salt Lake City, is where many visitors first arrive. It’s a pretty place without the endless skyscrapers of many US cities, lending it a friendlier vibe.

Explore the worlds of both religion and science by heading first to hear the impressive Mormon Tabernacle Choir, before studying the extensive dinosaur fossils at the Natural History Museum.

Throw yourself into city life, then head out to the nearby playground of slopes, rugged drives and mountain trails. With car hire in Utah you can keep yourself busy in Utah – busy as a beehive, in fact.