Interstate 70 is a transcontinental route that originates in the foothills of central Utah and extends across the Fishlake National Forest and through the San Rafael Reef en route to Richfield, Salina, and Green River. Interstate 70 then departs the Beehive State, joined with U.S. 6-50 en route to Grand Junction, Colorado.
Highway guides covering Interstate 70 within the state of Utah:
Utah 161 begins at the Exit 2 interchange with Interstate 70 near Cove Fort. The state highway entails three miles of old U.S. 91 between the first Interstate 70 interchange and Exit 135 of Interstate 15 to the northwest. Pictured here is the eastbound on-ramp from the state highway northbound beginning. Photo taken 10/18/04.
Utah 161 (former U.S. 91) links Interstate 70 and 15 with historic Cove Fort. Cove Fort was settled in 1867 as an outpost for travelers between Beaver and Fillmore. Photo taken 10/18/04.
The final mile of Interstate 70 travels to junction Interstate 15 (Exit 1) west of Cove Fort. Utah 161 also continues north to Interstate 15 at Exit 135. Interstate 70 meets Interstate 15 at Exit 132. Photo taken 10/18/04.
The first northbound Utah 161 reassurance shield. The state highway is ignored by Exit 2 guide signs on Interstate 70. Photo taken 10/18/04.
Turning around and looking south on Utah 161 (former U.S. 91) at junction Interstate 15 & 70 shields ahead of Exit 2. Photo taken 10/18/04.
A guide sign directs motorists onto the respective on-ramps to Interstate 70 and for the old U.S. 91 southward continuation to Sulphurville. Photo taken 10/18/04.
Interstate 15 and 70 shield assembly posted at the Utah 161 southbound on-ramp to Interstate 70 west. Old U.S. 91 continues 3.7 miles south of Interstate 70 to Interstate 15 at Exit 129. Interstate 70 eastbound climbs to a summit of 7,076 feet between here and Exit 7. Photo taken 10/18/04.
Amid a cold breeze, Interstate 70 & U.S. 50 travel westward through the Fishlake Mountains away from Utah 76 and Exit 86. The Fishlake National Forecast encompasses most of the lands between Exits 56 and 86 along the freeway. Photo taken 10/18/04.
Peering east from the Exit 86 overpass at Interstate 70 & U.S. 50. The freeway descends toward Freemont Junction. The Coal Cliffs and Molen Reef Castle lie along the eastern horizon. Photo taken 10/18/04.
Interstate 70 trailblazer posted at the Moore Cutouff diamond interchange (Exit 114) near Eagle Canyon. The shield directs motorists from the nearby Eagle Canyon View Area back to the freeway. The Moore Cutoff (Emery County 803) continues northwest 18 miles to Moore. Photo taken 10/18/04.
Utah 76
The only, and we mean only, Interstate 70 Utah shield found along the freeway within the state of Utah lies at the Exit 86 interchange with Utah 76. The shield was manufactured with 1972 MUTCD specifications and directs motorists onto the eastbound on-ramp. The only use of the shield is to direct motorists back to Interstate 70 east from the Interstate 70 westbound off-ramp. Otherwise the Utah 76 access road dead ends at the north end of the Exit 86 diamond interchange. Photo taken 10/18/04.
Utah 76 exists to link Interstate 70 & U.S. 50 at Exit 86 with Utah 72 at Freemont Junction. Utah 72 intersects the freeway at Exit 91. Therefore Utah 76 provides a more direct route to Utah 72 southbound in lieu of Exit 91. Photo taken 10/18/04.
Mile zero of Utah 76, posted just west of the Exit 86 diamond interchange. The Interstate 70 & U.S. 50 rest area lies ahead on the right. Photo taken 10/18/04.
Looking east at the Utah 76 approach to junction Interstate 70 & U.S. 50 at Exit 86. Photo taken 10/18/04.
The Utah 76 end shield lies at the intersection with the Exit 86 access road. Utah 76 follows Utah 10's alignment from Exit 86 to Utah 72. Interstate 70 replaced Utah 10 west of Exit 86 to Salina. Old Utah 10, now a National Forest Road, continues west alongside the eastbound lanes of the freeway. Photo taken 10/18/04.
Turning north onto the Exit 86 access road from Utah 76 west. Pictured here is the eastbound on-ramp to Interstate 70 & U.S. 50 and the associated shield assembly. Photo taken 10/18/04.
U.S. 50 only appears in signage at the Exit 86 westbound on-ramp to Interstate 70. The federal highway is signed sparingly on its overlap with Interstate 70 throughout the state of Utah. Photo taken 10/18/04.
