The final stretch of Interstate 70 connects the freeway between Salina and Cove Fort across the Pahvant Range and Fishlake National Forest. U.S. 89 shares pavement with the freeway from Sevier to Salina through the Richfield vicinity. Interstate 70, while originally planned to end at Spanish Fork along the U.S. 6 and U.S. 50 corridor, instead saw redirection to Cove Fort to benefit traffic interests to and from southern California.
Interstate 70 was legislatively defined as Utah 4 in 1962 pending completion of individual freeway segments. Remnants of this designation can be found on the segment between U.S. 89 and Interstate 15 over the Pavant Range. Old alignment seekers may wish to travel Old Utah 4 between Exits 17 and 7 through the Pavant Range for a scenic alternative to the freeway.
Interstate 70 west and U.S. 89 south
U.S. 89 southbound joins Interstate 70 westbound between Exits 56 and 23. Unlike most of U.S. 50 and all of U.S. 6, the federal highway retains reassurance shields on its overlap with the freeway. Pictured here is the first shield assembly for the 33-mile overlap. Note the usage of a guide sign style cut-out shield for U.S. 89 used in place of a standard marker. When U.S. 89 was first relocated to Interstate 70, cut-out route markers such as these were commonly found along the Interstate 70 and U.S. 89 cosigning. Only one or two of these remain; this particular shield assembly was replaced by 2010. Photo taken 10/18/04.
Between Salina and the Utah 24 interchange, this double-circuit power line crosses over Interstate 70. This line connects to several power generation facilities in the area. Photos taken 08/14/10.
The next exit along Interstate 70 west and U.S. 89 south is Exit 48, Junction Utah 24. A long, arcing state highway, Utah 24 returns from Sigurd and Loa to the southeast at Exit 48. The state highway began at Interstate 70 and U.S. 50 Exit 149 west of Green River. From there, Utah 24 looped southwest to Hanksville and the Capitol Reef National Park northwest to Loa. Photo taken 10/18/04.
Use Utah 24 south 32 miles south to Utah 25 north for Fish Lake. Utah 24 eventually changes from north-south to east-west. Curving to the east, Utah 24 connects to Capitol Reef National Park, which lies 35 miles to the east of junction Utah 25 beyond Loa and Torrey. Photo taken 10/18/04.
This guide sign is posted one-half mile east of the Exit 48 diamond interchange with Utah 259 (Old U.S. Highway 89) on Interstate 70 west and U.S. 89 south. U.S. 89 originally followed the routing of Utah 24 southwest from Salina to Sigurd, and Utah 118 from Sigurd to Richfield. Utah 259 replaced an earlier routing of U.S. 89 to the north of Salina and west of Utah 24. The state highway follows Old Highway 89 between Exit 48 and Utah 24. Photo taken 10/18/04.
Westbound Interstate 70 and southbound U.S. 89 meet Exit 48, Junction Utah 24 north/south. Utah 24 continues a short distance northward 3.3 miles to Aurora and 7.4 miles to junction U.S. 50 at Salina. Photo taken 10/18/04.
An Interstate 70 west and U.S. 89 south reassurance shield assembly is posted after the onramp from Utah 24. Photo taken 08/14/11.
Several power lines again cross over Interstate 70 between the Utah 24 interchange and the Business Loop I-70/Main Street interchange for Richfield. Some of these lines travel northwest toward the populated areas along the Wasatch Front. Photos taken 08/14/10.
Continuing southwest on Interstate 70 and U.S. 89, we approach Richfield. The city of Richfield is the seat of Sevier County, had a population of 7,551 as of 2010 Census, and sits at an elevation of 5,354 feet above sea level. The freeway parallels the eastern reaches of the Pahvant Range from Aurora southwest to Sevier. Photo taken 10/18/04.
A third Business Route of Interstate 70 in Utah loops into Richfield via Utah 120 between Exits 40 and 38. Business Loop I-70 and Utah 120 share alignment by following Main Street south to west 1200 South. Photo taken 10/18/04.
A diamond interchange facilitates the movements between the north end of Main Street and Interstate 70 and U.S. 89 at Exit 40. The Interstate 70 Business Loop is almost completely unsigned along the Utah 120 routing through Richfield. Main Street will meet the former U.S. 89 (now designated as Utah 118) at the intersection of Main Street and 300 North approximately 1.3 miles south of here. Photo taken 10/18/04.
Westbound Interstate 70 and southbound U.S. 89 meet Exit 40, Junction Business Loop I-70 west and Utah 120/Main Street south. Main Street carries the business loop south 2.1 miles to its split with Utah 118. This state highway continues south along Main Street to Richfield Municipal Airport and the south edge of town. The state highway follows old U.S. 89 between Richfield and Elsinore. Photo taken 10/18/04.
Interstate 70 and U.S. 89, meanwhile, bypass Richfield just west of town and east of Fishlake National Forest. Photo taken 10/18/04.
The next exit along Interstate 70 west and U.S. 89 south is Exit 37, Junction Business Loop I-70 east and Utah 120 north (1200 South). Photo taken 10/18/04.
Utah 120 follows Business Loop I-70 from end to end between Exits 40 and 37. Like Exit 40, the surface road of Utah 120 and the business loop dead ends at the interchange with the freeway. Photo taken 10/18/04.
The towering Monroe Peak (elevation 11,226 feet above sea level) rises south of Richfield at the Exit 37 off-ramp to 1200 South. Use 1200 South east for Richfield Municipal Airport. Those traveling to the village of Annabella should use Exits 37 or 32. Photo taken 10/18/04.
Another set of Interstate 70 and U.S. 89 reassurance shields are posted south of the Exit 37 on-ramp from Business Loop I-70 and Utah 120. The shields were replaced between 2004 and 2010, eliminating another wooden cutout U.S. 89 shield. Photos taken 08/15/10 and 10/18/04.
This mileage sign along Interstate 70 west and U.S. 89 south includes the distance to the Interstate 15 interchange along with the Interstate 15 southbound control points of St. George and Las Vegas, Nevada. Interstate 70 on-ramps from the area list Las Vegas as the control city from Richfield westward. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Interstate 70 continues southwest through the Sevier Valley. Early morning sun and little to no traffic produced nice views along the freeway. Photos taken 08/15/10.
The next exit along Interstate 70 west and U.S. 89 south is Exit 31, Junction Utah 258/Main Street to Elsinore (former Exit 32). Main Street (Utah 258) provides a short connector between Elsinore Road west of the freeway and old U.S. 89 (300 West). Photos taken 08/15/10 and 10/18/04.
Utah 258 begins at Exit 31 and travels east two miles to Utah 118. Utah 118 stems south from the former U.S. 89 at Austin 3.4 miles to Monroe. Photos taken 08/15/10 and 10/18/04.
Food and gas are available at Exit 31. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Exit 32 off-ramp departs Interstate 70 west and U.S. 89 southbound for Utah 258 (Main Street) east into Elsinore. Utah 258 overtakes former U.S. 89 through Elsinore to Utah 118. Old U.S. 89 parallels Interstate 70 and U.S. 89 closely southwest from Main Street to Joseph (Exit 26). Photos taken 08/15/10 and 10/18/04.
A gore point sign for Exit 31 is posted at the offramp for this diamond interchange. Photo taken 08/15/10.
This reassurance shield assembly is posted after the onramp from Exit 31. The wooden cutout shield for U.S. 89 was replaced by 2010. In 2004, orographic-lifting based showers shrouded the landscape, including Marysville Peak (elevation 10,761 feet above sea level) to the south of the freeway. Photos taken 08/15/10 and 10/18/04.
As we continue through the southern Sevier Valley, Interstate 70 continues to pass below towering peaks and gorgeous summertime vistas. A fire in the mountains brought a smoky haze to the valleys, obscuring some of the morning grandeur. Photos taken 08/15/10.
The next exit along Interstate 70 west and U.S. 89 south is Exit 25, Junction Utah 118/Main Street north to Joseph (former Exit 26). This interchange marks the southern terminus of Utah 118, which follows Old U.S. 89 north toward Richfield. Utah 118 travels approximately 24 miles northeast from here to Monroe, Austin, Central Valley, Richfield, Venice, and Sigurd. Photos taken 08/15/10 and 10/18/04.
Guide signs for Exit 25 omit the Utah 118 designation and simply sign the exit for Joseph. Joseph lies at the junction of Utah 118 (Main Street) with former U.S. 89 (State Street). Utah 118 intersects State Street two blocks east of Interstate 70 and U.S. 89. Photos taken 08/15/10 and 10/18/04.
Food, camping, and gas are available at Exit 25. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Interstate 70 west and U.S. 89 south meet Exit 25, Junction Utah 118 (Main Street) east to Joseph. Rockwood Road continues west from Main Street into Fishlake National Forest. Photos taken 08/15/10 and 10/18/04.
A final set of reassurance markers is posted for Interstate 70 west and U.S. 89 south after the Joseph interchange. The two highways part ways three miles west of Joseph. Photos taken 08/15/10 and 10/18/04.
U.S. 89 prepares to split from Interstate 70 westbound at Exit 23. A trumpet interchange facilitates the movements between the two highways near the settlement of Sevier. U.S. 89 meanders 12 miles southward Piute County and Marysvale. Photos taken 08/15/10 and 10/18/04.
This auxiliary guide sign posted for Exit 23, Junction U.S. 89 south advises of connections to Bryce Canyon National Park (via Utah 12 east of Panguitch) and Zion National Park (via Utah 9 west of Mt. Carmel Junction). Photo taken 08/15/10.
Westbound Interstate 70 and southbound U.S. 89 divide in one-half mile at Exit 23. Drivers following U.S. 89 south will connect to Junction in 27 miles, Panguitch in 61 miles, and Kanab in 128 miles. The federal highway ends 331 miles to the south at Flagstaff, Arizona. Photo taken 10/18/04.
Interstate 70 west and U.S. 89 south part ways at Exit 23. U.S. 89 merges with its former routing 0.75 miles to the south at the intersection with Sevier County 4. Sevier County 4 represents the original roadway between Sevier and Cove Fort to the west. U.S. 89 otherwise travels east of Delano Peak (elevation 12,169 feet above sea level) and Mt. Holly (elevation 11,999 feet above sea level) on the drive to the Piute County seat of Junction. Photo taken 10/18/04.
Interstate 70 west
A solo Interstate 70 west shield is posted shortly thereafter. For the first time in Utah, Interstate 70 rides solo with no companion U.S. highways. Photo taken 08/15/10.
The last mileage sign for Interstate 70 westbound lists 22 miles to Interstate 15. This sign was altered between 2004 and 2010 to reflect the changed mileage (from 21 miles to 22 miles). Cove Fort is not mentioned on this mileage sign, even though it is the final exit from Interstate 70 west before merging with Interstate 15. Smoky haze continued to gather in the 2010 picture due to nearby fires. Photos taken 08/15/10 and 10/18/04.
Interstate 70 turns westward again for its final stretch across the Pahvant Range and Fishlake National Forest. This series of pictures follows Interstate 70 west between Exit 23 and Exit 17. The freeway passes through some rocky formations made especially beautiful in the morning sunlight. Ascending across the Pahvant Range on Interstate 70 west, the highway rises to an ultimate height of 7,180 feet above sea level before descending into Cove Fort. Haze continued to build due to nearby wildfires. Photos taken 08/15/10.
Since Interstate 70 gains elevation and reaches 7,180 feet above sea level, tire chains may be required for all vehicles crossing the pass in the event of winter snow. A chain up area is available at Exit 17, Kimberly Road (diamond interchange). Photo taken 10/18/04.
The next interchange along Interstate 70 west is Exit 17, Kimberly Road to Sevier County Route 4/Clear Creek Canyon Road, Fremont Indian State Park, and the Fremont Indian Museum. Note the variation in signage between 2004 and 2010. The interchange serves Kimberly Road via an adjacent forest road. To Sevier County Route 4/Clear Creek Canyon Road (alternate route between Exits 17 and 8 via Old Utah 4 and Old Utah 13), take Kimberly Road north from this interchange. Kimberly Road also connects to Lower Kimberly in northern Piute County. Photos taken 08/15/10 and 10/18/04.
Fremont Indian State Park offers a museum, restrooms, scenic vistas, phone, camping and hiking. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Interstate 70 west approaches Exit 17 to Fremont Indian State Park (one-half mile). Photo taken 08/15/10.
Colored canyon walls are visible from Interstate 70 prior to the Fremont Indian State Park interchange (Exit 17). Photo taken 08/15/10.
Westbound Interstate 70 reaches Exit 17, Kimberly Road to Fremont Indian State Park, the chain-up area, and Sevier County Route 4/Clear Creek Canyon Road (Old Utah 4 and Utah 13). Kimberly Road will parallel the westbound side of Interstate 70 briefly, but it is not a through route traveling west. Clear Creek Canyon Road, however, travels separately from and parallel to Interstate 70 by staying north of the freeway. The county route designation possibly derives from the original designation of certain segments of Interstate 70 as Utah 4. Before Interstate 70 was completed through the Pavant Range, the two-lane predecessor road between U.S. 89 and U.S. 91 (now Interstate 15) was Utah 13 until 1962, then it changed to Utah 4 until Interstate 70 was completed. Photos taken 08/15/10 and 10/18/04.
This Interstate 70 west reassurance shield is posted after the onramp from Kimberly Road. Photo taken 10/18/04.
This series of pictures (between Exits 17 and 7) follows Interstate 70 west for ten miles as it continues through the Pahvant Range and Fishlake National Forest for its final distance to Cove Fort and Interstate 15. Photos taken 08/15/10.
The next exit along Interstate 70 west is Exit 7, Ranch Exit to Sevier County Route 4/Clear Creek Canyon Road east. This interchange provides local access to the Pahvant Range and Fishlake National Forest (former Exit 8). Signed simply as a ranch exit, the diamond interchange joins the freeway with Sevier County Route 4. Photos taken 08/15/10 and 10/18/04.
Westbound Interstate 70 reaches Exit 7, Ranch Exit to Sevier County Route 4/Clear Creek Canyon Road east. Interstate 70 generally replaced Old Utah 4 and Utah 13 from Exit 7 westward to Cove Fort. Sevier County Route 4/Clear Creek Canyon Road otherwise travels east to Pavant Corn Creek Road and other National Forest Roads back to Exit 17 and Sevier. Photos taken 08/15/10 and 10/18/04.
This view looks west on Interstate 70 as we pass through the Exit 7 diamond interchange. Ahead, the freeway will ascend for a final time to the summit (elevation 7,180 feet above sea level). Photo taken 08/15/10.
Interstate 70 reaches its summit in the Pavant Range at an elevation of 7,180 feet above sea level. From here, the freeway descends toward Cove Fort. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Interstate 70 leaves Sevier County and enters Millard County, named for former U.S. President Millard Fillmore. It had a population of 12,405 as of the 2000 Census; the seat of the county is in Fillmore on the Interstate 15/Old U.S. 91 corridor. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Interstate 70 (former Utah 4 and Utah 13) descends from the summit at a rapid pace, leaving the Pavant Range behind. Cove Fort and Interstate 15 come into view toward the bottom of the hill. Photos taken 08/15/10.
Interstate 70 leaves Fishlake National Forest. Photo taken 08/15/10.
The final three exits along Interstate 70 west are: Exit 1, Junction Utah 161 to Cove Fort; Exit 0B, Junction Interstate 15 north to Provo and Salt Lake City; and Exit 0A, Junction Interstate 15 south to Cedar City, St. George, and Las Vegas. Photo taken 08/15/10.
A UDOT-designated rest stop (connected to a gas station and restaurant) is located at Exit 1 via Utah 161. A relatively short state highway, Utah 161 begins at Exit 1 and travels northwest 2.8 miles to Exit 135 of Interstate 15 via Old U.S. 91. Photo taken 08/15/10.
The Chevron and Subway listed on this sign are also located at the UDOT-designated rest stop, which can be found at the junction of Utah 161 and Interstate 15 (Exit 135). Photo taken 08/15/10.
Westbound Interstate 70 reaches Exit 1, Junction Utah 161 (Old U.S. 91) to Cove Fort. This state highway links Interstate 70 and Interstate 15 with historic Cove Fort. Aside from the UDOT Rest Stop, no other motorist services are available in Cove Fort (as it is a historical attraction). Cove Fort itself began in 1867 as an outpost for weary pioneers traveling between Beaver and Fillmore. Created by Ira Hinckley at the request of Brigham Young, the settlement remained an attraction long after its duties came to an end. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Exit 1 with Utah 161 (Old U.S. 91) is a diamond interchange and the final standalone interchange on Interstate 70. Ahead is the junction with Interstate 15. Photo taken 08/15/10.
The final two exits along Interstate 70 are Exits 0B-A, Junction Interstate 15 north to Salt Lake City and south to Las Vegas. This one-mile guide sign for junction Interstate 15 is posted at the point where Interstate 70 crosses over Utah 161. Interstate 15 meets Interstate 70 near the Millard and Beaver County line southwest of Cove Fort. The freeway replaced all of U.S. 91 from San Bernardino, California northward to Brigham City, Utah. The freeway joins Las Vegas with Salt Lake City along that stretch. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Traffic from Utah 161 (Old U.S. 91) merges onto Interstate 70 west. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Interstate 70 west passes by Milepost 1. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Shortly thereafter is the final Interstate 70 west reassurance marker. This sign is posted more than 2,200 miles west of the point where Interstate 70 began in Baltimore, Maryland. In the distance behind the Interstate 15 trumpet interchange, the Mineral Mountains rise above the western landscape giving the highway a much different look than that of the urban park and ride lot at its eastern terminus. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Westbound Interstate 70 reaches Exit 0B-A, Junction Interstate 15. The first ramp connects to Interstate 15 north to Nephi, Spanish Fork, Provo, Orem, Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Pocatello. The left two lanes will transition directly onto Interstate 15 south to Cedar City, St. George, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Diego. This trumpet interchange marks the western terminus of Interstate 70 near historic Cove Fort. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Westbound Interstate 70 meets Exit 0B, Junction Interstate 15 north to Salt Lake City. The left two lanes will merge into one lane, then merge onto Interstate 15 southwest to St. George and Las Vegas. Photo taken 08/15/10.
This series of photos follows Interstate 70 west's transition onto Interstate 15 south. Milepost zero is located at the point where Interstate 70 crosses the mainline freeway. No END shield is posted here. Although no motorist services are located near this major freeway interchange, it is only 19 miles from here south to Beaver, 73 miles to Cedar City, and 124 miles to St. George. Photos taken 08/15/10.
