The Interstate Route: Follow Route 191 north out of Moab for 32 miles to Interstate 70. Along this short stretch you'll pass the entrance for Arches National Park, and the road leading to Canyonlands National Park's Island in the Sky District.

At I-70 turn left (west) and follow all the way to I-15, 215 miles away. For Interstate travel this section of I-70 rates high with scenery as it snakes through the San Rafael Swell and Fishlake National Forest, passing Mount Terrel and Mount Hilgard, both over 11,000 feet.

At I-15 turn south and follow to Exit 27 for Route 17. Turn left on 17 and follow it into Route 9 which leads directly into Zion.

For scenery consider driving Route 24, accessed off of I-70 at Exit 147. It passes Goblin Valley and Capitol Reef National Park, before connecting with Route 12 which winds through the Escalante National Monument and skirts Bryce National Park. At Route 89 turn south until you reach Route 9, which jabs into Zion from the east.

Or opt for driving south of Moab into Monument Valley and then west to Zion. This route, however, with stops, can take up to eight to nine hours.