RoadAtlas
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States — Historical
North America

Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway

United States

Point-to-point
Dinosaur, Colorado Fruita, Colorado

In short: Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway is a 720 km historical road trip in United States, typically driven over 4 days, best in Apr–Oct. Highlights: Dinosaur, Colorado, Dinosaur Quarry Wall, Vernal.

Distance
720 km
Duration
4 days
Best Season
Apr–Oct
NotableEasyHistorical

A loop through the greatest concentration of dinosaur fossils on Earth, the Dinosaur National Monument's quarry wall (1,500 bones embedded in exposed sandstone), the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, Arches National Park's red-rock arches, and the Book Cliffs' 160-million-year-old Morrison Formation strata. Where the Jurassic Period meets the American canyon country.

~1 refuel
~2 charges
Practical notes
Check current hours for every fossil site: Dinosaur National Monument uses a free summer shuttle from the Quarry Visitor Center to the Quarry Exhibit Hall, while remote Jurassic National Monument has seasonal services. Arches does not require timed entry in 2026, but entrance lines and temporary parking restrictions remain possible. Carry ample water, sun protection, food, and fuel between Vernal, Price, Green River, Moab, and Fruita.

Make this route yours

Set your dates, pace, and taste, and RoadAtlas AI rebuilds this trip day by day with real, verified places.

Included with Traveler and Explorer plans.

Explore on the interactive map →

Plan this trip

Self-guided audio toursExplore local stories near city stops Hotels for this tripCompare stays before you go Flights for this tripCompare flight options before you go Car rental for this tripCompare rental options before you drive

Third-party planning links may be affiliate links. RoadAtlas stays independent, and you should verify details with the provider.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Dinosaur, Colorado and Vernal, Utah area

Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum · Quarry Visitor Center and Quarry Exhibit Hall · Vernal Brewing Company

Day 2Cleveland-Lloyd and Price, Utah area

Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry Visitor Area · USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum · Jim's Family Restaurant

Day 3Green River to Moab

John Wesley Powell River History Museum · Dead Horse Point State Park · The Tamarisk Restaurant

Day 4Arches National Park to Fruita / Grand Junction

Arches National Park signature stops · Dinosaur Journey Museum · Moab Brewery

Stops along the route

Dinosaur, Colorado — Departure — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Departure
Dinosaur, Colorado
Gateway to Dinosaur National Monument. Harper's Corner Road leads to sheer canyon overlooks 800m above the confluence of the Yampa and Green rivers.
Hotels
Vernal — City — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
City
Vernal
Utah's dinosaur capital. The Field House Museum displays full skeletons and a Dinosaur Garden of 18 life-size sculptures in the fossil-rich Uinta Basin.
Hotels
Price — City — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
City
Price
The Price museum holds ceratopsian skulls and Utah raptor skeletons pulled from the Book Cliffs that tower above this coal-country crossroads town.
Hotels
Green River — City — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
City
Green River
The Green River cuts through the San Rafael Swell here, its canyon walls layered with the same Morrison Formation fossil beds that line the Diamond route.
Hotels
Fruita, Colorado — Arrival — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Arrival
Fruita, Colorado
The Diamond's western anchor. Dinosaur Journey has a working fossil lab and robotic mounts; Rabbit Valley's Trail Through Time shows bones eroding from open hillsides.
Hotels

Things to Do

Dinosaur Quarry Wall — Nature — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Nature
Dinosaur Quarry Wall
A 60m sandstone cliff holds 1,500 bones in situ: Stegosaurus, Diplodocus, Allosaurus, left exactly where they died 150 million years ago and touchable by visitors.
Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry — Nature — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Nature
Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry
Over 12,000 bones from 74 individuals packed into one Jurassic mudhole — the densest Allosaurus site on Earth, still actively excavated from the Morrison Formation.
Arches National Park — Nature — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Nature
Arches National Park
Over 2,000 sandstone arches rise from Entrada Sandstone deposited atop Jurassic fossil beds. Landscape Arch spans 88m; Delicate Arch stands alone on a slickrock bowl.
Quarry Exhibit Hall fossil wall — Paleontology — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Paleontology
Quarry Exhibit Hall fossil wall
Make the in-place wall of roughly 1,500 dinosaur bones the first day’s anchor, using the seasonal shuttle when operating.
Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum — Museum — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Museum
Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum
Explore interactive exhibits showcasing fossils and geological wonders of the region.
Jurassic National Monument quarry — Paleontology — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Paleontology
Jurassic National Monument quarry
Visit the Cleveland-Lloyd quarry during its published seasonal hours before continuing to Price.
Show 2 more
Arches National Park — National Park — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
National Park
Arches National Park
Give the park a dedicated morning or day for its signature formations instead of combining it with Green River and Fruita museums.
Museum of Western Colorado: Dinosaur Journey — Museum — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Museum
Museum of Western Colorado: Dinosaur Journey
Features robotic dinosaurs and hands-on exhibits about the region's prehistoric past.

Where to Eat

Antica Forma — Italian — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Italian
Antica Forma
Authentic Neapolitan-style pizzeria known for its wood-fired pizzas and fresh ingredients.
The Tamarisk Restaurant — American — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
American
The Tamarisk Restaurant
Riverside dining offering classic American dishes with scenic views of the Green River.
Moab Brewery — Brewpub — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Brewpub
Moab Brewery
Popular spot featuring house-made beers and a diverse menu in a lively atmosphere.
The Hot Tomato — Pizza — Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — United States
Pizza
The Hot Tomato
A current Fruita restaurant for a celebratory finish after Dinosaur Journey; verify current hours.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway drive?

The Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway covers 720 km from start to finish.

How long does the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway take to drive?

Most travellers spend 4 days on the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway?

The recommended season for the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway is Apr–Oct.

Where does the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway start and end?

The Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway runs from Dinosaur, Colorado to Fruita, Colorado.

What are the main stops on the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway?

The Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway passes through Dinosaur, Colorado, Dinosaur Quarry Wall, Vernal.

How difficult is the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway to drive?

The Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway in a regular car?

Yes — the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway?

Plan around 1 refuels (or about 2 EV charges) along the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, based on its 720 km length.

Is the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway safe to drive?

Check current hours for every fossil site: Dinosaur National Monument uses a free summer shuttle from the Quarry Visitor Center to the Quarry Exhibit Hall, while remote Jurassic National Monument has seasonal services. Arches does not require timed entry in 2026, but entrance lines and temporary parking restrictions remain possible. Carry ample water, sun protection, food, and fuel between Vernal, Price, Green River, Moab, and Fruita.

What scenic tier is the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway?

The Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway is a notable drive — Notable scenic drives — strong character routes that locals know well and that reward travellers willing to step beyond the most-photographed roads.