Interstate 80 straddles the northern portions of the Beehive State across the Great Salt Lake Desert, Salt Lake City metro, and the northern Wasatch Mountain range. Among the highlights along the route are endless miles of open desert where the curvature of the earth can be seen over the vast emptiness. The canyons that guide the freeway east from Salt Lake City to Echo Junction are quite scenic and steep. Interstate 80 also shares a short overlap with Interstate 15 to the west of downtown Salt Lake City.
Interstate 80 west
Welcome to Utah sign posted as Interstate 80 west & U.S. 189 southbound cross into Summit County from the Evanston, Wyoming vicinity. Welcome signs still tout the 2002 Winter Olympics hosted by Salt Lake City. Photo taken 09/08/05.
The first westbound reassurance shield posted along Interstate 80 westbound within the Beehive State. Utah neuters every shield along Interstate 80. Photo taken 09/08/05.
Mileage sign listing the distance to Echo (junction Interstate 84), Coalville, and Salt Lake City. U.S. 189 shares pavement with Interstate 80 silently between the state line and Exit 148 at Silver Creek Junction. No U.S. 189 shields are posted along the overlap. Photo taken 09/08/05.
The first interchange along Interstate 80 & U.S. 189 in Utah joins the freeway with Wasatch Road near the settlement of Wasatch. Wasatch Road parallels Interstate 80 westward from the state line to Exit 191 before curving eastward. Photo taken 09/08/05.
No services sign posted on Interstate 80 west & U.S. 189 south for the Exit 191 diamond interchange at Wasatch. These types of signs are commonly used throughout the west when no services (gas, food, lodging) are found within a reasonable driving distance of the exit in question. Photo taken 09/08/05.
Westbound at the Exit 191 ramp departure for Wasatch Road at Wasatch. Photo taken 09/08/05.
The carriageways of Interstate 80 & U.S. 189 diverge for a moment just south of Wasatch and Exit 191. The parallel Union Pacific Railroad line comes into view to the west. Photos taken 09/08/05.
Continuing southwestward along Interstate 80 & U.S. 189 on the approach to Exit 187. Exit 187 constitutes the first of several "ranch exits" found within the Beehive State. Ranch Exits provide access to areas otherwise not served by the local area road network. An unnamed roadway stems east from the diamond interchange ahead. Photo taken 09/08/05.
Westbound at the Exit 187 ranch exit on Interstate 80 & U.S. 189. Photo taken 09/08/05.
Despite the lack of population and oncoming traffic from Exit 187, a mileage sign lists the distances to Echo, Coalville, and Salt Lake City. Photo taken 09/08/05.
Local roads tie into Interstate 80 & U.S. 189 at the settlement of Castle Rock (Exit 185). Photo taken 09/08/05.
A look at the scenery and no services sign found on Interstate 80 west & U.S. 189 near the Castle Rock diamond interchange (Exit 185). Photos taken 09/08/05.
Westbound at the Exit 185 ramp departure to Castle Rock. Local roads parallel Interstate 80 east & U.S. 189 north within the vicinity of Castle Rock. A second local road stems into the mountains south of Castle Rock otherwise. Photo taken 09/08/05.
Next in line for westbound travelers is the state of Utah Port of Entry. Referred to as Weigh Stations in most states, the port of entry is simply a station set up to weigh commercial trucks as they travel Utah highways. Photo taken 09/08/05.
All commercial trucks not pre-passed via weigh in motion must enter the Port of Entry. In addition all buses, unlicensed vehicles, dealers, and vehicles with livestock must enter the facility. Note the Union Pacific Railroad line parallel to the Port of Entry on the right. Photo taken 09/08/05.
Looking northward at the local scenery and Union Pacific Railroad line from Interstate 80 west & U.S. 189 south near the Port of Entry. Photo taken 09/08/05.
The next exit along Interstate 80 west facilitates access to Echo Canyon Road (former U.S. 30S) at Exit 178. The parallel roadway ventures west from a partial "Y" interchange alongside the freeway. Photo taken 09/08/05.
Echo Canyon Road begins via Exit 178 on Interstate 80 west & U.S. 189 southbound. The parallel roadway follows the freeway 10.7 miles west through Emory to Echo Junction. The overpass visible to the right of Exit 178 is the Union Pacific Railroad underpass of Echo Canyon Road. Photo taken 09/08/05.
Traveling westward through Echo Canyon on Interstate 80 & U.S. 189. The freeway, Echo Canyon Road (old U.S. 30S), and the Union Pacific Railroad all travel at the base of the adjacent mountains. The community of Emory lies just south of Interstate 80 & U.S. 189 near milepost 180. Photos taken 09/08/05.
An upcoming exits overhead lists the distance to the Utah Welcome Center/rest area, Echo (Exit 169), and junction Interstate 84 west. The three destinations lie at Echo Junction just north of Coalville. Photo taken 09/08/05.
Utah generally signs its rest areas with exit numbers like standard interchanges. The Utah tourist information center and rest area at Echo is assigned number 170. Photo taken 09/08/05.
Westbound at the "Exit 170" off-ramp to the Utah tourist information center and rest area. Pick up a free Utah state map, local area information, and learn about the state's history at the facility. Photo taken 09/08/05.
Views of the Echo Junction area and the surrounding canyon scenery from a knoll adjacent to the Exit 170 rest area. The Union Pacific Railroad and Echo Canyon Road flow through along the base of the northern canyon wall. To the west is the Interstate 84 eastern terminal interchange. Photos taken 09/08/05.
An additional two views of the red rock facades that adorn the north facing side of Echo Canyon from the westbound lanes of Interstate 80 & U.S. 189. Photos taken 09/08/05.
