How much does it cost to travel to Moab?
You should plan to spend around $388 per day on your vacation in Moab. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $37 on meals
- $17 on local transportation
- $671 on hotels
A one week trip to Moab for two people costs, on average, $5,437. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Moab has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Moab expensive to visit?
Moab is a somewhat more expensive place to visit. Located in the United States of America, which is a moderately priced country, visitors will need to plan for the extra expenses of this destination. It is in the top 25% of cities in the country for its overall travel expenses. When visiting, expect to pay somewhat higher prices for accommodation, food, and activities.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Moab is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in North America for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, Moab is generally more expensive than most.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Moab Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Moab?
The average Moab trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Moab travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
$671
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$17
|
|
Food 2
|
$37
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$3.13
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
$16 -
47
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$33 -
99
|
Accommodation Budget in Moab
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Moab is $336. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Moab is $671. This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Moab? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Moab
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Moab is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $17 per person, per day, on local transportation in Moab.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$17
How much does it cost to go to Moab? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Moab will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Moab
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Moab can vary, the average cost of food in Moab is $37 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Moab should cost around $15 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Moab is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$37
Typical prices for Food in Moab are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Moab, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
-
Moab Brewery
$42
-
Breakfast for Two
$17
Entertainment Budget in Moab
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Moab typically cost an average of $3.13 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$3.13
Typical prices for Entertainment in Moab are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Moab, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
-
Slickrock Trail Pass
$5.00
Tips and Handouts Budget in Moab
Calculated from travelers like you
Alcohol Budget in Moab
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $66 on alcoholic beverages in Moab per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$66
Last Updated: Feb 22, 2023
Moab On a Budget
Sunset at Canyonlands National Park near Moab, Utah
Moab is the closest town to
Arches National Park in Utah's Canyon Country. It is also a popular base for exploring
Canyonlands National Park. It's a small town that serves mainly to accommodate tourists to the popular national parks and other surrounding wildlife areas. It has grown dramatically in recent years and has a population of just over 5,000. In town you will find hotels and motels, a handful of restaurants and a few shops where you can stock up on supplies. There's a small museum, the Museum of Moab, and a variety of tour operators in town. You can easily book river rafting trips, jeep expeditions, and tours of the surrounding area. For many, exploring Arches National Park on your own is a more enjoyable and independent experience.
The general climate of the area is very desert like. You can expect very hot summers, with temperatures often reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and cold winters, with temperatures dropping to below freezing. Plan your trip accordingly, as you will spend most of your time outdoors.
Sights
Most people use Moab as a base for visiting the nearby Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. This town also makes a great starting point for a
southern Utah road trip.
Arches NP is strikingly beautiful with a very unique landscape. It has a large concentration of natural arches that have been shaped by the area's geography and climate. The arches are surprisingly diverse in their size, style, and general integrity. The area also has some interesting wildlife and plant life. Park rangers run regular guided tours of the area, and in the evening they offer programs that discuss the park's history and geography. Although the programs are often targeted at children, many adults also find them very enjoyable and informative. Of course, there are
plenty of great hikes in Arches that are worth experiencing, some long and some short, but all are beautiful.
Canyonlands National Park has a beautiful landscape of canyons, mesas, and buttes that have been formed by the Colorado River, the Green River, and many tributaries.
Another interesting place to visit is the Museum of Moab, which is a fifty year old museum that highlights the history, geology, and paleontology of the area. In fact, this is just one of many
things to do in Moab outside of the national parks. Visitors can also go hiking, rafting or kayaking, 4-wheeling, camping, and more.
Neighborhoods
Moab is a small town that serves as a tourist base for those visiting the nearby national parks. The town has a Main Street where you'll find a few restaurants and tour companies. The Main Street is along US Route 191. Traveling north away from town you'll reach Arches National Park, Canyonland Field Airport and Interstate 70. Utah State Route 279 provides access to Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park. For a more established route, travel farther north on Hwy 191 to Utah State Route 313.
Activities
Moab is all about the outdoors. There are some wonderful hikes in the area that range in difficulty from easy to strenuous. They take you through the area's dramatic landscape and allow you to see some strikingly beautiful arches. There's also a nice campground in the park called Devil's Garden Campground. You will likely need reservations in advance during the peak months. Another option is to visit the park's back country, but a permit is required.
River rafting on the Colorado river is also popular. There are several vendors in the area that offer guided trips along the river. Most people book a one day trip along the Fisher Towers Section, which is a 14 mile stretch that is relaxing and appropriate for families and those with children.
Food and Dining
Moab is a small town but amenities have continued to grow as the popularity of the nearby parks continues to grow. There are a handful of good restaurants in the area. Moab Brewery is on South Main Street and is a great place for both food and beer. There's a separate dining and bar area as well as billiards and television. If you're traveling with kids, ZAX has a decent pizza bar in a family friendly setting. Other options in the area include Singha Tai Cuisine, Pasta Jay's, and La Hacienda.
Transportation
Most people have a private vehicle when they explore southern Utah. National parks and natural beauty is the appeal of the area and only with a vehicle will you have access to the most impressive views and incredible hikes. From Moab you can easily access both Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. Dead Horse Point State Park is also nearby.
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We've been gathering travel cost data from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of destinations around the world.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.