SR-208 runs through a very rural area as a two-lane road, not passing near any communities and not intersecting with any significant side roads along its course. Though fairly lightly traveled, it functions as a somewhat important western connection between US-40 and SR-35 that can reduce travel distances by over 31 miles (50 km) by bypassing Duchesne.[3]
The southern terminus of SR-208, at its junction with US-40, September 2016
The highway begins at an intersection with US-40, about one mile (1.6 km) west of the Pinion Rest Area on US-40, about 6.3 miles (10.1 km) east of Fruitland, and about 18.2 miles (29.3 km) west of Duchesne. (From the intersection, US-40 heads east toward Duchesne, Roosevelt, and Vernal and west toward Heber City, Provo, and Salt Lake City. Hatch Knife Road [39300 West] heads southerly from the intersection as a dirt road into the foothills of Cedar Mountain.)[4][3]
From its southern terminus, SR-208 heads north–northeast for about 2 miles (3.2 km) before reaching a T intersection with 4 C's Ranch Road (the only named side road along the highway), connecting with several unnamed side dirt roads along the way. (4 C's Ranch Road heads southeasterly into the 4 C's Ranch.) After continuing north–northeast for about another mile (1.6 km) and just after going over a very low mountain pass, SR-208 curves slightly west. The highway then continues on a nearly northward course for about another mile (1.6 km) as it crosses the Santaquin Draw.[5] For the next 3.9 miles (6.3 km) the highway traverses a series of gradual curves through the lowest of the southeast foothills of Tabby Mountain.[6][3]
Just after an S-curve to the east, SR-208 begins a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) east–northeast descent down Golden Stairs Canyon.[7] At the mouth of that canyon, SR-208 crosses the Duchesne River as it curves to head north for its last half mile (0.8 km). Immediately after crossing over the Hicken Ditch[8]irrigation canal, SR-208 reaches its northern terminus at a T intersection with SR-35, about 2.7 miles (4.3 km) southeast of Tabiona. (SR-35 heads southeasterly to its own [eastern] terminus at Utah State Route 87, which in turn, proceeds south to Duchesne. SR-35 heads northwesterly to Tabiona, Hanna, Heber City, and Park City.)[3]
Legal definition
The legal definition of State Route 208 is as follows:
72-4-126. State highways -- SR-201 to SR-204, SR-208 to SR-211.
(5) SR-208. From Route 40 east of Fruitland northerly to Route 35 near Tabiona.[9]
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) collects data for the State Highways and Local Federal-Aid roads. Traffic is measured in both directions and reported Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT). AADT is collected for major intersections and "sections where traffic volumes show a substantial increase or decrease". Reported traffic data for the entire length of SR-208. As of 2019[update], SR-208 had an AADT of 424. Since 1981, traffic along the highway has increased by nearly 93 percent.[10]
Travel restrictions along SR-208 only apply to oversized vehicles and are the same as those which UDOT has established that apply to all state highways in within the state.[Note 1][11][12]
History
SR-208 was designated in 1941 by the Utah State Road Commission as running "from a point on route 6 [US-40] approximately six miles east of Fruitland in Duchesne County, thence northerly to route 35 at a point near Tabiona".[2] The route has remained unchanged since then.
^ abThe Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) defines oversized vehicles as any vehicle exceeding any of the following: 10 feet (3.0 m) in width, 105 feet (32 m) in overall length, or 14 feet (4.3 m) in height. Oversized vehicles are prohibited on all state highways in Utah (unless otherwise permitted) during designated and defined major holidays periods (holiday periods exceed the actual day of the holiday). In addition, travel by oversized vehicles, plus any with an overhang of more than 10 feet (3.0 m), is restricted to daylight hours.[11][12]
^ abUtah State Legislature (1941). "Chapter 34". Session Laws of Utah. Route 208. From a point on route 6 approximately six miles east of Fruitland in Duchesne County, thence northerly to route 35 at a point near Tabiona
