Near Wendover in Tooele County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Welcome to the Bonneville Salt Flats

And Utah's Famed Measured Mile—Site of World Land-Speed Record Runs

Photographed by Duane Hall, June 30, 2013

1. Welcome to the Bonneville Salt Flats Marker

Inscription.
Utah's famed measured mile is located approximately seven miles beyond this marker, well in front of the mountains you see on the horizon. The elevation along that course is approximately 4,218 feet above sea level. *** The total length of the course that includes the measured mile varies from year to year, but for recent runs it has been laid out in a path 80 feet wide and approximately ten miles long, with a black reference stripe down the middle. Due to the curvature of the earth, it is impossible to see from one end of the course to the other. *** Timing of world land-speed record runs is under the jurisdiction of the United States Automobile Club. World land-speed record times represent an electronically-timed average of two runs over the measured mile, within a one hour time period--one run in each direction. *** The first world land-speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats was set on September 3, 1935 by Sir Malcolm Campbell. His speed was 301.13 miles per hour. *** Criag Breedlove holds the honor of being the first man to go faster than 400, 500, and 600 miles per hour. His record of 600.601 miles per hour, set

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on November 15, 1965, was finally broken on October 23, 1970, by Gary Gabelich. *** Gabelich's new record is 622.407 miles per hour.

Both Gabelich's rocket engine 'Blue Flame' and Breedlove's jet-powered 'Spirit of America' were equipped with specially designed inflatable tires, pre-tested to speeds in excess of 800 miles per hour.

Erected 1972 by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical date for this entry is September 3, 1935.

Location. 40° 44.262′ N, 113° 51.423′ W. Marker is near Wendover, Utah, in Tooele County. It can be reached from Interstate 80 at milepost 10, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located at the Salt Flats East Rest Area. It is accessible only from the eastbound travel lanes of I-80. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wendover UT 84083, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Utah’s Wasatch Front,

in the West Desert,

and in Greater Salt Lake.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it is in North America,

the

Photographed by Duane Hall, June 3, 2013

2. Welcome to the Bonneville Salt Flats Marker

At the Salt Flats East Rest Area

Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: First Transcontinental Telephone Line (a few steps from this marker); Bonneville Salt Flats International Speedway (approx. 2.7 miles away); Base Chapel (approx. 8.9 miles away); Airmen’s Dining Hall and Barracks (approx. 8.9 miles away); Atomic Mission Hangar 1831 (approx. 9.1 miles away); Operations Building (approx. 9½ miles away); South Base Area (approx. 9½ miles away); Control Tower (approx. 9½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wendover.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,378 times since then and 116 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2026, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 31, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.