A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charlottesville vs. Moab for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Charlottesville or Moab?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Charlottesville and Moab. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a southern, proud, and traditional university town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums. See Charlottesville travel costs.

Moab

Moab is a active, scenic, and adventurous town. Many visitors also come to Moab because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking and shopping. See Moab travel costs.

Charlottesville and Moab: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlottesville or Moab?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Moab. Although Charlottesville and Moab are popular destinations, Moab has more sights and attractions for tourists. Moab is very popular for its hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Charlottesville attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, nightlife, historical sights, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Moab is more touristy than Charlottesville and is known for its desert landscapes and the iconic arches found at Arches National Park. It is also well known for Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. Charlottesville is famous for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Charlottesville different from Moab?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Moab and Charlottesville. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Charlottesville or Moab?

Charlottesville is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Moab is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

Charlottesville is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

Moab offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that will teach you about the geology and history. You can pop in the Moab Museum or the Film Museum at Red Cliffs Ranch, as well as the galleries around town.

Is the Food Better in Charlottesville or Moab? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Charlottesville and Moab.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Charlottesville. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Moab may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The town has grown over the years and now you'll find a diverse selection of restaurants that serve decent food. There are steakhouses, pizzerias, and even a couple ice cream shops.

Is Charlottesville or Moab Better for Nightlife?

Charlottesville is a popular place for nightlife. However, Moab is not a good destination for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Charlottesville has a few options to choose from. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Most people don't head to Moab specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town has grown significantly and you'll find bars, taverns, and breweries where you can hang out in the evening, but it's still a quiet place with a laid back atmosphere.

Is Charlottesville or Moab Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a popular place for its historic old town. However, Moab does not have a historic old town.

Charlottesville is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Moab does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlottesville or Moab Better for Hiking?

Moab is terrific for hiking. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for the nearby hiking options.

Moab is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The area is filled with hiking trails, both inside the nearby national parks as well as outside. Canyonlands National Park is large with impressive overlooks, while Arches National Park has fun hikes that take you by diverse arches and include many opportunities for scrambling. Outside of the park, hikers can visit Corona Arch or search for dinosaur footprints at Dinosaur Tracks Trail.

Charlottesville is a good destination for hiking. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlottesville or Moab?

Moab is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Moab. There are gift shops, places to buy outdoor equipment, and convenient stores around town. There are also a number of art galleries that sell local items or impressive photography.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlottesville or Moab More Beautiful?

Moab is terrific for its scenery and beauty. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its scenery and beauty.

Many visitors also come to Moab because of it's amazing beauty. The desert landscapes and unique geological features make this a fascinating and beautiful area to explore. The dramatic arches in Arches National Park tell a unique story of how the geology of the area has changed.

Charlottesville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Surrounded by the Shenandoah Mountains, this is a beautiful town and home to the beautiful University of Virginia.

Is Charlottesville or Moab Better for Families?

Moab is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Moab is very family-friendly. It's a world of outdoor adventures. You'll find river rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, and many kid-friendly trails. There's also the Tracks Museum, where kids can learn about dinosaurs as well as swimming pools or swimming holes in the area.

Charlottesville is a family-friendly place to visit. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Charlottesville or Moab Better for Couples?

Moab is a great town for its romantic activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for couples.

Moab is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The area is filled with adventurous fun, with everything from world-class hikes to impressive rafting trips. The dramatic landscape provides the backdrop for a truly spectacular trip.

Charlottesville is a good university town for couples to visit. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Is Charlottesville or Moab Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Moab is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Charlottesville is not known for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Moab. The town has many campgrounds and even a few hostels. Arches National Park has only a few backcountry overnight camping sites. Terrain is rough and most areas aren't accessible by trail.

Charlottesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is camping an hiking in the area that is a good option for backpackers.

Is Charlottesville or Moab Better for Students?

Charlottesville is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Moab is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Charlottesville. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Moab is not popular with students.

Is Charlottesville or Moab Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Charlottesville is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Moab is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Moab. There are efforts to create a transportation program within town, but there are limited transportation options available. If you book a tour, they usually provide transportation.

Is Charlottesville or Moab a more walkable city?

Charlottesville and Moab are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Charlottesville is generally not a very walkable university town. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

Moab is generally not very walkable. While it's possible to walk around within the town, most visitors don't come to visit they town, they come to explore the area. You'll need a car to access most points of interest in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting? and Is Moab Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Moab or Charlottesville?

How long in Charlottesville or Moab?

In either Charlottesville or Moab, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Moab than Charlottesville because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Charlottesville, and 2-5 days is enough time in Moab.

Families should spend more time in Moab than Charlottesville. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Moab, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Moab than Charlottesville. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Moab that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Moab than Charlottesville if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Moab.

One day in Charlottesville or Moab?

Charlottesville is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The adventurous destination of Moab offers shopping. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Charlottesville or Moab?

Charlottesville is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The town of Moab offers shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Charlottesville or Moab?

Charlottesville is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This university town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Moab is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. This town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Charlottesville or Moab?

Because Charlottesville is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Many people enjoy the shopping when visiting Moab. Hikers are also drawn to this area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charlottesville and Moab, we can see that Moab is more expensive. And not only is Charlottesville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Charlottesville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charlottesville and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Moab would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Moab than you might in Charlottesville.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Charlottesville Expensive? and Is Moab Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Moab?

Charlottesville has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Moab. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville and Moab, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.