Is this normal JK temp/behavor?

[Gordknight]

I have a 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon JK with 105k miles on it. I bought it back in March when it had 103k miles on it. Everything seems is excellent condition. No leaks that I can see of any kind. No check engine lights or anything like that. An issue though I am seeing and I am not sure if its normal for these Jeeps or not and thus the reason for my question is, it seems to run somewhat hotter than I am used to.

When on the freeway and driving at high speeds I have the digital thermostat gauge up. It never gets above 226 degrees on the freeway. Usually it stays at 221-222. The lowest I saw it go on the freeways is 219. However when I am driving around town, stop and go and traffic lights etc I see the gauge read up to 240 and then the loud fan kicks in and gets it back down to 228-230. The air conditioner is running full blast during both of these tests. Also during this time I will see the analog temp gauge go up to about 5/8ths but it never reached 3/4. After the fan has been on a while it will go back down to 1/2. It never goes above 1/2 on the freeway.I have checked the radiator fluid and its full, as I said no leaks or anything. Is this normal for the JK and I am overthinking it? Or should I have it looked at? Thanks! For reference I am in the desert in high altitude in Utah and its been around 100 degrees here.

 

[Anybodyhome]

Obviously the optimum position for the temp gauge is dead center, regardless of where or how you're driving, unless you're off-road and changing the dynamic.
First things first- check your coolant level and add via the radiator, not the coolant reservoir. Lift the front end above the rear end by 6" or so and add coolant via the radiator, little at a time. The coolant will displace the air out the radiator top, known as "burping." I normally do this cold. Once the radiator won't take any more coolant, start the engine and, if the coolant level drops in the radiator, add more, let it burp, until the radiator is again topped off.
Second- you may have a thermostat going bad. Has the temp consistently been as you describe or has it recently reared its head? With that many miles, it may just need to be replaced. If you go that route, just go ahead and get the cooling system flushed while you're at it.
Third- when you turn off the engine, are you getting the smell of hot coolant in the engine bay anywhere? Any signs of coolant on the driveway or garage floor? Remove the engine cover and do a visual of the engine and check for any pooling coolant around the block anywhere.