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5 Best Road Trips From Las Vegas, Nevada

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If you can find a free weekend or a few extra days, you can take a spectacular road trip from Las Vegas . Sin City has the convenience of being close to several top attractions, cities, and national parks, so don’t miss your chance to explore the great American West!

You can plan a road trip itinerary using our guides on national parks near Las Vegas and things to do outside Las Vegas . However, this article gives you the best Las Vegas road trips to maximize time and mileage. I’ll share 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10-day Las Vegas road trip itineraries so you can find the perfect one for your schedule.

In summary, these are the best road trips from Vegas :

• Grand Canyon , the best 2-day road trip from Las Vegas
• Los Angeles , a fun 3-day car trip from Las Vegas
• San Francisco , one of the most popular 4-day road trips from Las Vegas to California
• Monument Valley , one of the best 5-day road trips from Las Vegas to Arizona
• Arches National Park , the ultimate 10-day road trip from Las Vegas to Utah

Also, before setting off on your weekend getaway from Las Vegas , you’ll want reliable transportation. I suggest reading my guide on renting a car in Las Vegas or, for the ultimate experience, renting an RV in Las Vegas or campervan rentals in Las Vegas .

1. Grand Canyon, the best 2-day road trip from Las Vegas

♦   576 miles, 9 hrs total driving – 2 days, 1 night – Out & back

Taking a road trip from Vegas to the Grand Canyon is one of the best things to do near Las Vegas .

Right outside Las Vegas, you’ll pass the Hoover Dam , where you can spend a few hours. Take a tour of this significant landmark and check the attractions nearby.

Continue towards Grand Canyon Village , also known as the South Rim. While it’s a slower route, to get there I recommend taking historic Route 66 from Kingman to Seligman. Once in the Grand Canyon National Park you can check its famous viewpoints, restaurants, and beautiful hiking routes.

The park is open 24/7, and the entrance fee is $30 per vehicle. If you have more time, I have some ideas for extending your Las Vegas road trip to the Grand Canyon South Rim .

2-DAY LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP ITINERARY

Day 1 – 300 miles, 5 hrs.

Get an early start, so you have time to visit Hoover Dam and Boulder City. Then, continue your road trip from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon South Rim. The scenic route is via Route 66, between Kingman and Seligman. This way, you’ll see Angel & Vilma’s Gift Shop, famous restaurants like Mr. D’z 66 Diner, the Grand Canyon caverns near Peach Springs, and the Mohave Museum.

Once at Grand Canyon Village, you can take one of the shuttles to popular lookouts like Hopi Point (it has the perfect sunset views). The Rim Trail, which circles the South Rim, is a great hike to do as a family.

• Recommended accommodations: Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn and The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon are great, or consult our guide on where to stay in the Grand Canyon .

Day 2 – 280 miles, 4 hrs 15 mins

The best way to start your second day is with a Grand Canyon helicopter tour . It’s an amazing way to see the canyon, and we have an entire guide on the top 6 flight tours.

After your helicopter ride, take the free shuttle to one of the lookout points around the South Rim. You can also visit interesting places like the Yavapai Geology Museum and the Tusayan Ruins and Museum before heading back to Vegas.

• Recommended accommodations: Any of the best hotels in Las Vegas will be great for an overnight stay.

VEGAS ROAD TRIP ALTERNATIVES

One extra day.

Use your extra day in the Grand Canyon to visit the West Rim . Here, you can see the Skywalk, a glass balcony that hangs over the edge of the canyon. Visiting the West Rim adds 90 miles and 2 hrs 15 mins of driving.

Two extra days

A couple of extra days at the Grand Canyon means you can hike the Bright Angel Trail , one of the top hikes in the canyon. The path starts at Grand Canyon Village and descends over 4,360 feet into the canyon.

The route is 16 miles round-trip, so you’ll need 2 days to do it. It’s best to hike to the bottom. Camp there overnight, then make the ascent back to the South Rim.

Three extra days

If you have three more days in this area, you can make the trek to Havasu Falls. The falls are part of the Havasupai Indian Reservation, so you must make reservations in advance.

To get to the trailhead, take Route 66 toward Peach Spring. Continue for about 130 miles and turn right onto Indian Road 18. This road leads to the Hualapai Hilltop Parking Lot.

From there, you can hike the Havasupai Falls Trail to the waterfalls, which aren’t far from the Havasupai Campground .

2-DAY LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP MAP​

2. Hollywood, a fun 3-day car trip from Las Vegas to Los Angeles

♦ 350 miles, 6 hrs 15 mins total driving – 3 days, 2 nights – One-way

When planning a road trip from Las Vegas , consider California. This state is full of gorgeous landscapes, enjoyable cities, and, of course, beaches. My itinerary is for a 3-day road trip from Las Vegas to Hollywood, but you can add more days and take a Vegas road trip to San Diego too.

On this car trip to Los Angeles from Las Vegas , you’ll take a pitstop to 7 Magic Mountains before visiting Mojave National Preserve . The preserve has some of the best night skies in the country, so I highly recommend camping overnight.

Then, head to Joshua Tree National Park and see the wide range of desert flora there. Check out the Cholla Cactus Garden and stay overnight in the park before waking up early for day 3.

The last stop on this road trip from Las Vegas to California is Los Angeles , where you can find unlimited things to do. If you have more time, extend your stay in LA, or drive down to San Diego.

Keep in mind that the end point of this route is different from the starting point. So, when setting up your rental, consider any extra fees for returning the car in a different location and book two one-way flights.

3-day Las Vegas road trip itinerary

Day 1 – 97 miles, 2 hrs.

This  Las Vegas road trip to California  begins with a quick stop at  7 Magic Mountains . This colorful art installation by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone is a nice photo op along the Las Vegas Freeway.

Then, drive the hour or so to  Mojave National Preserve , one of the most amazing destinations between Vegas and LA. Rather than drive through it, take time to appreciate the area, especially the Kelso Dunes and the ancient Mojave Lava Tube. The volcanic tunnel is over 1300 feet long and casts impressive light rays in the afternoon.

One of the most popular things to do here is to hike the Rings Loop Trail, which is a little over a mile long. You’ll see that Mojave National Preserve has lots of Joshua Trees; it actually has the highest density of these trees in the world, even more than Joshua Tree National Park!

• Recommended accommodation:  Hole-in-the-Wall Campground

Day 2 – 125 miles, 2 hrs 15 mins

The next day, make the short drive to  Joshua Tree National Park , which is also in the Mojave Desert. This park is known for its unique landscape of Joshua trees and gravity-defying rock formations.

That said, one of the best sights in Joshua Tree is the  Cholla Cactus Garden . You can take the circular walking trail through the garden of brittlebush, desert lavender, and several species of cacti.

• Recommended accommodations:  Americas Best Value Inn & Suites Yucca Valley  or  High Desert Motel Joshua Tree National Park

Day 3 – 130 miles, 2 hrs

The last stop on this  3-day road trip from Las Vegas  is  Los Angeles . Here, you’ll have your pick of all kinds of tours and activities, so check our guide on to  things to do in Los Angeles  for some ideas.

Everyone likes popular attractions like the  Hollywood Sign  and the  Walk of Fame . Perhaps you’d prefer one of the beaches, like  Santa Monica  or  Malibu . Film buffs can check out the famous  Hollywood studios and theaters , while shopaholics can hit  Rodeo Drive .

• Recommended accommodations:  InterContinental – Los Angeles Downtown  is nice, and we have a guide on  where to stay in Los Angeles

Vegas road trip alternatives

One day short.

If you must cut your trip short one day, skip Mojave and go straight to Joshua Tree. It’ll save you 25 miles and 45 minutes of driving.

An extra day means you can spend two days in LA, which is great because there are so many  things to do in Los Angeles  and Hollywood.

Add two more days to your itinerary, and you can take a  Vegas road trip to San Diego . It adds 120 miles and one hour of driving, and you can see fabulous beaches like La Jolla Cove.

3-DAY LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP MAP​

3. San Francisco, one of the most popular 4-day road trips from Las Vegas to California

♦ 630 miles, 12 hrs 30 mins total driving – 4 days, 3 nights – One-way

Note: This route can only be completed when Tioga Road is open; check dates.

This 4-day road trip from Las Vegas is action-packed and starts with a visit to Red Rock Canyon . Then, you’ll head to Death Valley , where you can see the famous Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, Artist’s Palette, and other sights.

Then, you can witness the unique landscapes of Alabama Hills , Hot Creek , and Mono Lake before stopping at Yosemite National Park . This is a must-see on any road trip from Las Vegas to California since Yosemite is full of hiking routes, waterfalls, lookouts, and other landmarks.

The last stop is San Francisco , an amazing city by the bay with all kinds of attractions. Not only is the city surrounded by beautiful natural places, but San Fran itself is tons of fun. Check out iconic areas like Nob Hill, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps. Besides that, there are museums, historic buildings, neighborhoods, and architectural monuments to behold.

With all of the stops along the way, this is the best road trip from Las Vegas to San Francisco !

4-day road trip itinerary from Las Vegas

Day 1 – 130 miles, 2 hrs 30 mins.

The first stop on this road trip from Las Vegas to California is right outside Sin City. You’ll start by exploring Red Rock Canyon , known for its fiery rock formations and ancient pictographs. You can check out the sights along the Scenic Loop Drive or do one of the most popular hikes in Red Rock .

Then, you’ll make your way to Death Valley , California , one of the largest national parks in the country. Here, you’ll have your pick of all kinds of attractions and points of interest, like the Artist’s Palette and Badwater Basin , the lowest point in the U.S. There are also hiking trails to overlooks like Zabriskie Point and Dante’s View .

• Recommended accommodations: Stay at The Ranch at Death Valley or check out our guide on where to stay in Death Valley

Day 2 – 230 miles, 4 hrs

Outside Death Valley, there is the town of Lone Pine, a great intermediary between Death Valley and Mt. Whitney. Here, you must see the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. If you’ve ever seen a western film, you’ll recognize the landscape of Alabama Hills. Check out scenic Movie Road and the famous Mobius Arch , which perfectly frames the mountain range in the distance.

Later, make the drive to Hot Creek Geological Site , a gorge with bubbling turquoise hot springs. Magma mixes with the cool waters of Hot Creek to heat the thermal pools, which you can hike past for a closer look.

Day 2 of this 4-day road trip from La Vegas ends with a visit to nearby Mono Lake . This saline lake offers lovely views of the Sierra Nevada mountains, as well as hiking and kayaking.

• Recommended accommodations: Spend a restful night at Lake View Lodge near Mono Lake.

Day 3 – 80 miles, 2 hrs

Get an early start in the morning so you can make the long drive to Yosemite National Park . You can stop by Yosemite Village and the Visitor Center for trail maps and info, then decide what to do.

I will say that some of the best things to see here are El Capitan , which is over 7,500 feet tall, and the Half Dome , another granite formation that’s over 8,800 feet tall. The park also has the highest waterfall in the U.S., Yosemite Falls , which is 2,425 feet tall.

There are other waterfalls in the park, as well as lakes and overlooks. You can see some of these while traveling along Glacier Point Road . Also, it’s worth seeing Tuolumne Grove , a giant sequoia forest. Of course, there is lots more to see here, including wildlife and beautiful hiking trails, so check our guide!

• Recommended accommodations: Stay at Yosemite Valley Lodge or one of the places in our guide on where to stay in Yosemite

Day 4 – 190 miles, 4 hrs

Finally, this Las Vegas road trip ends in San Francisco , one of the most enjoyable cities in the country. There is a little bit of everything here, so it’s well worth the drive.

This bay city is known for its relaxed environment and landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge , Fisherman’s Wharf , and Nob Hill . One of the most iconic things to do here is to take a cable car past notable sights like Chinatown and Russian Hill .

San Francisco is full of museums, unique neighborhoods, shops, restaurants, and natural areas like forests, gardens, and beaches. So, be sure to read our guide so you can plan your perfect day in the city.

• Recommended accommodations: The Handlery Union Square Hotel is a nice downtown accommodation, or you can check our article on where to stay in San Francisco

Vegas car trip alternatives

If you can add more days to your  road trip from Las Vegas to California , you can see even more incredible things along the way. Here are some ideas to consider if you have more time.

If you have an extra day, you can spend more time in  Yosemite . You could easily spend three days in the park since there is so much to do there. The  Upper Yosemite Falls Trail  is a gorgeous 7-hour route, and  Tunnel View  is an iconic lookout point.  Mirror Lake  and  Mariposa Grove  are two other lovely spots, and the  Taft Point-Sentinel Dome  hike is a must-do if you have the time.

Another option if you have one more day is to spend more time in  San Francisco . You could even spend a week here and not get bored. So, it’s up to you if you want to see nearby natural attractions or explore the city.

With two extra days, you can spend more time in  Yosemite  or  San Francisco  and take a detour to  Lake Tahoe . A visit to the largest alpine lake in the U.S. adds 150 miles (2 hrs 45 mins) of driving.

Here, you can do different kinds of water sports or visit one of the ski resorts. Lake Tahoe also offers excellent hiking trails like the  Tahoe Rim Trail  and  Eagle Lake .

4-DAY LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP MAP​

4. Monument Valley, one of the best 5-day road trips from Las Vegas to Arizona

♦ 900 miles, 16 hrs 20 mins total driving – 5 days, 4 nights – Loop

This 5-day road trip from Las Vegas has lots of interesting stops, so be prepared. As you leave Vegas, pay a visit to the Valley of Fire , and walk among the dazzling geological formations.

Then, spend a day exploring Zion National Park and some of the hiking routes and viewpoints there. Next, this road trip from Las Vegas goes to Arizona , where you’ll see Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon . You’ll definitely want your camera for these two incredibly scenic places!

The next stop on this road trip from Las Vegas is Monument Valley , an area full of mesas, buttes, and stunning starry skies. Finally, you’ll head to the Grand Canyon , where you can hike along the canyon’s rim or even take a helicopter tour.

As you make your way back to Vegas, take historic Route 66 . It’s a bit longer, but it’s more scenic. As you get closer to Sin City, you can pass through Boulder City and check out the Hoover Dam , too.

5-DAY ROAD TRIP ITINERARY from Las Vegas

Day 1 – 180, 3 hrs 30 mins.

This  road trip from Las Vegas  begins with a stop at the  Valley of Fire , one of the best hiking spots right outside Sin City. Some of the  most popular hikes in Valley of Fire  include the  Fire Wave Trail  and  Petroglyph Canyon Trail .

Besides hiking, you can do the  Scenic Drive  at Valley of Fire, which goes past some famous landmarks. While the park is known for its fiery rock formations, it also has colorful attractions like the  Rainbow Vista  and  Pink Canyon . Plus, this can be a  fun road trip from Las Vegas  to do with kids. They’ll love the  petroglyphs ,  Elephant Rock , and the  Fire Cave .

After spending some time at Valley of Fire, drive a few hours northeast to  Zion National Park .

• Recommended accommodations:  La Quinta by Wyndham Kanab  is comfortable and cheap, but we also have a guide on  hotels and campgrounds in Zion

Day 2 – 120 miles, 2 hrs 20 mins

Day 2 of this  Las Vegas road trip itinerary  is dedicated to exploring  Zion National Park . We have an article about all the things to do in Zion, but I’ll tell you some of the most popular activities if you only have one day.

As I said, the hiking trails here are amazing, so check out  Angel’s Landing ,  The Narrows , or  The Subway . The family-friendly  Lower Emerald Pools  trail is also worth doing. Also, Zion has excellent starry skies, and you can get iconic views from the  Court of the Patriarchs  lookout point.

If you take the  Zion Scenic Drive , you’ll see the  Visitor Center and Museum ,  Court of the Patriarchs ,  The Grotto ,  Weeping Rock ,  Big Bend , and  Temple of Sinawava.

After Zion, head to Page, Arizona, and get some rest for another action-packed day.

• Recommended accommodations:  Country Inn & Suites by Radisson  is one of the best, or you can check out our guide on  where to stay in Page

Day 3 – 120 miles, 2 hrs

As you continue your  5-day road trip from Las Vegas , make a quick stop at  Horseshoe Bend . This horseshoe-shaped meander stands nearly 1,000 feet tall and has an imposing presence you have to see to believe. The view from Horseshoe Bend is incredible at sunrise or sunset, but even if you can’t visit then, it’s still beautiful.

Another great thing about Horseshoe Bend is that it’s a very short drive from  Antelope Canyon . We have an article about how to photograph the canyon and which part to visit. I will tell you that if you go to the Upper section in summer in the middle of the day, you can see the famous  light beams  coming through the canyon walls.

Also, be aware that since Antelope Canyon is within the  Navajo Indian Reservation , you must take a tour. A Navajo guide will take you through the canyon and tell you about the geological and cultural history of the area, and you’ll see the canyon’s undulating structure for yourself!

After spending time at Antelope Canyon, drive the two hours to  Monument Valley  and get some rest for Day 4 of this  road trip from Las Vegas .

• Recommended accommodations:  Goulding’s Lodge  is among the most popular, or you can book one of the places in our  where to stay in Monument Valley  guide

Day 4 – 180 miles, 3 hrs 15 mins

Get an early start in the morning and check out  Monument Valley . One of the best things to do here is to take the  Scenic Drive  past fascinating formations. You’ll see  Elephant Butte , the  Three Sisters ,  John Ford’s Point ,  The Thumb , and several other landmarks.

You can also hike the  Wildcat Trail  and capture superb photos at lookout points like  The Mittens and Merrick Butte  and  Artist’s Point .

Be sure to budget enough time to drive to the  Grand Canyon  from Monument Valley since it takes over 3 hours, and you’ll want to rest up for tomorrow.

• Recommended accommodations:  Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn  or  The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon

Day 5 – 300 miles, 5 hrs 15 mins

Spend the last day of this  road trip from Las Vegas at the Grand Canyon . Start at  Grand Canyon Village , which is at the  South Rim . From there, you can take one of the shuttles to the  South Kaibab Trail  or  Hermit Road where you can find beautiful viewpoints like Yavapai and Yaki Point  on the Kaibab Rim Route or  Hopi Point  on the Hermit Road Route.

If you want to make your visit extra special, take a  helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon  and see this natural wonder from a birds-eye view.

When it’s time to head back to Sin City, take the return trip via  Route 66 . This way, you’ll pass the most iconic part of this famous highway, then you can stop at  Boulder City  and visit  Hoover Dam .

• Recommended accommodations: Spend the night at one of the  best hotels in Las Vegas

VEGAS ROAD TRIP alternatives

If you’re short on time, you can skip Monument Valley and save 150 miles (about 2.5 hours) of driving.

If you have time, you can make this a  6-day road trip from Las Vegas . You could spend a day in  Bryce Canyon  or check out  Sedona and Red Rock Country .

Bryce Canyon National Park is a short drive from Zion and is known for its incredible hoodoos and rock formations. It adds 120 miles (2 hrs 15 mins) of driving.

Meanwhile, Red Rock Country is in the Oak Creek area of Sedona and has a distinct canyon landscape. Some of the most photographed sights here include  Oak Creek Canyon , Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and  Tuzigoot National Monument . It adds 135 miles (3 hrs) of driving.

If you have two extra days, you can maximize your  road trip from Las Vegas to Arizona  by visiting  Sedona  and  Phoenix . Check out the iconic attractions along the  Red Rock Scenic Byway . Phoenix is home to the  Desert Botanical Garden , several impressive hiking trails, and  South Mountain Park , one of the largest in the U.S. It adds 295 miles (5 hrs 20 mins) of driving.

Alternatively, two extra days can give you the  best road trip from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon . You’ll have enough time to hike the full  Bright Angel Trail  and camp at the bottom of the canyon.

If you want to extend your trip by 3 extra days, consider adding the  Havasu Falls  to your itinerary. After visiting the Grand Canyon, make the drive to Supai at the Havasupai Indian Reservation. Along with a lodge, you’ll find the  Havasu Falls Trailhead , which takes you past the  Fifty Foot Falls  and  Navajo Falls . Once you get to  Havasu Falls , you can see Carbonate Canyon and stay overnight at the  Havasupai Campground . It adds 140 miles (4 hrs 30 mins) of driving.

5-DAY LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP MAP​

5. Arches, the best 10-day road trip from Las Vegas to Utah

♦ 1,545 miles, 31 hrs total driving – 10 days, 9 nights – Loop

This ultimate 10-day road trip from Las Vegas begins with a stop at the Valley of Fire , where you can take the scenic drive (Mouse’s Tank) past the Rainbow Vista, Arch Rock, and other impressive formations.

The next day, you can visit Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks for amazing lookout points, hikes, and geological monuments. Speaking of which, this road trip from Las Vegas to Utah also includes the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument . Spanning 1.8 million acres, this natural wonder sits between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef , another national park on this itinerary.

Capitol Reef offers excellent hiking and backpacking, and it’s about an hour from Goblin Valley State Park , an awesome place in Utah for wildlife viewing and stargazing.

Two other national parks you’ll see are Arches and Canyonlands , which have thousands of natural arches between them. The tail-end of this Las Vegas road trip includes stops at Monument Valley , Antelope Canyon , Horseshoe Bend , and the Grand Canyon , which I’ve mentioned earlier.

Finally, as you make your way back to Vegas, you can visit Boulder City and Hoover Dam .

10-DAY LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP ITINERARY

Day 1 – 185 miles, 3 hrs 15 mins.

The  distance from Vegas  to  Valley of Fire  is about 45 miles, so this state park is the first stop. It’s a great place to hike outside Sin City, especially since there are trails for all levels. Not only that, but each route takes you past some incredible sights, like the  Fire Wave ,  Pink Canyon , and  Balanced Rock .

After exploring this red sandstone playground, get back in the car and make your way to  Zion National Park .

• Recommended accommodations: Stay at  La Quinta by Wyndham Kanab  or check our guide to  hotels and campgrounds in Zion

Day 2 – 85 miles, 2 hrs

As one of the top  road trip ideas from Las Vegas , you can’t miss  Zion National Park . That said, if you only have one day there, you must prioritize.

I recommend doing a hike, such as  Angel’s Landing , which takes about 4 hours and leads to an amazing 360° viewpoint. Other photographic spots in Zion include the  Three Patriarchs ,  The Narrows , and the  Emerald Pools .

After a day in Zion, continue this  road trip from Las Vegas to Utah’s national parks  by heading to  Bryce Canyon .

• Recommended accommodations: Check out  Bryce Park Place  or our list of suggested  hotels and campsites in Bryce Canyon

Day 3 – 105 miles, 3 hrs 15 mins

Like Zion,  Bryce Canyon  is an excellent stop on this  road trip from Las Vegas to Utah . The defining characteristic of Bryce Canyon is the smattering of hoodoos, which are spire-like rock formations.

One of the best ways to see the hoodoos is by going to  Sunrise Point , where you can see them glow in the sunlight. Moreover, there are other intriguing natural sculptures in Bryce, like  Thor’s Hammer ,  Bryce Amphitheater , and  Two Bridges .

If you’d like to do a short hike, I recommend the  Navajo Loop  or  Queen’s Garden Trail . You can combine these routes and loop past  Queen Victoria  and  Wall Street , ending at Thor’s Hammer.

The next stop will be the  Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument , so head to your hotel and get some rest.

• Recommended accommodations: Stay at the  Cowboy Country Inn  or the  Canyon Country Lodge

Day 4 – 115 miles, 3 hrs 40 mins

Besides Zion and Bryce Canyon, there are lots of other cool  things to do in Utah . The next stop on this  road trip from Las Vegas to Utah  is the  Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument , a remote region in southern Utah.

GSENM covers an expansive area, so you won’t be able to see everything during your trip. I recommend checking out the  Hole-in-the-Rock Scenic Byway , a 55-mile road that winds around several attractions. It’s a good way to see the  Zebra and Tunnel Canyons , the  Devil’s Garden ,  Batty Pass Caves ,  Jacob Hamblin Arch, Coyote Natural Bridge , and more.

The arches in this place are out of this world, as are the  Spooky and Brimstone Gulches . After basking in the magnitude of this natural monument, do the short drive to  Capitol Reef  and rest up.

• Recommended accommodations: Spend the night at the  Capitol Reef Resort  or  Broken Spur Inn & Steakhouse

Day 5 – 160 miles, 2 hrs 45 mins

This  Utah national park road trip from Las Vegas  continues with a visit to  Capitol Reef National Park . The area is known for its white sandstone cliffs and domes, which look like dried-up reefs. That said, it’s also in southern Utah’s red rock country, so the landscape is quite beautiful.

You can see lots of canyons, cliffs, gorges, and petroglyphs while traveling along the park’s  Scenic Drive . There are also several trailheads, so consider a short hike like the  Capitol Gorge ,  Goosenecks , or  Sunset Point Trail .

About an hour north of Capitol Reef, you’ll find  Goblin Valley State Park , another interesting  place to visit in Utah . Its desert landscape is characterized by giant hoodoos, which have been nicknamed “goblins.” The park offers excellent wildlife spotting and enjoyable hikes like the  Carmel Canyon Loop  and the  Three Sisters Trail , which leads to a natural monument by the same name.

Another great thing about Goblin Valley is that it’s about 1.5 hours from  Arches National Park , the next stop on this  Las Vegas road trip itinerary .

• Recommended accommodations:  Red Cliffs Lodge  or  River Canyon Lodge

Day 6 – 30 miles, 45 mins

As you might expect,  Arches National Park  is full of natural arches, bridges, and rock structures. It’s the perfect place to visit on any  Las Vegas road trip to Utah .

Some of the most iconic spots I suggest checking out include  Balanced Rock ,  The Windows , and  Turret Arch .  Double Arch  is one of the most famous landmarks in the park, as is  Delicate Arch , which you can reach via a 3.4-mile hike.

If you want, you can hang out in the town of  Moab  before heading to  Canyonlands National Park . Along with shops and restaurants, Moab is home to the popular strong>Corona Arch.

• Recommended accommodations: Consider  Moab Springs Ranch in Moab  or  Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Moab

Day 7 – 200 miles, 3 hrs 40 mins

Day 7 begins at  Canyonlands National Park , home to exceptional natural landmarks like the  Mesa Arch . I recommend getting there at dawn so you can see the sunrise from the arch.

That said, there are other amazing sights to see here. For example, the  Washer Woman  stands 500 feet tall, and  Monster Tower  is even higher. One of the best viewpoints here is the  Green River Overlook , where you can gaze at an impressive landscape from 1,000 feet up.

The park offers wildlife spotting, hiking, and kayaking throughout its four regions, so I suggest checking beforehand and planning which section to visit during your day here.

Moreover, together with Arches and Canyonlands,  Dead Horse Point State Park  is also worth visiting. Known as the setting for the film  helma & Louise , the park has some family-friendly hikes to beautiful viewpoints. I recommend the  Dead Horse Point Overlook Trail  or the  Visitor Center Nature Trail . They’re short enough to give you time to drive to  Monument Valley  and rest for tomorrow.

• Recommended accommodations: Book a room at  Goulding’s Lodge  or check out our guide on  where to stay in Monument Valley

Day 8 – 125 miles, 2 hrs 10 mins

On Day 8, it’s time to bring this  Las Vegas road trip to Arizona . The first stop in this state is  Monument Valley , one of our personal favorites. With its striking landscape of red stone and green desert shrubs, it’s no wonder this place was a backdrop for movies like  Fort Apache  and  Back to the Future III .

If you can time it right, catch the sunrise at  Merrick Butte ; it’ll leave you breathless. Of course, there are other iconic views here, such as the one from  John Ford’s Point . A few other cool sights include  Camel Butte , the  Three Sisters , and  Elephant Butte . If you want to do a self-guided hike, do the  Wildcat Trail  around the  West Mitten Butte .

Monument Valley is the best introduction to Arizona, although as you drive to  Page, Arizona , you’ll see that there is more to come!

• Recommended accommodations: Sleep at  Country Inn & Suites by Radisson  or one of the places in our  Page hotels  guide

Day 9 – 150 miles, 2 hrs 50 mins

Antelope Canyon  is an absolute dream to visit, so you must add it to your  Las Vegas road trip itinerary . It’s one thing to see photos of this place and another to walk through the slot canyon yourself.

We have a complete visitor’s guide with tips on how to photograph Antelope Canyon and which tour to take. I’ll tell you that both the  Upper and Lower canyons  are gorgeous, so there’s no wrong choice here!

What’s also great about Antelope Canyon is that it’s close to  Horseshoe Bend , another stop on this  Arizona road trip from Las Vegas . Be sure to make a quick stop here to see the view from nearly 1,000 feet high. You’ll want your camera with you because Horseshoe Bend offers the best images of the  Colorado River .

After an exciting day, drive to the  Grand Canyon  and get some sleep for a full day of exploring tomorrow.

• Recommended accommodations: Stay at  Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn  or  The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon , or consult our guide on  where to stay in the Grand Canyon

Day 10 – 300 miles, 5 hrs 15 mins

Last but not least, this  10-day road trip from Las Vegas  goes to the  Grand Canyon . The  South Rim  is where  Grand Canyon Village  is, so I recommend exploring this area. There are popular overlooks and trails here, such as the  South Kaibab Trail  or the  Rim Trail .

If your budget allows, I highly recommend taking a  helicopter tour  over the canyon. Not only is a helicopter ride a good use of your time, but you’ll be able to escape the crowds and see an entirely new view of the Grand Canyon.

Be sure to plan enough time to make the  drive to Las Vegas from Arizona . Right before you hit the city limits, you’ll pass through  Boulder City  and the  Hoover Dam . Consider checking out the  Visitor Center  or  Memorial Bridge  before heading into Vegas.

• Recommended accommodations: Recover from your road trip at one of the  best hotels in Las Vegas

VEGAS car TRIP ALTERNATIVES

If you have an extra day, consider spending more time in  Zion  since there are so many things to see there.

You could also extend your time at the  Grand Canyon  and visit the  West Rim and Skywalk . It adds 90 miles (2 hrs 15 mins) of driving.

Yet another option is to check out  Red Rock Country in Sedona, Arizona . The distinct canyon landscape includes Oak Creek Canyon, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Tuzigoot National Monument. It adds 135 miles (3 hrs) of driving.

With two extra days, you can maximize your  road trip from Las Vegas to Arizona  by visiting  Salt Lake City . The city is full of impressive temples, parks, natural areas, and, of course, Great Salt Lake. It adds 355 miles (6 hrs 50 mins) of driving.

Another way you can maximize your  road trip from Las Vegas to Arizona  is by visiting  Sedona  and  Phoenix . Check out the iconic attractions along the  Red Rock Scenic Byway  in Sedona. Then go to Phoenix, home to the  Desert Botanical Garden , several impressive hiking trails, and  South Mountain Park , one of the largest in the U.S. It adds 295 miles (5 hrs 20 mins) of driving.

If you loved the  Grand Canyon , spend your extra time hiking the full  Bright Angel Trail  and camping at the bottom of the canyon.

If you want to extend your trip by 3 extra days, consider adding the  Havasu Falls  to your itinerary. After visiting the Grand Canyon, make the drive to Supai at the  Havasupai Indian Reservation . Along with a lodge, you’ll find the Havasu Falls Trailhead, which takes you past the  Fifty Foot Falls  and  Navajo Falls . Once you get to  Havasu Falls , you can see Carbonate Canyon and stay overnight at the  Havasupai Campground . It adds 140 miles (4 hrs 30 mins) of driving.

Those are the five  best road trips from Las Vegas ! I hope you found an itinerary that works for your schedule. Be sure to check out my map of each road trip so you can see the driving  distances from Vegas  and planned routes.

10-DAY LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP MAP​

If you want more options, check my 10-day West Coast itinerary with Las Vegas as the starting point. It’s true that we didn’t optimize miles and time, but we got to see the main national parks and cities in Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and California.

Finally, feel free to tell me about your Las Vegas road trip below or ask any questions. I’ll be happy to help you out! Safe travels!

Ascen Aynat

2 replies on “ 5 Best Road Trips From Las Vegas, Nevada ”

Good morning from Australia,

I will be visiting USA August & September 2024. I will be going to several cities and town, but would like to end up in Las Vegas.

I have been to Zion National Park & Bryce Canyon twice previously and was wondering if you would be able to tailor a road trip for me of approx 5 days, departing and returning from Vegas, or departing from Salt Lake City and returning to Vegas.

i would like to visit the large rock formations in the area.

Thank you and regards

Hi Peter, That sounds awesome. I would start by looking at our 10-day road trip from Las Vegas (which goes to Utah), and tailoring it to your interests. For example, skip Zion and Bryce Canyon, and instead check out the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, which has some unique formations. There are lots of cool things to see in Utah , but I recommend the national parks at Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands.

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These 5 road trips from Las Vegas will take you far beyond casinos and glitz

Apr 10, 2024 • 6 min read

Not far from the glitz of the Strip, the open road offers desert adventures © JacobH / Getty Images

In a city filled with the atypical, it’s easy to fall into the typical tourist routine in Las Vegas .

The generationally accepted Sin City mantra is to gamble, catch a show, gamble some more, have a few drinks, enjoy a little entertainment…and repeat as many times as humanly possible until you have to stagger back to the airport and catch your flight home. Vegas’ two tourist zones, the Strip or Downtown/ Fremont Street , are within a 15-minute drive of one another; if you stay in one, perhaps you’ll make an excursion to the other. And that’s the extent of a “day trip” for most.

Yet far too many visit Las Vegas without exploring the top-notch historical, geographical and cultural attractions nearby, many of which are within a three-hour drive. By renting a car, you can coast through the likes of Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire of State Park within 45 minutes (though we recommend taking more time, to explore the orange rock formations in both by hiking).

It’s pretty easy to navigate Las Vegas and surrounding areas via generally well-kept and well-paved roadways, with Interstate 15 (running north-south), Clark County Rte 215 (a beltway encircling the city) and a US Rte 95 (a northwest-southeast diagonal) the key roads to know.

It’s true that Las Vegas is surrounded by desert, and this arid region doesn’t abound with notable road-trip stops. But quality makes up for quantity, and you’ll find a world of wonder awaits within reach of Sin City: think the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, quirky hotels, national parks…and so much more.

Here are three true day trips – plus two additional multi-day options – that will help expand your Las Vegas horizons.

1. Grand Canyon West

Best road trip to do via bus Las Vegas–Grand Canyon West Skywalk; 125 miles (201km); allow one (long) day

The Western Rim of the Grand Canyon (known as Grand Canyon West ) is within a two-and-a-half-hour bus ride of Las Vegas. Tour operators like Grand Canyon Destinations , Gray Line and GC Tours pack it all in one day, making early morning pick-ups, allowing three-or-so hours of free time and stopping for optional meals. The “must” at Grand Canyon West is a tip-toe along the cantilevered, glass-bottomed  Skywalk .

Planning tip: Grand Canyon West is operated by the Hualapai Nation (whereas Grand Canyon National Park is under the purview of the National Park Service). From Las Vegas, a trip to the national park will take substantially more time, and should be a multi-day affair. 

2. Boulder City

Best road trip for history lovers Las Vegas–Boulder City; 26 miles (42km); allow one day  

While this city is only a 30-minute drive southwest of Las Vegas, it feels a world apart. Whereas the Strip is all about creative destruction and ever-bigger resorts, Boulder City has more than 500 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, most of which were constructed in the 1930s and ’40s. The city came into being in the ’30s, when workers from across the USA converged to build nearby Hoover Dam ; you can learn all about the key figures at the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum . En route to the majestic dam – just 15 minutes northeast of Boulder City – stop at Hemenway Park , which offers panoramic vistas of the often bright-blue Lake Mead . 

Detour: Henderson is Nevada ’s second-largest city, and its Water St artery regularly hosts car shows, parades and farmers markets.

3. Laughlin

Best road trip for a river reprieve Las Vegas–Laughlin; 97 miles (156km); allow one day  

On the southern tip of Nevada on the Colorado River, you’ll find this cozy, casino-filled town. Along north-south main drag Casino Dr, you’ll see a handful of gambling names that you’ll also find in Las Vegas, including Golden Nugget , Harrah’s and Tropicana . So why Laughlin ? Its appeal boils down to cheaper table games, less swank and river adventures aplenty.

Water excursions come in all forms here, including guided kayaking journeys with Desert River Outfitters , Jet Ski rentals with Watercraft Adventures or hikes along the Colorado River Heritage Greenway Trail , which runs adjacent to the river.

Best road trip for seeing another side of the Silver State Las Vegas–Reno; 438 miles (705km); allow 4–5 days  

With its vast green landscapes, a slower pace and small-town vibes, northern Nevada is a different world from Las Vegas. Its anchor is Reno – aka the “Biggest Little City in the World,” a nickname proudly proclaimed by an arched sign in the city’s Commercial Row core. Reno is a nearly 7-hour drive from Vegas following US Rte 95.

En route, stop at the Goldfield Hotel , the 1902 hallmark of an eerily quiet town and regarded as one of the most haunted structures in the US. Keep that haunted streak going with a visit to the Clown Motel in Tonopah , which also has a free clown museum in its lobby. Tonopah is also stargazing heaven, hosting  a biweekly “Star Party”  after dark every April through October. Telescopes and binoculars are provided to get up close and personal with the constellations.

Once you arrive in Reno, hit the Reno Brewery District , which has more than 15 craft spots. Nevada’s first meadery, the Black Rabbit Mead Company uses locally sourced honey in its brews.

5. Zion National Park

Best road trip for outdoors enthusiasts Las Vegas–Springdale, Utah; 159 miles (256km); allow 4–5 days  

Within a two-hour drive of Sin City, a world of emerald pools, soaring pine-lined trails and the Angels Landing bucket-list hike await. And for all the wonder you’ll find within Zion National Park , getting there from Las Vegas is half the fun. Along the way – generally a straight-north shot on I-15 – stop at Valley of Fire State Park to see mounds of sandstone with red patterns reminiscent of a cinnamon bun, as well as 2000-year-old petroglyphs etched in caves. Continue north to the city of St George, just over the Utah border. Red mountains loom in the distance over its historic downtown and art district; pop in the St George Art Museum for rotating exhibits that showcase the Western USA ’s rocky and rugged beauty.

As you approach Zion, Springdale, the quaint town at the park’s southern gate, has southwest-inspired souvenir shops, hotel-chain outposts and the five-star LaFave Luxury Resort , which has villas that sleep up to 10. If want to camp in the park, Watchman Campground is open year-round, with reservations accepted up to six months ahead of booking. 

Detour: Tucked off Interstate 15, Mesquite is a golfer’s paradise, with nine public courses – including the Jack Nicklaus–designed Coyote Springs Golf Club – within a 10-minute radius of town.

This article was first published Apr 5, 2024 and updated Apr 10, 2024.

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The Ultimate Las Vegas-Grand Canyon Road Trip Itinerary

• April 6, 2023

Las Vegas is a popular point of origin (or final destination) for a Grand Canyon road trip. What exactly makes Sin City such an ideal starting point?

• If you have enough time, its proximity to the Grand Canyon offers easy access to every spot on the Rim.
• It’s also within easy driving distance of a number of other nearby southwest hotspots —not to mention the smorgasbord of activities and attractions available in Sin City to any type of visitor.
• Flights to Las Vegas are usually reasonably priced compared to Phoenix (another popular point of origin for a Grand Canyon road trip).

Whether you’re planning a road trip to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas or you’re ending your southwest journey in Sin City, we’ve created a Las Vegas-Grand Canyon road trip itinerary to get you rolling.

Before we jump into places to visit on the way, you’ll need to decide what region(s) of the Grand Canyon you want to visit. Each tourist region can be reached fairly easily from Las Vegas by car, depending on how much time you have.

If you have five days or more, and are flexible with your route, you can easily hit all four regions by following our itinerary. If you have less time, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered, too.

Las Vegas-Grand Canyon Road Trip

Explore all four rims of the Grand Canyon—and beyond if you want to keep the fun rolling!

Route Summary

Las Vegas → Springs Preserve → Boulder City →  Hoover Dam & Lake Mead → Grand Canyon West → Route 66: Kingman and Seligman, AZ → Williams, AZ → Tusayan → South Rim National Park → Return to Las Vegas or continue east → Grand Canyon East and Page, AZ → Flagstaff, Sedona, and Jerome → Montezuma Castle → Phoenix

Total Miles Travelled: 823 miles (from Las Vegas to Phoenix); 784 miles (Las Vegas Loop) Total Driving Time: 14 hours 40 minutes; 13 hours 35 minutes Recommended Trip Duration: 5-7 days

To make it easier for road trippers who have less time to explore the southwest, we’ve broken up our itinerary into two segments:

From Las Vegas to the South Rim and everything in between, including Grand Canyon West, Route 66, and the Hoover Dam. Ideal for shorter timelines, loop routes, and those beginning their road trip in Las Vegas.

• If you only have one day for your Grand Canyon road trip, opt for the West Rim—you can easily make it there and back to Las Vegas in a single day. Save yourself the work of driving and hop on a guided tour instead—there are many guided tour options available, including airplane tours, helicopter floor landings, and leisurely Colorado River boat tours through the Grand Canyon.
• If you only have the time to visit one Rim, head to the South Rim—it has the greatest number of viewpoints, guided ranger programs, and hiking trails, as well as many of the most iconic sights and vistas. The best way to experience the South Rim as part of a Grand Canyon road trip is to spend the night—that way, you can break up the drive and check out the many other places to visit on the way to the Grand Canyon. More on that below.
• If you have more time, you can add the East Edge segment to your trip.

ROAD TRIP TIP: While it is possible to drive straight to the South Rim from Las Vegas and back in a single day, we don’t recommend it—you won’t have time to stop at the many other places to visit on the way to the Grand Canyon, and you may feel too rushed to truly enjoy the splendor of the South Rim. Instead, plan to spend the night somewhere so you can experience everything the region has to offer without feeling stressed or pressured to get back on the road, or hop on a guided South Rim tour and let someone else do the driving.

Explore the sights and attractions that lie beyond the borders of the South Rim, including Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and Bryce Canyon, as well as cities like Flagstaff, Sedona, and Phoenix. Ideal for those journeying westward towards Las Vegas from Phoenix or other eastern points of origin, or for longer road trips. If you have lots of time to work with, you can also add the East Edge component of the Las Vegas-Grand Canyon Road Trip Itinerary to the West Edge segment of our suggested route, or skip the West Edge altogether by heading straight to the South Rim from Las Vegas and continuing east.

The Ultimate Las Vegas-Grand Canyon Road Trip: West Edge route details

What can you see and do between Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, and beyond? Let’s find out.

Las Vegas hosts nearly 43 million visitors every year. Its reputation for catering to visitors of every inclination—including kids—and its proximity to numerous Southwest locations make it an ideal spot to start your Grand Canyon road trip. Depending on your preferences, you can start your Grand Canyon road trip in Las Vegas or end your southwest adventure in Sin City.

If you have a few days to explore Las Vegas, check out our Ultimate Guide to Visiting Las Vegas for our tips for finding the right hotel, what to pack, where to eat, and what to see and do in the city limits and beyond.

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Springs Preserve

Located just 5 miles from the Strip, Springs Preserve is a 180-acre natural preserve featuring interactive exhibits about how to live sustainably in the desert, the history of Las Vegas, and its historic and current inhabitants.

It’s a great place to stop if you’re beginning your southwest adventure in Las Vegas for a quick primer on area history, geology, and wildlife. If you’re ending your Grand Canyon road trip in Las Vegas too, make sure you visit Springs Preserve either before you continue your journey or head home.

Boulder City

About 30 minutes southeast of Las Vegas and just a short hop from Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam, Boulder City is the last place you can stop for major metropolitan conveniences before you hit the desert.

ROAD TRIP TIP:  Skip the busy and expensive breakfast in Sin City and stop in Boulder City instead. Pack a picnic to enjoy in Hemenway Park—you may even spot a bighorn sheep. They’re known to frequent the area.

Hoover Dam & Lake Mead

• The Hoover Dam created the nation’s largest reservoir—Lake Mead—covering 248 square miles and containing approximately 29 million acre-feet of water. One acre-foot is equivalent to about 325,000 gallons. As a result of a drought in the Colorado River Basin, Lake Mead has since dropped to its lowest water level since it was first filled in the 1930s.
• It took a total of 21,000 workers to build the Hoover Dam. Each worker was paid an hourly wage ranging from $0.50 to $1.25. There were officially 96 construction-related fatalities, but no workers were buried alive while the Dam was poured.
• The Dam consists of approximately 4.3 million cubic yards of concrete—that’s enough concrete to pave a 16-foot-wide, 8-inch-thick road from San Francisco to New York City.
• The Hoover Dam is not the world’s tallest dam—that title belongs to the 1,001 foot high Jinping-I Dam in Liangshan, Sichuan, China.
• Lake Mead is America’s most diverse recreation area, with 600,000 hectares of mountains, canyons, and wilderness, plus two lakes where you can fish, participate in watersports, and swim.

About 40 miles east of Las Vegas, this is a great place to stop and stretch your legs while you snap a pic of Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam, and the Bypass Bridge. If you have the time, hop on a Hoover Dam tour and journey deep inside the Dam for a look at the hydroelectric generators, a chance to navigate the interior tunnels, and to learn more about the Dam. Guided tours run daily and are about one hour in duration.

The Hoover Dam isn’t directly en route for road trips to the North Rim or Grand Canyon East, so if you’re heading in that direction, you might be better off making a separate trip or taking a guided Hoover Dam tour from Las Vegas so you can take your time to truly enjoy the visit.

After your visit to the Hoover Dam, cross the Bypass Bridge into Arizona.

ROAD TRIP TIP: Arizona does not observe daylight saving. After you cross the border, double check your timezones so you can adjust your clocks accordingly and stay on schedule.

• Grand Canyon West

Continue 100 miles from the Hoover Dam to Grand Canyon West. If you don’t have time to visit Grand Canyon West and the South Rim, stay on Highway 93 till you reach Kingman, AZ .

While you’re there, be sure to check out Eagle Point and Guano Point, as well as attractions like the Skywalk, Hualapai Ranch, and the new zipline.

Learn more about what you can do and see at Grand Canyon West:

These 3 Viewpoints Will Make You Want to Visit the Grand Canyon’s West Rim

• September 24, 2021

The Grand Canyon’s West Rim has no shortage of breathtaking vistas and experiences to offer.

How Did They Build the Skywalk?

• August 24, 2021

Learn how this 1.2 million pound steel and glass structure is able to extend straight out from the edge of Eagle Point, 4,000 feet above the Canyon floor.

8 Reasons Why You Should Visit the West Rim

• August 10, 2021

There are many advantages to visiting the West Rim. Here’s why you should make the short trip to the West Rim next time you’re in Las Vegas.

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• August 9, 2021

How does the Skywalk stay up? How thick is the glass? Keep reading to get the answer to all your questions about the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

Route 66: Kingman and Seligman, AZ

After visiting Grand Canyon West, it’s time to get your kicks on Route 66. Hop on the Mother Road in Kingman, AZ and continue your journey along one of the original highways in the U.S. Highway System.

ROUTE 66 FACT: Route 66 was established in 1926. Also known as the Main Street of America and the Mother Road, Route 66 originally stretched from Chicago through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before culminating in California. Because it crossed the majority of the country, it was one of the main routes for people migrating west during the 1930s Dust Bowl.

Kingman, AZ

Kingman, AZ, is a common stop on the road between the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas or Los Angeles, and it’s where you’ll catch Route 66 if you’re planning a road trip to the Grand Canyon. With over 60 restaurants to choose from, including the famous Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner (try their famous homemade root beer), it’s a great place to stop for a bite to eat or to spend the night after exploring Grand Canyon West—you can even hunker down in one of the last remaining pre-WWII tourist motor courts. Kingman, AZ

Be sure to check out:

• The Arizona Route 66 Museum: Located across from Mr. D’z Route 66 Dinner, this museum features photos of Dust Bowl survivors and stories of post-WWII America, as well as an exhibit featuring the famous Burma-Shave signs that used to line the route.
• The old town area —it’s a living tribute to the Mother Road.
• The world’s longest Route 66 map, painted onto the side of the El Trovatore Motel. Also check out El Trovatore’s restored 100-foot neon sign.

ROAD TRIP TIP: Take a short 30-mile detour off Route 66 from Kingman to visit Oatman, AZ. This abandoned ghost town was originally founded in 1908, and is now home to just 135 people. Stop in for some quick souvenir shopping before you continue your journey to the South Rim.

Seligman, AZ

About 87 miles from Kingman along Route 66, Seligman is a great place to stop and stretch your legs on your way to the South Rim. There are only 500 inhabitants and few tourists. Check out the Route 66 General Store and the Return of the 50s Museum, and stop in at the Roadkill Cafe to try one of their famous buffalo burgers.

ROUTE HACK: If you want to save some time, skip the drive down Route 66 and hop on the I-40 instead. You’ll shave 14 miles off your trip.

Williams, AZ

Williams, AZ is your last stop on Route 66 (signposted here as Route 161). Despite its small size, there’s lots to do in Williams before you head to Tusayan and onto the Grand Canyon:

• Bearizona Drive-thru Wildlife Park: See bears, wolves, buffalo, and more, from the comfort and safety of your own car.
• Grand Canyon Brewing Co: If you’re a fan of craft brews, jump on a brewery tour or stop for a bite.
• Kaibab National Forest: Explore the Kaibab National Forest and try some of the many hiking trails that originate in Williams.
• Grand Canyon Railway: Bypass Tusayan and hop on the Grand Canyon Railway for a leisurely ride through the Arizona forest right to the Grand Canyon Village, complete with a (staged) train heist.

Williams is also a convenient place to spend the night—it’s about an hour’s drive to the South Rim, and hotels are more plentiful and affordable than inside the National Park.

Tusayan, AZ

Las Vegas → Springs Preserve → Boulder City →  Hoover Dam & Lake Mead → Grand Canyon West → Route 66: Kingman and Seligman, AZ → Williams, AZ → Tusayan → South Rim National Park → Return to Las Vegas or continue east → Grand Canyon East and Page, AZ → Flagstaff, Sedona, and Jerome → Montezuma Castle → Phoenix

A short 1-hour drive from Williams, Tusayan, AZ is your last stop before the Grand Canyon. Like Williams, Tusayan is a prime spot to spend the night, but since it’s only about 15 minutes from the South Rim, hotels book up quick, so book as far in advance as possible. Stop in at the National Geographic Visitor Center and the IMAX theater to learn all about the hidden secrets of the Grand Canyon before you make your way to the South Rim.

Grand Canyon South Rim National Park

Make the most of your Grand Canyon road trip and stay overnight at (or near) the South Rim. Two days gives you the perfect amount of time to snap pics at the most iconic viewpoints, explore the Grand Canyon Village , and even check out some hiking trails.

ROAD TRIP TIP: If you want to stay overnight inside the National Park, book your accommodation as early as possible. Hotels on the Rim can be fully booked up to a year in advance.

If you’re not staying overnight in the National Park or only have one day to explore, park your car in the lots near the main entrances and take advantage of the shuttle bus. It’s the best way to get around and easily access every viewpoint and attraction, including:

• Mojave Point
• The Grand Canyon Village
• Mather Point

Discover 11 more South Rim viewpoints to visit, find out what to do in the Grand Canyon Village, and more with our South Rim resources:

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• August 25, 2021

Exploring the Grand Canyon Village

• August 20, 2021

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• February 28, 2023

Some of the most recognizable Grand Canyon viewpoints can be found at the South Rim. Discover some of the most popular, from remote Yuma Point to Desert View Watchtower.

Should I Drive to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas or Take a Guided Tour?

• July 28, 2021

Las Vegas is one of the closest major cities to the Grand Canyon, so the question for Vegas visitors isn’t “should I visit the Grand Canyon?”, it’s “should I drive myself to the Canyon, or take a guided tour?”.

Return to Las Vegas or continue east

From the South Rim, you can return to Las Vegas and check out any spots you might have missed on your way to the Grand Canyon, or you can continue east to explore the east rim and beyond on the East Edge segment of the Ultimate Las Vegas-Grand Canyon road trip.

The Ultimate Las Vegas-Grand Canyon Road Trip: East Edge route details

Continuing eastward? Here’s where to stop on your journey.

Grand Canyon East and Page, AZ

Page, AZ is the perfect home base for exploring the Grand Canyon East region, including Glen Canyon Dam, Horseshoe Bend (one of the most photographed natural places in the world), Marble Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Lake Powell.

Spend a day exploring viewpoints like Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, then trade your tent, camper, or hotel room and rent a houseboat on Lake Powell for a relaxing break from the road.

FACT: Lake Powell is the second largest manmade lake in the United States, with nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline, more than 90 major canyons, and numerous sandy beaches.

Learn more about the Grand Canyon East region and find out what else you can do and see in our East Rim Guide.

From Page, you can head back west to Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, or detour northeast to Monument Valley before continuing on to Flagstaff, Sedona, and Jerome.

Flagstaff, Sedona, and Jerome, AZ

Las Vegas → Springs Preserve → Boulder City →  Hoover Dam & Lake Mead → Grand Canyon West → Route 66: Kingman and Seligman, AZ → Williams, AZ → Tusayan → South Rim National Park → Return to Las Vegas or continue east → Grand Canyon East and Page, AZ → Flagstaff, Sedona, and Jerome  → Montezuma Castle → Phoenix

Flagstaff, Jerome, and Sedona, AZ are all very close to each other—only about 70 miles separate Flagstaff and Jerome, with Sedona sitting right in the middle. You can easily explore all three towns in 2 or 3 days.

If you’re arriving from the east rim of the Grand Canyon or Monument Valley, your first stop will be Flagstaff. If your Las Vegas-Grand Canyon road trip originated in Phoenix, you’ll reach Jerome first.

Flagstaff is home to Mount Humphreys, Arizona’s tallest mountain, as well as the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort. The resort is open year round, with summertime activities like tubing, bungee trampolining, ropes courses, and more. You can also hop on the scenic chairlift for a ride up the western side of the San Francisco Peaks to catch birds-eye views of Northern Arizona, including the red rocks of Sedona and the Grand Canyon. There are also numerous hiking trails leading up to the resort and in the surrounding area.

The Flagstaff Arboretum is also worth a visit—this 200-acre botanical garden is home to 2,500 plant species, and one of the largest collections of mountain plants and wildflowers in the world.

DETOUR: Fans of the Eagles (the band) might recognize another town near Flagstaff. You too can stand on the corner of Winslow, Arizona—it’s only about an hour’s drive from Flagstaff. After a quick stop in Winslow, continue another 60 miles east to Petrified Forest National Park. From here, you can return to Flagstaff or continue on to Phoenix.

Situated in the middle of Arizona’s red mountains and right between Flagstaff and Jerome, Sedona is an ideal spot to set up camp while you explore the area. There are plenty of upscale hotels, spas, and restaurants to enjoy, as well as dozens of hiking and biking trails, and other activities such as:

• Sedona Trolley: Hop on board this historic trolley for a 55 minute narrated tour of Sedona’s landmarks and scenic overlooks.
• Oak Creek Canyon: About 4 miles outside of Sedona, this 12-mile long river gorge is a lovely place to stop for a picnic lunch.
• Meteor Crater: Created more than 50,000 years ago when a meteor crashed into the earth, this giant crater stretches 1 mile across and is more than 550 feet deep. Bonus for Eagles fans: it’s located just outside Winslow, AZ.

Founded in the late 19th century, Jerome was once a booming mining town with a population of more than 10,000 people. Today, it’s home to less than 500 people, but there’s lots to explore, including numerous ghost and vampire tours, as well as historical and heritage sites.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH: Adventurous travelers might enjoy an overnight stay at the Grand Hotel—formerly an insane asylum, the Grand Hotel is now considered one of the most haunted hotels in the country. If you’re a fan of the band Tool, take a trip to Caduceus Cellars—Maynard James Keenan’s winery—for a tasting.

Montezuma Castle

If you’re heading to Phoenix from Flagstaff, Sedona, or Jerome, stop at Montezuma Castle, just 25 miles outside of Jerome, to see the well-preserved ruins of an early cliff dwelling built around 700 AD by the pre-Columbian Sinagua people.

Whether you start your journey in Phoenix and head westward towards the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, or end your epic Grand Canyon road trip from Las Vegas in Arizona’s state capital, there’s lots to see and do in Phoenix.

Enjoy the sunshine (Arizona’s capital city sees 310 days of sunshine per year) while you check out these activities and attractions:

• Street art on Roosevelt Row: Get that perfect vacation selfie (besides your #CanyonSelfie, of course).
• Camelback Mountain: Hike to the top of Camelback Mountain for some of the best views of the area. If you’re visiting in the summer, be sure to start early to beat the heat. There are also several less intensive hikes in the area.
• First Friday: On the first Friday of every month, downtown Phoenix turns into a huge street festival, complete with food trucks, live music, street exhibitions, and more.
• Taliesin West: Visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous home on the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation’s Night Lights tour.
• Tubing: Float down the salt river in Tonto National Forest.
• South Mountain Park and Preserve: Explore over 16,000 acres of land, with over 50 miles of biking, hiking, and horseback riding trails.

If you’re planning a road trip to the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas is a great place to kickstart or wrap up your journey. You can reach each of the four rims of the Grand Canyon by car, and there are numerous places to visit on the way. See them all on the Ultimate Las Vegas-Grand Canyon road trip itinerary:

The Ultimate Grand Canyon Road Trip Guide

Get more tips for your Grand Canyon road trip in our comprehensive guide:

Itineraries

• 7 Popular Grand Canyon Road Trip Routes
• Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon
• Grand Canyon to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park

Tips & Road Trip Hacks

• How To Plan a Road Trip

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Wild Junket

Nevada Road Trip: My 2-Week Itinerary from Las Vegas

Last Updated on March 7, 2024

For a power-packed Nevada road trip, check out this 2-week itinerary from Nevada expert, Michelle from Silvas Travel Tribe .

Welcome to Nevada! Bring a sense of adventure as we travel Nevada, from the flamboyant city of Las Vegas to the state’s adventure-packed northwest, along the loneliest highway in the US to the Great Basin. Nevada is as quirky as it is rugged, and its landscape and culture are tailor-made for cowboys, visionaries, dreamers and doers.

We’ve been coming to Nevada for decades, and have explored almost every inch of the Silver State. I’ve designed this Nevada road trip itinerary to show you the best of the state, and I’ve also included a Nevada road map to guide you along the way. A Nevada road trip explores the unexpected, the eclectic, and the beauty of the great outdoors. 

Table of Contents

Travel Insurance for Nevada

•  How to Get to Nevada

How to Get Around Nevada

Best time to visit nevada, explore off strip, where to stay in las vegas [on the strip], where to stay in las vegas [off the strip], hike in red rock canyon, visit the valley of fire, admire the seven magic mountains, day trip to hoover dam, explore the artistic wild side, see the hawthorn museum, where to stay in carson city, nevada itinerary day 6: explore carson city and carson valley, where to stay in lake tahoe, visit world class museums, where to stay in reno, visit petroglyphs, look for hidden gems, where to stay in ely or baker, lehman caves, hiking at great basin.

•  Nevada Itinerary Day 14: Drive Back to Las Vegas

Enjoy Your Nevada Road Trip!

About the author: michelle muncy-silva, nevada road trip itinerary & guide.

It’s important to have travel insurance, whether you’re traveling Nevada for 1 week or a few months. It will cover any mishap or incident that occurs during the road trip. Refer to my travel insurance guide for more details.

Safety Wing is the most popular travel insurance company for COVID19-coverage. I use their Nomad Insurance plan , which covers COVID-19 as any other illness as long as it was not contracted before your coverage start date.

  How to Get to Nevada

The main gateway to Nevada is the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. You could also start this Nevada road trip by flying into Reno and reversing the itinerary.  

It’s cheap to fly to Las Vegas from most parts of the US. You can fly into Las Vegas from New York for around $150 round trip. Miami to Las Vegas can be as cheap as just under $200 for a round trip ticket.  

If you are flying in from Europe, you can find round trip tickets from London to Las Vegas for less than $650 if you book in advance.

To do this Nevada road trip, you need to rent a car. A 2-week car rental in Nevada costs around US$350 with unlimited mileage. I always book my car rental on Discover Cars as they’ve consistently given me the best rates and customer service.

McCarran International Airport has an easy-to-use shuttle system that will get you to your rental quickly. Shuttles run every 10 – 15 minutes. Just follow the signs from baggage claim.

Nevada is a year-round destination. I have traveled Nevada in all four seasons, and can safely say spring is the best time to travel Nevada . You can still see snow in the mountains and the heat hasn’t built up its strength in the dessert areas. The shoulder months found is spring can make your trip more affordable as well.  

The Valley of Fire and Red Rock hiking trails are open. The average daytime temperature in Las Vegas in spring is a comfortable 81°F (27°C), while in Reno it’s around 73 ° F (or 23°C).

Nevada Itinerary Days 1 – 2: Explore Las Vegas

Start your Nevada road trip in Las Vegas, as it is the biggest city and home to the international airport. Yes the city is kitsch and touristy, but there’s actually quite a lot to do in Las Vegas, and even more cool natural attractions around the city. Whether you prefer to get out into nature or bask in the evening glow of neon, you will never get bored.  

Explore the Strip

Give yourself a day to walk the strip and stop at each hotel that catches your eye. Enjoy the fountains at the Bellagio Las Vegas , ride a gondola at the Venetian , and don’t miss the roaring rollercoaster at the New York, New York Hotel .   Snap a photo at the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign” on 5100 Las Vegas Boulevard South.  Get a bird’s eye view of Fremont Street by taking a ride on the SlotZilla zip line !

Head to the Bone Yard, AKA the Neon Museum , where history is told in neon. Come at twilight to see the signs in their glory. Be sure to take a volunteer-led tour as the amazing stories the volunteers share make the experience.  

Not done with your craving of all things retro? Head out on East Tropicana Avenue to the Pinball Hall of Fame . Here you’ll enjoy a curated collection of meticulously restored pinball machines from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Slide your bills into the change machine and indulge knowing all profits go to charity.  

I recommend staying just off the strip as you are still near enough to the action but can benefit from slightly lower prices than the major hotels that dominate the skyline. If you prefer to be in the heart of it all, I have included the best hotels in Las Vegas Strip below.

Budget: Excalibur 

Check for sweet deals on Booking.com and enjoy this budget opportunity with multiple pools, its own entertainment and on the strip access. Check rates here.

Midrange: Paris 

Upscale rooms at a midrange price, the Paris gives you a prime location and a European vibe. Plus the hotel itself is an iconic landmark of Las Vegas (pictured). There is a wide selection of restaurants on site as well as a pool. Check rates here.

Luxury: Waldorf Astoria 

This previous Mandarin Oriental hotel has been rebranded as the Waldorf and maintained the beautiful views from large rooms. Pools, restaurants, and amenities all fit the expectations set by the brand. Check rates here.

El Cortez Hotel (East Fremont)

This hotel has classic status. While there is no hotel pool, the Tower Premium rooms are affordable, plus they’re stylish and well designed. Great location on the historic Fremont Street! Check rates here.

Midrange: South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa

This midrange hotel has bowling lanes, a movie theater, restaurants, casino, spa, entertainment venues and an equestrian center all within the property you’ll never know you are off strip. This city unto itself will also provide you a free shuttle to the airport and downtown spots. Check rates here.

Luxury: Wynn Las Vegas

At the northern end of the strip you are a bit more removed from the action but you’ll get beautiful views and luxurious rooms. Upgrade to the Tower Suites for exclusive perks. Check rates here.

Nevada Itinerary Days 3 – 4: Get Out of Town and Into Nature

Using Las Vegas as your home base, you’ll travel less than 30 minutes from downtown to the Red Rock Canyon , the highlight of any Nevada road trip. Undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Nevada, the conservation area lies in the Mojave Desert, and is best known for geological features such as towering red sandstone peaks and Native American petroglyphs. Panoramic viewing spots dot the 13-mile Scenic Drive.

Get up early and drive an hour outside of Vegas to visit the Valley Fire State Park . World-renowned for its 40,000 acres of bright red Aztec sandstone outcrops nestled in gray limestone, Valley of Fire contains ancient, petrified trees and petroglyphs dating back more than 2,000 years.  Check out my detailed guide to Valley Fire .

A relatively new art installation worth visiting, the Seven Magic Mountains is just 20-minute drive south of Las Vegas. Designed by internationally renowned Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, the large-scale public art installation is made up of seven towers of colorful, stacked boulders. A creative expression of human presence in the desert, this art piece punctuates the Mojave with a poetic burst of form and color.

If you’ve got some extra time, I recommend doing a day trip to Hoover Dam . Hoover Dam is a testimony to a country’s ability to construct monolithic projects during the Depression. It took less than five years, in a harsh and barren land, to build the largest dam of its time. This architectural icon is only 40 miles away and Get Your Guide has great package options for this trip. Check out this affordable walk-on-the-top tour with lunch included .

Nevada Itinerary Day 5: Drive to Carson City

Now it’s time to leave the big city behind to kick start your Nevada road trip for real! Today you’ll be experiencing some of Nevada’s complex history, visiting a quirky museum and admiring eccentric outdoor art installations via Highway 95. This is just over six hours of driving, but expect a day of driving with fun, quirky pitstops.

Drive to Beatty, Nevada and visit Goldwell Open Air Museum to experience this unique outdoor sculpture park. Then stop a little further up the road just beyond Goldfield, to see the International Car Forest of the Last Church . This distinctive display of over 40 cars, trucks and busses are artistically planted just off Hwy 95 south of Tonopah.

Just 90 minutes from Tonopah, take another break to enjoy the Hawthorn area. Stop by the picturesque Walker Lake for a stroll or picnic lunch.  You can explore the Hawthorn Ordnance Museum , one of the most interesting small military history museums in the country. From here you are less than 2 hours away from Carson City.  

Budget: Hardman House

This old-school hotel is walking distance to many downtown attractions and restaurants nearby. Rooms might be outdated, but it’s got everything you’ll need for a comfy stay. Check rates here.

Midrange: Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites

With nicely appointed rooms with proximity to the museums, this particular Holiday Inn is a good option in the midrange level. They have good customer service, a free breakfast, pool, and comfortable rooms. Check rates here.

Luxury: Staybridge Suites

Currently the most luxurious hotel in Carson City, this all-suite accommodation is brand new and has beautiful outdoor lounging space (pictured). Every suite has a kitchen and spacious living space. Check rates here.

While in Nevada’s state capital, Carson City, don’t miss the opportunity to gain a stronger understanding of Nevada’s complex relationship with Native Americans by visiting the Stewart Indian School Cultural Center and Museum.  

Itching to get back into nature, you can hike the Kings Canyon trail , a short quarter-mile trail which starts just west of downtown at the end of King Street. If you are traveling in the spring, you’re likely to have prime views of the beautiful Kings Canyon waterfall.  

Indulge in an experience that can only be had here in Carson Valley by driving to Genoa Bar and Saloon , a “thirst parlor” marking Nevada’s first settlement. After drinks, head over to the JT Basque Bar and Dining Room in Gardnerville for dinner. If you didn’t get your fill at the saloon don’t worry because JT has a Picon Punch waiting just for you.  

Nevada Itinerary Day 7 – 9: Get Active in Lake Tahoe

One of the best places to visit in Nevada, Lake Tahoe is an outdoor lover’s paradise, with plenty of opportunities to hike, mountain bike, ski and swim. Straddling the border of California and Nevada and it’s a popular stop on any California road trip . It’s an easy day trip from Carson City (just 30 minutes away) so there’s no need to change hotels.

Drive the loop around Lake Tahoe , stop at Emerald Bay viewpoint, and take in the best views at Inspiration Point. If you’re visiting Nevada in summer, there are lots of beaches and coves to swim in, with Kings Beach the most popular spot. And for those traveling in winter, Heavenly Resort and Squaw Valley are the most popular ski resorts in Lake Tahoe.

Culture vultures, be sure to check out the historic town of Truckee and  hike the Rubicon Trail to the highest elevation lighthouse in the United States. There are so many things to do in Lake Tahoe, you can easily spend an entire week here.

In case you prefer to stay in Lake Tahoe to Carson City, here are our recommendations for places to stay in Tahoe. The best area to stay is South Lake Tahoe, where you’ll find many good restaurants, hotels and attractions.

Budget: Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

This three-star hotel with great deals offers a pool, fitness center and 5 restaurants on property. It’s a little outdated, but still has all the perks of a big chain hotel without the hefty price tag. Check rates here.

Midrange: Secrets Inn Lake Tahoe

With a central location in South Lake Tahoe, this low-key lodge has reasonably priced, romantic alpine-style rooms perfect for couples. The jacuzzi and fireplace are a hot favorite. Check rates here.

Luxury: The Hyatt Residence Club High Sierra Lodge

An all-suite accommodation in Incline Village (pictured), this beautiful ski lodge is close to pistes, has a kitchen in each room, private beach access and overlooks Lake Tahoe. Check rates here.

Nevada Itinerary Days 10 – 11: Enjoy Artsy Reno

Just an hour away from Lake Tahoe, Reno is not just neon and casinos. Take a Truckee Riverwalk tour to enjoy the pieces of Burning Man art donated to the city. Pick your patio for some outdoor dining, enjoying any one of the multitudes of delicious places to eat and drink. Alternatively, do a hike to a hidden waterfall on Hunter Creek Trail.  

Check out the Greater Nevada Field , home to the Triple A Reno Aces baseball team. If you’re traveling Nevada between November and February, take a spin around the ice-skating rink the city sets up in front of the park.  

Visit the Nevada Museum of Art , the only accredited art museum in all of Nevada. This status puts it on the same level as the Met in New York. Explore the four themed areas on your own or sign up for a tour at the museum.  

Housing more than 200 exceptional vehicles, the National Automobile Museum is another must see site. You can attend curator led talks or just explore the exhibits.  

Note: If you’re doing this Nevada road trip at the end of summer, check out the Burning Man schedule . You’ll have to reserve tickets far in advance, but if you can get them it is definitely a week long experience you will never forget.  

Reno is an easy drive from Carson City at just over 30 miles (48km), or 45 minutes north from Incline Village. But since you will be leaving from Reno to head over to Great Basin National Park, you may want to find a hotel here. Many of the casinos just blocks from Riverwalk District will host great deals for under $100 a night. 

Budget: Boutique Motel in the Heart of Midtown

This fun kitschy boutique motel gives a new spin on motels and provides a fun experience (pictured). Rooms are small, but have design finishes, are newly renovated and hip! Check the rates here.

Midrange: Courtyard by Marriott Reno 

A more affordable option also along the riverfront and within walking distance to the Riverwalk District, this Marriott hotel has plush beds, spacious rooms, and a covered pool area. Check the rates here.

Luxury: The Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel & Spa

If location is important to you, then this is the best option. This upscale hotel is located on the Truckee River and within walking distance to all the attractions mentioned in this Nevada itinerary. Check the rates here.

  Nevada Itinerary Day 12: Driving Day

Prepare for a long day of driving from Reno to the Great Basin National Park (just over 6 hours)! You’ll be traversing Highway 50, also known as the loneliest road in America. This portion of the highway crosses large desert valleys with few signs of civilization except for a few ghost towns. Enjoy the silence, the expansive blue sky, and the distant mountain views.

Get out of the car just outside of Fallon to stretch your legs at Grimes Point Archeological Site . Here you can see petroglyphs on many of the area’s boulders and gain a better sense of the area’s ancient past.  

Have lunch in Austin or grab snacks for a picnic at the Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area. Just beyond Austin is this amazing opportunity to see a glimpse into the early Native American life.  

Just outside of Ely, Garnet Hill is worth a stop if you’re interested in digging for ruby colored semi-precious gems. Ely District is an internationally known site for gem collectors, and Garnet Hill is the only designated rock hounding area. Garnet Hill is also an excellent location to view the excavations of the massive open pit copper mines near Ruth, Nevada.

Take your pick of places in Ely or drive a bit further to Baker. Both are just outside the entrance to Great Basin National Park.  

Budget: Stargazer Inn Nevada

This is a Baker roadside retreat with a seasonal restaurant. It’s basic but comfortable enough for easy access to the national park. It’s open late May to mid-October. Check rates here.

Midrange: Holiday Inn Express & Suites

This Holiday Inn in Ely is pretty standard, with good-sized rooms. It has a pool, free parking and wi-fi. Breakfast is also included. Check rates here.

Luxury: Hidden Canyon Retreat Bed & Breakfast

This cosy B&B is 30 minutes from the park entrance and has three types of rooms available – standard, deluxe or two room suites (pictured). The ranch’s interiors are outdated, but rooms are massive and very comfortable. Check rates here.

Nevada Itinerary Day 13: Hike in the Great Basin National Park

Those traveling Nevada in search of adventure in the great outdoors will love the Great Basin. This is one of the few national parks that lets you experience a diverse landscape without the crowds. Here you’ll find opportunities for star gazing, caving and hiking . This is also one of the national parks with no entrance fee.  

Guided tours through these amazing caves take you to the Lodge Room or the Grand Palace Room. A cave tour fee applies with discounts for seniors and youth. Since this is not an entrance fee the America the Beautiful pass will not apply to this cost.  

A range of trails from paved accessible pathways to full day backcountry adventures are available. Take the 4.6 mile Bristlecone – Glacier trail from the Wheeler Peak Campground to see breathtaking landscape on one of the park’s most popular trails.  

  Nevada Itinerary Day 14: Drive Back to Las Vegas

It’s a 4.5 hour drive back to Las Vegas from Great Basin so give yourself the time to drive back without rushing. You should have plenty of time if you have a late afternoon flight. If you have an early morning departure, you’ll want to spend the night at a hotel near the airport the evening before.

I recommend staying at Homewood Suites by Hilton as it’s the closest hotel to the airport and it has pretty high standards. A little further out is the more affordable Best Western McCarran Inn , which has equally comfortable rooms and a free shuttle to the airport.

There are so many cool places to visit in Nevada that it can be tough to put together an itinerary with everything you want to see. I’ve designed this Nevada itinerary to pack in a mixture of experiences: from hiking in national parks to visiting quirky museums and going on archaeological discoveries. Have a great time traveling Nevada!

If you’re interested in doing more road trips around the US, check out other articles I’ve written:

• 2-Week Route 66 Itinerary
• Arizona Road Trip Itinerary
• Utah Road Trip Itinerary
• California Road Trip Itinerary
• Florida Road Trip Itinerary

Here are some weekend itineraries for cities in the US:

• Weekend in Seattle
• Weekend in Los Angeles
• Weekend in San Francisco
• Weekend in Miami

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links i.e. I make a small commission when you purchase something through my links, at NO extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Michelle Muncy-Silva is the founder of Silvas Travel Tribe . She and her husband are committed to raising their boys to become travelers who bring all the layers of their identity with them as they venture out into the world. They have a special interest in unpacking how travel can benefit local indigenous groups. Michelle’s work has appeared in numerous blogs around the world.

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Nellie Huang

Nellie Huang is the founder of WildJunket. Originally from Singapore, Nellie has traveled to over 150 countries across 7 continents. As an accomplished travel writer, she has written for BBC Travel, CNN and Rough Guides . She is also the author of five travel books, including the latest Lonely Planet's Mexico guidebook. Read more about her here and follow her on Facebook and Instagram .

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7 Best Road Trips from Las Vegas: Ultimate Guide

| Filed in Arizona , Blog , Nevada , Road Trips , Utah | Disclaimer: I use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. | Leave a Comment

I’ve had the pleasure of road-tripping around the American Southwest six times now and cannot get enough of it. The red hues of the canyons, the unique rock formations, and the ideal weather when its cold everywhere else, has me coming back over and over. Here are some of the Best Road Trips from Las Vegas that I’ve done. These can be done as single destinations spots, but I did these in one road trip.

If you choose to do these destinations in one road trip, here is the route that I took. Flying into Las Vegas is always a great option, as it is cheaper than most airports. And Las Vegas is very close to SO many destinations. I have rented SUV’s and built out vans to travel in for these southwest trips.

Vehicle Recommendation: for this road trip, most spots do not require any special clearance or vehicle capabilities – except for Yant Flat. I recommend at least an AWD vehicle with SUV clearance.

I will also be listing several other detailed road trip itineraries that can be based out of Las Vegas at the bottom of this post.

Video Itinerary: Best Road Trips from Las Vegas –

The Best Road Trips from Las Vegas:

1. Snow Canyon, Utah

Despite the name, it does not snow here. Snow Canyon has over 16 miles of hiking, biking and climbing! And the camping there is some of the best I have ever experienced at a State Park. 

Views to Expect: Lava flows mixed with sandstone cliffs and vibrant oranges and reds. And I never thought I’d see a petrified sand dune until visiting here!  

Snow Canyon State Park is truly an underrated gem that I highly recommend checking out on your next Utah Trip.

Hike Required: 1.2 miles round trip, 216 ft elevation gain

Favorite View: Petrified Dunes Trail

Distance from Las Vegas: 2 hours

2. Zion National Park, Utah

The scale alone of this place is absolutely wild and it feels so Jurassic. Even if you only have time to drive through part of this park, it will give you a sense of the scale and beauty of this place. You could easily spend one day here or a whole week.

Views to Expect: Beautiful layered sandstone, towering red cliffs, emerald pools and rivers!

This is the most visited National Park in Utah, and for good reason. Read my guide to know the best times to go and what sights to see.

Favorite View: Canyon Overlook Trail

Hiking Required: 1 mile roundtrip, 187 ft elevation gain

Distance from Las Vegas: 2.5 hours

3. Yant Flat, Utah

Yant Flat, also known as the Candy Cliffs is short hike with high reward and definitely a lesser known area than the popular Utah National Parks nearby like Zion National Park. This is maybe the most “hidden gem” location of all of the road trips from Las Vegas.

Views to Expect: Swirls of orange and white sandstone makes it apparent why it was named ‘Candy Cliffs’. As well as many different textures and layers of rock in unique formations.

The road to get there does turn into a dirt/sand road with some areas where higher clearance is helpful. This depends on the weather conditions of course. Read more about this hike on my full guide linked below.

Hike Required: 3.4 miles, 337 ft elevation gain to main view point

Distance from Las Vegas: 2 hours and 45 minutes

4. Horseshoe Bend, Arizona

There’s a reason this place is the most instagrammed spot in Arizona. An easy walk to an impressive view of the bend in the Colorado river with an impressive rock formation! This place is beautiful rain or shine and is an easy add on to any adventure.

Views to Expect: Expansive overlook of the horseshoe shaped bend in the Colorado River. There is an impressive rock formation that protrudes from the canyon.

Hike Required: 1.5 miles

Distance from Las Vegas: 4.5 hours

5. Antelope Canyon, Arizona

A stunning sandstone slot canyon in the Navajo Nation. This slot canyon has incredible textures, angles, and movement of light. You must be accompanied by a Navajo Guide to visit. It gets crowded, but it is truly a beautiful experience.

Views to Expect: the guides are great about letting you get photos of the incredible narrow passage of red-orange stone. The light will change depending on the time of day you go, but I truly think it’s beautiful any time of day.

Book in Advance!

6. Lone Rock, Utah

Lone Rock in Utah is In Lake Powell in Glen Canyon Recreation Area on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Land. There is camping that looks out at the solitary rock that scales over 250 feet. And depending on the season and rainfall, there can be water surrounding the rock. People often camp here and paddle board this area!

Views to Expect : A scenic monolithic rock protruding from Lake Powell in a very scenic lakeside camping area.

Distance from Las Vegas: 4 hours, 20 minutes

7. Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

Valley of Fire State Park is a Road Trips from Vegas MUST. It absolutely lives up to the dreamy photos you’ve probably seen already of this place on social media. The Valley of Fire Hikes absolutely blew me away with the views of miles and miles of red sandstone rock, interesting rock formations and incredibly scenic hiking and camping. All still with WAY less crowds than the Utah Big 5 National Parks.

Views to Expect: Swirling sandstone patterns and unique red and orange rock formations and canyons.

Favorite Hike: Fire Wave Trail

Distance from Las Vegas: 1 hour

My biggest regret is not spending more time here! The campground was incredibly scenic (and is first come first served). Find out all the hikes, views and camping information in my guide:

Other Nearby Road Trips from Las Vegas:

This itinerary was one I did in March with some friends. It includes some of the best of the California desert destinations as well as some underrated gems along the way to the Grand Canyon and Sedona!

This itinerary is heavy on the California hot springs and packed full of incredible photo locations!

One of my first road trips to the Southwest was pretty spontaneous when our permits to Havasupai got cancelled due to flash floods. This itinerary really made me fall in love with the desert.

Shop my Gear: Road Trips from Las Vegas Outfits/Camera Gear

I loved having a fleece jacket that looks cute, but keeps me warm on those chilly desert mornings and evenings.

And these Blundstone Boots are so easy to hike shorter distances, keep my feet warm and look cute on the trail and in town!

Shop my favorite backpack for hiking and adventures!

Southwest Road Trip YouTube Video:

Conclusion: Road Trips from Las Vegas

The American Southwest clearly has endless places to adventure. It keeps pulling me back time and time again as soon as the weather in the PNW starts to turn dark. A quick summary of this road trip:

• Snow Canyon, Utah
• Zion National Park
• Horseshoe Bend
• Antelope Canyon
• Valley of Fire

Let me know in the comments if you’re saving this for your next Southwest Road Trip!!

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I loved this collection. Heading to Vegas this summer and want to use it as a base to explore the area. I’ll likely add the Grand Canyon to the list.

Oh absolutely! Grand Canyon is a fantastic add on to this. Enjoy!!

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Utah’s national parks: ultimate 5-day road trip from vegas.

Table of Contents

Planning a road trip through Utah’s National Parks? I’m here to help! This is one of my favourite road trips I’ve ever done. The diversity of Utah’s scenery and landscapes is breathtaking. It almost feels like being transported to another planet.

Utah is like nowhere else on Earth. With its magnificent red landscape and unusual rock formations, Utah is home to some of the most unique national parks in the United States. It’s the perfect place for a road trip.

In this post, I’ve shared a 5-day itinerary through Utah’s National Parks which starts and ends in Las Vegas. The itinerary takes you through Utah’s epic ‘Mighty 5’ – the five National Parks of Utah. It’s a jam-packed itinerary to say the least but an epic one at that.

I’ve also suggested additional spots for those who have more time on their road trip, including destinations a little further afield. The itinerary can also be adjusted to start in Las Vegas and end in Salt Lake City .

There are a couple of long drives in this itinerary, but I promise it’s worth it!

Make sure you’re prepared for your trip and know what to pack for your journey through Utah . 

Here’s my 5-day Utah National Parks itinerary from Las Vegas.

When is the best time of year to visit Utah’s National Parks?

Utah’s National Parks are mostly accessible all year round. Having said that, different seasons have their advantages.

Spring and fall are the best times of year to visit Utah. There are fewer crowds and the temperatures aren’t too extreme. You’ll also likely find it’s cheaper to travel in Utah during the spring and fall. I’d recommend the months of April & May and September & October .

It’s worth noting there might be some snowfall during the spring or fall. This could affect hiking trails and roads. I visited Utah in October and there was snow in Bryce Canyon. We could still do all the hikes, but it was slippery to say the least. Oh, and the camping was freezing!

The summer is a popular time to visit and is the peak season in Utah. School is out and families are looking to vacation in the national parks. If you can, I’d avoid the months of July and August . Utah’s National Parks will be crowded and the temperatures have the potential to be too hot to hike.

It’s also possible to visit Utah in the winter. The national parks will be at their quietest between November and March . This may not be the best time to visit if you plan to hike. Utah can see a lot of snowfall and ice meaning the hiking trails are prone to closure in these months. That’s not to say a winter road trip through Utah isn’t possible.

Next up, here’s what to pack for a road trip through Utah . 

Utah’s National Parks – The Mighty 5

The five national parks of Utah are known as The Mighty 5. If you’re planning a road trip through Utah, visiting each of the Mighty 5 is the best way to see the true diversity of the Utah landscape.

I’ve shared a brief overview of each of Utah’s Mighty 5 below.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park is one of the most famous national parks in all of the United States. It’s a stunning spectacle of towering sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons and lush forested valleys.

Zion is known for several iconic hikes. This includes the notorious Angels Landing, one of the most dangerous hikes in the USA . Another popular hike in Zion is ‘the Narrows’. This renowned track leads hikers between sheer slot canyon walls through the Virgin River. It’s an absolute must-do hike while in Utah.

Canyonlands National Park

I had never heard of Canyonlands before my Utah road trip, but wow was I impressed. Canyonlands National Park is the largest national park in Utah. It feels like a never-ending expanse of canyons, rock formations and desert.

Arriving in Canyonlands felt like landing on another planet. The park is split into four distinct areas all open to be explored. The Island in the Sky district is one of the most popular areas of the park offering incredible panoramic views. Another famous district is The Needles, with unusual striking rock spires and colourful canyons. I spent two days exploring these two districts and was constantly blown away by the scenery.

With just five days in Utah, it would be impossible to see all of Canyonlands, but a trip there is still a must.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon is the smallest of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks. Despite its size, Bryce Canyon is still a force when it comes to beauty and adventure.

This geological place of wonder is known for its incredible hoodoos – tall rock spires which have been formed by erosion. The park’s main attraction, the Bryce Amphitheatre, is a surreal landscape filled with hoodoos. I’d highly suggest visiting Bryce for sunrise or sunset where the orange and red rock formations create a stunning display.

Bryce Canyon is also filled with incredible hiking trails. It’s an absolute must on any Utah road trip itinerary.

Arches National Park

This destination is my personal favourite national park in Utah. Arches National Park is in the Red Rock Country of south-eastern Utah. It’s right next door to Moab, the ‘Adventure Capital of The West’.

Arches National Parks boasts an other-worldly landscape. It’s known for its iconic sandstone arches and has the highest concentration in the entire world. In fact, Arches National Park is home to over 2,000 natural stone arches. These geological wonders create a surreal landscape, especially during sunrise and sunset.

There are ample hiking opportunities in Arches National Park . One of my personal favourites is the Devils Garden area. The landscape here is breath-taking.

Arches National Park is a haven for hiking lovers, nature lovers and photography lovers alike.

Capitol Reef National Park

Last, and by no means least, is Capitol Reef National Park. The park is known for the ‘Waterpocket Fold’. A 100-mile-long geological fold in the Earth’s crust. The Waterpocket Fold exposes rock layers, showcasing the geological history of the region over millions of years.

Capitol Reef is also home to petroglyphs – ancient rock carvings. If you’re keen to see the petroglyphs, this will be the easiest spot to see them in this itinerary. The park is also home to Cassidy Arch, an impressive natural bridge which you can visit.

Black Arch Lookout

5-Day Utah National Parks Itinerary from Las Vegas

The below itinerary is a suggested 5-day road trip through Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks from Las Vegas. This itinerary starts and ends in Las Vegas.

I’m going to be honest, 5 days is not enough time to see absolutely everything, but it’s enough time to try. If you have an extra day or two for your Utah National Parks road trip, I’d suggest adding a day at Canyonlands National Park.

I hope the below helps you to build your perfect Utah road trip itinerary.

Day one: Drive to Moab and visit Canyonlands National Park

Start your day in Las Vegas where you will begin your 5-day road trip through Utah’s National Parks.

Today is an early start and a long drive. The idea is to get a big chunk of the driving done today so you can focus the rest of your 5 days on exploring Utah’s National Parks.

Start as early in the day as possible and head straight to Canyonlands National Park . It’s going to be at least a 7-hour drive, so try and get on the road early enough to give you the afternoon in the park.

Canyonlands National Park is a HUGE and vast area, and it’s going to be impossible to explore it all in this time frame. I’d personally focus on one area of the park. If you don’t have much time in Canyonlands National Park, focus on the Island in the Sky area or the Needles district.

A good option for a few hours in Canyonlands is the Island in the Sky Scenic Drive . This incredible drive gives you a feel for the true vastness and beauty of this area. At the end of the road, there is a short hiking trail to Grand View Point. You’ll be rewarded with stunning views at every moment on this hike.

Another epic spot on the Island in the Sky Scenic Drive is the White Rim Overlook Trail . This is another fun short hike with some of the best views in the area. This hike is particularly amazing at sunset.

Here are some other things to do in Canyonlands National Park: 

• Hike to Mesa Arch : this short hike leads you to the incredible Mesa Arch. It’s known for its epic sunrise views.
• Green River Overlook : this viewpoint boasts some of the best views in all of Canyonlands. It’s a convenient short walk from the parking lot and boasts stunning views of the Green Review. I’d highly recommend this spot for sunset.
• Newspaper Rock Historic Monument : if you’re venturing into the Needles district, stop at this monument to admire the incredible petroglyphs. There are some great hiking trails in this area.
• Chesler Loop Trail : this was one of my favourite hikes in Utah. At 10 miles (16km) it’s no short hike, but the diversity of scenery makes it all worthwhile.

Want to explore more hiking opportunities? Here are some of the best hikes in Canyonlands National Park . 

Note : As mentioned above, if you have an extra day for your road trip, I’d consider spending more time at Canyonlands National Park. This is such a huge and diverse national park and there is so much to see here.

Where to stay in Canyonlands National Park

For night one and night two of your 5-day road trip, I’d suggest basing yourself in the nearby town of Moab . This town is close to both Arches and Canyonlands National Park making it the perfect spot to stay.

The town is also known as the ‘adventure capital of the West’. It’s full of exciting and adrenaline filled activities. There are ample restaurant choices and plenty of accommodation options.

For campsites in Moab, a good option is the Sun Outdoors campsite . This is where I stayed during my two nights camping in Moab. It’s a budget friendly option and is located relatively close to the town. 

There are plenty of hotels and motels to choose from in Moab. I’d suggest using booking.com to find the most suitable accommodation. If you’re travelling in the peak season, make sure to book well in advance.

Day two: Arches National Park and Dead Horse State Park

Start the next morning in Arches National Park , just down the road from Moab. This is my favourite of Utah’s ‘Mighty 5’. It’s such a diverse and unusual national park. The scenery is otherworldly and I’ve never seen anything quite like it.

Spending a whole day in Arches is a good amount of time to see the highlights of this park. There are some epic hikes and viewpoints.

Start the day by heading to Delicate Arch for sunrise. Delicate Arch is one of the best places in Arches National Park to catch the sunrise, so you certainly won’t be alone on the trails. The hike is a 5km (3.1 miles) round trip. Unfortunately, it was cloudy on the day I visited for sunrise. It was still worth-it, nonetheless.

After your hike to Delicate Arch, fill your day by exploring other areas of the park.  

Here are some of the top things to do in Arches National Park:

• Hike in Devil’s Garden : if there’s one place to visit in Arches National Park it’s Devil’s Garden. This has to be one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited. There’s a range of short hikes as well as longer hikes that allow you to explore this magnificent landscape. While in Devil’s Garden, be sure to hike to Double O Arch. The scenery on route is stunning. The Black Arch Overlook viewpoint is particularly spectacular. 
• Drive the Arches Scenic Drive : this popular route connects all the main areas of the park, and you’ll need to drive along it to get to most places. If you’re not a keen hiker, this drive will allow you to see some stunning scenery with zero effort. There are ample viewpoints along the drive. Be sure to check out “Balanced Rock” during the drive.

Note : the Visitor Center in Arches National Park has more information about the park and its history.

I’ve written a whole guide on how to spend a day in Arches National Park . 

Landscape Arch

Double O Arch

Before heading to your accommodation, consider stopping at Dead Horse Point State Park for sunset. It’s a 30-minute drive (or longer), so a little detour, but wow is it worth it. Dead Horse Point State Park is a huge canyon area overlooking the Colorado River. It gives Grand Canyon vibes and is a great alternative for those who aren’t visiting there.

Head to the Dead Horse Point overlook for the best views at sunset. The park is also an International Dark Sky Reserve. This means it’s an epic spot for stargazing. Stick around after the sun sets to make the most of the night sky.

It would also be possible to visit Dead Horse Point for sunrise on day 3 if this fits better.

Important note : Arches National Park operates on a timed entry system. This means between the months of April and October, all visitors entering the park in a vehicle will need to book their slot in advance. This can be booked on the official website .

Accommodation options for Arches National Park

Arches National Park is only a few miles from Moab. I’d suggest basing yourself in Moab on nights one and two as it will allow you to easily get between Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. It also means you won’t need to move accommodation after day one.  

If you’re keen to camp in Arches National Park , you will need to plan well in advance. There is only one campsite in the park. It’s open between March and October.

Day three: Drive to Capitol Reef National Park

Day three of your 5-day Utah National Parks road trip from Las Vegas is another packed one. Start your day early and make the 2-hour drive to Capitol Reef National Park .

Capitol Reef is famous for its unique geology, famous petroglyphs, and beautiful orchards. With only 5 days for this road trip, you won’t be able to see everything. However, even with just a few hours you’ll be able to see Capitol Reef’s highlights.

Spend the next few hours exploring this unique area. Here are some of the best things to do in Capitol Reef National Park : 

• Hike to Cassidy Arch : if there’s one thing you do in Capitol Reef National Park, make it this. This 3.1 mile (5km) hike takes you through the canyon to the beautiful Cassidy Arch. This is a distinctive feature in the park and you can walk right out onto the arch, making for a stunning photo.
• Visit the Gifford Homestead : don’t leave Capitol Reef without trying a pie from the Gifford Homestead. This famous café is known for its sweet and savoury treats, with the cinnamon rolls and pies a particular favourite. The farmhouse is near the famous orchards so grab a snack and take a stroll through the trees.
• Admire the petroglyphs : Capitol Reef is known for its fascinating red rocks and geology, but it’s also home to some incredible ancient petroglyphs . The rock carvings are thought to have been created between 600 and 1300 AD.
• Capitol Reef Scenic Drive: if you have the time, drive the famous Scenic Road through Capitol Reef. This 7.9mile (12.7km) drive boasts breathtaking scenery. There are several stops along the way including scenic viewpoints and unique rock formations. As of Nov 23, the cost to enter the road in a private vehicle is $20.

Once you’ve finished your day in Capitol Reef National Park, start the 2-hour drive to Bryce Canyon National Park . The reason you’re driving there tonight? To catch the magnificent sunrise in Bryce Canyon the following the morning.

To get from Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon, you have the option of driving the slightly longer scenic drive on Route 12 . This is known to be one of the most beautiful drives in America. The drive will take you about 2 hours and 30 minutes without stopping, but there are lots of scenic viewpoints on route. 

Route 12 is also home to Grand Staircase-Escalante, a National Monument in Utah. I’ve spoken more about this below, but it’s an epic place to stop if you have the time. Realistically, you’ll struggle to fit this into this itinerary without sacrificing something else, but I’ll leave that up to you!

Of course, you can opt to spend the night in the Capitol Reef area instead. However, with only 5 days to see Utah, I’d suggest you keep moving and make the drive to Bryce Canyon on day 3. If you do choose to stay in Capitol Reef, it’s home to some epic, and I mean EPIC , stargazing.

Accommodation options in Bryce Canyon

Seeing the sunrise in Bryce Canyon is a bucketlist activity, so I’d highly suggest staying as close to the park as possible.

For camping , there is the option to camp inside the park at either of the two campgrounds .

The only hotel inside Bryce Canyon National Park is Bryce Canyon Lodge . You’ll need to plan well in advance and it’s not exactly budget friendly, but you’ll be in a prime spot for the next day’s adventures.

Bryce Canyon City is the closest town to the national park and is just a few minutes from the park’s entrance and visitor center. The accommodation here is generally more affordable. The Bryce Canyon Shuttle also picks visitors up from here. There is a grocery store and other facilities.

Day four: Bryce Canyon National Park

Next up is the smallest of Utah’s National Parks – Bryce Canyon . Bryce Canyon is a spectacular spot in southern Utah. It’s known for its collection of hoodoos, tall and narrow rock spires which have been formed through erosion. Bryce Canyon is one of those places where you really have to “pinch yourself”. It’s beautiful beyond words can describe.

Some people only pass through Bryce Canyon on their road trip, but I suggest spending a full day in the park. It’s a truly wondrous place and you want to see as much as you can.

Bryce Canyon is particularly beautiful in the winter months. The viewpoints over the amphitheatre with a snow-covered landscape are breathtaking, especially at sunrise.

Begin your day in Bryce Canyon by catching sunrise over the Amphitheatre . The best spots are Sunrise Point and Sunset Point . There is a convenient parking lot meaning you won’t need to walk far, but get there early to ensure you get a space.

The sunrise I saw in Bryce Canyon is genuinely one of the best sunrises I have ever seen. There was something so magical about watching the sun rise above the horizon and the amphitheatre lighting up gold and red.

Bryce Canyon is a hiker’s paradise and after watching the sunrise, hit the trails to see more of this phenomenal destination.

Here are some of the best hikes in Bryce Canyon:

• Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden : this is without a doubt one of the best hikes in Utah. The Navajo Loop trail is a 1.5mile (2.4km) trail that takes you down the famous switchbacks known as Wall Street. To see more of the incredible Bryce Amphitheatre, continue your hike on the Queen’s Garden Trail. This will get you up close and personal with those iconic red hoodoos.
• Bryce Point and the Peekaboo Lookout : this 5.2 mile (8.3km) hike can also be linked with the Navajo Loop trail. It’s a great way to walk amongst the hoodoos.
• Rim Trail : if you’re not a keen hiker but want to see more of Bryce, consider a stroll along the Rim Trail. The trail is 5.5miles (9.8km) long but you can walk as much or as little as you like. I’d suggest parking your car in the Sunrise Point Parking Lot and having a stroll from there. It’s a relatively easy hike that all can enjoy.
• Inspiration Point : before leaving Bryce Canyon, make a quick stop at Inspiration Point for more incredible views. This is one of my favourite viewpoints in the park.

I’ve written all about how to spend a day in Bryce Canyon National Park to help you plan your trip.

Wall Street at the Navajo Loop

Sunrise in Bryce Canyon

After finishing your day in Bryce Canyon, drive to Zion National Park for the final day of your road trip through Utah’s National Parks. This drive should take you around 2 hours depending on traffic.

Note : you could always drive to Zion in the morning on day five. There’s lots to see in Zion however and if you’re keen to hit the trails, I’d suggest getting there this evening so you can spend a full day in the park.

Accommodation options in Zion National Park

Zion National Park is one of the busiest parks in America, so finding accommodation can be a challenge.

If you want to stay inside Zion National Park, your only option is Zion Lodge . This highly rated hotel is a popular option as it’s conveniently located near several hiking trails.

Zion National Park also has three campsites . I stayed at the Watchman Campground which is very well located. You normally need to book at least six months ahead of time to get a space here.

The nearby towns of Springdale and Cedar City also have ample accommodation options. I recommend using Booking.com to find your accommodation.

Day five: Zion National Park

The final stop of your Utah National Parks road trip is the iconic Zion National Park in Southern Utah. Zion is known for its dramatic red rock landscapes, towering cliffs and narrow slot canyons. Start your day as early as you can as there are so many things to do and see in Zion.

One of the best things to do in Zion is the famous Angels Landing hike. This stunning hike is known to be one of the most dangerous hikes in the United States. With its narrow ridges and steep cliff faces, it’s not for the faint of heart. The hike requires you to ascend nearly 1,500 feet above the canyon floor up a series of switchbacks known as Walter’s Wiggles. Once at the top, start the nerve-wracking walk along the narrow ridge.

At the summit of Angels Landing, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Zion Canyon, the Virgin River and surrounding red rock landscape. This is without a doubt one of the best hikes in America. Due to its popularity, the National Parks Service recently introduced a permit system . You won’t be able to do this hike without a permit.

Another iconic hike in Zion National Park is ‘ The Narrows ’. This hike takes you through the Virgin River’s narrow slot canyons (hence the name). There really is no other hike like it and it’s an absolute must on your Zion itinerary.

The Narrows hike requires wading and, at times, swimming through the river itself. You can hire equipment for the hike right outside the park. 

Here are some other things to do in Zion National Park:

• Emerald Pools hike : the Emerald Pools hike starts at the famous Zion Lodge. There are three different pools: lower, middle and upper. You can walk to just one, or complete the full trail which is a total of 3.1miles (5km). The walk boasts stunning views including waterfalls, panoramic vistas and of course, the pools themselves.
• The Watchman Trail : this is a shorter hike (2.7 miles) but is stunning nonetheless. It’s located near the entrance of the park so is a great option for those with less time. The start of the hike is right by the Visitor Center and the Watchman Campground.
• Ride the shuttle bus : if you’re visiting Zion in the peak season, you’ll need to take the shuttle bus to get around the park. A ride on the shuttle bus is a great way to explore the park with minimal effort. There are incredible views around every corner.
• Stargazing : Zion is known for its epic stargazing. Grab a blanket and admire the night sky, or join a tour to learn more about this wondrous night sky. 

Discover more hikes in Zion National Park . 

Angels Landing Hike

Important note : private vehicles are not allowed into Zion National Park during the peak season (generally March to November). You’ll need to leave your car in a parking lot and catch the Zion shuttle bus to get around. 

After ending your day in Zion, you’ve finished your 5-day road trip through Utah’s National Parks. Head back to Las Vegas or stay an extra night in Zion.

Utah Road Trip: Las Vegas to Salt Lake City Itinerary

Planning a Las Vegas to Salt Lake City road trip? The above itinerary can be adapted to suit that.

Here’s what I would do if I were driving from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City.

Stop one: Zion National Park Start your road trip from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City by visiting Zion National Park.

Stop two: Bryce Canyon National Park Next up, spend a day exploring Bryce Canyon. Be sure to catch one of the iconic sunrises.

Stop three: Capitol Reef National Park Move on to the stunning Capitol Reef. If you have the time, take Route 12 and make a stop as Grand Staircase-Escalante.

Stop four: Moab The next stop is Moab. Spend a couple of days exploring Canyonlands and Arches National Parks.

Stop five: Salt Lake City Finish your epic road trip from Las Vegas in Utah’s capital, Salt Lake City. Consider visiting the Bonneville Salt Flats to see more of Utah’s diverse landscapes.

Other places to visit on a road trip from Las Vegas

If you have an extra day or some extra time for your road trip, consider one of these additional stops.

Bonneville Salt Flats (Utah)

The iconic Bonneville Salt Flats are one of Utah’s most iconic and surreal landscapes. The Salt Flats are about 110 miles from Utah’s capital, Salt Lake City. This unique destination features a vast expanse of salt crust, creating an almost otherworldly environment.

This 30,000 acre spot requires some planning to visit, but it’s well worth it.

Grand Staircase-Escalante (Utah)

The Grand Staircase-Escalante is a National Monument in Utah. Although not officially a national Park, a stop at the Grand Staircase-Escalante is a must if you have the time.

The area is home to some incredible hikes and scenery. With waterfalls, canyons, red rock cliffs and narrow slot canyons, Grand Staircase-Escalante is an epic spot on a Utah road trip.

While here, consider hiking to Lower Calf Creek Falls. The track is 6.2 miles (10km) round trip and takes you to a beautiful waterfall. It was one of my favourites hike in Utah. There is also information about the area on route.

The National Monument can easily be added to any Utah itinerary. The park is located on Route 12 between Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon.  

Red Canyon (Utah)

Southern Utah is home to Red Canyon, an incredible display of hoodoos, spires and cliffs. Red Canyon is often overlooked by the nearby Bryce Canyon, but it’s worth visiting if you have the time.

It’s right in the heart of Dixie National Forest with ample hiking trails. Red Canyon can be found between Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks.

Valley of Fire State Park (Nevada)

Less than an hour from Las Vegas is the Valley of Fire State Park. If seeing petroglyphs is high on your list, then you’re in luck. The petroglyphs here are estimated to be around 2000 years old. The park is also home to the iconic Fire Wave, a vibrant sandstone rock formation.

Thinking of visiting Valley of Fire State Park. Here’s everything you need to know .

Hoover Dam (Nevada)

The Hoover Dam is an engineering marvel which spans the border between Arizona and Nevada. It’s a bit of a detour from Utah to reach here, but if you have the time I’d highly recommend it. The scale of the Hoover Dam is mind-boggling. You can walk across the Hoover Dam or opt to join a guided tour . 

The Grand Canyon (Arizona)

The Grand Canyon is one of the world’s most recognisable natural landmarks. This huge canyon is a whopping 1.217 million acres. It’s possible to visit the Grand Canyon as part of a Utah road trip. I’d add this in as your first stop out of Las Vegas (or last stop when returning).

Want to see more of Arizona including the famous Monument Valley or Horseshoe Bend? Consider a road trip through Arizona .

Did you find this 5-day itinerary for Utah’s National Parks from Las Vegas helpful? Share on social media below or save for later.

OTHER UTAH POSTS 

Have you checked out my other Utah themed posts to help you plan the ultimate road trip?

One Day in Arches National Park: The Perfect Itinerary

How to Spend One Day in Bryce Canyon National Park

Ultimate Packing List for Visiting Utah’s National Parks

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8 Epic Grand Canyon Road Trip Itineraries

• Post author: Rachel Means
• Post last modified: 2023-10-25

Visiting the Grand Canyon is one of those bucket list adventures that is almost mandatory if you live in the US. It’s the fourth most-visited national park in the country, hosting over 4.5 million visitors in 2021.

And the best way to see it? Take a road trip.

The closest big airport is Phoenix, AZ and it’s 3.5 hours away. Las Vegas is 4 hours away, and in another time zone to boot. So, one way or another, you’re going to road trip to the Grand Canyon.

But the wonderful thing about the American Southwest is there are a ton of amazing national parks, monuments, forests, and historic sites to see.

So, while you’re here to see the Grand Canyon, you might as well stay a bit longer and check out some of the region’s other amazing sights.

Whether you have 3 days or 2 weeks, there’s a Grand Canyon road trip itinerary for you. Buckle up and let’s take a look!

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and associate of other programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

Quick Intro to Grand Canyon National Park

The Grand Canyon is appropriately named: it’s a big and awe-inspiring canyon that goes on for miles.

It’s such a fascinating piece of natural landscape that people come from all over the world to see it. Sunrises, sunsets, thunderstorms, and blankets of snow all look amazing here.

But you have to see it for yourself and bask in its hugeness to really appreciate it. Photos just can’t do justice to the truly grand scale of this canyon.

While this guide is focused on Grand Canyon road trip itineraries, we’d be remiss to not give you some background information about the Grand Canyon before we start throwing out things to do and places to see in the park and nearby, like you have any idea what we’re talking about.

We’ll answer a few basic questions and get you up to speed enough to understand the itineraries.

Where is the Grand Canyon?

The Grand Canyon extends across the entirety of the northwest corner of Arizona. Much of the canyon’s 277 mile length is desolate desert.

There’s not much out here because it’s no small feat to build a bridge over a 10 mile-wide canyon with modern equipment.

Pioneers in horse-drawn wagons took one look at it and went around. We don’t blame them!

Grand Canyon National Park has two separate sections.

What many people don’t know is Grand Canyon National Park is actually split into two parts: the South Rim and the North Rim.

The South Rim is easier to get to and has more infrastructure built up, so it’s naturally the most popular.

The North Rim has a lodge and views of the same stunning canyon, looking the other direction of course, but sees just 10% of Grand Canyon visitors. Something to consider if you’re anti-crowds.

When we discuss visiting Grand Canyon in the road trip itineraries below, we are referring to the South Rim.

We will always call out the North Rim specifically as the North Rim.

Grand Canyon has a year-round free shuttle bus system.

The shuttle bus system on the South Rim is a major help for moving visitors around the park as well as reducing pollution.

Park your car once and take the shuttle bus everywhere. The only place they don’t go is along Desert View Road (the east section of the South Rim)

There are four routes: red, orange, blue, and purple. Shuttles all start very early (think 4AM in the summer) and run late (either 30 minutes after sunset or as late as 11PM).

Purple connects the town of Tusayan outside the park’s southern entrance to the central bus hub at the Visitor Center complex.

Leave your car at your hotel and take the shuttle in. Roundtrip loop is about 40 minutes, so it takes 20 minutes or so to get from town to the Visitor Center.

Blue is the park’s Village Route , connecting the Visitor Center with the park lodges, campgrounds, and restaurants in the Village and Market Plaza areas.

It’s also the connector to the Red Route from the Visitor Center. Roundtrip is 50 minutes.

The Red Route is Hermit’s Rest Road . This road is closed to private vehicles from March to November every year, so you have to take the shuttle or walk/hike/bike the sometimes paved, sometimes not Rim Trail.

This route takes 80 minutes roundtrip if you don’t get off the bus, but it also has some of the most popular overlooks and hikes in the park. Well worth the effort!

Also important to note: the eastbound Red Route bus does not stop at every overlook on the way back to the Village. Double check the schedules if you want a specific overlook.

Lastly, the Orange Route is the Kaibab Rim Route . The road up to Yaki Point is closed to private vehicles, all year round.

On Yaki Road, the South Kaibab Trailhead is the most popular trailhead in the park . Most visitors hike down to the Ooh Aah Point and turn around. Roundtrip rides on this shuttle are 50 minutes.

Now that you’ve got a basic understanding of the park, let’s get to the road trip itineraries already!

A Grand Canyon Road Trip: 8 Suggested Itineraries

The wonderful thing about road trips: there’s no one, single right way to do them.

You could follow the same route and have two very different trips, based solely on which roadside attractions you stop for, where you eat, and where you stay.

There are infinite possibilities for road trip routes to the Grand Canyon because you can start from almost anywhere, the canyon is huge, and it’s surrounded by fascinating landscapes and historical sites.

Today, we’re discussing the most popular Grand Canyon road trip routes, which generally start and end in either Las Vegas, NV or Phoenix, AZ.

We recommend a minimum of a 3 day weekend to get your money’s worth out of a Grand Canyon road trip.

But there is so much else within driving distance that you might want to extend your trip for a week or two to enjoy the area! We’ll discuss a few options for that as well.

In all cases, if you can snag a flight the night before your first day off, we highly recommend that. We call this the Day 0 trick.

It requires no extra time off and eliminates a bunch of wasted travel hours from your vacation days.

So, for the 3 day weekend example: fly out Friday night after work (Day 0), get in late Friday to Las Vegas or Phoenix, and spend the night nearby. Start your road trip as early as you want on Saturday (Day 1).

The 3 Day Weekend Grand Canyon Road Trip Itinerary

Starting off with the fastest Grand Canyon road trip itinerary for all those travelers with limited time off.

This short and sweet road trip really only qualifies as a road trip because the park is so far from major cities and airports.

It’s a 4 hour drive from Las Vegas or a 3.5 hour drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon.

There are tons of roadside stops and major attractions along those routes, but this 3 day weekend itinerary is all about FOCUS.

You want to see the Grand Canyon, so you’ll see the Grand Canyon.

Pro Tip : The Day 0 trick is almost mandatory for this itinerary, especially if you’re flying in from the east coast.

(Day 0: Fly in to origin in the evening)

• Drive to Grand Canyon National Park, eat lunch in Tusayan or the park, stop into the Visitor Center, see Mather Point, and explore the Orange Route with a hike to Ooh Aah Point. Overnight in Tusayan.
• Explore the Red Route, drive the Grand Canyon Desert View scenic drive. Overnight in Tusayan.
• Drive back to the airport, fly home

Depending on your good fortune and flight times, you may be able to add another attraction on the third day.

If driving back to Las Vegas , consider stopping in Kingman, AZ for the Route 66 Museum, at the Hoover Dam for a photo and/or tour, or spending some time in Vegas itself.

If driving back to Phoenix , you will pass no less than 6 national monuments along the way.

We loved Walnut Canyon National Monument , a quick hour or so stop in Flagstaff to see ancient Native American cliff dwellings in the canyon walls.

5 Day Road Trip Itinerary: Grand Canyon + City Break

If you take two vacation days and add them to a 3 day weekend, you get a 5 day vacation.

This is a great way to save some PTO but go on a longer, more satisfying vacation.

Here’s how we’d suggest you break it down.

• Fly in and Explore Las Vegas, Phoenix, or Flagstaff.
• Drive to Grand Canyon National Park, arrive no later than lunchtime, stop in the Visitor Center and see Mather Point, explore the Orange Route, and take a short hike to the Ooh Aah Point. Overnight in Tusayan.
• Spend a full day in the park: explore the Red Route (views and hiking opportunities), drive the Desert View Scenic Drive. Overnight in Tusayan.
• Leisurely drive back to your origin city, stopping at attractions along the way.

Day 4 can be as adventurous or as laid back as you like.

Drive back to your origin city and enjoy some down time by the pool at your hotel before your busy travel day.

Las Vegas and Phoenix both have so much to do within their respective metro areas that you could easily spend another day sightseeing in each.

The route back to your origin city is guaranteed to have some interesting waypoints as well.

We strongly recommend the in-depth tour of the Hoover Dam if you’re going back to Las Vegas, and stopping in Sedona is always a good idea if you’re on the way back to Phoenix.

7 Day Grand Canyon Road Trip Itinerary: See Both Rims!

So, you lucked out and have an entire week for vacation. Booyah!

Now, if you have 5 vacation days, we would always encourage you to pair that with two weekends to give yourself a 9 day vacation.

However, we realize some people prefer a day at home before and after a trip, so they have time to decompress and mentally prepare themselves to go back to their ordinary lives.

Post-vacation depression is a real thing.

So for those that need the extra couple of days, this itinerary is for you.

For this timeframe you can see both the North and South Rims of Grand Canyon National Park and also spend a few days exploring nearby must-see sights.

• Fly in to Las Vegas, chill in the city
• Drive to Grand Canyon National Park, stopping along the way at Hoover Dam , the Grand Canyon Skywalk , or Kingman for the Route 66 Museum . Spend the afternoon in the park at the visitor center, Mather Point, and either the Orange Route or strolling along the Rim Trail. Overnight in Tusayan.
• Full day in Grand Canyon National Park: explore the Red Route, the Orange Route if you missed it yesterday, and the Desert View Scenic Drive. Overnight in Tusayan.
• Drive to Page, see Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend . Overnight in Page.
• Day trip to the Grand Canyon North Rim . Overnight in Page.
• Drive back to Las Vegas, considering a stop in Valley of Fire State Park along the way.

This itinerary works just as well if you fly into Phoenix rather than Vegas. On Day 6 you’d swap a stop in Valley of Fire for a stop in Flagstaff or Sedona.

9 Day Road Trip: So Many National Parks!

This Grand Canyon road trip itinerary is for all our fellow national park bucket list seekers!

When you’ve got a week in a new region and you really want to do some damage to your national park checklist , this is a great option.

Pro Tip : You only need 5 vacation days to go on a 9 day vacation. Use both the weekend before and the weekend after your 5 PTO days for a total of 9 days.

We’ll go ahead and warn you: this is highly ambitious and you cannot fully explore most of these parks with just one day. ( Well, maybe this one. )

But you can hit the highlights and see some pretty amazing stuff, and then plan a more in-depth trip later for your favorites.

• Fly in to Las Vegas, NV
• Day trip to Death Valley National Park. Overnight back in Vegas.
• Drive to Zion National Park (lose an hour for crossing time zones). Spend the rest of the day in the park. Drive to overnight in Bryce, UT.
• Visit Bryce Canyon National Park in the morning (early start). Spend the afternoon in Capitol Reef National Park. Drive to overnight in Moab, UT.
• Begin the day in Canyonlands National Park’s Island in the Sky area. End the day in Arches National Park. Overnight in Moab again.
• Drive to the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park and spend a few hours here. Drive to and through Monument Valley as leisurely as you’d like. End in Page, AZ to overnight, possibly catching Horseshoe Bend at sunset.
• See Antelope Canyon (and Horseshoe Bend if you missed it yesterday) in the morning. Drive to Grand Canyon National Park and take the Desert View Scenic Drive from the east entrance. Overnight in the park or in Tusayan.
• Spend most of the day in Grand Canyon National Park. Drive back to Las Vegas to overnight (gain an hour for crossing time zones).

All said and done, this whirlwind road trip itinerary sprints through seven national parks and three nearby attractions that aren’t national parks but still impressive must-see sights nonetheless.

Day 4 will feel rushed. We suggest doing the scenic drive and a hike or two of your choice in each park, but don’t forget the 2.5hr drive in between parks when you split your day up.

On Day 5, don’t forget that Arches National Park requires advanced timed entry tickets from early April through early October.

9 Day Grand Canyon Road Trip: A More Relaxed Loop from Las Vegas

This 9 day itinerary offers more breathing room than some of the more ambitious routes discussed, and still only requires 5 vacation days.

You’ll still see a lot, but you won’t have to get up super early and stay up late to drive to the next destination to fit it all in.

• Fly in to Las Vegas .
• Spend the morning at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and the afternoon back in Vegas. Overnight in Las Vegas.
• Day trip out to Death Valley National Park. Overnight in Vegas again.
• Start the day by touring Hoover Dam . Drive to Grand Canyon National Park (lose an hour to time zone change), and catch a few hours in the park exploring the visitor center and Mather Point in late afternoon. Overnight in Tusayan.
• Explore Grand Canyon National Park: the Red Route, the Orange Route, hike to Ooh Aah Point, take in the Desert View Scenic Drive. Overnight in Tusayan.
• Drive to Page, tour Antelope Canyon , and see Horseshoe Bend . Check out Lake Powell or Glen Canyon National Conservation Area if you have extra time. Overnight in Page.
• Drive to Zion National Park and spend the day in the park. Overnight in Springdale.
• Drive to Valley of Fire State Park (gain an hour from time zone change) and spend the day in the park. Continue on to overnight in Las Vegas.

Red Rock Canyon has a timed entry system during its peak season from October through the end of May. The entry fee is covered by the America the Beautiful Annual Pass .

Zion National Park operates a free but mandatory shuttle bus system for the inner canyon from March through November and some busy weeks/weekends. Check their website for the current shuttle schedule.

When you enter Zion on Day 7 during this timeframe, you’ll have to drive to the Visitor Center first, park, and hop a shuttle to get to trailheads for popular hikes like the Narrows and Angel’s Landing.

The Grand Circle Road Trip – 10 Day Minimum

There are so many amazing sights to see in the Arizona/Colorado/Utah region!

Getting to them all is one giant circular route through northern Arizona, the southwest corner of Colorado, and southern Utah, and it’s become known as the Grand Circle.

This is easily one of the most epic Grand Canyon road trip itineraries out there , but it does not leave a lot of extra time for exploration.

You can still do this itinerary with only 5 vacation days, but you have to pair it with a 3 day holiday weekend to get the 10 th day without using PTO.

Of course, you can extend this itinerary if you can wring a few more PTO days out of work.

• Drive to Grand Canyon National Park (lose an hour to time zones). Overnight in Tusayan.
• Drive through Monument Valley and overnight in Cortez, CO.
• Visit Mesa Verde National Park in the morning, Canyon of the Ancients National Monument in the afternoon, and drive to Moab, UT.
• Spend the day in Arches National Park. Overnight in Moab.
• Explore the Island in the Sky area of Canyonlands National Park, with a side trip to Dead Horse Point State Park. Overnight in Moab.
• Drive to and spend the day in Capitol Reef National Park. Afterward, drive to and overnight in Bryce.
• Spend a full day in Bryce Canyon National Park. Drive to and overnight in Springdale.
• Explore Zion National Park. Drive to and overnight in St George.
• Drive to Las Vegas (gain an hour for time zone change). Fly home.

The itinerary above is the basic Grand Circle, but if you’ve got the time, it’s easy to add on several more parks.

Death Valley National Park is within driving distance of Las Vegas. Petrified Forest National Park could be added between the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley.

Both Great Sand Dunes National Park and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park could be added in Colorado before heading to Moab.

Don’t forget the national monuments and other historic sites! There are a ton of these, as well as state parks, that you’ll likely pass on your way to the other parks.

We loved our morning adventure in Walnut Canyon National Monument in Flagstaff and an afternoon exploring Valley of Fire State Park near Las Vegas.

10 Day Southwest Road Trip from Las Vegas

Heavy on national parks, this southwest road trip itinerary uses the Day 0 trick to allow for two full days in one of the national parks. (We chose Zion in the example.)

Feel free to shift the itinerary to spend two days in whichever park you choose.

(Day 0: Fly into Las Vegas)

• Day trip to Death Valley National Park. Overnight in Las Vegas.
• Day trip to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, just 30 minutes from downtown Vegas. Overnight in Las Vegas.
• Drive to Valley of Fire State Park and spend the day here (bring a lunch!). Drive up to Springdale late afternoon/evening (lose an hour to time zone change). Overnight in Springdale.
• First full day in Zion National Park: Hike Angel’s Landing. Overnight in Springdale.
• Second full day in Zion National Park: Hike the Narrows. Drive up and stay in Bryce tonight.
• Spend a full day exploring Bryce Canyon National Park. Drive to Page to overnight.
• Tour Antelope Canyon and see Horseshoe Bend in the morning. Grab an early lunch in Page before driving to the Grand Canyon North Rim for the afternoon. Drive back to overnight in Page.
• Drive to and spend a full day exploring Grand Canyon National Park. Overnight in Tusayan or Williams.
• Drive to the Hoover Dam and take a tour. Optional stop at the Grand Canyon Skywalk along the way. (Gain an hour from time zone change.) Overnight in Las Vegas.

Remember that Red Rock Canyon has timed entry in the winter, and Zion has mandatory shuttles from March to November.

As of 2022, the Angel’s Landing hike requires a permit to hike the portion from Scout Lookout up to Angel’s Landing. It’s incredibly popular and done by lottery, so may the odds be ever in your favor.

10 Day Arizona Highlights Road Trip

Arizona just has so much to see! This road trip itinerary focuses solely on Arizona sights.

Phoenix and its neighboring cities create a ginormous urban area that has quite a lot to explore. You won’t get to all of it in one day, but there is decent and affordable public transit to get around.

• Fly in to Phoenix
• Explore Phoenix and its huge urban area, including Tempe and Scottsdale.
• Day trip to Tucson to see Saguaro National Park. Drive back to Phoenix to overnight.
• Drive to Sedona and spend the day hiking and exploring. Overnight in Flagstaff.
• Day trip to Petrified Forest National Park. Overnight back in Flagstaff.
• Start the day at Walnut Canyon National Monument. Drive to Page. Tour Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in the afternoon. Overnight in Page.
• Day trip out to Monument Valley . Overnight back in Page.
• Drive to Grand Canyon National Park. Enter via the Desert View scenic drive, stop at the visitor center and Mather Point, and explore the Orange Route. Overnight in Tusayan.
• Spend most of the day in Grand Canyon National Park, exploring the Red Route. Drive back to and overnight in Phoenix.

What’s life without options? In this instance, you could swap the second day in Grand Canyon for a second day in Sedona.

Hiking in Grand Canyon is not for everyone, so your time may be better spent hiking in Sedona.

Which Grand Canyon Road Trip Itinerary is Right for You?

At this point, you might be a bit overwhelmed. You want to do all the things, but you’re a responsible adult that has bills to pay and mouths to feed (even if it’s just you and your dog).

Here are the top 3 excuses we often hear for staying in analysis paralysis and not choosing an itinerary.

Excuse #1: “I don’t have enough PTO for this.”

Remember: you can do a Grand Canyon road trip with just a 3 day weekend, no PTO required!

Even if you live on the east coast of the US and have to fly out to Arizona first.

East coasters have the time zone advantage when flying east to west, even without nonstop direct flights.

Flights leave at like 6PM and arrive in Las Vegas at midnight, or if you’re an early bird, leave at 6AM and get in by noon.

That means you could leave Friday after work, arrive in Vegas Friday night to sleep, and then have a full Saturday and Sunday to road trip before heading back Sunday night or Monday morning to Vegas and catching a midday flight home on Monday.

The time zone difference on the way back to the east coast is annoying, but you should be able to catch a noon flight in Vegas and arrive at your home airport by mid-evening.

Excuse #2: “This sounds expensive.”

This excuse irks me. It sounds expensive?

Have you even tried to price it out first, or are you just going back to the safety of your I-can’t-afford-anything-so-I-won’t-try-to-afford-anything-but-I’ll-still-complain-about-it life?

Of course, we understand that having the funds to travel is a privilege, and not everyone is fortunate enough to have the funds or access to travel. That’s not what we’re arguing here.

This excuse is almost always thrown out by people that actually do have some extra income; they just have no idea how to budget or no discipline to save.

Travel is about priorities. You have to prioritize it and then budget for it. It’s not just gonna happen if you don’t plan it.

Yes, it’s going to take some longer than others to save up for it, but there are plenty of travel options to make trips more affordable, if you plan them right.

Excuse #3: “This sounds too complicated.”

Maybe it’s not the PTO or the expense. Maybe you’re just intimidated by the number of stops on the itinerary, having to coordinate it all yourself.

You can do hard things! ( Read that again .)

Choose your favorite itinerary above, and the bulk of the planning is already done.

Now all you have to do is plug-and-play by choosing flights and a hotel or campground in each overnight spot.

Organizing isn’t your forte? No problem. I’m a pro at it, and I have this amazing trip organizer that will keep it all straight for you. ⬇️⬇️

I Found My Perfect Grand Canyon Road Trip Itinerary! Now What?

Congrats! The hard part is over. Now it’s simple plug and play.

Pick your dates, book your flights and rental car, and choose your hotels in the cities noted on your itinerary.

It really is that easy!

Now that you’ve got the base itinerary, here are some in-depth guides for destinations mentioned.

• Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon: Which is the Best?
• See Everything in Bryce Canyon National Park in One Day
• Where to Stay near Zion National Park
• Everything You Need to Know to See Horseshoe Bend

Happy travels!

About the Author : Rachel Means

With six-figure student loan debt and only 10 PTO days per year, Rachel started traveling the world. A decade later, she’s paid off her loans, changed careers, and been to 38 US states and 17 countries. She’s an expert at planning and budgeting for travel and loves to help others do it, too! Read her full story here.

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The Grand Canyon is on many peoples bucket list and a lot of people visit it as a day trip from Las Vegas. But, there is so much more to explore in the area, from man-made wonders to spectacular natural scenery and once in a lifetime adventures that we wanted to see more. So we put together this seven-day road trip that encircles the Grand Canyon and takes in a multitude of amazing places to see.

This suggested (and tested!) itinerary will help you get the most of this wonderful part of Arizona and Nevada. You’ll drive completely around the Grand Canyon, take a helicopter to the top of a butte, gaze at amazing scenery from the Grand Canyon to Sedona and even drive on a section of the famous Route 66.

Want to save this for later? Click the Pinterest button on the left for a pinnable image!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our full disclosure policy here .

To enjoy this itinerary you will need your own vehicle, it is not possible to do this trip otherwise. By having your own car you can explore at your own pace, make alterations to the itinerary to suit your requirements or just suddenly decide to stop and explore something you see on your travels.

So let’s hop in the car and take a 7-day road trip from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon and beyond!

GRAND CANYON & LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP OVERVIEW

• Travel to Las Vegas
• DAY 1 : Drive the Strip  |  Scenic Drive Across Northwestern Arizona |  Scenic Drive from Kanab/Fredonia to Page  |  Glen Canyon Dam
• DAY 2 : Tower Butte  |  Antelope Canyon  |  Horseshoe Bend  |  Grand Canyon
• DAY 3 : Scenic Drive from Flagstaff through Sedona  |  Montezuma Castle  |  Bell Rock  |  Chapel of the Holy Cross  |  Airport Overlook  |  Unique McDonalds  |  Meteor Crater  |  Lowell Observatory
• DAY 4 : Drive Route 66  |  Seligman  |  Grand Canyon Caverns  |  London Bridge
• DAY 5 : Grand Canyon West  |  Skywalk  |  Hoover Dam
• DAY 6 : Las Vegas Sign  |  Explore the Las Vegas Strip
• DAY 7 : Valley of Fire State Park  |  National Atomic Testing Museum  |  Pinball Hall of Fame  |  Ethel M Chocolates
• Travel Home from Las Vegas

Click the link on the “DAY” to quickly jump to that section of this itinerary.

GRAND CANYON & LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP MAP

Please feel free to download this map for your personal use when planning your trip.

To download this Google Map, click on the grey star at the top of the map and this map will be added to your Google Maps account. You can then view it on your phone or computer in Google Maps by clicking on the menu button, going to “Your Places” and selecting this map. 

We use these maps in the planning stage of creating all our itineraries as you can set out your plan in advance and then quickly reference these maps through the planning process.

GRAND CANYON & LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP: DAY 1

Las vegas to page.

Drive the Strip  |  Scenic Drive Across Northwestern Arizona |  Scenic Drive from Kanab/Fredonia to Page  |  Glen Canyon Dam

We’ll explore more of Las Vegas later in the trip, but it’s worth driving north out of the city along the famous strip. You can get your first glimpse of the elaborate hotels, landmarks and gimmicks that are designed to draw you in and gamble.

With Las Vegas behind you, you quickly enter the desert landscape of Nevada towards Arizona. The relatively short trip across northwest Arizona will take you through the mountainous country where it looks as if the road must just end. There doesn’t appear at times to be a path the road can take through the hills. The road curves through the mountains along the rough path of Virgin River allowing you to enjoy some impressive scenery.

Entering Utah for the first time today you’ll pass through St George before heading back south and into Arizona once more. Once you arrive at Fredonia you can choose whether to take US-89 or US-89A to Page. Both are scenic drives, so which you take is up to you. If you are short of time, US-89 is quicker. It takes you back into Utah and across the bottom of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

If you choose US-89A, you’ll stay in Arizona and head across the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and Marble Canyon where you can see Navajo Bridge and see the Colorado River which carved the Grand Canyon over the millennia. If you want to add a trip to the Northern Rim of the Grand Canyon, you would use 89A and head south from Jacob’s Lake.

On US-89 you will cross Glen Canyon Dam Bridge, and if you choose US-89A it is worth backtracking along US-89 from Page to visit here. You can pull over at one side of the bridge and walk back across in order to take in the impressive view of Glen Canyon Dam which holds back Lake Powell and uses it to generate electricity.  

WHERE TO STAY IN PAGE

RECOMMENDED : 2 Bedroom Townhouse (Airbnb) in Page

We found this house to be a comfortable place to stay with lots of space. It’s really well-located in Page and though we only stayed a single night would have no hesitation in recommending it.

You can check out these alternative  Airbnbs in Page  or here are some ideas for  hotels in Page if you’d prefer that instead.

NEW TO AIRBNB?  Click for a discount on your first booking when you sign up for a new account.

GRAND CANYON & LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP: DAY 2

Page to flagstaff.

Tower Butte  |  Antelope Canyon  |  Horseshoe Bend  |  Grand Canyon

The second day of your trip will find you up early to begin a day of seeing mother nature at it’s incredible best. The first stop is a once in a lifetime adventure to the top of Tower Butte . Only accessible by helicopter, unless you are a very skilled climber, the butte juts up almost vertically from the desert floor. This trip begins from Page Airport where you’ll meet your pilot and go through a safety briefing. You then board the helicopter for a trip across Lake Powell and up to Tower Butte . The pilot will land the helicopter so you can get out and explore the area and take in the breathtaking views. It really does feel like you are on top of the world.

If Tower Butte doesn’t appeal, then check out these other great options from Page .

Having started the day with such an adventure, thankfully the rest of the stops don’t disappoint! The next stop is to take a trip to Antelope Canyon , a slot canyon on native Navajo land just outside Page. Tours begin from offices within Page and they take you out to the canyon in small groups. Your guide will walk you the length of the slot canyon and point out interesting shapes and images that the wind and water have marked in the rocks.

Heading south out of Page, it’s worth stopping at one of the most photographed things in the area, Horseshoe Bend . This natural formation on the Colorado river is worth the walk, out from the parking lot to see. The dramatic juxtaposition of the calm looking water with the knowledge that it carved this canyon over thousands of years is thought-provoking.

After three beautiful wonders of nature, it’s time to head to the biggest in the area, the Grand Canyon. Once you’ve entered Grand Canyon National Park your first stop should be at Desert View Watchtower . Here you can see a fantastic view of the canyon, up the Colorado River ahead of you and down to the left. Climbing the watchtower takes you 80ft (21 m) higher and offers panoramic views of the area.

A short distance west is Tusayan Ruin and Museum which is the remains of a small Ancestral Puebloan village. The design of the desert watchtower is in the style of Ancestral Puebloan. You can visit the small museum and walk the short trail around what is left of the village.

Continuing along the Canyon edge road US-64, there are many places you can stop to take in more views of the canyon. We’ve marked the ones we stopped at on the map which are Grandview Point, Yaki Point, Yavapai Point, Maricopa Point, Mohave Point and Hermit’s Rest. The last three are beyond Grand Canyon Village and can only be accessed by the shuttle buses during high season which run regularly between the village and Hermit’s Rest.

If you can stay at the canyon for sunset, then we recommend Hopi Point. Here you’ll have excellent views to the west to watch the sun fall below the horizon and see the many changing colours of the canyon as the light fades.  

WHERE TO STAY IN FLAGSTAFF FOR TWO NIGHTS

Unfortunately, the lovely self-contained apartment in the host’s house we stayed at in Flagstaff isn’t available on Airbnb anymore so we don’t have any personal recommendations for Flagstaff.

You can check out these alternative  Airbnbs in Flagstaff  or here are some ideas for  hotels in Flagstaff if you’d prefer that instead.

GRAND CANYON & LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP: DAY 3

Flagstaff to sedona.

Scenic Drive from Flagstaff through Sedona  |  Montezuma Castle  |  Bell Rock  |  Chapel of the Holy Cross  |  Airport Overlook  |  Unique McDonalds  |  Meteor Crater  |  Lowell Observatory

The first stop today is the furthest south, so you can get there more quickly by using I-17 and just coming back on AZ-179 and AZ-89A, but we recommend using the smaller roads both ways and enjoying the more scenic drive. You can make a brief stop at Oak Creek Vista to look over the valley you are about to visit if you wish. Then return to your vehicle and descend rapidly through multiple sharp turns and hairpins to the valley floor. You follow the valley down through Sedona and it’s stunning red rock scenery before briefly joining I-17 to get to Montezuma Castle .

Montezuma Castle is an 800-year-old “apartment-complex” set high up in the cliffs and was inhabited by people called Sinagua.  The castle was one of the original four national monuments of the USA under the Antiquities Act such is its historic importance. The homes have survived so well due to their protection from the elements and the visitors centre even asks “Will your home look this good in 800 years?”. You can’t enter what remains of the houses today, only view them from the trail at ground level.

Heading back north towards Sedona, a popular tourist stop is Bell Rock. This butte is believed by some to have a high concentration of spiritual energy and has become a place of meditation. The next stop on the itinerary is also a place where people can meditate, even if you aren’t religious, the Chapel of the Holy Cross is worth visiting. The building appears to almost rise from the surrounding rocks, with a giant cross on the front, which is both aesthetic and structural. The views of the red rocks from the windows and the sunlight streaming through the stained glass are quite beautiful.

If you aren’t tired of the views of the amazing red rock scenery, then a stop at the Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout gives you a view across Sedona and to the beautiful red rock backdrop behind it from a great vantage point. Heading down into Sedona itself, we had to make a quick stop at a unique Mcdonalds . Sedona has strict rules for buildings and can veto anything they think doesn’t fit in with the surroundings. So when McDonald’s wanted to build a restaurant, they were told the famous yellow of their arches was unacceptable. So this McDonalds has turquoise arches instead!

After enjoying the scenic drive back towards Flagstaff, the next stop on the itinerary is a meteor crater . Though basically just a big hole in the ground, it’s quite amazing to imagine the impact required to make this big a dent in the surface of the Earth. The impact happened 50,000 years ago and the crater today is one of the best-preserved impact craters anywhere. The meteorite that created the crater is thought to have been about 150 ft (45 m) across and created a crater almost a mile (1.6 km) across and 550 ft (167 m) deep!

The final stop on today’s itinerary is an evening stop at one of the oldest observatories in the US, Lowell Observatory . Opened in 1894 and famous for discovering Pluto a visit to the observatory allows you to learn more about the solar system and universe, but also take a peek through some of their telescopes. On the day we visited we were able to view the Andromeda galaxy which is about 2.5 million light-years from Earth. To think that the light you are seeing left the stars of another galaxy over 2.5 million years ago is quite amazing.

After a long day sight-seeing, it’s time to return to your accommodation in Flagstaff for another night.

GRAND CANYON & LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP: DAY 4

Flagstaff to dolan springs.

Drive Route 66  |  Seligman  |  Grand Canyon Caverns  |  London Bridge

Heading west out of Flagstaff it’s time to drive a part of the Mother Road, the iconic Route 66. One of the original US highways and the first to be completely paved, it gained cult status with references in hit songs and a tv series. Though no longer part of the US Highway system, the roads fame has kept parts of the route, that originally ran from Chicago to Santa Monica, alive.

The small town of Seligman is a great place to stop and drink in the nostalgia of Route 66. Once on the primary route west in the area, it is now bypassed by I-40 and hence passing trade has fallen dramatically. The small town offers food and beverages, a well-stocked gift shop and lots of memorabilia from the glory days of Route 66. Keep an eye out for Delgadillo’s Snowcap car with its funky decorations which include a Christmas tree on the back! As you continue on Route 66, you’ll see some of the old Burma-Shave advertising signs which told a short tale or joke across several signs.

A great stop on this part of Route 66 is Grand Canyon Caverns . These are among the largest dry caverns in the USA and because they are dry don’t feature the stalactites and stalagmites of the more common wet caverns. The caverns offer several different tours depending on how much time you want to spend and how deeply you want to explore the caverns.

The regular tour that we took takes about 45 minutes and visits the main areas of the caverns. You’ll see the stores that were placed here for when it was intended to be a fallout shelter, the suite which you can book to stay in overnight and the many varied rock formations that were created millions of years ago.

Leaving the caverns, it’s time to spend another hour driving on Route 66 to Kingman. From here, our itinerary was to head south to Lake Havasu, it’s quite a drive “out of the way”, but this was probably the closest we might ever be to go and see London Bridge , so we went for it.

The bridge from Lake Havasu City to a small island in the Colorado River really is London Bridge and was shipped over stone by stone by chainsaw magnate Robert P. McCullock and reassembled in Lake Havasu City. His intention was to put the city on the map, and in that, he succeeded, as the bridge is now the second most visited attraction in Arizona, after the Grand Canyon.

From Lake Havasu, we headed back north to stay as close as we could to our early morning stop the next day.

WHERE TO STAY IN DOLAN SPRINGS

Unfortunately, the cool place we stayed, which was also an ostrich farm, in Dolan Springs isn’t available on Airbnb anymore so we don’t have any personal recommendations for Dolan Springs.

We chose Dolan Springs in order to be as close as possible to our early morning activity the next day and it is a very small and rustic town which may not be to everyone’s tastes. The nearest bigger town is Kingman about 40 minutes south.

You can check out these alternative  Airbnbs in Dolan Springs  or there is one hotel in the nearby Chloride or here are some ideas for  hotels in Kingman if you’d prefer that instead.

GRAND CANYON & LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP: DAY 5

Dolan springs to las vegas.

Grand Canyon West  |  Skywalk  |  Hoover Dam

It’s time to head back to the Grand Canyon today, about 90 miles (145 km) west of where we saw it at Hermit’s Rest. This part of the canyon is on the Hualapai Indian Reservation land rather than the National Park Service and they offer activities which the park service doesn’t. For us this meant taking a second helicopter trip down into the canyon, landing at the bottom and then rafting a short distance along the Colorado River.

After checking in at Grand Canyon West you’ll take the short 5-7 minute flight over the canyon rim and down 4,000 ft (1200 m) to the canyon floor where the helicopter will land. You then walk a short distance to get on board a pontoon boat for a 15-20 minute float along the Colorado River with the walls of the canyon towering above you. Like the trip to the top of  Tower Butte  at the start of the itinerary, this is an amazing experience and one you’re sure to remember for many years to come.

Once your helicopter flight returns, you can explore other parts of Grand Canyon West. There is a bus service that takes you to several different stops that are included within your entrance ticket. One of the biggest attractions here is the Skywalk which is a U-shaped glass walkway that extends out over the canyon edge allowing you to look directly down into the canyon. You can also explore Guano point where you can walk out along a fairly narrow peninsula to a grand view of the canyon. Here you’ll also found what’s left of a cable car station which used to provide access to a guano mine. The final main stop is Hualapai Ranch which is a small “wild west” town.

EDITOR’S NOTE:  If you want to visit the Skywalk or land at the bottom of the canyon, your only option is to pay the entrance fees for Grand Canyon West. The prices are exorbitant and we found the service and customer focus to be lacking. Once they have your money, they didn’t seem interested in much else. We saw people complaining and being simply brushed off, no matter how valid their issue. We, therefore, cannot recommend a visit to Grand Canyon West, though we fully understand people will take the risk due to the unique attractions it offers. Caveat Emptor.

Leaving the Grand Canyon behind it’s time to head back to Nevada and Las Vegas with one last stop en route. Straddling the border of Arizona and Nevada and two timezones, Mountain Standard Time and Pacific Time Zone, Hoover Dam  is on the Colorado River that formed the Grand Canyon and that we saw way back on day 1 at Glen Canyon Dam. The dam holds back Lake Mead, which is the largest man-made lake in the USA and the dam itself is the second tallest in the country.

The road to Las Vegas used to go across the top of the dam, but you now cross the river on a large bridge that bypasses the dam, which provides visitors coming from Arizona a great view of the dam as the cross. Once you enter the dam area past security you can still drive across the roof of the dam to the lookout points that provide views of the back of the dam and Lake Mead. To get a greater understanding of the dam and its history you can do tours inside the dam.

The guided dam tour takes visitors into the dam’s interior where you can see information about how the dam was built and explore some of the original art-deco decorations. The tour will show you the Nevada powerhouse which houses 8 generators in one of the two powerhouses within the dam. You’ll then get to walk down an inspection tunnel which allows you to peer out of the concrete face of the dam and down the Colorado River before riding an original elevator back to the top of the dam. The tour is very interesting and makes a stop at Hoover Dam well worth the time before heading to Las Vegas.

WHERE TO STAY IN LAS VEGAS FOR THREE NIGHTS

Unfortunately, the excellent apartment in a gated community we stayed at in Henderson (just south of Las Vegas) isn’t available on Airbnb anymore so we don’t have any personal recommendations for Las Vegas.

However, there is no place on earth with more choices of hotels and places to stay than the gambling capital of the world… You can check out these alternative  Airbnbs in Las Vegas  or here are some ideas for  hotels in Las Vegas if you’d prefer that instead.

GRAND CANYON & LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP: DAY 6

Las vegas strip.

Las Vegas Sign  |  Explore the Las Vegas Strip

There’s no better place to start a journey of discovery up the Las Vegas Strip than the world-famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign. Erected in 1959, the 25 ft (7.6 m) tall sign the most well-known symbol of Las Vegas and is generally seen to denote the southernmost end of the famous strip.

There are a plethora of sights along the strip vying for your attention, and as it stretches over 6.5 miles (10.5 km) from the Las Vegas sign to the Fremont Street Experience so you probably won’t have time to visit them all in a day. As most casinos now charge for parking, you’ll most likely want to park at a single casino for the day and then make use of public transport. You can travel the length of the strip on the regular Deuce buses for just $8 per day or $20 for a three-day pass.

The four hotels below are all relatively close together and can easily be visited by parking at any one of them for the day.

The Bellagio is one of the most famous hotels on the strip and it’s worth stopping by to see the fountains if you can. Choreographed to music, the fountains shoot water as high as 460 ft (140 m) into the air for the man-made lake in front of the hotel. Inside the hotel, renowned for its elegance you’ll find exquisite decorations including 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers on the lobby ceiling.

Caesars Palace’s theme is ancient Greece and Rome and the hotel abounds with statues and columns to provide a Greco-Roman feel. One of the most impressive statues is the 20 ft (6 m) high statues of Julies Caesar apparently hailing a taxi in the entrance! Caesar’s was one of the first hotels in Vegas to focus on shopping with the opening of The Forum Shops. The Forum features spiral escalators, replicas of famous fountains and all the high-end shops you would expect.

The Mirage was the first of the new breed of hotels that lead to the extravagant Vegas you see today. It has a Polynesian theme and includes a huge aquarium behind the reception desk which is home to almost 1,000 creatures. The most famous attraction at the Mirage is the “volcano” which erupts several times a night outside the hotel. The effect is very impressive and you can feel the heat from the “magma” as it “erupts”.

Finally, for our small selection of the many hotels along the strip, we come to The Venetian . Themed as the name suggests after Venice in Italy, the Venetian has replicas of St Mark’s Campanile and the Rialto Bridge as well as plenty of waterways to mimic the canals. Inside you’ll find beautifully decorated ceilings and arcades as well as Venetian streets where the ceilings are painted so they appear to be the sky. You can even take a gondola ride along the canals, though unlike in Venice itself, the canals here are crystal clear and the gondolas are electrically propelled.

There are plenty of other attractions to fill your day along the famous strip. Whether you try your hand at cards or your luck at roulette or the slots in one of the many casinos. Watch one of the dozens of shows that the casinos put on or just explore the many attractions. You can ride a rollercoaster through a casino or zipline starting inside the world’s largest slot machine, the possibilities are endless.

GRAND CANYON & LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP: DAY 7

Las vegas area.

Valley of Fire State Park  |  National Atomic Testing Museum  |  Pinball Hall of Fame  |  Ethel M Chocolates

For the final day of this road trip, we are heading out to see the sights of Las Vegas beyond the strip.

The first stop is Valley of Fire State Park to the northeast of the city. Here you’ll find 40,000 acres of bright red sandstone to explore which looks amazing in the sunlight. There are several trails you can walk and photo stops with names such as Crazy Hill, Mouse’s Tank and Elephant Rock to explore and the park contains ancient petroglyphs as well as petrified trees. The visitor centre has exhibits on the geology of the area to help you better understand the ecology and history of the park.

Back within the city limits, the next stop is the National Atomic Testing Museum which tells the history of nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site. Before above-ground nuclear testing was banned, people would come to Vegas to watch the bright flash of the nuclear test in the distance! The museum traces the earliest tests at the site through the transition to underground testing and after nuclear testing was banned. Visitors can experience a simulation of an above-ground test as well as explore the many exhibits including products from the Atomic Age. The museum also has an exhibition about the fabled Area-51 which is located about 80 miles (130 km) northwest of Las Vegas.

A very different museum is next up, one where you are actively encouraged to play with the exhibits. The Pinball Hall of Fame provides visitors with over 150 pinball machines which you can play for just 25 or 50 cents a play. If you used to enjoy pinball or were even a pinball wizard, there is sure to be some machines here that bring back memories. But even if not, you can easily while away some time enjoying playing the silver ball. The museum is not-for-profit and has a thrift store feel, but that’s because pretty much all their focus is on the pinball machines.

Our final stop on the itinerary will tantalise the tastebuds as we visit Ethel M Chocolate Factory . Founded by Forrest Edward Mars Sr. of the Mars chocolate family after he retired, Ethel M Chocolates is named after his mother and is now owned by Mars Inc. You can view the making of chocolates through the large glass windows into the production plant before entering the shop where you can taste and purchase some of the delectable confectionery. Outside the factory is a Botanical Cactus Garden, three acres of cacti and other succulents that visitors can explore at the leisure.  

BEST TIME TO TAKE A GRAND CANYON & LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP

In our opinion, the best time to visit Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon is outside of the searingly hot summer months where temperatures can be over 40°C (104°F). Even in winter, temperatures are generally mild and attractions are quieter without the summer crowds.

We visited in late December and found everything we wanted to visit was open and only the very biggest sights had any crowds. In some cases, we had “private” tours as we happened to be the only people visiting a particular attraction at the time which was fantastic!

In the summer (June to mid-September) the days are long (like 09:00 pm sunsets), the weather is extremely hot, and every sightseeing attraction, B&B, and hotel is open. However, with this, you’ll also find the biggest crowds, especially in the most popular areas such as Las Vegas itself, the Grand Canyon and attractions like the Hoover Dam. This is also the time of year where airfare, car rental, and hotel prices will be the highest.

In the winter (November – February) there are fewer daylight hours and in some cases, you might find reduced opening hours for attractions, and it’s possible that some of the smaller attractions may be closed altogether. The weather is still reasonably warm and dry, which is great as so much of this itinerary is outside, and you are likely to find great prices on airfares, hotels, and B&Bs.

RESOURCES | PLAN YOUR GRAND CANYON & LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP

To book flights, rental cars, accommodations, and activities for your trip, please check out our recommended travel providers, favourite apps and websites. 

Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission but this does not affect the price to you. Please read our   full disclosure policy here . 

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Las Vegas to Yosemite Road Trip with Extreme Stops

Follow this route from the lights of las vegas to the eastern sierra plus three national parks, finding “-ests” along the way. these lowest, hottest, oldest and tallest places are waiting to be discovered..

We so often find beauty in soft things: a pink sunset, a bouquet of flowers, a sparkling beach. Many of us write off the extremes of the spectrum as harsh places not worth considering, but this Las Vegas to Yosemite road trip leans into them with stops at three more extreme parks, Death Valley, Sequoia and Kings Canyon.

Things to Do and See on this Road Trip

Start amongst the loud and glittering scene of the Las Vegas Strip, the brightest spot on the planet, before pointing your wheels westward. You’ll find Death Valley National Park , which is a land known for its extremes. Its elevation ranges from 282 feet below sea level (the lowest point in North America ) to 11,049-foot Telescope Peak and recorded the world’s hottest temperature of 134-degrees Fahrenheit in 1913.

From Death Valley, head towards the towering Sierra Nevada mountains. There grows the oldest living thing on Earth , the Methuselah Tree near Bishop, along with fascinating history to explore before crossing over Tioga Pass into Yosemite. You’ll encounter looming rock formations and pounding waterfalls . Stop in Fresno on your way to Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks , where you’ll find some of the world’s tallest trees . Just walking underneath them will make you feel small.

As you finish the route, passing through the towns surrounding the parks like Visalia, Exeter and, farther south, Bakersfield, you’ll realize that extremes can be beautiful too. Read on to discover our favorite route through this landscape.

Start: Las Vegas, Nevada

Death valley national park.

The largest national park in the contiguous United States, Death Valley National Park is just 142 miles from Las Vegas, but you might feel as though you’ve landed on the moon. Stretching across 3.4 million acres, the park is made up of a patchwork of salt flats, badlands, artfully colored hills and ruins from those who dared to settle in this unforgiving landscape. You’ll also find the lowest point in North America in Badwater Basin, which sits 282 feet below sea level and encompasses nearly 200 square miles of salt flats.

Here are our top 6 stops plus road-trip tips for a fantastic scenic drive on the way to Yosemite National Park.   

Sights to See East of Yosemite

Inyo County is the Land of Extremes Inyo County claims the highest and lowest points in the lower 48. Stop at a WWII internment camp, watch and listen to the sky and see restored trains .

Bishop’s Big Backyard  On the Eastern Sierra, walk among ancient trees, watch mules compete, hike to a lake and relax in a small town with down-to-earth people .

Want to Avoid Traffic and Parking inside Yosemite? Park your car in a Yosemite gateway town such as Mammoth Lakes on Hwy. 120/395 or Oakhurst on Hwy. 41,  and take the YARTS bus into Yosemite Valley . From there, you can ride the shuttle to many attractions and trailheads in the park.

Yosemite National Park

Enter Yosemite at its east entrance on Tioga Road. (In winter, enter the South Entrance.)

Summer or Winter in Yosemite From river floats and rock climbing in summer to snowshoeing and ice skating in winter, Yosemite offers incredible year round experiences.

5 Famous Viewpoints Close to the Road in Yosemite Visitors to the park won’t want to miss any of  these following heart-stopping vistas , all easily accessible from paved roads throughout the park.

Best 2-Day Eco-Friendly Yosemite Vacation Itinerary Experience the best of Yosemite while  traveling sustainably  by eating locally grown food, staying at eco-friendly lodges and hiking on gorgeous trails.

Tour Yosemite Like a Local with Gypsy Guide On your Yosemite adventure,  listen to an entertaining guide in your car .

Around the Clock How to take photos of Yosemite’s most stunning scenes from sunrise to sunset to night skies by pro Tamron photographer, Ken Hubbard.

Exit Yosemite at its south entrance.

Relaxing Spots near Yosemite’s South Entrance

Mountain Escape at Tenaya at Yosemite It’s just a few miles from Yosemite’s famous Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias full of the world’s largest single trees. But you’ll feel worlds away from everything at Tenaya at Yosemite .

Go Jump in the Lake at Miller’s Landing Resort Just 20 minutes from Yosemite National Park’s South Entrance lies a lakeside paradise where contemporary cabins are just a stroll from the shore, boats of all sizes are available for rent and the water in the summer reaches almost 80 degrees.

Two More National Parks, Sequoia and Kings Canyon

4 Fantastic Fresno Finds From underground gardens to a world-class zoo,  Fresno is the perfect stop  between Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia national parks.

Take a Trip Around the World at Fresno Chaffee Zoo Journey around the world without ever leaving central California. This incredible zoo is home to more than 200 species and has interactive and award-winning habitats that will make you feel like you’ve been transported to the California coast, the African savannahs or the Australian outback.

The Majestic Mountain Loop Stops at Three National Parks If the only national park you visit in California is Yosemite, you’ll miss seeing the world’s largest living tree in Sequoia National Park and the nation’s Christmas tree in Kings Canyon National Park .

Naturally Outdoors  Explore the towns that sit at the foot of Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. Get outdoors and experience agri-tourism at its best where farms that roll up to the towering Sierra Nevada mountains are filled with the intoxicating scent of peaches, table grapes, nectarines, kiwis and oranges.

Stay at Wuksachi Lodge in the Heart of Sequoia National Park Located just down the road from the famous General Sherman Tree, this stone-and-cedar mountain-style lodge is the perfect getaway.

Choose Your Stay in Kings Canyon National Park From hotel rooms to rustic cabins , you’ll find your perfect getaway at Kings Canyon National Park.

Driving the Streets of Bakersfield

At the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, you’ll find country music, craft brews and genuine grub in Bakersfield.

End: Las Vegas, Nev.

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The Best 5 Day Road Trip from Las Vegas

In Destinations , Traveling Atlas , United States by Brandon Copeland September 20, 2018 2 Comments

Why You Should Take a Road Trip out of Las Vegas

Las Vegas is an obvious destination for a bachelor party or a wild getaway, but it also functions as an incredible landing pad for a road trip. That being the case, we highly advise experiencing the “thrills” of Vegas AFTER the road trip, that way you aren’t feeling groggy and ill inspired before jumping in the car.

McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas is home to 11 different car rental services and it is open 24 hours a day. Therefore, you can shop around to get a decent deal for a car and be able to pick it up whenever you arrive, no matter the hour.

We rented a large SUV because we were traveling with 4 people and everyone’s camping gear had to fit in the back. The SUV was absolutely perfect; if you are worried about space, upgrade if the price difference isn’t too much, it’s worth it. We definitely suggest getting a car that has a GPS installed because when your cell phone service goes out, the car’s GPS will be able to lead you onward.

Our flight arrived into Vegas around midnight; we picked up our car from the airport, and stayed in an  affordable Airbnb  that was $100 dollars ($25 when split between 4 people!) just for the night in the Southeast of Las Vegas. This was great because we were able to get a good night sleep, go shopping at a super market in the morning to stock up for the first leg of the trip, cook breakfast,  and pack sandwiches for the car ride.

Day 1: Drive from Las Vegas to the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon

On the morning of our first day, after we did our shopping and finished breakfast, we checked out of our Airbnb and hit the road. Our first stop was to pick up our camping gear from Desert Adventures . Their rentals were very reasonably priced and the location was ideal for a road trip from Las Vegas, located Southeast of Las Vegas.

Camping Rental List for 4 People

• 2 Tents (First 2 days – $40, Each additional day – $5 per tent)
• 4 Sleeping bags (First 2 days – $18, Each additional day – $2 per sleeping bag)
• 4 Sleeping pads (First 2 days – $10, Each additional day – $2 per sleeping pad)
• 1 Cookset Basecamp (First 2 days – $20, Each additional day – $5 for the set)
• 4 Folding chairs (First 2 days – $5, Each additional day – $2 per chair)
• 1 Roll table (First 2 days – $10, Each additional day – $2 per roll table)

Once we had the car masterfully packed up, we headed for our first fun stop of the road trip; the Hoover Dam. Located just over a half an hour east of Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam is a must see. We drove across the dam (keep your eyes on the road – you’ll be back on foot!) and found a parking lot about a 10 minute walk away.

There are plenty of companies where you can buy tours of the Hoover Dam, but we decided against it – we just wanted to walk around and soak in the immense mass of concrete. A tour would have been amazing but we were all just too excited to get to the Grand Canyon.

Once we had our fill of pictures, we walked back to the car and began the 4 hour drive to the Grand Canyon. To break up the drive, we impulsively made a stop at an amazing town called Williams which is located around Historic Route 66. The feeling of nostalgia was alive in this now relatively quiet town, but I could only imagine what it must have been like in its hay day.

In the town, we found Grand Canyon Brewing Company which is one of the coolest breweries any of us had visited. The brewery taproom was decorated like a lodge with beautiful woodwork, a fireplace, and had a mini river running through the middle of the room. However, our favorite part of the brewery was their prices – coming from New York it was so affordable! We all vowed to go back one day.

The rest of the drive was only an hour, and we made it just in time for a sunset hike to Shoshone Point. We spent two nights in the Grand Canyon, hiking during the day and sitting by the campfire at night telling stories. If you want more information on camping and hiking in the Grand Canyon, click here .

Day 3: Drive from Grand Canyon to Bryce Canyon

After spending two incredible nights at the Grand Canyon, we broke down our tents, jammed the car full (less successfully than the first day when everything was nicely packed) and headed out. We took one last look at the Grand Canyon at sunrise and then ventured on to our next destination; Bryce Canyon.

The drive between the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon is about 5 hours, so similar to the first day we added a stop, this time Antelope Canyon which is 2 and a half hours from the Grand Canyon South Rim and is located very near Page, Arizona. This is where we ran into our first hiccup.

If you are planning on visiting Antelope Canyon, book a tour ahead of time . To see Antelope Canyon, you must be on a tour due to the limited space available within the canyon. We were not aware of this and were unable to book a tour for the same day. We were bummed out, but thankfully there is another natural wonder only ten minutes away; Horseshoe Bend!

We drove over to Horseshoe Bend which is free to the public and you are not required to book a tour. There is a large parking lot where you can leave your car (if it’s full you can park on the side of the road) and take the small hike up to the bend. We spent about an hour there taking pictures and walking around, which is all the time you really need to sufficiently see it all.

From Horseshoe Bend we decided to take a stop in Page, Arizona at State 48 Tavern to have a beer and a bite to eat. We sat at the bar and had a nice, relaxing stop which was much needed before jumping back in the car for the 2 and a half hour drive to Bryce Canyon. If you want more information about how to spend one full day and night in Bryce Canyon, click here .

Day 4: Drive from Bryce Canyon to Zion Canyon

After spending a full day in Bryce Canyon on the 4 th day, we headed to Zion Canyon for our last national park stop of the road trip. We were comfortable spending a good portion of the morning in Bryce Canyon because the drive is only an hour and a half to Zion.

Entering Zion from the east on Route 9 is an experience you will never forget. Between the unforgettable cliffs rising all around you to the 1.1 mile Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel which is literally carved through a mountain. You’ll want to be awake for this one! (If you’re driving, you should always be awake, guys – this was meant for weary passengers.)

We spent two nights in Zion and went on many incredible hikes! If you would like more information on camping and hiking in Zion over 2 days, click here .

Day 6: Return to Las Vegas

We don’t really count day 6 as part of the road trip because while it’s just the journey back to Vegas which is a short 2 and a half hour drive. This will either begin your Las Vegas adventure or it will mean going back home. The last thing we had to do was return our rental camping equipment and drop off the car back at the airport. Successful road trip through three of the most amazing national parks in the US!

To make our flights out to Las Vegas worthwhile, we added 4 nights in Las Vegas to the end of our trip. Looking back, 4 nights may have been excessive in Sin City – I think we would have survived with just 2 nights.

Helpful Tips for Your Road Trip from Las Vegas

• Always have water with you, even if you have been told that a campsite has water. In our experience in late March / early April, water was scarce in campgrounds and we had to rely on gallon jugs from the store. Also, bring plenty of water on your hikes – it gets scorching hot.
• Make sure to fill up on gas whenever you are about to go a long stretch of the journey because gas stations are few and far between. As long as you manage your gas well you shouldn’t have any problems, none of the drives are terribly long as long as you break them up.
• Rent camping gear if you plan on camping in the parks – it is very affordable and then you don’t have to worry about trying to get your tent poles through security at the airport.

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Thank you for sharing your trip and such good tips and pointers! We are heading out there in March, and planning a similar trip.

Hope you enjoy!

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Discovering Hidden Gems

The Perfect Road Trip Out West Itinerary (2024)

Want to know the perfect road trip out west itinerary? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know!

The perfect road trip out west itinerary takes you to popular sites like Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park , Devil’s Tower , and more.

The beauty of this road trip is that you can start and end this itinerary at any point since it essentially makes a loop.

If you’re driving out from the midwest area, we have several road trip itineraries from Ohio to California and several road trip itineraries highlighting various cross country driving routes .

Planning A Trip? Use Our Favorite Resources Below!

Accommodations Tours/Experiences Flights Car Rentals

Short On Time? Here’s A Day By Day Summary

• Drive from LA to Zion National Park
• Hike the Narrows at Zion + Drive the Scenic Byway to Bryce Canyon
• Hike Bryce Canyon + Drive the Scenic Byway to Capitol Reef
• Dinosaur National Monument
• Casper, Wyoming + Drive to the Black Hills
• Mt Rushmore, Wind Cave National Park, + Other Black Hills Spots
• Badlands National Park + Deadwood
• Devils Tower + Little Bighorn
• Yellowstone National Park

Grand Teton National Park

• Craters of the Moon
• Shoshone Falls + Great Basin National Park + Las Vegas

The Perfect Road Trip Out West Itinerary

Since we live in Orange County, this itinerary starts in LA, but the first major stop is in Zion National Park.

You can watch this video on our YouTube Channel highlighting our drive from LA to Zion.

Day 1: Driving From Los Angeles To Zion National Park

You want to try get on the road by about 9 am to make the most of your day.

Depending on the time of year you’re taking the road trip, your daylight hours might differ greatly.

I recommend doing this road trip in the Summer, late Spring, or early Fall.

Breakfast From Paul’s Place

To save time, getting breakfast on the go is highly recommended.

Our favorite breakfast spot is Paul’s Place, which is a small chain in Southern California.

We love their bacon breakfast burrito and it’s the perfect size for 2 people to share.

Your car may be able to drive as far as Las Vegas before filling up, which is about a 4 hour drive without traffic.

However, if you need to make some stops along the way, there are only a couple places.

Stop For Gas + The Original Del Taco In Barstow

Barstow is about the half way point when driving to Vegas and it has the most options for food and gas.

The original Del Taco is here in Barstow and I highly recommend trying the Barstow Del Taco when you’re here.

This location in particular loads up their tacos way more than others, so you really get your money’s worth.

Stop At Eddie’s World For A Sweet Treat

Another option, if you can make a little further past Barstow is Eddie’s World.

It’s a large gas station that also has an ice cream shop and a huge convenience store with every type of novelty snack and drink possible.

It’s not a bad idea to get a few snacks here that you can enjoy at your camp sites throughout your trip.

Stop In Primm, Nevada

Primm is a little town you’ll come across when you cross the state line into Nevada.

There’s a couple casinos, a mall, and some fast food.

If you need to stop for anything, it’s your last stop before getting to Las Vegas.

Visit Seven Magic Mountains

Seven Magic Mountains is a cool art installation in the middle of desert outside of Las Vegas.

It’s just off the highway and free to visit.

Have Some Fun In Las Vegas

If you’ve never been to Las Vegas, the best way to see it is at the end of this road trip because that is where it circles back to.

On this day, you’ll just want to be out of the car for a couple hours to get some fresh air and walk around.

On this trip, we stopped at the Taco Bell Cantina because it was new at the time, but really any place in Vegas that interests you is fine to stop at.

Continue On To Utah

After leaving Las Vegas, you’ll continue on I-15 North toward Utah.

A short section of this highway actually dips into Arizona briefly and you’ll drive straight through some mountains.

Where To Stay: Hurricane KOA

Hurricane, Utah is a city just before you reach Zion National Park.

If you don’t plan in advance, the Zion campsites can be completely booked out for months in advance, so this is a great alternative that also has more amenities.

Also, if you’re doing this road trip in the Summer like we did, it could be 100+ degrees outside when you get here.

So what we did was park our car at our campsite and hang out in the pool until the sun started to set and the weather cooled off.

Our favorite part of this trip was cooking at our campsite each night.

We didn’t want to deal with having to keep anything on ice or refrigerated, so we went with super basic pre-packaged foods.

I don’t recommend this as a long term diet, but on a trip like this, it’s good enough.

We cooked the Knorr Rice and Pasta Sides a few times on this trip and enjoyed a few bottles of wine while we went.

Day 2: Hike The Narrows At Zion National Park + Drive The Scenic Byway To Bryce Canyon National Park

The drive from the Hurricane KOA to Zion National Park is about 30 minutes .

With visiting Zion in the Summer , you want to arrive early, before 9 am because the parking lot can fill up and there can be long lines to get into the park.

From there, you’ll have to take a shuttle to The Narrows.

If you don’t already have hiking sticks , you’ll want to get off the shuttle at the lodge to buy one for each person.

I can pretty much guarantee you will fall at least once, if not way more if you don’t have a walking stick for balance.

There are a lot of uneven rocks and sometimes with the glare of the sun on the water you can’t really see where you’re stepping.

Some other things you’ll want to bring with you on this hike are an extra pair of socks and shoes, plenty of water, and food or snacks.

To get an idea of how to hike the narrows, you can check out this video on our YouTube Channel of our experience.

Prepare For Hiking The Narrows At Zion National Park

We didn’t have a set distance that we wanted to hike, we just brought 5 water bottles, chips, and a tuna salad and crackers kit for lunch if we stayed long enough to be hungry.

This worked out perfectly because once we reached the farthest point we wanted to walk we took a break and had lunch before heading back.

You don’t really need the special socks and shoes that are recommended on a lot of blogs.

But if you can afford them, then I say go for it.

Our shoes and socks dried out easily.

Once we finished the hike we changed into sandals.

It wasn’t as hot as we thought it would be even though it was over 100 degrees outside.

The water was nice and cold and we never had any direct sunlight on us because of how high the rocks are on both sides.

It can be a little strenuous walking against the current, which is what made us thirsty more than anything else.

Wear compression shorts or anything to keep your thighs from rubbing together because you spend most of the day in water and you’ll get a huge rash if you don’t.

When we went there was a deadly bacteria or something in the water so there were many signs saying not to swim in it, not to put your head in the water, and not to let it get into your eyes, nose, or ears.

This was fairly easy to do, though sometimes a little bit of water did splash up.

So when you go, make sure you’re aware of any advisories.

Lastly, this hike can only be done seasonally, so check before you plan your trip because it’s pretty much inaccessible in the winter. 

Hike The Narrows At Zion National Park

We got there around 9:30 am and it was about a 20-30 minute walk to the river.

Once in the water, our hike officially started around 10 am and we didn’t make it back out until about 1:30 pm.

You can see in the photos how high up the water got in some spots.

It went above my belly button and almost up to my ribs.

It took a little bit of getting used to at first, but after that it was fun to see how deep the water would get each time.

Drive The Scenic Byway From Zion To Bryce Canyon

The Scenic Byway from Zion to Bryce Canyon is a 122 mile long state route.

It winds through a beautiful area that connects Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park and beyond.

Stop For Lunch At Thunderbird Restaurant In Orderville/Mt. Carmel

Thunderbird Restaurant is the “Home of the Ho-Made Pies”.

The backstory of this is that back around WWII they were creating this sign and didn’t have enough space to write out “homemade” so they shortened it to “ho-made”,.

When you say it out loud it kind of sounds the same, especially depending on the accent, so it was a reasonable compromise for them.

It wasn’t until recent years that the sign started getting a lot of attention, so they decided to just go with it.

It’s a very cute old-school kind of restaurant and there was so much on the menu that it took awhile to decide what we would do.

We decided to share an appetizer, entree, and dessert, which even still ended up being too much food and we ended up not even cooking dinner at our campsite that night because we were too full.

I highly recommend the Cowboy Corn Bites as an appetizer, though they’re a little bit spicy.

For dinner, a big plate of Cajun Shrimp Alfredo is amazing after a long day hiking.

Lastly, you deserve a dessert after a long strenuous day, so I recommend one of their “ho-made pies”.

Our favorite is the Hot Apple Pie with Buttered Rum Sauce.

Where To Stay: Panguitch KOA

The closest KOA campground to Bryce Canyon National Park is the Panguitch KOA.

It backs up to a field, so it’s in a nice, quiet area.

They have all the same amenities as the Hurricane KOA, but it was definitely full of more families than the other one.

We set up this nice campsite under a tree and played card games in the tent all evening while resting up from our hike.

Day 3: Bryce Canyon & Capitol Reef National Parks

The drive into Bryce Canyon from Panguitch KOA is about 30 minutes and it becomes increasingly scenic as you go.

Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef are also close enough where you can see both in the same day.

You can see our full itinerary from this day in this video on our YouTube Channel.

Hiking At Bryce Canyon National Park

Plan to arrive between 8 am and 9 am so that you get a parking spot before it fills up and you can do your hike before the hottest part of the day.

Park at Sunset Point because this is where your hike will end and walk along the rim over to Sunrise Point.

You can also do this trail in reverse.

Queen’s Garden Trail

Once you reach Sunrise Point, take Queen’s Garden Trail down into the canyon.

Navajo Loop Trail

Eventually the Queen’s Garden Trail will intersect the Navajo Loop Trail and you’ll take that trail the rest of the way out of the canyon.

As you make your way back up to the top of the canyon, you’ll come across Thor’s Hammer.

Take A Lunch Break

If it’s after noon, you can eat at the lodge.

If it’s before noon, you can eat a picnic lunch.

We had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and some snacks before moving on to the next place.

Continue On The Highway 12 Scenic Byway To Capitol Reef

Just like how we took the Scenic Byway from Zion to Bryce Canyon, we also continued on this road from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef.

This stretch of the drive is a little less than 3 hours.

Capitol Reef National Park

We arrived at Capitol Reef around 2:30 pm and stopped at the visitor’s center for maps and a souvenir.

This park in particular has virtually no cell service anywhere, except for a little bit at the visitor’s center.

Take “Scenic Drive” Through Capitol Reef

This is an 8 mile loop road through Capitol Reef.

It took us about 30 minutes, but no other cars were on the road when we were there, so it may take longer if there are more visitors.

Where To Stay: Fruita Campground At Capitol Reef

Fruita Campground is right in the middle of Capitol Reef National Park.

If you’re visiting between March 1st and October 31st you can make a reservation in advance for only $20.

There’s no electric or water at the site like KOA campsites tend to have, but there is a shower house and sinks.

We made dinner early since we had a small lunch and decided to make tuna and noodles.

This was a perfect camping meal because none of the ingredients need to be refrigerated and it can all be cooked in one pot.

All you need is egg noodles (half a bag), a can of cream of celery, and a can or bag of tuna.

You just have to boil water and cook the egg noodles until they’re as soft as you want them.

Then drain the water and add in the cream of celery and tuna.

Mix it all together and add as much salt and pepper as you need and that’s it!

Petroglyphs At Capitol Reef National Park

This is about a quarter mile boardwalk trail along the side of some rocks where some ancient petroglyphs still remain.

Depending on where the sun is shining, you’ll be able to see some petroglyphs easier than others.

Hickman Bridge Trail

You want to do this trail before the sun sets, because it sets perfectly through the Hickman Bridge.

You also don’t want to be on the trail too late after this because there could be some danger with the wildlife.

See The Deer In The Apple Orchards

After about 8 pm in the summer time, the deer will be all over.

Don’t approach them or bother them, but you can watch from a distance.

You will probably even see them from your own campsite.

Day 4: Dinosaur National Monument + Flaming Gorge Dam

You’ll want to have your campsite packed up and be ready to go by about 9 am to get to Gifford House before they sell out of their famous home made pies and cinnamon rolls.

Gifford House

Gifford House sells out of their homemade treats every single day.

You always want to do this first thing in the morning because if you wait until the afternoon there will be nothing left.

For breakfast we shared a homemade cinnamon roll and then got an apple pie to take for later.

Just after 9 am we were on the road.

We stopped at a gas station at the first town we came across so we could have a minute to check our messages and emails since we didn’t have phone service for close to 24 hours.

Even though our families knew our itinerary and what we were doing, they were still concerned when we were unable to be reached for so long.

We also got some more ice to keep our water cold and filled up the gas tank so we wouldn’t have to stop again on our drive.

Drive To Dinosaur National Monument

It took us about 4 1/2 hours to get to Dinosaur National Monument.

We had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches again for lunch while we were driving and shared a protein bar.

JP just can’t get by without fast food though, so we eventually went through a Burger King drive thru when we passed through a town.

Be sure to set your GPS to the right place, because originally our map told us it would be a 6 hour drive because it was taking us deep into the park, but the visitor center we were actually going to was only a 4 1/2 hour drive.

We ended up arriving at Dinosaur National Monument at 2 pm.

While we waited for our boarding time, we roamed the visitor center and picked out our souvenir ornament.

Quarry Hall Exhibit At Dinosaur National Monument

The main purpose of visiting Dinosaur National Monument is to visit the Quarry Hall Exhibit, which requires a 5 minute or so tram ride from the visitor center.

The Quarry Hall is really cool because it is built around where a ton of dinosaur fossils were found.

They didn’t full excavate the area, so all of the fossils are in the exact same spot they were originally found.

Once we got to the Quarry, we were able to explore it for as long as we wanted.

The trams run continuously all day, so you can spend 5 minutes or 2 hours if you want.

We ended up spending about 45 minutes looking at all of the fossils and we were back out on the road by 3:30 pm.

You can see our full experience at Dinosaur National Monument in this video on our YouTube Channel.

Flaming Gorge Dam National Recreation Area

Since we were only a few hours away from our campsite for the night, we decided to take a short detour to Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.

Their website said the visitor center would be open, but when we got there it was closed.

There was still an area to get out and look around, so it definitely wasn’t a wasted trip.

It took about an hour to get there.

We ended up staying in the area for about 30 minutes and also stopped to make some phone calls before getting back out on the road.

Drive To Wyoming

About 45 minutes into the last portion of our drive we finally crossed the state line into Wyoming for the first time!

Neither of us had ever been.

Wyoming looked as we expected.

At least this portion of it.

Where To Stay: Lyman KOA

I think it was only about an hour or so until we made it to the Lyman KOA.

There was hardly anything around it and there were only a couple other tent campers.

Everyone else had RV’s, but it was still mostly empty.

We got an awesome spot all the way in the back away from everybody.

The wind was blocked too which made it much easier to set up the tent and not worry about any noises outside overnight.

We were still kind of full from stopping at Burger King in the afternoon, so for dinner we shared one Ramen packet and shared the pie we got from the Gifford House.

It was only about 7 pm when we got to the campsite, so we also charged our laptops and phones before going to bed and we took some time to get some work done.

Day 5: Casper, Wyoming + Mammoth Site

Today is a 500 mile drive, taking about 7-8 hours depending on how long you stop along the way and how many times you stop along the way.

You can see this day’s sites in this video on our YouTube Channel .

Lunch In Casper, Wyoming At Johnny J’s Diner

Johnny J’s Diner was the CUTEST retro diner. It was completely decked out and had lots of great menu options. 

There are dozens of burger options on this menu and I prefer the more traditional toppings like cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, and ketchup, so this burger is more on the plain side.

But they have nearly limitless burger topping options all named after icons of the 50s and 60s.

They also had a burrito special the day we were there, so JP was in heaven.

It was huge and we didn’t finish everything, but we still took a dessert to go because we couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a diner dessert.

Continue Driving To South Dakota

As we drove into South Dakota, it began to storm and at one point we were able to see both ends of a rainbow.

The Mammoth Site

We were there for the last couple hours that it was open and only a couple other families were there.

It started with a video about how the mammoth site formed and then opens up into the dig site.

Basically that site was a sinkhole that the mammoths couldn’t tell was a sinkhole until they got stuck and by then it was too late.

Because of this, there is a large concentration of fossils in a small area and the mammoth site building is just built all around it, just like with the Dinosaur Monument we visited yesterday.

It is still an active dig site today and visitors can join in on special tours, which I highly recommend.

We arrived too late to do it, but I’m sure it’s awesome.

Where To Stay: Hot Springs/Black Hills KOA

After visiting the Mammoth Site, we finally drove to our campsite for the night which was at the Hot Springs/Black Hills KOA.

It was a pretty big KOA compared to most that we’ve stayed at, but it was very woodsy and cozy. 

We didn’t cook a dinner at this site since our lunch was on the later side, but they had a quick service window for meals and we got a little bit of pizza before going to bed.

Day 6: The Black Hills – Wind Cave + Custer State Park + Needles Highway + Mt. Rushmore + Crazy Horse

Today is one of the best days of the entire road trip because there are so many cool things to do in such a small area.

You can see every place we went this day in this video on our YouTube Channel.

Wind Cave National Park

I recommend leaving the campground around 8 am to start your day to make sure you fit everything in.

We drove through the cutest old downtown district as we passed through Hot Springs, South Dakota.

It only took about 20 minutes to get to Wind Cave from the campground.

We saw lots of little prairie dogs on the side of the road on our way and they are the cutest!

They’re so hard to get good photos of though while moving because they are so little.

To go into the cave, you have to go on a guided tour.

I recommend the Garden Of Eden Tour if you have smaller kids or older adults in your group because it’s the less strenuous tour.

It’s a 1 hour tour that goes about a quarter mile into the cave.

For all other visitors, I recommend the Natural Entrance Tour.

This tour is about an hour and 15 minutes, goes about 2/3 of a mile into the cave and takes you to see the natural entrance to the cave pictured above.

Whichever tour you choose, you’ll want to book it in advance because they do sell out.

Custer State Park

After we left Wind Cave National Park, we made our way toward Custer State Park.

It was about a 15 or 20 minute drive and we saw LOTS of bison along the way.

They weren’t too active in this area but this was our first real bison sighting so we were excited.

Since this is a State Park and not a National Park there was a fee of $15 to get a vehicle pass for the day. 

Custer State Park has a great scenic loop that takes about 45 minutes or so to drive through.

But you can always take as much time as you want.

It wasn’t too crowded when we went, but on a normal Summer day there is probably more traffic.

It was about 9:30 am when we arrived and probably became busier throughout the day.

Needles Highway

After the scenic drive, we made our way to Needles Highway.

We had heard SO many good things about this drive which still didn’t prepare us for how amazing it was!

It is part of Custer State Park, so even if you don’t do the scenic loop, you’ll still need the park pass for Needles Highway.

The YouTube video above at the beginning of today’s itinerary has some great video footage of the drive through Needles Highway.

We started the Needles Highway drive at around 10:30 am and we drove it toward Crazy Horse Memorial first.

It took almost exactly an hour.

It was a little slow at some points because there were a lot of bikers.

We happened to be there the weekend before Sturgis.

Also the narrow tunnels get backed up, but we never had to stop for too long.

Overall it was an amazing drive and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Crazy Horse Memorial

By 11:30 am we had arrived at Crazy Horse Memorial. 

They have a Native American museum with tons of artifacts and a great gift shop when you first enter.

Outside they have a small outdoor theater where they have some performances from local Sioux Indians.

Admission here is $12 per person.

You can also take home a rock from the Crazy Horse Memorial for free on your way out.

Where To Eat Lunch: Crazy Horse Restaurant

I recommend sharing an Indian Taco and the “official” dessert of South Dakota called “kuchen”.

It’s a German pastry with a custard filling.

We had such a pleasantly surprising lunch here and I HIGHLY recommend it.

Iron Mountain Road

We didn’t leave Crazy Horse until about 1:15 pm, so we were there for almost 2 hours.

Our next stop was driving back into Custer State Park to take Iron Mountain Road to Mt Rushmore.

It’s another scenic drive in the same area, but what is cool about this one is that when you pass through one of the tunnels, you can see Mt Rushmore perfectly framed through the other side.

This drive also had parts of the road where it split into narrow one way winding roads which was super fun too.

I forgot to mention earlier that on Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road that the tunnels are so narrow that any sort of oversized vehicle or RV cannot drive these roads.

We were driving a Ford Escape and it BARELY fit through some of these tunnels.

Mount Rushmore

We finally arrived at Mt Rushmore around 2:30 pm, so this drive took us about an hour and 15 minutes.

A side note about Mt Rushmore – even if you have the National Park pass, you are required to pay $10 for parking.

BUT the good news is that the parking pass is good for an entire year.

So you can go in an out of the lot without having to pay for parking again. 

Mt Rushmore was super exciting to visit.

It was pretty crowded, but I think part of it was because the main walkway in was under construction so half of it was blocked off.

They have a nice museum, theater, cafeteria, and gift shop, so you could spend quite a bit of time here if you wanted.

Here in the gallery they show some of the models that were used to build Mt Rushmore.

The theater had a nice short video about how it came to be and how it was built.

It runs continuously so you can check it out any time during your visit.

We stayed for about an hour and 45 minutes, leaving at 4:15 pm.

Grab A Bite Of Thomas Jefferson’s Original Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

We noticed that a ton of people were eating ice cream and we have a really hard time saying no to novelty treats.

Once we found out they were serving Thomas Jefferson’s original vanilla ice cream recipe we just had to get it!

They also had cool wines for each of the presidents represented at Mt Rushmore.

We were tempted to get each one, but we decided to save a little money and just buy one wine that sounded like it would taste the best.

Where To Stay: Mt. Rushmore KOA At Palmer Gulch

This was one of the biggest KOA resorts we have ever stayed at and it’s only about a 15 minute drive from Mt. Rushmore.

Most of the KOAs we visit are pretty small and aren’t really resorts.

They just have the basic amenities.

But this place had to have had hundreds of RVs there.

It has a waterpark and mini golf and restaurants.

It’s not really our “scene” but it was super convenient and we got a pretty good spot.

We arrived at the KOA around 4:30 pm and we were completely set up and ready to go by 5:30 pm.

Since we didn’t need to leave to head back to Mt Rushmore until about 7:45 pm, we decided to have a glass of wine and play UNO while we waited.

We also charged up our phones and laptops, checked emails, and checked in with family.

JP also knew he would be hungry by the end of the night so he fixed himself some Ramen noodles on our little Coleman stove.

Evening Lighting Ceremony At Mt. Rushmore

I recommend arriving about 45 minutes to an hour early for the lighting ceremony to make sure you get a spot.

It is at different times depending on when sunset is and we were just on the cusp of it moving to an earlier time.

It started at 9 pm for the Summer months, then moved up to 8 pm for the Fall.

The ceremony lasts for about 45 minutes and when it’s over the exhibits are closed for the night.

We were back at our campsite around 10:30 pm that night, so it was the latest night of the trip so far.

Day 7: Badlands National Park + Deadwood

Today has a little bit more driving than yesterday, but you still get to see a ton of places in a somewhat close proximity.

You can see our experience at Badlands and Deadwood in this video on our YouTube Channel .

Badlands National Park

We left our campsite around 8:30 am and arrived at Badlands National Park around 10:15 am.

There are a couple different options when driving to Badlands and we opted to take the southern route and end with Notch trail, then take the main highway on the north side back out as opposed to the reverse route.

Either way is fine, there were plenty of cars doing both.

We started by taking Sage Creek Road in, which is a scenic route with lots of wildlife.

This eventually merges with Badlands Loop Road which leads to the visitor center, and eventually Notch Trail.

We saw lots of prairie dogs again and they were super active!

We got lots of pictures and videos of them playing around.

There was a little bit of traffic toward the end of the scenic drive because of construction, but it didn’t really slow us down too much.

The drive was only about 30 minutes.

We stopped at the visitor center before going out to Notch Trail. 

Notch Trail

I’m not sure exactly how long this stop took, but I know we didn’t make it to Notch Trail until about noon.

By then there were a good amount of people there, but the parking lot still had plenty of space.

Going out to the trail we didn’t really come across too many people and the ladder was empty, but when we headed back down there was a bit of a wait. 

A note about this trail – it is much easier going up the ladder than going down.

The notches on the ladder are pretty spaced out, so anyone short like me will have a little bit of a harder time getting up and down the ladder just because you’ll have to reach pretty far sometimes.

Kids were able to do it though, so it’s not impossible.

To get to this part of the trail does not take long at all.

It’s less than 5 minutes each way and we spent about 5-10 minutes up at the top, so this can be a quick stop if you’d like.

There were a lot of people walking further once they got up top, but we picked this trail specifically because of its iconic ladder and didn’t feel the need to explore further.

We also had plenty of other places to get to that day, so we didn’t want to spend all day on this trail.

We left Notch Trail at around 12:20 pm and started our drive to our next destination.

If you haven’t heard of Wall Drug, don’t worry.

We hadn’t until we were planning our trip.

You will see billboards all over for this place when you’re in the area.

It started as a road side convenience store.

They became a popular stop by offering free ice water to travelers that stopped in.

Since then it was expanded to a whole district of shops and dining.

It was very busy when we stopped in, so we didn’t stay long and explore.

We stopped for lunch though and had a yummy roast beef sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy.

They are also well known for their 5 cent coffee.

Wall Drug was only about a 30 minute drive from the Notch Trail.

We arrived around 1 pm and were back out on the road around 1:30 pm.

Our next stop is Deadwood.

It’s a famous old western town and it’s where we originally planned to have lunch, which is why we just shared a small meal in Wall Drug.

We got there around 3 pm, so it was about an hour and a half drive.

Again, this was the weekend before Sturgis so it was PACKED with bikers.

Every inch of the main street had parked bikes and it was so busy.

Where To Eat Lunch: Deadwood Social Club

There were lots of cool restaurants to choose from and we decided on the Deadwood Social Club.

The saloon downstairs opened in 1876.

It is famous for being the site where Wild Bill Hickok was assassinated during a game of poker in August of that year.

We started with a soup, salad, and bruschetta.

The bruschetta was kind of weird, but everything else was good.

For entrees, we shared a steak with country sides like potato salad and watermelon and buffalo ravioli.

There were issues in the kitchen and staffing the day we visited so we were given a complimentary cookies and cream cheesecake for dessert.

Where To Stay: Devil’s Tower/Black Hills KOA

We were back out on the road at 5 pm and our last stop of the day was Devil’s Tower.

We camped at the KOA at the foot of the monument and it was awesome!

This was easily one of my favorite camping sites and tourist attractions on the whole trip!

The KOA wasn’t too big or crowded.

There was a pretty good sized Trading Post across the street and there was nothing else in the area.

We made it to the KOA shortly after 6 pm, so it was barely an hour’s drive from Deadwood which was nice.

We got THE BEST camp site in the whole KOA because our tent had an unobstructed view of Devil’s Tower.

Every other site had trees in the way.

Our KOA was having a movie night, which I assume they do every night and it is probably always the same movie – Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Day 8: Devil’s Tower + Little Bighorn + Beartooth Pass

Since our KOA was right at the foot of Devil’s Tower, we didn’t have to drive far to start our day.

We took down our campsite and had everything packed and ready to go at 8 am. 

You can see our full experience from this day in this video on our YouTube Channel .

Devil’s Tower

When visiting Devil’s Tower, you just take a loop trail around the base.

You can start in either direction, but we chose to go left.

I think by going to the right you don’t have to go uphill as much.

It took us about 45 minutes to do the entire loop.

But we stopped for lots of pictures and to read various plaques.

During our hike we saw a few deer, including some babies.

It was nice and cool this early in the morning and the trail was very shaded.

We also had our coffee and tea that we made at our campsite before leaving.

There were also a few rock climbers which was cool.

This was the only place we visited on our road trip where they had us verify our National Park Pass with an ID and they checked for the signature on the pass.

Trading Post

Right outside of Devil’s Tower is the Trading Post.

It’s a great place for souvenirs and ice cream.

Continue Driving To Montana

After this short stop, we were on the road by 10:15 am.

About 30 minutes later we finally crossed the state line into Montana.

Little Bighorn Battlefield

The next stop is the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.

We didn’t stay for more than 30 minutes, but we saw the main highlights.

It was a good bathroom stop and a good chance to get out of the car for a bit and get some fresh air.

Where To Eat Lunch: Taco John’s

If you’ve never been here before, it’s a regional chain in a handful of places around the US.

It’s fast food, so you can eat it in the car as you continue your road trip or stop and eat in the restaurant to get out of the car for a bit.

My favorite thing on the menu is easily the Potato Oles.

I could probably eat a hundred of them.

We ended up sharing a Boss Burrito, Quesadilla Taco, and a Crispy Taco.

At this point in the day it was about 2:30 pm when we stopped to eat.

From here, we continued on to Red Lodge, Montana where we stopped for gas, more ice for our cooler, and a bathroom break.

It’s about 2 hours from where Taco John’s was located near Little Bighorn Battlefield.

Beartooth Pass Highway

We started back out on the road at 4:30 pm and didn’t make it to the Yellowstone National Park entrance until 6:30 pm.

So this part of the drive takes about 2 hours.

The drive is SO scenic, but also very windy and steep.

The altitude change is thousands of feet and you go all the way up into an Alpine climate which is one of my favorites.

This drive is amazing and is a must-do!

Make sure you check the weather and go during the Summer because any sign of snowfall will make this drive impossible.

Yellowstone National Park + Hot Springs

Shortly after making it to the Yellowstone National Park entrance at 6:30 pm, we were stuck in a very long traffic jam caused by bison.

We were in a hurry to get to our campsite before dark, so we were not thrilled about it, but we got some really cool footage of the bison. 

As we made our way into the park, we drove to the Hot Springs.

It was about 8 pm by the time we reached this part of Yellowstone.

Where To Stay: Yellowstone Park/West Gate KOA

By 9 pm we were finally on our way to our KOA.

The sunset was nice and we still ended up having to put our tent up in the dark, but we were able to use our headlights and a lantern to help.

This KOA was pretty big and had tons of extra amenities.

We prefer smaller, quieter places but this was the most convenient KOA to Yellowstone, so it was worth it. 

We stayed in this KOA for 2 nights, which is the only time we stayed in the same place for more than 1 night the entire trip.

Road Trip Out West Itinerary Day 9: Yellowstone National Park

 Today the highlights of visiting Yellowstone National Park include Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Grand Prismatic Spring, and Old Faithful.

Be forewarned, Yellowstone is very busy everywhere you go.

It takes a long time to get from point a to point b and the parking lots are pretty much always going to be full and you may need to park on the side of the road and walk to your destination.

You can check out our full Yellowstone experience in this video on our YouTube Channel.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

There was quite a line to get into the park, which we knew would happen.

Our first stop was Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

We decided to go here first because it was the furthest point and we could work our way back from there.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone has a North Rim Drive and a South Rim Drive.

We did the North Rim Drive with the intention of doing both, but decided to move on to our next stop instead of also completing the South Rim Drive.

This drive was nice because there were several places to stop along the way where there was actually parking and you just have to walk out to the lookout.

It didn’t require any hiking which makes it a very accessible area.

I think we stopped at 3 different spots along the way.

It took us about 30 minutes total to do the whole drive.

Grand Prismatic Spring

At 10:30 am we were on our way to Grand Prismatic Spring.

We arrived just before 11:30 am and noticed there was no parking up ahead.

All of the cars were just parking on the side of the road.

We drove until we saw an empty spot and took about a 10 minute walk on the side of the road until we reached the actual Grand Prismatic Spring parking lot.

The traffic in this area was crazy because of this and I’m so glad I was not the one driving.

This place was super awesome though.

I didn’t know that there would be other springs there.

The Blue Spring was so pretty and I swear had every shade of blue humanly possible.

We didn’t get back to our car until about 12:15 pm.

Where To Eat Lunch: Lodge At Old Faithful

This is the perfect place to get lunch or eat a picnic lunch.

You can sit outside while you wait for the next time the Old Faithful Geyser erupts.

Old Faithful Geyser

When you get here, there will be a ranger that will tell you the next predicted time that Old Faithful will erupt.

For us, just after 1:30 pm Old Faithful started to erupt and it was really cool to watch.

It was kinda funny that once it started to die down everyone just left.

They didn’t even wait for it to stop completely, they just left after it peaked.

We decided to wait it out for awhile after, but be forewarned, the traffic to get out of here after an eruption is horrendous.

It took us over 30 minutes to get out of the parking lot.

Once again, we stayed at the same KOA.

There was so much traffic this day that we decided to go back to the KOA early because we had seen all the highlights.

It took us almost 3 hours to get back to the campground with the traffic.

Around 5:30 pm we started cooking dinner on our one burner stove and we played card games until it got dark.

Another great one pot non-perishable dinner to take on a road trip is Velveeta shells and cheese.

The KOA had a small gift shop that had cookies, so we picked up some for dessert.

We went to bed early because we decided to get up early and try to see a bear in Yellowstone before moving on to our next destination.

Day 10: Grand Teton National Park

Today, get up early to try to see some bears if you didn’t see any yesterday.

Some of the most common places to see bears are in Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley.

Lamar Valley was the area we drove into from the Beartooth Pass Highway, so I recommend driving to Hayden Valley instead.

Sunrise at Yellowstone National Park

We spent 6 am – 8 am looking for bears in Hayden Valley and never saw any.

But we did get to enjoy a peaceful and beautiful sunrise.

A tip for looking for bears or enjoying the sunrise is to go where you see other people.

You can see our full experience at Grand Teton National Park in this video on our YouTube Channel.

We made it to the entrance of Grand Teton National Park at exactly 8:30 am.

We needed to stop for a bathroom break so we pulled in to the first visitor center area we found which was Colter Bay.

Cell service is pretty spotty and non-existent in some areas, so I recommend picking up a park map here to help you navigate if needed.

We were also able to stop by the marina and get a nice view of the lake.

There is a restaurant here where you can get a quick breakfast like croissant sandwiches and breakfast burritos.

After breakfast, we started driving around 9:45 am, arrived at the lookout just before 10:15 am, and we were back out on the road by 10:30 am.

I’m not certain what the lookout trail was called but it was on the way to Jenny Lake from Colter Bay and went along a lake.

Jenny Lake was our next stop and we arrived around 11 am.

The parking lot was pretty full, so it may take some time to find parking.

We used this time to lather up our sunscreen, grab our hats and sunglasses, and stock up on water and snacks.

From there, follow the crowd to the marina to get tickets for the boat across Jenny Lake.

The boat runs back and forth across Jenny Lake continuously and goes from the marina to the Inspiration Point hike.

A boat leaves about every 15 minutes or so.

Shuttle tickets are $18 round trip for adults and it saves you a 2 mile walk each way, so I highly recommend it.

The breeze on the water is great and it’s a short trip across the lake.

A fun fact we learned there was that you can’t even see the Grand Teton peak from the most popular park view points.

Though it is taller, it is farther back, so it is blocked by the peaks that are closer to the main areas of the park.

Once you start driving farther South in the park you can actually see it though.

Hidden Falls Hike

We were on the boat by 11:15 am and off by 11:30 am.

The first part of the hike is to Hidden Falls.

It’s about a half mile each way, but if you continue, the trail will lead you to Inspiration Point which is about a mile each way.

I’ve heard from so many others that it is worth it to go all the way up to Inspiration Point.

The trail up to Hidden Falls is scenic enough (and uphill enough) if you can’t make the walk all the way up to Inspiration Point.

We started the Hidden Falls hike at 11:30 am and finished just after noon.

There was a bit of a line to take the boat back, so we had to wait for a couple boats, but we were back at the boat dock at 12:30 pm.

It took us about 45 minutes to get to Mormon Row after we got off the boat from Jenny Lake.

When we got there only a couple cars were there and they were leaving.

By the time we left, a handful of cars were there and more were coming.

It seems like we got there at the perfect time.

Where To Stay: Jackson Hole/Snake River KOA

By the time we were finished at Mormon Row it was about 1:30 pm.

It took about an hour to get to the Jackson Hole/Snake River KOA we were staying at and this was by far one of my favorites we’ve ever stayed at.

Our campsite was right on the corner where a creek flows into the Snake River and we were able to hear the water all night.

It was so secluded and scenic.

I highly recommend this place.

We had a couple hours to kill before heading to dinner so we set up our tent, had a glass of wine by the river and decided to shower and dress up a little more for dinner.

Where To Eat Dinner: Bar T5 Chuckwagon Dinner

I highly recommend this one whether you’re just going as a couple or a family.

This experience is $49 per person.

They do 2 dinners a night and we chose the later one just because we weren’t sure how much time we would need at Grand Teton.

They had a 4:45 pm and a 6:00 pm check in option in the Summer.

The experience lasts for about 3 hours from check in time to the time the wagon returns to check in.

To start the Bar T5 Chuckwagon Dinner, there were a row of benches near the check in where they shared the back story of the Jackson Hole area and the people who started and maintained the Bar T5 Chuckwagon Dinner.

After hearing the back story, they explained how the rest of the night was going to go and then we all got into our chuckwagons.

Once we made it up to our dinner spot, we were all seated at our own picnic tables.

Dinner is buffet style.

There was salad with ranch dressing, secret recipe baked beans, slow roasted bbq chicken, roast beef smothered in homemade gravy, corn on the rob, a dinner roll, and for dessert a blondie.

For drinks you can choose from lemonade, water, coffee, and hot chocolate.

At the gift shop before hopping on the chuckwagon, you can get a cold sarsaparilla to have with your dinner if you prefer a different drink.

Once everyone was settled with their meals, the show started.

After dinner we rode the chuckwagons back to the parking lot.

We got back just after 9 pm.

It was completely dark by the time we were done.

We made it back to our KOA around 9:45 pm and went straight to bed.

Day 11: White Water Rafting + Craters Of The Moon

When we booked our KOA in Jackson Hole we were told that if we wanted to book it more than 2 weeks in advance we had to also book white water rafting.

We had time in our trip and had never been before, so we thought why not!

We were picked up from the KOA around 8:30 am and we were out at the river around 9 am.

You can see our full experience from this day in this video on our YouTube Channel.

White Water Rafting On The Snake River

We spent about 2 hours on the river and we were mostly in the sun which felt great, but the water was still pretty cold and my fingers and toes were numb majority of the time.

They had a couple professional photography businesses take photos since we had no way of taking them, but the photos were crazy expensive (as to be expected), so we just downloaded them with the watermarks.

After we were done rafting, we had maybe a quarter or half mile uphill walk back to the busses.

By about 11:30 am we were dropped back off at the KOA.

Drive To Idaho

From here, we stopped in Jackson Hole for lunch and to top off our gas.

Around 1:30 pm is when we crossed the state line into Idaho.

Idaho Falls is a great spot to stop for gas again and to get another snack if you’re still hungry.

From here, we continued on to Craters of the Moon.

Overall, from Jackson Hole to Craters of the Moon is a little over a 3 hour drive.

Craters Of The Moon

This place was so cool and is so under-rated.

It was about 5:45 pm by the time we arrived, so this itinerary is best done in the Summer when the sun sets much later.

The best way to see the whole park is to take the scenic loop drive.

Along the loop are several pull out spots with short trails.

Devil’s Orchard Trail

Along the way we stopped at Devil’s Orchard Trail and Inferno Cone.

In total there are 7 stops along the loop.

We stopped at Devil’s Orchard Trail first which was a super cool paved loop.

They have a small campground that I wish we would’ve had the time to camp in.

I highly recommend checking this place out.

Inferno Cone

Inferno Cone was our next stop on the loop.

It was basically like hiking up the side of a volcano.

The rocks looked so cool.

They were very light and practically hollow, but very porous and shiny.

They didn’t even look real.

I wish I could’ve taken one home, but that is super illegal.

So don’t do it!

Overall, it took about an hour to finish this loop.

Where To Eat Dinner: Canyon Crest In Twin Falls

We didn’t get to dinner until about 8:30 pm and it was still light outside.

It ended up being perfect timing because by the time we were seated we were able to watch the sunset over the canyon while we had dinner.

We were also there long enough for all of the string lights to be turned on on the patio.

Their dinner rolls come with a huge slab of flavored butter and they have several good appetizer choices.

For dinner, we enjoyed the mac n cheese, a burger, and some sweet potato fries.

Where To Stay: Hilton Garden Inn Twin Falls

Since there weren’t any KOA campgrounds in this area and it was the last full day of the trip, we decided to book a hotel for the night.

We enjoy Hilton brand hotels on road trips, especially Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn because they’re affordable and always conveniently located.

Day 12: Shoshone Falls + Great Basin National Park

Today is the final day of the road trip.

By the end of the day we will have circled back to Las Vegas.

You can check out our full experience this day in this video on our YouTube Channel.

Shoshone Falls

Shoshone Falls has been referred to as the “Niagara Falls of the West”.

It is significantly smaller and depending on when you go the water flow may be at different levels, but it is still cool to see if you’re in the area.

We arrived just after 9 am and stayed for about 15 minutes to get pictures and video.

It costs $5 to park since it’s located inside of a state park.

Drive To Nevada

After Shoshone Falls, we set out for the last stop on our road trip.

We crossed the Nevada state line around 10:15 am. 

Great Basin National Park

It takes about 4 1/2 hours to get to Great Basin National Park from Shoshone Falls.

There are a couple different things to do once you get here.

They are known for their caves, but they also have a scenic loop drive that goes up into the mountains.

If you have time for both, I definitely recommend both.

We were only able to do the scenic loop drive on our trip because the caves were temporarily closed.

The scenic loop drive takes about an hour round trip.

As you gain elevation, the temperature cools and there is a campground up at the top that is perfect for camping in the Summer because it’s 70+ degrees there, whereas it’s 100+ degrees in the basin.

I recommend taking your time while you’re here because it’s another 4 hour drive to Las Vegas after leaving Great Basin National Park.

We left around 3:45 pm to continue our drive to Las Vegas.

Where To Stay In Las Vegas

There are a ton of great places to stay in Las Vegas for all interests.

We’ve covered a ton of properties on and off the strip that you can check out and find the best option for you.

Check out our favorite Las Vegas hotels and resorts .

How Much Does This Road Trip Out West Itinerary Cost?

We want to be completely transparent and show how inexpensive this kind of trip can be.

I wasn’t too strict with our budget and we did splurge on a few meals and activities like the Chuckwagon Dinner and the River Rafting.

We also picked up an ornament as our souvenir from each place we visited, which added up after awhile.

My point is that this trip can easily be done even cheaper.

Spending less than $100 a day per person is simple.

For this entire trip for 2 adults, we spent $2,679.49 over 12 days.

Here’s the breakdown of the biggest expenses:

Road Trip Out West Food Costs

Food: $692.35

About $60 of this was breakfast, snacks, and dinner groceries we brought with us for the campsite.

About $170 of this was for the Chuckwagon Dinner and the rest was lunches and some ice cream.

So we ended up spending $28.84 per person per day on food.

Which isn’t bad, considering we also tipped 20% on any table service meals.

If we had stuck with regular quick service and casual dining for our meals it would have easily been less than $20 a day per person.

Road Trip Out West Lodging Costs

Lodging: $631.28

This doesn’t include the 12th night which is when we arrived in Vegas and used a timeshare stay for another week after our road trip.

This is just the 11 nights we were camping.

If we stayed in hotels, this number would be at least $1200, most likely more.

We averaged $57.38 a night for each campsite.

If you break it down per person, we averaged $28.69 a night per person.

Almost all of them had electric, though we rarely used it since we were able to charge our phones in the car during the day.

The camping prices were all over the place though.

The KOA near Yellowstone was $80 a night, Mt Rushmore was $70, Devil’s Tower was $50, but camping inside Capitol Reef was only $20 and our first 4 campsites were only about $35 a night.

Road Trip Out West Gas Costs

Gas: $236.91

The road trip was almost 4,000 miles and we started with a full tank of gas, which isn’t factored into this price because I don’t know how much it was and it was full before we even started our trip.

My car usually says I can go about 330 miles between fill ups, but once we get out on the road it is much closer to about 400 miles.

Gas prices were generally lower than in California, so under $3.00 a gallon almost everywhere we went.

I think majority of the time it was always under $1.50 a gallon.

Road Trip Out West Souvenir Costs

Souvenirs: $263.81

Most of this was for our ornaments from each place we visited, but we did pick up a few souvenirs for family.

Not getting souvenirs can really help bring down the price of the trip.

This would have saved us $20 a day if we didn’t buy souvenirs.

But we budgeted for it, so we were okay spending this much.

Road Trip Out West Activity Costs

Activities: $144.09

We already owned the National Park annual pass, so that price isn’t incorporated into this one, which is $80.

The activity costs in our calculations consists of Zion National Park Shuttle tickets, Mammoth Site, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, the Jenny Lake boat, and Shoshone Falls.

So basically we were able to entertain ourselves for $12 a day, or $6 per person per day.

This is also why we like to visit National Parks and more outdoorsy destinations.

It is way more affordable than a trip like 12 days at Disney World.

Road Trip Out West Miscellaneous Expenses

Miscellaneous: $711.05

This seems like a high number for “miscellaneous” type spending, but about $200 of it was for an oil change and to fix the air conditioning in the car while we were on the road.

The other $500 was extra tent stakes and a mallet, parking at a few different places, hyrdocortisone, a birthday gift JP bought me, and some charges that I don’t remember exactly what they were for, so I decided to put them here.

Conclusion: The Perfect Road Trip Out West Itinerary

The perfect road trip out West itinerary takes you to some of America’s most iconic National Parks and monuments all in just a couple of weeks.

Eva is the founder and writer behind Discovering Hidden Gems. She spent a decade working in and studying the hospitality and tourism industry with experience in theme parks, hotels, guided vacation sales, and special events. In addition to sharing her expertise about traveling in the US, she offers mini courses on saving money on travel and traveling more for less.

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22 U.S. Road trips to take before you die

Take these bucket list road trips before you kick the bucket

By Roadtrippers

Road trips in the USA offer limitless possibilities, be they mountain-winding roads snaking through majestic peaks, sea-kissed highways hugging shimmering coastlines, or national park routes crisscrossing breathtaking landscapes.

To help get your wheels rolling, here are the bucket list road trips in the USA to take before you kick the bucket. 

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Jump to US road trips by region:

Road trip usa: the midwest, road trip usa: west/southwest, road trip usa: pacific northwest, road trip usa: eastern us, road trip usa: alaska and hawaii.

Route 66 (Illinois to California)

The Mother Road weaves a path through the psyche of Americana. Starting in the Midwest, this route kisses against many of the most iconic moments in our history as it meanders to the West Coast. It’s also one of the most popular road trips in the USA for folks from around the world who make the pilgrimage just to run this road. 

This legendary highway is dotted with quirky roadside attractions, vintage motels, and classic diners. Explore the art deco architecture of Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Cadillac Ranch in Texas, and the ghost towns of the Mojave Desert. Whether you’re fascinated by history or just love a good road trip, Route 66 offers a unique glimpse into America’s past.

You can even electrify your journey because Route 66 is now EV-friendly .

Related The ultimate guide to riding Route 66 on a motorcycle

Minnesota’s North Shore

Discover the rugged beauty of Minnesota’s North Shore on a road trip along Highway 61, stretching from Duluth to Grand Portage. This scenic drive offers breathtaking views of Lake Superior, towering cliffs, and lush forests. 

Highlights include the picturesque Split Rock Lighthouse , the cascading waterfalls at Gooseberry Falls State Park , and the serene beauty of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area . 

This road trip in the USA offers opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and exploring charming lakeside towns like Two Harbors and Grand Marais.

Michigan Upper Peninsula Road Trip

Michiganders are uber-proud of their picturesque Upper Peninsula, and with good reason. The “ U.P. ” is known for its pristine wilderness, dramatic shorelines, and historic landmarks. Drive along US Highway 2 and M-28 to explore stunning spots like the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore , with its colorful cliffs and waterfalls, and the serene beaches of Lake Superior. Visit the historic town of Marquette , the breathtaking Tahquamenon Falls , and the secluded beauty of Isle Royale National Park . 

The Upper Peninsula splits between Lakes Superior and Michigan, and kisses Lake Huron at the end. A road trip here offers views of these Great Lakes, plenty of hiking stops, and all the boating breaks you could want along the journey.  

Related 5 must-see stops on a road trip through Michigan’s eastern Upper Peninsula

Texas Hill Country

This road trip takes you along the rolling hills, vineyards, and historic towns of Texas Hill Country, a region known for its scenic beauty and cultural richness. 

Visit charming towns like Fredericksburg , with its German heritage, and Bandera, the “Cowboy Capital of the World.” Enjoy wine tasting at local vineyards, wildflower viewing in the spring, and the unique limestone formations of the Hill Country State Natural Area . 

The roads here offer a mix of outdoor activities, cultural attractions, and picturesque landscapes.

Great River Road (Mississippi River)

The Great River Road along the Mississippi River is a scenic byway that passes through ten states and offers a rich tapestry of American history and culture. 

From the headwaters in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, you’ll encounter charming river towns, historic sites, and stunning river vistas. Highlights include the vibrant music scene in Memphis, the historic homes in Louisiana, and the scenic bluffs in Iowa. 

The Mississippi River is part of the fabric of America, and that’s why this is a part of a top road trip in the USA

The Great Lakes Circle Tour

This road trip captures the stunning shorelines of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. You’ll see bustling cities like Chicago and Toronto, as well as serene natural areas like Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and the Sleeping Bear Dunes . 

Boating, fishing, and diverse cultural and natural attractions also dot this itinerary. This is one road trip in the USA that takes time to do it right and rewards those who do it with the experience of a lifetime. 

Related Sand dunes and dark skies: Can’t-miss stops on a road trip around Lake Michigan

Pacific Coast Highway (California)

This route is on virtually every US road trip list because it’s simply spectacular . 

Stretching from San Francisco to Los Angeles, it offers breathtaking ocean views, rugged cliffs, and charming seaside towns like Monterey and Santa Barbara. 

A road trip itinerary on the PCH offers iconic stops such as Big Sur’s dramatic coastline, the quaint Danish village of Solvang , and the glamorous beaches of Malibu. With plenty of opportunities for whale watching, hiking, and exploring coastal state parks, this road trip is a must for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

San Juan Skyway (Colorado)

This scenic (and slightly scary) loop offers dramatic mountain passes, historic mining towns, and breathtaking vistas. 

Key stops include the skiing and summer mecca of Telluride , the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad , and the picturesque alpine village of Ouray . 

This US road trip also encompasses the Million Dollar Highway , a famed road not for the faint of heart. The highway cuts through the heart of majestic mountains, etching a path along sheer cliffs, towering peaks, mountain forests, and raging waterfalls. 

Related The ultimate guide to Colorado’s San Juan Skyway

The Loneliest Road (Nevada)

Venture through Nevada’s remote landscapes on the Loneliest Road in America , also known as U.S. Route 50. This historic route takes you through vast desert expanses, rugged mountains, and ghost towns that echo the state’s mining past. 

Visit the eccentric town of Austin , the beautiful Great Basin National Park , and the intriguing dunes of Sand Mountain . This drive’s solitude and stark beauty make it an iconic choice.

Scenic Byway 12 (Utah)

Discover the otherworldly landscapes of Utah’s Scenic Byway 12 , which traverses red rock canyons, high desert, and ancient Native American sites. This 124-mile route passes through two national parks, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef , and features stunning natural wonders like the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument . 

Enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and exploring the region’s unique geology and vibrant colors. This drive is ideal for adventure seekers and nature lovers looking to experience Utah’s extraordinary beauty.

Related Why you should visit Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and how to do it the right way

Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway (New Mexico)

Circle the stunning Sangre de Cristo Mountains on this road trip in New Mexico. This 84-mile loop takes you through diverse landscapes, including alpine forests, high deserts, and picturesque valleys. 

Stroll through the historic town of Taos , the artist community of Arroyo Seco , and the ski resort of Red River . Explore the natural beauty of the Rio Grande Gorge and the serene waters of Eagle Nest Lake . 

The Enchanted Circle is a US road trip that blends cultural heritage, outdoor recreation, and scenic beauty.

Related In Taos, a community of ‘voluntary anarchists’ is taking off-the-grid living to the next level

Route 89A (Arizona)

This American road trip meanders through the epically awesome landscapes of Northern Arizona. Along the way, you’ll see the red rocks of Sedona , roll through the Oak Creek Canyon , and cap your trip in the hip mountain town of Flagstaff . 

The 89A offers dramatic canyon views, vibrant rock formations, and lush forests. Be sure to take a pit stop in Sedona, known for its towering red rocks and spiritual vortexes. The drive through the Oak Creek Canyon offers several trailheads to park and take a hike.  

Highway 101 (Oregon Coast)

Discover the natural beauty of the Oregon Coast along Highway 101, a scenic drive that offers dramatic coastal views, sandy beaches, and charming seaside towns. 

Visit the iconic Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, explore the historic lighthouses at Cape Meares , and enjoy fresh seafood in Newport . The route also features lush forests, tide pools teeming with marine life, and scenic overlooks like the one at Heceta Head Lighthouse . Whether you’re interested in outdoor adventures or relaxing by the ocean, Oregon’s stretch of Highway 101 has it going on.

Columbia River Gorge (Oregon)

A scenic drive through the Columbia River Gorge offers waterfalls, lush forests, and breathtaking views of the Columbia River. Highlights include the iconic Multnomah Falls , the historic Vista House at Crown Point , and the picturesque Hood River Valley. 

This route is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, with numerous opportunities for hiking, windsurfing, and exploring the region’s diverse flora and fauna. The Columbia River Gorge is an iconic testament to Oregon’s natural beauty.

Related From snow to sea: The perfect Northwest Oregon road trip

Going-to-the-Sun Road (Montana)

This road trip in the USA takes you through Glacier National Park . Going-to-the-Sun Road in the heart of Montana’s prized park is an engineering marvel that spans 50 miles. This mountain road offers spectacular views of glacial valleys, towering mountains, and pristine lakes. 

Highlights include the Logan Pass, where you might spot mountain goats and bighorn sheep, and the breathtaking views of Lake McDonald. This route is a paradise for photographers and outdoor enthusiasts, with numerous opportunities for hiking, wildlife spotting, and exploring the park’s rugged beauty.

Beartooth Highway (Montana to Wyoming)

The Beartooth Highway showcases some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the U.S. Built in The Thirties, it’s been called “the most beautiful drive in America.”

The road winds from Montana to Wyoming near Yellowstone National Park . This high-altitude route passes through dramatic switchbacks, alpine meadows, and snow-capped peaks. 

Key stops include Beartooth Pass, which offers panoramic views, and the scenic vistas of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness . This highway is built for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and even camping.

Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia to North Carolina)

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic US road trip winding through the heart of the Appalachian Mountains from Virginia to North Carolina. 

Known for its stunning vistas, especially during the fall foliage season, the parkway offers numerous overlooks, hiking trails, and picnic spots. Visit the historic Mabry Mill , the Linville Falls , and the Blue Ridge Music Center to experience the region’s cultural heritage. 

Related Planning a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip

Florida Keys Scenic Highway

This USA road trip is built right into the ocean via a network of highways connecting a beloved Florida archipelago. It stretches from Miami to Key West over several islands connected by 42 bridges. 

See stunning ocean views, vibrant coral reefs, and charming seaside communities. Key highlights include the Seven Mile Bridge, the historic town of Key West, and the Bahia Honda State Park with its beautiful beaches. This tropical drive offers a laid-back atmosphere, perfect for those seeking a taste of the Caribbean in the continental U.S.

Outer Banks Scenic Byway (North Carolina)

Road trip along the Outer Banks Scenic Byway, a coastal route with lighthouses, sandy beaches, and charming seaside villages. 

Check out historic sites like the Wright Brothers National Memorial , the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse , and the picturesque town of Ocracoke . This drive offers a mix of natural beauty, maritime history, and relaxed beach town vibes, making it perfect for those seeking the ideal coastal road trip in the U.S.

Acadia All-American Road (Maine)

Discover the rugged coastal beauty of Acadia National Park on this All-American Road in Maine. This scenic drive offers rocky shorelines and lush forests. 

Highlights include the picturesque Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse , the scenic loop road around Mount Desert Island , and the summit of Cadillac Mountain , the highest point on the East Coast. 

This drive is ideal for nature lovers and photographers. Take pit stops along this US road trip to find spectacular hiking opportunities, snap pics, and enjoy quaint New England towns. 

Hana Highway (Hawaii)

Moving on to non-continental US road trips, the winding Hana Highway on Maui offers a journey through lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and dramatic coastal cliffs. 

Stunning views can be had at every turn on the Hana Highway as you trek over 600 curves and 50 bridges in just 64 miles of road-tripping. Highlights include the serene Hana town, the beautiful Waianapanapa State Park , and the majestic Oheo Gulch with its series of cascading pools. 

Alaska’s Seward Highway Road Trip

Alaska’s Seward Highway stretches from Anchorage to Seward and offers some of the most stunning landscapes in the Last Frontier. 

This US road trip takes you through the dramatic Turnagain Arm , with its breathtaking views of glaciers, mountains, and the rugged coastline. 

Fun pit stops include the picturesque town of Girdwood, the stunning Kenai Peninsula , and the majestic Exit Glacier Area . A Seward Highway road trip offers opportunities for wildlife spotting, hiking, and experiencing the rich cultural heritage of Alaska’s indigenous peoples. 

This road trip through the 49th state is a must on a road trip USA bucket list. 

Road trips in the USA pack in a plethora of sights. Few other countries feature car-bound adventures where you can see so much from your windshield. Check off this bucket list of road trips before you kick the bucket to soak in the special mojo that is the US of A. 

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Road trip from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City

Any epic journey through Utah should be done by car to soak up the views, and the road trip from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City is no exception. Driving this beautiful route will take you through stunning National Parks, jaw-dropping deserts, lush forests, and sky-piercing mountains.

The 420-mile road trip from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City takes 6 hours. Be sure to visit Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, explore Dixie and Fishlake National Forests, or go off-road to Grand Canyon and Grand Staircase-Escalante.

Read on for the ultimate Utah experience with places to stop, things to see and do along the way.

How far is Salt Lake City from Las Vegas and how long will the road trip take?

Getting from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City takes around 6 hours minus breaks, and it involves a 420-mile drive along the Great Basin of Utah.

While this means you can make the drive in a single afternoon and still get to do something in Salt Lake City at night, that would defeat the purpose of going there at all – if it was just about Salt Lake, you could very easily catch a plane from Vegas at a negligible price.

Instead, try to take at least a week to explore everything Utah has to offer in as much detail as possible – you never have stray from the freeway unless you're interested in any of the (admittedly compelling) detours, so you can expect a smooth ride despite the varied terrain.

Another thing that's great about this route is that traffic is relatively light, even as you approach Salt Lake City – coming in from the south, you can expect to dodge much of the congestion of the state routes that cut through the city from the north and east.

Best road trip route from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City

The best road trip route from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City is an obvious one – sticking to Interstate 15 the entire way, you can get to Salt Lake City reasonably quickly or make countless scenic stops along the way if you so choose.

Road trip route from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City

This is a key part of the drive - once you're here, you can choose to deviate from the route and visit the Grand Canyon or continue your way north past Zion National Park, as well as Dixie, Fishlake, and Manti-La Sal National Forests.

Before reaching Provo and Utah Lake, you'll begin to see Utah's dramatic mountain peaks closing in on you from both sides. Forty minutes past Orem, you'll arrive in Salt Lake City, with the Great Salt Lake and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest on your left and right, respectively.

Best places to stop between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City

Although none of the cities on the road trip from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City are as large as your starting and ending points, the abundance of natural wonders and attractions means there are plenty of places to stop along the way. These are some of the hotels you should definitely consider booking:

Marvel at your surroundings at St George

Surrounded by breathtaking parks and desert rock formations, St George is an obligatory stop during your trip. To experience some of the most scenic stretches of the Mojave Desert, book yourself a room in the Red Mountain Resort .

This amazing hotel features spacious rooms with a fireplace and a beautiful window view, not to mention a spectacular outdoor swimming pool. Also, you can enjoy 3 mouthwatering meals a day at Canyon Breeze Restaurant.

The hotel features a spa and wellness center, where you can relax with a massage, or you can enjoy a tranquil afternoon with yoga classes. Better yet, go outside and explore the beautiful property, shrouded in green and accentuated by gorgeous red rocks off in the distance.

This hotel is very cheap, especially when you consider what you're getting for the price. Located close to Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, Zion National Park, and Dixie National Forest, this is the best base of operations you can hope to find along this route.

Enjoy the nightlife at Salt Lake City

You can find some incredible hotel deals in Salt Lake , especially if you visit during what passes as an “out-of-season” period. If you want to stay in one of the most impressive buildings in the city, pay a visit to Grand America Hotel .

With a lobby to die for and rooms that feature some of the best views of Salt Lake, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more alluring hotel. After exploring the city, you can walk around the hotel premises and take in the beautiful greenery around the fountain.

The hotel also features an indoor and outdoor swimming pool to beat the heat, as well as a hot tub to rest your bones. For an additional fee, you can enjoy a relaxing massage at the spa and wellness center, or run to the fitness area for a proper workout.

The price of this hotel is very generous – even if it weren't for all the amazing amenities, its central location in Salt Lake City alone would make it more than worth its price tag.

READ MORE - Click here for more great hotel options

Things to see on a road trip from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City

For the most part, this itinerary is a glossary of the most scenic spots in all of Utah. Although there are plenty of hidden gems along the way, these are some of the more obvious landmarks that you'll want to devote a couple of weeks to if you can:

• Lake Mead National Recreation Area –The States' largest reservoir features the incredible Hoover Dam and is a great spot for recreational activities.
• Valley of Fire State Park – Characterized by beautiful sandstone formations, this park constantly looks like it's on fire during sunrise.
• Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument – A remote segment of the Grand Canyon featuring no conventional roads and dramatic changes in elevation.
• Red Cliffs National Conservation Area – Home to extremely unique geological formations, this area is living proof of just how scenic a desert can actually be.
• Snow Canyon State Park – Home to several dozen scenic campsites, this park gets its name from Snow Canyon, a formation made of Navajo Sandstone.
• Zion National Park – Featuring every terrain type under the sun and the impossibly scenic Zion Canyon, this park is an obligatory stop for anyone passing through Utah. If you'd like to hike up to Angels Landing, you will need a permit and will need to make a reservation. Check the Zion National Park's website for more details.
• Bryce Canyon National Park – The incredibly unique rock formations at this park create so-called “natural amphitheaters”, and anyone visiting Zion is encouraged to continue to Bryce.
• Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument – The park is named for the Escalante River and the innumerable cliffs and canyons that get progressively taller and taller, almost like a natural staircase.
• Grand Canyon National Park – Although it's a bit of a detour along this particular route, one can very easily justify the visit thanks to the park's unparalleled beauty.
• Utah Forest Stretch – A chain of beautiful, green forests that will bring color to your trip almost the entire way to Salt Lake City.
• Provo and Orem – Some of the largest cities along this itinerary, these places contain some beautiful exhibits, resorts, and mountain views from practically all sides.
• Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest – Shared by Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming, this forest features beautiful lakes, amazing greenery, and mountain landscapes that are impressive even for Utah standards.
• Great Salt Lake – The Western Hemisphere's largest saline lake is a must-see for anyone visiting its namesake city (be sure to check out Antelope Island State Park!).
• Ashley National Forest – A gigantic forest spanning 3 states that features amazing lakes, foliage, and the tallest peak in all of Utah.

Best time to go on a road trip from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City

There are several great windows of time for doing a road trip from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City – with so much to do in the city and on the drive there, you can make a strong case for any season being a good time to do the trip.

Whatever the time of year, Salt Lake City has plenty of events worth your time – with festivities like the Utah State Fair, the annual Greek Festival, and the iconic Sundance Film Festival, the city is bound to keep you fulfilled and entertained.

If you're not a fan of 90-degree temperatures, you might want to avoid this trip in July or August. Still, it has to be said that the route is impossibly scenic in the summer, and access to all the parks and forests is as open as it gets.

A great time to visit Salt Lake City is winter - the mountainous terrain in and around the city makes it a popular skiing spot this time of year, which makes it a great time to visit.

The lower-altitude parts of town aren't quite as cold, so you'll be able to walk around without much of a problem. The issue here is with the drive – you'll only be able to access fractions of the scenic routes and vistas on your way there.

An amazing grace period for the trip is also September/October. It's a little too early for the skiers to start pouring in this time of year, and chances are you can get a great deal on a hotel room to boot.

Finally, spring is a little trickier since it tends to rain a fair bit, especially in March, but the city looks amazing covered in a spring palette.

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Albuquerque to Las Vegas Road Trip Itinerary

Your Albuquerque to Las Vegas road trip will take you through some of the most stunning sections of the American Southwest!

You’ll visit multiple National Parks Service sites, including several national monuments and a national park. You’ll have the option to add on a section national park if you’d like to extend your trip.

You’ll also find rolling desert landscapes, quaint towns along historic Route 66, and easy hikes for the entire family.

Below, I’ve shared my family’s favorite stops between Albuquerque and Las Vegas, including places to stay, our go-to campgrounds, where to eat, and other tips to help your road trip go smoothly.

I’ve also included several places where you can add on a side trip for even more fun in this part of the United States.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s hit the road!

This post contains affiliates. If you purchase through the links below, I will receive a commission at no charge to you.

What to Expect when Visiting New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada

1) watch your weather..

Since you’re in the desert for the entirety of this road trip, you’ll want to ensure that you are ready for weather.

In the summers, temperatures can easily soar over 90 degrees (and often much higher). Yes, it’s a dry heat, but you can still get dehydrated very quickly. Pack more water than you think you’ll need—and then add a bit more.

While the winters aren’t particularly harsh, and you won’t see substantial snow, you will face cool days and cold nights while in the desert.

If you’re camping at any point in the year, plan ways to stay warm in the evenings and night as the temperatures drop by 15-20 degrees once the sun goes down.

2) Dress for success.

Stay covered on the trails as you won’t have any natural cover. This means you’ll need a long sleeved sun shirt, hat, and plenty of sunscreen.

You’ll want to do so even in the winter months as you can still get burned, both by the sun and wind, when it’s chilly outside.

Layers are key in the desert. You’ll want to be able to regulate your body temperature in response to the constantly changing temperatures.

For more information on my favorite hiking clothes, check out these articles:

Best Kids Hiking Gear + Checklist

Best Hiking Clothes for Women: Building a Capsule Wardrobe

3) Go remote.

Much of this road trip itinerary follows I-40, which is a major interstate through the Southwest.

Even though you’ll have plenty of company on the road, there are several stretches where you won’t have easy access to any gas, snacks, or water.

Unlike on the Denver to Grand Canyon road trip itinerary , you won’t find road signs telling you the number of miles to the next set of facilities.

Stay ahead of your gas tank, and stop whenever you’re near one of the often infrequent exits.

When you get off of I-40, you’ll be following the original Route 66 for much of the way to Las Vegas. While there are small towns on this stretch, they, too, are miles apart, and not all have gas stations.

Albuquerque, NM, to Las Vegas, NV, Road Trip Itinerary

For the purposes of this itinerary, we’re moving west from Albuquerque, but you could just as easily do this road trip in reverse from Las Vegas to Albuquerque.

Regardless of which direction you’re planning to do this trip, you’ll want to tack on at least a day on either end to explore Albuquerque and Las Vegas, which I haven’t focused on here.

Another thing to note is that I’ve organized the following places as individual stops rather than as a day-by-day itinerary.

Going about the road trip itinerary this way means that you have more flexibility in making it your own. Plus, many of these sites are fairly close together, so you can choose how quickly you’d like to move through them.

That being said, you could easily do this road trip in 3-5 days without any of the suggested side trips.

Or, you could linger at each stop, fully exploring them, and completing the side trips for a road trip that lasted 1-2 weeks (or more, depending on how long you want at each place!).

There’s really no wrong way to go about this road trip.

I’ve included drive times between each stop to help you better organize your own version, as well as suggested areas to hike, eat, and/or camp.

Stop 1: Grants, New Mexico

As you set out from Albuquerque, the landscape outside of your car will be filled with rolling red deserts, sagebrush, and craggy cliffs.

However, as you approach Grants, New Mexico, that landscape begins to resemble the surface of the moon.

Huge chunks of a matte black substance push their way past the grass on either side of the road, and you might be left wondering if an asphalt truck blew up on this section of the highway.

But the answer is one that’s far more exciting than a malfunctioning piece of road machinery.

You’re seeing the results of volcanic activity that reshaped this part of western New Mexico between 700,000 and just 3,900 years ago.

You can explore more of this incredible natural wonder at the 2 main sites near Grants, New Mexico.

El Malpais National Monument

This NPS sites allows you to hike through and learn about the lava flows.

You’ll see how the unique geological formations here provided shelter to generations of Native Americans, particularly the Zuni and Acoma tribes, as well as Spanish explorers, the Navajo nation, and pioneers.

There are a variety of surface trails that allow you to access the different lava flow areas. More adventurous visitors can take a self-guided tour into one of the many lava tubes, but you’ll want to bring the appropriate safety gear.

The national monument is open year round, although some of the caves are off limits to the public during the winter to protect resident bats.

Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano

A privately owned site, the Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano is another great way to explore this fascinating landscape.

It’s not as large as the nearby NPS site, but it’s still worth a visit.

Included in the admission cost is a museum filled with Native American artifacts and 2 self-guided hikes. The Ice Cave stays chilly year round with naturally occurring sheets of ice on the walls.

It does close in the winter from November 1-March 1.

Stop 2: Petrified Forest National Park

The next major stop on I-40 West is going to be the exit for the Painted Desert Visitors Center at Petrified Forest National Park.

At the visitors center, you can grab a map of the park, pick up a souvenir, watch the park’s history movie, or have a picnic.

There’s also a gas station here. It’s really expensive, but convenient. There’s no other gas at this exit or anywhere in the park for another 25-30 miles.

Once you’re in the park, you’ll be able to see the southern end of the Painted Desert, which has red, orange, grey, blue, purple, and yellow layers in the worn away rock.

On the end of the park closest to Holbrook, you’ll be able to see fields of petrified trees from the forest that once stood here more than 250 million years ago.

More posts to help you with your time at Petrified Forest National Forest:

1 Day Petrified Forest National Park Itinerary

5 Best Hikes in Petrified Forest National Park

Stop 3: Holbrook, AZ

Although I-40 parallels—and in some places, directly overlays—historic Route 66, Holbrook, Arizona is the first place on this road trip where you can drive or walk along the actual Route 66.

Holbrook isn’t the most exciting place along this stretch of Route 66 (I think Winslow, below, is a much better stop), but it does have a few items to see beyond the handful of large gas stations next to I-40.

The Wigwam Motel in downtown Holbrook was the inspiration for the Cozy Cone Motel in Cars , and it is only 1 of 3 remaining concrete teepee-style motels from the once popular chain.

While we haven’t stayed at the one in Holbrook, we did stay at the sister site, the historic Wigwam Village in Cave City, Kentucky .

Holbrook also has a couple of shops that sell petrified wood and other minerals. It’s illegal to take wood from the national park, so this is a good alternative if you’d like a souvenir.

We used Holbrook as a base for this entire area during our last visit to Arizona. The Holbrook KOA is an excellent choice for families with plenty of amenities and easy on-off from I-40.

>> Full review here: Holbrook, AZ, KOA: Best Camping near Petrified Forest National Park . <<

Stop 4: Winslow, AZ

Less than 30 minutes west of Holbrook is the quaint town of Winslow, AZ.

Also located on Route 66, Winslow has several reasons why you’d want to visit: a fascinating history, a cute downtown area, and a tie-in to classic rock.

Downtown Winslow, Arizona

For fans of ‘70s rock, you won’t want to miss Standin’ on a Corner Park in the heart of downtown Winslow, Arizona.

This little town was immortalized in the second verse of The Eagles’ 1972 hit, “Take It Easy.” Winslow is noted in the song and was inspired by a road trip that the members took as they were trying to finish their debut album.

Fifty years later, people still visit by the bus load to take their picture with the iconic flatbed Ford and the massive Route 66 sign at the park.

Discover what else you can do in this adorable town in my complete guide to Winslow, Arizona, on historic Route 66 .

Homolovi Ruins State Park

About 5 miles to the north of Winslow is another great place to visit: Homolovi Ruins State Park.

Here, you can learn about 2 archeological sites that focus on different native people who called this area home from roughly 1000-1400 CE.

Of the 2, we found that the Homolovi II hike had more to see for our kids, but both are worth a visit if you’re into history.

You can also take a short hike to the Mormon pioneer graveyard behind the visitors center, which is the only remaining part of the small village that existed here in the late 1880s.

Keep an eye out for the park’s many wild burros, which are often found on the rugged hills along the main road.

Stop 5: Meteor Crater

If you’ve ever wanted to feel small, Meteor Crater is an excellent place to do so.

Created by a meteor about 50,000 years ago, this massive site is so much more than just a big hole in the ground.

Of course, the crater itself is a highlight—and you must make time for the 45-minute tour of the crater rim (included in the cost of admission).

You can also see and touch a piece of the meteor, walk through multiple interactive museum areas, experience a 4D ride about space and the crater, and shop for space-themed souvenirs.

Kids should complete the scavenger hunt booklets to receive a free science ranger patch.

There are also picnic tables inside of the property, making this a great stop mid-day between Winslow and Flagstaff.

You’ll find easy RV parking in the back lot.

Stop 6: Flagstaff, AZ

Flagstaff is worth at least a day on your trip—if not longer.

Here, you can hike in Walnut Canyon National Monument, the Kachina Wetlands Preserve, or Picture Canyon.

For those interested in history, the Pioneer Museum and the Museum of Northern Arizona are great choices.

You can learn more about the spooky side of the city with a ghost tour of downtown Flagstaff .

From Flagstaff, you can add on two possible side trips, one north of the city, and one south.

Side trip 1: Sedona, AZ

A short 45 minute drive south of Flagstaff is this quirky city with a New Age vibe. Here, you can find everything from healing crystal shops to hot springs to incredible hiking.

You could easily spend an entire vacation exploring Sedona’s many shopping centers and museums, and hiking the dozens of excellent trails around the city.

Side trip 2: Grand Canyon National Park

You can easily drive to the Grand Canyon in your rental car, or you can join up with a guided tour of the Grand Canyon from Flagstaff .

Either way, expect a full day of sightseeing: you’ll want to be on the road no later than 8 AM to maximize your time in the Grand Canyon.

It’s about an hour and a half from downtown Flagstaff to the South Rim at the Grand Canyon, but the journey is half the fun. There are some beautiful overlooks in the desert along this stretch of Highways 180 and 64.

If you’re visiting the Grand Canyon with kids , don’t forget to note my family’s favorite kid-friendly activities here.

Stop 7: Seligman, AZ

From Flagstaff, you’ll head west on I-40 again.

While you could continue on the way from Flagstaff to Kingman fully on I-40, I highly recommend that you hop onto Route 66 at Seligman.

Not only is Seligman kitschy in the best way possible, the stretch of Route 66 from Seligman through Peach Springs and down to Kingman, Arizona, is breathtaking.

I don’t know about you, but a road trip isn’t a road trip without some backroad driving!

Seligman is small, but it is a great place to stop for lunch and dessert.

Roadkill Cafe and OK Saloon

The oddly named Roadkill Cafe and OK Saloon is Route 66 quirkiness at its peak.

Despite what the menu items might lead you to believe, you can’t actually get an armadillo burger here.

What you will find are fresh cooked diner meals—burgers, chicken fingers, fries, and the like—served up in restaurant where the food and the decor are equal draws.

After you’ve tucked in, browse the gift shop/museum in the back.

And don’t forget to get a few pictures outside at the faux Wild West town on the other side of the parking lot!

Delgadillo’s Snow Cap

About a block east from the Roadkill Cafe is the vintage Delgadillo’s Snow Cap, which offers dozens of milkshake flavors. (They also have burgers, fries, and other drive-in style food, but we have always gone straight for the desserts here!)

A Route 66 staple since the early 1950s, the employees still sling ice cream with a side of sarcasm. Don’t take too long to order, or the window attendant will poke fun of you!

The inside and outside of Delgadillo’s is covered in vintage signs, photos, postcards, and more. Linger a bit as you enjoy your shake.

As you continue west from Seligman towards Kingman, look for the Burma Shave signs that pepper the road side.

These are funny 4-part poems that always end in a Berma Shave shoutout. In addition to advertising this popular hair cream, the signs were also placed along Route 66 to keep drivers alert.

Stop 8: Kingman, AZ

Kingman is the largest town between Flagstaff and Las Vegas on this itinerary, so it’s a great place to stop for gas, groceries, or rest.

If you’re into the history of the Mother Road, you need to plan several hours here.

First, get a picture with the historic Route 66 sign! This is located on the eastern end of the downtown area on Route 66 (also known as Andy Devine Avenue in this section).

If you’d like another photo op, there’s another Route 66 sign in the parking lot to the Arizona Route 66 Museum, also on Andy Devine Avenue near Locomotive Park.

Both the museum and Locomotive Park are worth stops, too, especially if you’d like to learn more about the various forms of transportation that created Kingman and other Route 66 towns.

Once you’re ready to leave Kingman, you’ll want to head northwest on Highway 93, which will ultimately take you directly into Las Vegas through Henderson, Nevada.

But before we can make it to Las Vegas, we’ve still got some more exploring to do.

Along this highway, you’ll find several overlooks, and I encourage you to stop whenever one strikes your fancy.

This road trip is one where the topography changes constantly, and you’ll notice that this stretch of Highway 93 looks quite different than what you just left along Route 66.

The Crane’s Nest Wash Overpass is well marked with an easy, paved access point. It will be on your left about 5 miles south of the Hoover Dam.

Another great place to stop is the trailhead for the Spooky Canyon hike . This is an easy, flat trail that takes you into a slot canyon.

Stop 9: Hoover Dam

To maximize your experience of this area, I recommend downloading the GuideAlong tour for Las Vegas, Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon .

We’ve used these tours on many of our road trips, and I love that I can get a fully narrated tour for less than the cost of lunch for my family.

Plus, it doesn’t need wifi once it’s downloaded, and you can start and stop as many times as you need!

You’ll want to stop in the Hoover Dam Visitors Center and get tickets for the guided tour.

The Hoover Dam is an engineering marvel, and it’s worth a few hours of your time even if you’re not particularly interested in engineering history.

The scale of this project can only be appreciated by walking through the structure itself.

You can get another perspective of the Hoover Dam and the Colorado River with a guided rafting tour below the Hoover Dam . Great for all ages, this leisurely water-based tour lets you see the ways that the dam changed the river’s flow and ecosystem forever.

Final Stop: Las Vegas!

Your road trip is over, but the fun doesn’t have to end here.

Las Vegas is well worth a day or two of your time at the end of your trip: see the Bellagio fountains, go shopping along the Strip, and take in a show at the Sphere.

I hope that your family enjoyed this road trip as much as we have.

Happy travels!

Interested in other Southwestern adventures?

Denver to Grand Canyon Road Trip Itinerary

Monument Valley with Kids

KOA in Tucumcari, NM: A Review

Best New Mexico Campgrounds for Families

Santa Fe to White Sands Road Trip