Grand Canyon Road Trip: 5 Itineraries from Las Vegas

If you planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, there are many different ways to plan your perfect road trip, depending on how much time you have and your interests. The American Southwest is packed with stunning parks and landscapes, and it is easy to add on places like Antelope Canyon, Zion National Park, and Sedona to your Grand Canyon road trip.

Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas

After arriving in Las Vegas, pick up your rental car at the airport and get settled into your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day in Las Vegas. Explore the hotels on the Vegas Strip, see a show, go shopping, hang out at the hotel pool, or go out to dinner.

Our favorite thing to do in Las Vegas is to go out for drinks and dinner. Our favorite place for drinks is the Cosmopolitan (we love the Chandelier Bar and Clique and would love to try the Barbershop Cuts and Cocktails). We recently had a fantastic dinner at Scarpetta, an Italian restaurant that is also located in the Cosmopolitan. Make a reservation for a table with a view of the Vegas Strip and you can watch the Bellagio fountain show while you have dinner.

Chandelier Bar in the Cosmopolitan

Where to Stay

We stayed at the Marriott Grand Chateau several times and loved it. This is our top pick for families. Located just one block off the strip, it is a quick walk to the nearby casinos of the Cosmopolitan, Paris, Bellagio, and New York New York. They offer 1, 2, and 3-bedroom villas so there is plenty of space (and privacy) for your family to spread out.

The name “Grand Chateau” sounds luxurious, but their prices are very competitive with the hotels right on the Strip.

In the past, Tim and I have also stayed at Mandalay Bay, the Wynn, and the Venetian, and had great experiences at all of them. If you want to stay in a hotel with an epic view of the Strip, check out the Cosmopolitan.

LEARN MORE: Is the Grand Canyon Skywalk Worth It?

At the Grand Canyon

If you skipped both the Hoover Dam and the Skywalk, you will arrive at the Grand Canyon midday. This gives you the entire afternoon on the South Rim.

Check into your hotel and spend the afternoon visiting the South Rim viewpoints. You can walk the South Rim Trail, take the shuttle, or go by bike to see the views. Watch the sunset over the Grand Canyon and then have dinner.

Mather Point

Yaki Point

Where to Stay at the Grand Canyon

There are five hotels located in the Grand Canyon Village (El Tovar, Thunderbird Lodge, Bright Angel Lodge, Kachina Lodge, and Maswick Lodge). Staying here gives you the advantage of easy access to the shuttles, short walks to several of the viewpoints, and no hassles driving into and out the park every day. However, the hotels get mediocre reviews and many people say they are expensive for what you get.

Click here to view the lodges and get updated pricing. These hotels fill up very far in advance. Make your reservations at least 6 months in advance.

You also have the option to stay in Tusayan. From Tusayan, it is a 15-minute drive into the park. There are several hotels to choose from as well as some restaurants.

We stayed at The Grand Hotel in Tusayan. It is the highest rated hotel in the area. The hotel looks impressive from the outside and the lobby is very nice but the rooms are nothing special. On Booking.com it is listed as a 5-star hotel but it looks and feels a lot more like a 3 to 4 star hotel. For a nicer room, it’s worth upgrading to the Deluxe Queen Room.

The Squire Resort and the Holiday Inn Express are two more hotels to try in Tusayan.

Day 3: Grand Canyon

With one day in the Grand Canyon, there are a lot of different ways to fill your time.

If you are a hiker, I recommend hiking the South Kaibab Trail. The views are unbelievable and the trail is less crowded than the more famous (and less scenic…in my opinion) Bright Angel Trail. You can hike out and back to either Cedar Ridge or Skeleton Point.

View from Ooh Aah Point at sunrise (South Kaibab Trail)

Bright Angel Trail

For an epic experience, you can hike South Rim to South Rim on the South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails. It is only recommended to do this during the cooler months (November through March) and if you are very fit with a lot of hiking experience.

Get all of the details on this hike: How to Hike the South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trail in One Day

Even if you are not big into hiking, hiking out to Ooh Aah Point, on the South Kaibab Trail, is an unforgettable experience, especially early in the morning.

Other ideas for how to fill your day include a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon, a visit to the Yavapai Museum of Geology, a bike ride along Hermit Road, or seeing the Grand Canyon IMAX movie.

For more information, read our article How to Spend One Day in the Grand Canyon

Day 4: Drive to Las Vegas, Phoenix, or Flagstaff

Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Flagstaff are the three closest airports to the Grand Canyon. There is an airport in Tusayan, but flights are extremely limited so it is unlikely to get a flight from here (I found several but they cost thousands of dollars per person).

Driving Distances and Times:

Las Vegas:280 miles, 4.5 hours
Phoenix: 230 miles, 3.5 hours
Flagstaff: 80 miles, 1.5 hours

Las Vegas: If you want to start and end in Las Vegas, drive back to Las Vegas today. You can either spend the morning in the Grand Canyon and make the drive in the afternoon, or leave the Grand Canyon in the morning to give yourself the afternoon in Las Vegas.

Phoenix: Phoenix is one hour closer to the Grand Canyon than Las Vegas. To fly from here, you save one hour of driving and you can add on a very quick visit to Sedona today. You have enough time to do a short hike in Sedona…Devils Bridge is one of our favorite hikes here.

Flagstaff: Flagstaff is the closest airport to the Grand Canyon. Flight options are more limited than Las Vegas and Phoenix, so this won’t work for everyone, but it does save a lot of driving time.

Day 5: Fly Home

Fly home or continue your travels

With More Time

It is very easy to extend this itinerary. Add an extra day in the Grand Canyon, in Las Vegas, or in Sedona.

Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas

Get settled into your hotel. You can pick up your rental car today, at the airport (more convenient) or on the day you drive to the Grand Canyon (less convenient but it will save money). You do not need a rental car right away if you plan to spend all of day two in the city of Las Vegas.

Spend the afternoon and evening in Las Vegas.

Day 2: Las Vegas

Spend all of today in Las Vegas or consider taking a short day trip.

The Valley of Fire is a small state park just one hour outside of Las Vegas. Go on short hikes, enjoy the panoramic vistas, and visit one of Nevada’s most beautiful destinations.

Just 30 minutes from downtown Las Vegas is Red Rock Canyon, an outdoor playground for hikers and families. This is another place to go for scenic, fun, short hikes.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: You will need a car to get to the Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon, so it is best to pick up your rental car at the airport when you arrive in Las Vegas.

Day 3: Drive to the Grand Canyon

Drive to the Grand Canyon, making the optional visit to the Hoover Dam. Get settled into your hotel and spend the afternoon filling your camera’s memory card with photos along the South Rim.

Day 4: Grand Canyon

Spend the day in the Grand Canyon, either hiking one of the trails, biking, taking a scenic helicopter ride, or visiting more South Rim viewpoints.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Save the viewpoints along Desert View Drive for tomorrow. You will drive this road to get to Page, Arizona.

Day 5: Drive to Page, Visit Antelope Canyon

On the Road: 2.5 hours (130 miles)

From the South Rim of the Grand Canyon it takes two and a half hours to get to Page, Arizona. The first part of your drive takes you along Desert View Drive, where you have the opportunity to see more views of the Grand Canyon.

Once in Page, get settled into your hotel. Spend midday at Antelope Canyon.

Lower Antelope Canyon

Upper Antelope Canyon

PRO TRAVEL TIP: The best time of day to visit Antelope Canyon is midday, when the sun is high in the sky and the light beams shine down into the canyon.

There are two sections to Antelope Canyon: Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. If you get here early, by 10 am, you can visit both slot canyons. However, if you only want to visit one, how do you decide?

PRO TRAVEL TIP: The popularity of Antelope Canyon has skyrocketed in the recent years. To avoid disappointment, make your reservations far in advance (at a bare minimum, four months in advance, but up to six to nine months in advance for May through September).

In the evening, join the crowds at Horseshoe Bend for stunning sunset views.

Where to Stay

We stayed at the unexciting but clean, convenient, and budget friendly Holiday Inn Express. The Wingate by Wyndham Page Lake Powell and Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell are two of the highest rated hotels in Page.

Day 6: Drive to Flagstaff or Phoenix

Optional: Sunrise at Horseshoe Bend

I prefer Horseshoe Bend at sunrise. It is a much quieter experience than sunset and the views are extraordinary. If you don’t mind rolling out of bed before the crack of dawn, this is a wonderful chance to experience Horseshoe Bend without the crazy number of people who flock here later in the day.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Get sunrise and sunset times at timeanddate.com.

Horseshoe Bend at sunrise

Drive to Flagstaff, Phoenix, or Las Vegas

Here are driving times and distances to nearby airports:

Flagstaff: 2.25 hours, 130 miles
Phoenix: 4.25 hours, 275 miles
Las Vegas: 4.5 hours, 275 miles

Flagstaff: Taking into consideration time and mileage, flying home from Flagstaff makes the most sense. However, when choosing your flight home, you also have to consider flight prices and airport transfers. It might be quicker to drive here, but if you have to make multiple transfers to get home, this might not be your best option.

Las Vegas: If you fly home from Las Vegas, booking your flight is easy and you avoid the drop fee for the rental car. You also have the option to visit the Valley of Fire. Or, if you are really feeling ambitious and you don’t mind a long day, you could sneak in a hike in Zion National Park.

Phoenix: It’s the same distance and driving time as Las Vegas. I think it’s only worth flying home from here if there are good flight options from Phoenix or if you want to quickly visit Sedona.

Day 7: Fly Home

Fly home or continue your travels.

Days 1 through 5: Las Vegas to Page

These days are exactly the same as the 7-day itinerary listed above.

Day 6: Drive to Bryce Canyon

In the morning, you have the option to visit Horseshoe Bend at sunrise.

Driving to Bryce Canyon

On the Road: 2.75 hours, 150 miles

It takes roughly 3 hours to drive to Bryce Canyon from Page, if you go through Kanab and Mt. Carmel Junction. You can drive directly to Bryce Canyon, and spend the afternoon in the park, or you can visit one of these places along the way (it’s a surprisingly long list…there is a ton to do in this area).

Cottonwood Canyon Road

Cottonwood Canyon Road is a 46-mile, unpaved road that connects Big Water with Cannonville. It is a scenic short cut through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and it takes roughly 2 hours to drive the entire thing.

LEARN MORE: What’s It Like to Drive Cottonwood Canyon Road?

Kodachrome Basin State Park

This small state park is located near Cannonville at the end of Cottonwood Canyon Road. Go hiking on the short trails in this colorful state park.

Hike Willis Creek Slot Canyon

Willis Creek is located in Grand Staircase-Escalante, near Cannonville and Kodachrome Basin State Park. This is an easy, short hike through a slot canyon. It’s possible that your feet will get wet, since you are hiking along a creek, but that’s what makes it so fun.

LEARN MORE: Hiking Willis Creek Slot Canyon

Peek-A-Boo and Spooky Gulch

These two slot canyons are located in Grand-Staircase Escalante. It will be a long drive to get here, but if you are looking for a challenging and scenic hike, this is one to consider. This can also be easily combined with a visit to Devils Garden, which is located nearby.

Peek-A-Boo Gulch

Spooky Gulch

Devils Garden

LEARN MORE: A Photojourney through Peek-A-Boo Gulch and Spooky Gulch

Zebra Slot Canyon

Zebra Slot Canyon is a very short slot canyon, named for its striped canyon walls. It’s a gorgeous spot, maybe not quite as pretty as Antelope Canyon in Arizona, but since you can explore this on your own without a guide or tour group, it’s more fun.

LEARN MORE: How to Hike Zebra Slot Canyon

Like I said, it’s a long list. We also drove from Page to Bryce Canyon. Here is what we did along the way (we did this in May when we had a lot of daylight):

Early morning: Cottonwood Canyon Road
Late Morning: Zebra Slot Canyon
Midday, Early Afternoon: Spooky and Peek-A-Boo Gulches
Late Afternoon: Devils Garden and drive to Bryce Canyon

Where to Stay at Bryce Canyon

We stayed in Tropic at the Bryce Canyon Inn. This place was wonderful. We had our own cabin with queen sized beds, a bathroom, and a kitchenette. It was cozy, quiet, and very clean. From here, it was just a 15-minute drive to Bryce Canyon.

The Best Western Plus is a highly-rated hotel near the park entrance and Bryce Vistas is a one-bedroom apartment that can accommodate four people (located in Tropic) that gets rave reviews.

Day 7: Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park…a fantasyland of hoodoos, bizarre rock formations, and sandstone pillars. This is a crazy beautiful place, and its unique landscape sets it apart from other national parks.

Visit the viewpoints and go on a short hike (we recommend the Queens Garden and Navajo Loop Trails).

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Start at sunrise. It’s spectacular…and you get to start your hike before the crowds arrive.

Bryce Canyon is a small park. You can see the highlights in the morning and midday and have the afternoon free to do something else. Drive right to Zion National Park (2 hours, 86 miles) or add on Willis Creek or Kodachrome Basin State Park.

Where to Stay in Springdale

When we visit Zion, our go-to hotel is the Holiday Inn Express in Springdale, one of the best Holiday Inn properties we have seen. It is located along the Springdale Shuttle route, so you can get around town and into Zion National Park without a car.

LEARN MORE: 10 Great Hikes in Zion National Park

Observation Point

The Zion Narrows

I recommend starting your day as early as possible. During the months of April through November, when the Zion Shuttle is operating, it’s best to be on one of the first shuttles of the day. By mid-morning, the lines to get on the shuttle can be frustratingly long and take up your valuable time. Being on the first shuttle of the day puts you first on the hiking trail for the day. Yes, it’s not fun to get up at the crack of dawn, but it’s so much better than waiting literally an hour or longer in line for a shuttle.

On the evening of day 9, drive to Las Vegas (2.5 hours, 165 miles).

Day 10: Fly Home

Fly home or continue your travels.

10 Day Road Trip

Las Vegas, Death Valley, Grand Canyon & Zion

This is similar to the 10-day itinerary above, with one major change. Instead of Bryce Canyon you will visit Death Valley on a day trip from Las Vegas. This road trip is done round trip from Las Vegas.

Days 1 & 2: Las Vegas

Arrive in Las Vegas. Pick up your rental car and spend your time on the Vegas Strip or hiking in Red Rock Canyon.

Day 3: Death Valley Day Trip

This day trip is perfect if you want a quick taste of Death Valley. This is a big driving day, but you get to visit the most popular viewpoints, see the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and walk across Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the United States.

Days 4 & 5: Grand Canyon

Drive to the Grand Canyon and spend your time hiking, enjoying the views, taking a helicopter ride, and/or watching the IMAX movie.

Day 6: Drive to Page, Visit Antelope Canyon

Drive to Page, Arizona and visit Antelope Canyon. Watch the sunset over Horseshoe Bend.

Day 7: Drive to Zion National Park

On the Road: 2.5 hours, 120 miles

With limited time in Zion National Park, I recommend driving directly here from Page, without making the detours in Grand Staircase-Escalante. Once in Zion, spend the afternoon on one of the hiking trails.

Day 8: Zion National Park

Get an early start in the morning to hike one of the bigger, more popular hiking trails. On this list are the Zion Narrows, Angels Landing, and Observation Point. It is important to get a very early start, to beat the crowds not only on the hiking trails but also on the Zion shuttle.

Hidden Canyon

Day 9: Drive to Las Vegas

On the Road: 2.5 hours, 165 miles

Today, drive to Las Vegas. On the way, you have the option to visit the Valley of Fire State Park.

Day 10: Fly Home

Fly home or continue your travels.

10 Day Road Trip

Highlights of Arizona and Utah

This is an itinerary that I wrote after our first trip to the American Southwest (we have been back numerous times since that visit).

On this itinerary, you start in Phoenix and end in Las Vegas. Along the way, visit Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park. It is busy but awesome road trip and one of our favorite 10-day trips of all time.

Monument Valley

It is done point-to-point, starting in Phoenix and ending in Las Vegas (but you can also do this in the opposite direction).

For full details, read our article 10 Days in the American Southwest: The Ultimate Road Trip

Best Time for This Grand Canyon Road Trip

This road trip can be done year-round.

The best months are March through May and September through October, when the weather is pleasant and the parks are not too crowded.

During the summer months (June through August) expect sweltering temperatures, the possibility of flash floods, and very high crowds.

During the winter months, snow can impact travel, particularly around the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon.

We have visited this area in May, June, October, and December. May and October are wonderful months for this Grand Canyon road trip.

Zion National Park in October

Tours of the Grand Canyon and the American Southwest

If you have any questions about this Grand Canyon road trip, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information about the American Southwest

VISIT THE US NATIONAL PARKS: Looking for your next big adventure? Read our article about the 15 Best National Parks, where we narrow down the long list into 15 must-see parks. You can also learn more about the national parks (and get the full list) in our Guide to the US National Parks. Finally, if you are traveling as a family, here are the best parks to visit with kids.

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