A Perfect 10-Day Southwest Road Trip Itinerary (with 6 National Parks!)
If you ask me about the best way to explore the United States, I won't hesitate to say a road trip. Road tripping is by far my favorite way to experience everything that America has to offer.
But, with the U.S. being such a huge country, deciding *where* to road trip can be tough.
There are tons of great road trip routes in the U.S. But my favorite part of the country for a short(er) road trip is definitely the American Southwest. Not only is the Southwest home to diverse landscapes and some of the coolest national parks in the country, but it's also fairly easy to reach and doesn't require a ton of driving to see a lot!
Hence why I'm spilling all my secrets and road trip tips in this Southwest itinerary!
When is the best time to take a Southwest road trip?
One question I've gotten pretty frequently since originally publishing this post is about when to take a Southwest road trip like this.
You can technically plan a version of this trip for any time of year. Most of the spots included here are open year-round, so it depends more on your schedule, and your tolerance for crowds and extreme temperatures.
Summer is usually the busiest time for travel in the US (especially at national parks), and it gets VERY HOT in this part of the country in July and August especially.
In winter, certain places in the Southwest at higher elevation DO get snow and experience colder temperatures (spots like Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon especially can get cold/snowy), but you definitely can visit the Southwest in winter!
But as far as the best time to go? I'd say the shoulder seasons are the best time for a road trip out west. April-May is good, as is September-October. You may run into some wet weather during these seasons, but the crowds will be thinner and you'll be able to fully enjoy everything in this itinerary.
This itinerary is written with an April-October trip in mind; outside of those months, some things may be closed or unavailable!
Trip essentials
- Renting a car: I recommend either RentalCars.com or DiscoverCars, and you'll rent/drop off in Las Vegas!
- National Park Pass: Get an “American the Beautiful” pass, which costs $80 but gets you entry into any National Park Service site for a year. It will save you money on this trip. Pre-buy one here.
- Road trip journal: Pick up one of these road trip activity books for a fun way to track and remember your trip.
- Top tours to book in advance: a tour of Monument Valley and a tour of Antelope Canyon.
The perfect 10-day Southwest road trip itinerary
So here's my version of a “perfect” 10-day road trip itinerary for the American Southwest, based on several road trips I've personally taken through this region over the years, including basically this exact one with my husband Elliot one year in April.
Highlights of this itinerary (which you can basically call a Southwest national park road trip, since you'll see so many of them) include:
- Valley of Fire State Park (Nevada)
- Zion National Park (Utah)
- Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)
- Goblin Valley State Park (Utah)
- Capitol Reef National Park (Utah)
- Canyonlands National Park (Utah)
- Arches National Park (Utah)
- Monument Valley (Utah/Arizona)
- Sights in Page, Arizona
- Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
This itinerary covers roughly 1350 miles of driving.
Get a printable version of this itinerary here!
Before we dive in here, it's important to note that this itinerary does include traversing through or near some indigenous lands in the Southwest. These include the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Reservation, and the Hualapai Indian Reservation. These people are both the historic and current stewards of these lands, and it's important to acknowledge and respect that when you travel here.
Day 1: Vegas to Zion via Valley of Fire
I suggest you begin and end your Southwest road trip in Las Vegas. You could also start in Salt Lake City, Utah, but I find that you can almost always find affordable flights to Vegas, no matter where you're coming from. So Vegas it is!
You'll likely land a Harry Reid International Airport in Vegas in the morning. (I recommend planning your trip this way to maximize your time! If you're going to get in late at night, you may want to plan at least one night in Vegas, and pick up your rental car on the morning you plan to start your road trip.)
You *can* pick up your rental car at the airport rental car center, but you can also pick up a car elsewhere in Vegas to save some money.
Need to rent a car for this road trip? There's no shortage of rental car options in Las Vegas. Keep in mind that you might be able to save money by picking up from a location that's NOT at the airport. I use Discover Cars to compare car rental prices in the US. Search for rental cars here.
And then it's time to get out of Vegas! If you've never been to Las Vegas before, you could definitely add on an extra day or two in order to fully experience it, but for now it's time to make for Utah.
The drive from Vegas to Zion National Park in Utah takes just about 2.5 hours.
You could make straight for Zion, or you could make a brief detour to Valley of Fire State Park. Valley of Fire is just off I-15 (which you'll be driving on anyway), and is an incredible park filled with red rock formations. Fun fact: It was Nevada's very first state park.
Even if you just have an hour or two, you can drive the epic White Domes Road and hike out to the Fire Wave – it makes for an excellent introduction to the Southwest.
RELATED: Visiting the Valley of Fire in One Day
Valley of Fire is an hour outside of Vegas, and Zion National Park is another 2 hours beyond that.
You could opt to stay in St. George (closer to Vegas) as a base for Zion, but I personally recommend the small town of Springdale, as it's much more central and better for entering the park early on Day 2.
If you skip Valley of Fire, you could visit Zion in the afternoon/early evening tonight. Or, do what we did and explore Springdale a bit before getting an early night to prep for hiking in Zion on Day 2!
Total driving time: 2.5-3.5 hours (3.5 if you opt to stop at Valley of Fire)
Fees: $15 Valley of Fire entry (for non-NV vehicles); $35 Zion entry by car, $20 Zion entry if you take a shuttle from Springdale (if you decide to visit today)
Where to stay: I love the La Quinta Inn & Suites at Zion Park/Springdale. The hotel has fantastic mountain views, comes with free breakfast (complete with fresh waffles!), and is just minutes away from a shuttle stop that will take you into Zion for free – which is great during busy times since you won't have to worry about the parking lot being full. (Read reviews on TripAdvisor | Book here)
Another good hotel option is Springhill Suites by Marriott, or you could book a cute cottage at Red Rock Inn Cottages.
If a vacation rental is more your speed, you could try this townhouse in Springdale (great for families), or this historic cottage.
Where to eat: We hit up Oscar's Cafe (within walking distance from our hotel) for delicious burritos.
Day 2: Zion National Park
Wake up early to catch the free shuttle from Springdale into Zion National Park, the first of the Mighty 5 national parks you'll visit on this road trip. From March through early autumn, no private vehicles are allowed to use the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, so you'll need to pick up another shuttle at the Visitors Center in order to head further into the park.
(If you're doing this trip in winter, then you might be able to drive your own car into Zion and through Zion Canyon. Check for shuttle info here.)
What you decide to do with your day in Zion really depends on your interests, the makeup of your group, and whether you're up for any intense hiking or not.
Pro tip: You absolutely will want to get yourself a National Parks Pass for this trip. They cost $80 and are good for one year (you can buy them online, or at the first National Park site you visit). You'll save lots of money on this trip (potentially more than $100!) if you have one!
Zion is known for its rust-red mountains, winding canyons, and epic hikes. The most popular hikes in Zion are Angels Landing* and The Narrows, both intense hikes that should only be attempted if weather conditions are good. (The Rangers at the Visitors Center can let you know about incoming weather and trail closures.)
*Note that permits are now required to hike to the top of Angels Landing. You can apply for a hiking permit during four different seasonal lotteries, or in a day-before lottery. Permits cost $6, and likely will sell out. You will NOT be able to hike beyond Scout Lookout without a permit. Find more info on how to get an Angels Landing hiking permit here.
Elliot and I tackled Angels Landing early in the morning, which is a 5.4-mile hike that includes a 1500-foot elevation gain and half a mile of using anchored chains to pull yourself up along a narrow spine of rock.
It's NOT an easy hike, but is one of the most iconic in the Southwest – and we didn't regret doing it.
RELATED: I Hiked to Angels Landing and Didn't Die!
Angels Landing took us about 4 hours to complete, meaning we had time in the afternoon to ride the shuttle around the rest of the park and do a shorter hike (we chose the easy Lower Emerald Pool Trail that starts at Zion Lodge) before having a relaxing evening in Springdale.
If you decide to do The Narrows, that hike will take you just about all day.
If, on the other hand, you decide the strenuous hikes aren't really for you, check out the easy and moderate hikes on Zion's hiking guide. There are plenty to choose from that range anywhere from 30 minutes to 5 hours to complete, all with great Zion views.
Some not-as-difficult hikes within Zion Canyon include the Pa'rus Trail, Riverside Walk, and the Lower Emerald Pool Trail that I mentioned above.
You could also opt for a non-hiking activity in Zion like renting a bike, or just riding the shuttles to different view points in the park.
RELATED: 5 Things to Do in Zion National Park That Don't Involve Hiking
Total driving time: 0 hours (yay free shuttles!)
Fees: $35 Zion entry by car, $20 per person Zion entry if you take a shuttle from Springdale (if you didn't visit yesterday)
Where to stay: We once again stayed at La Quinta Inn & Suites at Zion Park/Springdale. I also think Springhill Suites by Marriott or a cute cottage at Red Rock Inn Cottages are good options here.
Where to eat: After a day of hiking, we rewarded ourselves with pizza at Zion Pizza & Noodle Co.
Day 3: Zion to Bryce Canyon
Head out of Zion on Day 3 via the Mount Carmel Highway (the stretch of Route 9 between Zion's entrance and Highway 89), which includes some great scenery and a 1.1-mile-long tunnel. Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep – but if you're going to pull over for photos, make sure you do it at designated pull-out spots!
If you want to fit in another epic (but much less-strenuous) hike, you'll be driving by the Canyon Overlook Trail. There's a very tiny parking area at the trailhead, but if you get an early start you should be able to park and do this mile-long hike.
The drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park only takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, meaning you'll have plenty of time for photo stops and no need to rush.
Once you get to Bryce Canyon, head straight into the park for some sightseeing! Bryce Canyon has some nice hiking trails, too, though it's better known for its 18 mile scenic drive and lookout points like Inspiration Point, Natural Bridge, and Rainbow Point.
I recommend driving all the way out to Rainbow Point first, and then working your way back to the park entrance, stopping at all the viewpoints along the way. When you get to Sunset Point, take the 1-mile rim trail to Sunrise Point for some of my favorite views.
Be aware, though, that Bryce is at a higher elevation – warm layers are a must! (Elliot and I visited in mid-April, and there was still some snow left over at some of the lookout points!)
Total driving time: 1.5 hours
Fees: $35 Bryce entry (or free with National Parks Pass)
Where to stay: There are very few options when it comes to hotels right near the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park. We stayed at the Best Western PLUS Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel (Read reviews on TripAdvisor | Book here), though Ruby’s Inn right across the street is also popular.
Where to eat: We visited Bryce in April, which is still more or less off-season in this part of Utah. Because of that, many things were still closed for the winter. We ended up having dinner at Ruby's Inn (they have a decent buffet) and picking up some snacks at their general store since nothing else was open.
Day 4: Bryce to Moab via Goblin Valley
We took Day 3 off from hiking, but there's one hike definitely worth doing at Bryce Canyon: the Navajo Loop Trail. This trail will take you down into the canyon, right among all the orange hoodoos.
The hike starts at Sunset Point, and can be joined up with the Queen's Garden Tail to end at Sunrise Point.
We tackled this hike on a foggy, wet morning, and it took us about 2 hours to complete. It makes a great morning hike before you set off on the road again, though you could probably do it on Day 3, too, if you're not too sore after Zion.
RELATED: A Foggy, Soggy Morning of Hiking at Bryce Canyon
After the hike, it's time to pack up and head further east. Your destination for the night is Moab, Utah, but I recommend making at least one detour on the way: Goblin Valley State Park.
There are two ways to get from Bryce Canyon to Goblin Valley, but I suggest you take Route 12, which passes through Escalante and meets up with Route 24, meaning you can briefly drive through Capitol Reef National Park. (Stop for a quick hike if you have time, or at least to see some petroglyphs!)
Consider stopping for lunch at Kiva Koffeehouse, which is a super cool cafe within Escalante Grand Staircase National Monument (about 1.5 hours from Bryce). They serve up homemade soups, breads, and pastries, and also have a full espresso bar – a perfect lunch break amid some typical Utah scenery.
You *could* spend some time in Capitol Reef National Park, but we opted to go to Goblin Valley instead since it's a place far fewer people seem to know about. (But Capitol Reef is definitely the most underrated of Utah's Mighty 5 National Parks, and is also awesome!)
Want to extend this road trip? Then and an extra night here so you can spend a day exploring Capitol Reef National Park, too! You can stay at the Capitol Reef Resort or new Skyview Hotel.
You'll get to Goblin Valley in the afternoon, and can spend an hour or so exploring The Valley of Goblins. This is a large area filled with short, squat hoodoos that have been dubbed “goblins.” Even through Bryce is also known for its hoodoos, the ones in Goblin Valley are entirely different.
You're free to roam here, though there are also a handful of marked hiking trails if you're up for that.
From Goblin Valley, it's another hour and a half to Moab, Utah, where you can base yourself for the next couple of nights.
Total driving time: 5.5-6 hours
Fees: $20 Capitol Reef entry (or free with National Park Pass) OR $20 Goblin Valley State Park entry
Where to stay: Elliot and I stayed in a cute apartment rental in Moab (like this one), but there are also plenty of hotels and motels in town (along with lots of restaurants) to choose from. Check out the La Quinta Inn and Suites Moab, or the Holiday Inn Express Moab.
Other cool vacation rentals in the area include this Adobe home with a hot tub and incredible views, and this 3-bedroom house that's right in the center of Moab.
Where to eat: Grab dinner at Moab Brewery, touted as the town's largest restaurant and only microbrewery. They have a bunch of beers to choose from (mostly ales and IPAs), and even brew their own root beer in-house.
Day 5: Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park sometimes gets overlooked by visitors to this part of Utah because Arches is also so close to Moab. But I firmly believe you should dedicate a full day to each park.
Canyonlands actually has two main sections of park – Island in the Sky and The Needles – which are about 60 miles apart. The Needles is more suited to hikers, so I recommend spending your day at Island in the Sky to mix in sightseeing with a little hiking.
The Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands is only about 45 minutes from Moab.
Start out your morning with a visit to Mesa Arch. Many photographers will get here before sunrise in order to watch the arch be lit by the first orange glow of morning, but it's much less crowded if you visit slightly later in the day.
From there, drive to the viewpoints at Grand View Point and the Green River Overlook. Elliot and I also did the short hike out to Upheaval Dome, which is a nice option if you want to get your legs moving.
On your way back to Moab, be sure to stop at Dead Horse Point State Park, which offers up dramatic overlooks of the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park. (Yes, it's an extra fee, but it really is worth it!)
Total driving time: 2-3 hours (including driving in the park)
Fees: $30 Canyonlands entry (if no National Parks Pass); $20 Dead Horse State park entry
Where to stay: Check out the La Quinta Inn and Suites Moab, or the Holiday Inn Express Moab for hotels. For vacation rentals, check out this cute cottage rental, this 3-bedroom house downtown, or this Adobe home.
Where to eat: We grabbed some delicious wood-fired brick oven pizza from Zax Restaurant & Watering Hole in Moab.
Day 6: Arches National Park
Located even closer to Moab (only 15 minutes from town), Arches National Park is really the star in this part of Utah. And for good reason: the park has more than 2,000 natural stone arches, along with pinnacles, cliffs, and balanced rocks all in a brilliant orange-red hue.
If you've never been before, you'll definitely want to dedicate a full day to this park.*
*Note that Arches National Park now requires timed park entry by reservation in order to help alleviate congestion in the park between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. You'll need to reserve a timed entry slot from April 1-July 6 and August 28-October 31 in 2025. Reservations cost $2 and are being released up to 6 months in advance. Learn more and reserve your entry time here (unless you plan to arrive before 7 a.m.).
Once you have your entry time, I would spend the first part of your day driving the 18-mile-long scenic road through the park, stopping off at some of the viewpoints and shorter walks out to the arches. Park Avenue, Balanced Rock, the Windows Section, and Double Arch would be my top picks.
Elliot and I left the park and went back into town for lunch and got take-away sandwiches for a picnic dinner, and this is still be possible even with the timed entry system (currently you need to enter the park for the first time during your designated time slot, but can then exit and re-enter the park throughout the day if you want).
You could also pack lunch and dinner and just stay inside the park the whole day – just remember to pack plenty of water, too!
I recommend ending your day at Arches with the most iconic hike in the park: the hike to Delicate Arch, the most famous arch in the park and the symbol of the state of Utah. Most people tackle this hike at sunset, when the setting sun paints the 65-foot arch an incredible rusty orange color.
The hike is moderately tough going up, so allow yourself 1-1.5 hours to reach the arch in time for sunset. We got there about an hour early and enjoyed a little picnic as we watched the sun go down.
RELATED: Iconic Utah: A Sunset Hike to Delicate Arch
Total driving time: Maybe 2-3 hours (including driving in the park)
Fees: $30 Arches entry (or free with National Parks Pass)
Where to stay: Again, Elliot and I stayed in a cute apartment rental in Moab (like this one), but there are also plenty of hotels and motels in town (along with lots of restaurants) to choose from. Check out the La Quinta Inn and Suites Moab, or the Holiday Inn Express Moab.
Other cool vacation rentals in the area include this Adobe home with a hot tub and incredible views, and this 3-bedroom house that's right in the center of Moab.
Where to eat: We got our picnic sandwiches from Sweet Cravings Bakery & Bistro.
Day 7: Moab to Page, AZ via Monument Valley
After nearly a week of exploring Utah's national parks, it's time to wave goodbye on Day 7. Today you'll be crossing over into Arizona – but the great scenery will only continue!
Your destination today will be the town of Page, Arizona, but I would be a terrible travel blogger and awful Southwest superfan if I didn't insist that you stop at Monument Valley along the way.
Located on the Utah/Arizona border, Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii (Monument Valley) is a Diné (Navajo) Tribal Park renowned for its towering sandstone buttes. You may even recognize it from old Western movies, since it was a favorite filming location for directors like John Ford.
Monument Valley is a 2.5-hour drive from Moab, and I recommend booking a guided tour of the valley. There's a 17-mile loop road that can be driven in your private vehicle, but to truly appreciate this site, you need to get into the backcountry – and you can only do this on a tour.
If you arrive a bit early, you can take in the views from The View hotel before meeting up with your tour guide.
RELATED: Monument Valley: A Must-Visit in the Southwest
If you're looking for good tour options, here are a couple you can book online in advance:
- 2.5 Hour Guided Tour of Monument Valley
- 3.5 Hour Monument Valley Tour
- Sunrise Tour of Monument Valley
- Sunset Tour of Monument Valley
A Monument Valley backcountry tour is, in my opinion, the ONLY way to truly appreciate this place (and to pay respect to its Diné stewards, since most of the tour companies here are Navajo-owned).
After your tour is over, you can drive the remaining two hours to Page to arrive just around dinnertime.
Total driving time: 4.5 hours
Fees: $20 Monument Valley entry; $75-$85 Monument Valley tour
Where to stay: I recommend the Best Western View of Lake Powell Hotel in Page, which has a really cool view from the pool. The Days Inn & Suites Page Lake Powell and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Page – Lake Powell Area are also highly rated – but note that hotels in Page sell out extremely quickly during the high season, so this is one place where you definitely want to book as far in advance as possible.
Where to eat: Definitely go get yourself a sampler plate at Big John's Texas BBQ in Page!
Day 8: Page, Arizona
Page is a tiny little town that packs a big punch. Not only is it near Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, but it's also just a short drive from Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon.
Start your morning off with a visit to Horseshoe Bend. It's just a 10- or 15-minute drive from your hotel, and is one of the most Instagrammable places you're likely to visit in the Southwest.
A short hike will take you from the parking area to an overlook 1,100 feet above where the Colorado River makes a massive bend through a deep canyon.
The hike to the lookout isn't long (only about 3/4 of a mile), but it's almost entirely sand, so keep that in mind when you're planning your time AND your footwear.
Before lunchtime, I recommend booking a tour out to Upper Antelope Canyon. Antelope Canyon actually has two sections (Upper and Lower), but it's the Upper canyon that has the famous light beams that you see in all the photos.
Because these canyons are located within the Navajo Nation, you can ONLY visit Antelope Canyon as part of a guided tour. Tours of the Upper canyon during prime light-beam-viewing hours (usually 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.) sell out quickly and can be crowded, even when you're visiting in shoulder season. (Elliot and I went in April, and all the photography tours and most of the midday tours were sold out weeks before we even left.)
So book far in advance if you really want to visit Upper Antelope Canyon. (There are several local companies to choose from, and they all run very similar tours.)
RELATED: Is Antelope Canyon Really Worth Visiting?
Spoiler alert: I DO think Antelope Canyon is worth seeing, but just be aware that you'll be sharing the experience with a lot of other people.
(If the Upper Antelope Canyon tours are sold out, you can still visit other slot canyons in the area like Lower Antelope Canyon, Canyon X, and Cathedral Canyon.)
Antelope Canyon tours to check out:
- Lower Antelope Canyon Ticket
- Upper Antelope Canyon Ticket
- Half Day Tour of Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon from Page
- Antelope Canyon X Admission Ticket
In the evening (or in the afternoon if you decide to skip Antelope Canyon), you could consider booking a sunset cruise on nearby Lake Powell, or maybe rent a kayak or standup paddleboard.
(Just note that if you go to Lake Powell, you'll have to pay an entrance fee into the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, too.)
Total driving time: 1-2 hours
Fees: $10 for parking at Horseshoe Bend; $85+ for an Antelope Canyon tour; $30 Glen Canyon entry; $45+ for a Lake Powell cruise
Where to stay: The Days Inn & Suites Page Lake Powell, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Page – Lake Powell Area, and Best Western View of Lake Powell Hotel are all good bets if you want a hotel.
Where to eat: We had yummy Mexican food at El Tapatio, and good burgers at Slackers.
Day 9: The Grand Canyon
When my sister and I did a Southwest road trip in the summer of 2011, we visited the North Rim of the Grand Canyon from Page. It's a much quieter experience (only 10% of visitors to the Grand Canyon visit the North Rim), but still just as epic.
However, when Elliot and I did our road trip in April, visiting the North Rim wasn't an option since the only road leading to this part of the Grand Canyon closes for the winter and is only open from mid-May through mid-October. For that reason, we decided to spend a day at the South Rim instead.
(And if you want to visit both the North Rim and South Rim of the Grand Canyon, I recommend adding an extra night in here; otherwise it's just too much driving in one day!)
It's actually quicker to reach the South Rim entrance to Grand Canyon National Park from Page than it is to reach the North Rim, so it worked out well for us, timing-wise, and it's what I'd recommend for you, too, if you only have one day.
Start out at Desert View at the east entrance to the Grand Canyon, and make your way along Route 64, stopping at all the viewpoints on the way to Grand Canyon Village and the South Rim visitor center.
After checking out the visitor center and nearby Mather Point, you can hop on one of the free park shuttles that travel along the South Rim throughout high season at the Grand Canyon. These shuttles are a great stress-free way to access trails, viewpoints, and other points of interest, some of which are only accessible by bus.
You can hop on and off the Red Route bus all afternoon, visiting amazing lookouts like Maricopa Point, Mohave Point, The Abyss, Pima Point, and more. You can even do a short hike between two of the shuttle stops along the Rim Trail.
If you want to catch a great sunset at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Hopi Point is the most famous spot, but you can find great views at Yaki, Pima, and Yavapai Points, too. Or, just head back to the visitor center and watch from Mather Point – the sunset is usually great there, too!
We then decided to drive to Flagstaff for the night in order to save some money on a hotel (it's NOT cheap to stay anywhere near the Grand Canyon during most of the year).
If you book far enough ahead, though (or if you're traveling in the off-season), you can find a hotel room in the small town of Tusayan, which is just outside the South Entrance. (On my third trip to the Grand Canyon, this is where I stayed, and it's very convenient to the park!)
Total driving time: 4 hours
Fees: $35 Grand Canyon entry (or free with National Parks Pass)
Where to stay: We stayed at the Sleep Inn in Flagstaff simply because it was affordable and convenient. If you book far enough in advance, I can also recommend the Squire Resort at the Grand Canyon in Tusayan, which has fun things like a bowling alley on-site and is closer to the park.
Day 10: Drive back to Las Vegas
Day 10 is when our Southwest adventure came to an end. The drive from Flagstaff back to Las Vegas is just under 4 hours, meaning you can easily book your flight home in the afternoon/early evening, which is what we did.
If you're not planning to leave tonight, you might want to add on a stop at the Hoover Dam on your way back.
On your way back into Las Vegas, you can also stop to see the roadside art attraction called Seven Magic Mountains, just off I-15. It's a free, quick photo stop.
Total driving time: 4 hours
BONUS: Sedona, Arizona
If you have an extra day or two, consider adding in a stop in Sedona, Arizona, after you visit the Grand Canyon. It's less than an hour south of Flagstaff and is a super cool town in red rock country.
My sister and I spent two nights in Sedona on our cross-country road trip, and we both loved it. (And I've since been back in the winter, too, and it's just as great!)
Some things to do in Sedona (especially if you visit during the warm summer months) include: taking a Sedona Trolley tour, getting out into the red rocks on a Jeep tour, splashing around at Slide Rock State Park, visiting a vortex, and possibly hiking in Red Rocks State Park.
In the winter, you can still do some hikes, driving tours, and spend time shopping around Sedona (I really like the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village). Just please, please stay on designated hiking trails.
Fees: $20-$30 for trolley tour; $20-$30 per car Slide Rock entry; $7 per person Red Rocks entry
Where to stay: Check out the Arabella Hotel (mid-range), or the Amara Resort & Spa (luxury). For rentals, this home with a courtyard and hot tub is great.
Where to eat: Get a sandwich at Sedona Memories Bakery Cafe, or try some cactus fries at the Cowboy Club Grille. The Elote Cafe is also highly recommended.
Don't forget that you can get a printable version of this itinerary!
Southwest road trip tips
Check out my list of road trip tips for ALL my tricks for road tripping in the U.S.
But here are the tips that are most important for this trip in the Southwest:
- Buy a National Parks Pass. If you noticed, this road trip itinerary has you visiting 5 or 6 national parks, all of which charge a per-car entrance fee. You can save some money by getting a National Parks Pass either before you leave or when you arrive at Zion. The pass costs $80, and then is good for an entire year at any NPS-managed site. It's a great deal, and will save you quite a bit on this road trip alone.
- Make sure you have extra water. Dehydration is not a joke, and can be a very real threat if you’re traveling out West during the summer. Always have extra water (pack a cooler or large water jug in your trunk!), because you never know when you might need it. Most national parks will have water bottle filling stations, but be sure to have a reusable water bottle (I love my Camelbak Chute) or a hydration pack with you – and fill up at every opportunity.
- Allow extra time. I've estimated driving times, but it's always best to assume drives will take you longer than Google Maps suggests. Photo stops, bathroom stops, and detours to check out random things will add more time to any drive!
What to pack for a Southwest road trip
Some of this depends on what time of year you go; the Southwest can get extremely hot in the summer, and quite cold in the winter. But in general, here are some of my must-haves for this sort of road trip:
- Lightweight clothing you can layer (I'm a big fan of Unbound Merino these days!)
- Good hiking boots (I like my Merrell Moabs, which are named after a place on this itinerary!)
- A raincoat – ladies, go for the Columbia Arcadia II
- A reusable water bottle
- Sunscreen and a good sun hat
- A road atlas
- A cooler to keep in your car
- A roadside emergency kit, because there are long empty stretches on this road trip itinerary!
For more road trip packing recommendations, head over to this post: USA Road Trip Essentials: What to Pack for a US Road Trip
READ NEXT: 25 Things to Do in the Southwest USA to Put on Your Bucket List
Have you ever road tripped in the American Southwest? What are your favorite stops?
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Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
Great itinerary Amanada! I just noticed that the link for “La Quinta Inn & Suites at Zion Park/Springdale” in the where-to-stay section of Day 1 is taking me to Red Cliff Lodge on booking.com. Has the name of the hotel changed? If so, you may want to update the text. Thanks.
Thanks for pointing that out! Yes, it looks like the name has changed, but it’s the same hotel!
Woooooooow! Such a perfect post! I defenitly loved and I’ll make as close as you dit it.
Thank you so much for provide us with such a magnificent itinerary.
Can you please clarify me with one question, if I get the National Park pass I’ll be able to park and enter in all of these parks without any other cost? My doubt is because you wrote at some parks that is free entrance with the park pass and others no.
Thank you in advance.
You can enter and park at any *national* parks for free with a national park pass. State parks, however, operate separately, and you’d still need to pay the entrance fees for those.
Please send a brochure if available. Thank you! God bless!
I do not offer any sort of brochures, Kathy. Just what you see here on the page, or you can purchase a printable version of this info here: https://dangerousbiz.gumroad.com/l/southwest
This is such a well-crafted itinerary for exploring the American Southwest! The detailed day-by-day plan, along with the suggestions for must-visit spots like the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley, makes it incredibly helpful for travelers planning a road trip. I also appreciate the practical tips for driving and accommodations. Thank you for sharing such a comprehensive guide!
I’m planning a trip for next month and this was super helpful 🙂 Thank you!
This was SO helpful!! We followed this almost exactly as suggested – only deviating to drop our daughter and her boyfriend at the airport in Salt Lake City after we did Arches (they were only able to join us for the first 6 days).
The printout was amazing, the suggested hikes were perfect abs the pace was reasonable!!! What a. Wonderful way to see so many National Parks in a short time. We took your advice to purchase the park pass and it was a game changer! We also rented e-bikes in Zion and it saved so much time -no waiting in line for the shuttles!!!
The hotels were nice, the restaurants were good, and the scenery amazing!!! Thanks for sharing your planning with us – we are grateful😊❤️
This is my favorite kind of feedback, Toni! I’m so glad to hear you had such a great trip – and that’s an excellent tip about the ebikes in Zion!
Headed here in a few days – took a lot from this itinerary. Can’t wait! Thank you!
If you can start in May, then along with a visit to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, you should also visit another Utah State Park and a couple of National Monuments. The Coral Pink Sand Dunes are a short detour off of US Highway 89 between Mt Carmel Junction and Kanab. Large (50 – 100 foot) sand dunes made of Coral Pink sand. The other two National Monuments to sneak in, are Pipe Springs National Monument between Fredonia, AZ and Hurricane, UT. The other is Cedar Breaks National Monument. Also, another area of Zion that most miss is the North (Kolob) section that is only accessible from I-15 near Ft. Hamblin just south of Cedar City, UT. (While at Cedar City, don’t miss the Utah Shakesperean Festival, one of the top 10 in the World. Basically, 10 days isn’t enough. 15 barely covers it.
10 days is never enough, but it’s often all people have (if they’re lucky!). Thanks for the extra suggestions – I agree the Kolob section of Zion is great, but it takes some extra time to get to!
Fantastic post! What is the estimated total spend per person for this 10 day road trip? I know it varies but just to have an idea of the budget I would need to prepare. Thanks!
It definitely depends on so many factors, including whether you’re renting a car, what hotels you book, what time of year you’re traveling, and whether you’re eating out for every meal or not. I did not closely track my own budget for this one, unfortunately. I think if you estimate that you’re going to spend at least $200-$300 per day when you factor in accommodation, car, gas, and food, that’s probably a good starting point – but you can very easily spend more since hotels near national parks can be very pricey, and rental car prices in the US have been ridiculous lately.
Hey there,
We are taking this southwest trip on June 10-19. I have heard from others that we need to sign up for passes ahead of time for parks to access the parks. I did get the annual pass you suggested but are there other passes that I should get ahead of time. I just want to be sure I have everything done in advance so that we can do all of these fun events.
Jenn
Hey Jenn! If you read this post closely, I do point out which things you want to book in advance! For example, Arches National Park now has a mandatory reservation system, so you will indeed need to reserve a time to visit that park. (It’s the only national park on this itinerary where you need a reservation to enter, though.)
Great post Amanda. I just did a very similar trip on a motorcycle with about 18 other bikes. We started in Grand Junction, Co went to Moab 2 days then to Hanksville, Bryce Canyon, Springdale ( a few of us went via Hoover Dam, Las Vegas) then on to Marble Canyon, Bluff UT, Ouray then back to Grand Junction. I flew into Denver a few days early and took the Amtrak California Zephyr from Denver to Grand Junction, what a fantastic day trip that was ! I’m looking forward to going back and do some of the things I couldn’t get to this time. While in Moab, we went to Dead Horse Point to watch the sunrise, there was no one else there other than my 3 buddies and I.
hello Amanda,
Fabulous post ! May I ask if you think it is ok to rent a motorhome/camper van for this trip ? is parking a hassle?
thanks
You’ll see a lot of RVs out in the Southwest, so it’s definitely feasible! I’ve not personally done an RV trip though, so I can’t speak to how easy/difficult it is to find parking. But I imagine you’d be fine, especially if you get a smaller RV or van!
Hello Amanda!
Thank you for this detailed travelogue! Since you were potentially traveling through some rough terrain, did you rent a high clearance or 4×4 SUV? Or did you feel it wasn’t necessary?
I’ve done everything in this itinerary (some of them more than once) in various normal-sized cars! You definitely don’t need a high-clearance vehicle – though I might recommend an AWD/4WD car in the winter months.
We are planning to take one trip out west. We have 13, 11, and a 9 year old. Would you recommend the Southwest or Northwest. We really have about 10 days available. I initially was thinking your southwest road trip but my husband wondered if the Northwest would be better. Neither my husband or I have been to either. We are planning to go the beginning of June. Thanks so much for your help:0
Jenn
Great question! Both regions are great for road trips, so it probably depends on what sort of scenery you’re interested in seeing. The Southwest is all the red rocks and canyons and arches, while the northwest (assuming you’re talking Washington/Oregon) has more forests and mountains. The Northwest would probably have milder temperatures in June, if that’s any concern.
I have visited all the places you very beautifully narrated with detail information. Feel like I will take the road trip to Southwest again?
Super good plan. I am making my first “pin”
wow, exactly what I was looking for. We are retiring at the end of this year and are planning to hit as many parks as possible in our
‘next phase’! This was our plan for May of 2022! I’m so happy I found this.
If national parks are your goal, then the Southwest makes for such an excellent trip!
[…] to take a road trip. With so many options for places to go, there is no reason not to hit the road. Driving through the Southwest is one of the best ideas for a road trip. Between Sedona, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon in […]
Great information! You looked like you were having a spiritual experience. I want that. Thank you for all the photos and tips.
This is great, thanks for sharing this blog. We are planning a similar (minor modifications) iternary during July 1st week this year, we are regular trekkers from India.
You may give us related tips at important locations. Thanks
Hi,
Love your post!!! We’re planning a similar trip this May. Can you tell me which car rental company you used/where was it located?
Thank you:)
That’s a great question! We rented from Enterprise, and picked up our car at their location inside the Tropicana Hotel on the Strip. (It was quite a bit cheaper to pick up at this location than from their desk at the airport!)
Thank you so much for this itinerary. I just took my 18 year old daughter on this trip and it was amazing. We did skip Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon because they were closed due to Covid-19 but we spent some extra time in Moab, climbed Looking Glass Arch and visited Rockland Ranch (where they film 3 Wives, 1 Husband, my daughter is a fan). We couldn’t climb all the way up Angel’s landing because the trail was iced over which we were not prepared for. But winter is such a great time to visit these parks, most were practically empty! We came within feet of a pack of bighorn sheep at Zion and elks at Grand Canyon. The only change I would make is to make the trip backwards. Only because we both felt the Grand Canyon was disappointing after visiting all the other places and it had by far the most tourists. You made planning our trip so much easier and the drive from Bryce to Goblin is fantastic! Thanks again!
So glad to hear you had a good trip, even if a couple spots were closed. Winter really is a great time to visit the Southwest! Thanks for the feedback on doing this backwards – that of course is always an option!
This was AWESOME! Thank you so much! We are from Cleveland and flying into Vegas for this same trip for our Honeymoon. We needed to cut the trip short from 14 to 10 so this was super helpful thank you !
Great to hear! Happy I could help – hope you have an amazing trip!
Thank you so much for sharing this blog! My husband turns 40 in a few weeks and we decided to follow your itinerary for our upcoming trip! We had to make a few modifications with covid and the Navajo area closed, but are planning to follow this. We are also from Ohio, Cincinnati, and have friends in Cleveland so we visit from time to time. I was curious for this route how is cell phone service? And at the parks how is service? I’m planning to get an atlas but hoping not to use it.
Thanks!
I’ve been to this part of the US several times now, and don’t remember any particularly long stretches without service. I don’t recall what service was like IN the parks (too busy enjoying the scenery and taking photos!), but getting to them was fine from what I remember!
Facebook is now reminding me of the fabulous trip we took a year ago that followed your itinerary. At the time we were questioning whether to do it (it’s a long way from here in Australia and our $ exchange rate was poor). But now with COVID stopping us from leaving Oz we are so glad we did! Irreplaceable family memories.
Very glad that you were able to make those memories last year!
Great itinerary and such detail. Considering going on this adventure but maybe skip antelop and add Sedona. Trip would be Early to mid November 2020 (couple weeks ) .
Any thoughts on this timing ? Snow , to cold ? Closed for season ??
Thank you. ( solo traveler )
Hey Don! If you’re planning this for November, you’ll likely have to skip Antelope Canyon anyway since I believe it’s still closed because of COVID. You also probably won’t be able to take a tour at Monument Valley (I would avoid it, at least, because it’s a Navajo park and the Navajo Nation has been hit really hard by COVID). Otherwise, all the national parks are open and the weather shouldn’t be too cold in November – though I would bring some warm layers for the higher elevation sites just to be safe!
HI Amanda, Thank you so much, Such a great itinerary and taking all the “guess” or I like to call Stress work out of it. I hope all the Road Driving is filled with some scenery then I think time goes by quicker. Sounds like an amazing trip and may just pull the trigger and Add Sedona with the exclusion of Monument and Antelope. Also considering flying out of phoenix vs drive back 🙂
thank you again
My husband and I are considering this. We plan to go out the end of September 2020. I did check and the National parks are all open currently. I wanted to see Antelope Canyon but it is closed for now. It’s a bit overwhelming planning this during Covid. Overall, it looks like most things are open. Did you do any camping? We are debating on that versus booking hotels.
I have not done any camping in the Southwest, I’m afraid. I would look into hotels that lay out their COVID measures explicitly on their website, or look for Airbnbs rentals that have taken the “Enhanced Clean” pledge. And always try to book things with free cancelation policies right now! But yes, I understand that it’s much harder to plan a trip right now than usual.
Great article and travel ideas! I love this part of the States!
It’s my favorite part of the US!
Looks like the perfect trip. Lots of good tips too on where to stay, eat, park passes etc. THanks
You’re very welcome! This trip will definitely help you hit all the highlights.
Hi Amanda – my husband I used your Oregon travel itinerary as a guide and it was AWESOME! We are looking to do a similar trip in Utah/Arizona. I have never been to Utah my husband Arizona. We have a little bit longer that 10 days – where would you add days? (we are thinking an extra day in Zion to do Angels and the Narrows as well as Sedona. Thoughts?). Also, my husband went to University of Utah so we want to add a little stop at his alma mater. Where would you fit that in to the trek so that it doesn’t backtrack? Thanks! Looks AMAZING!
Hi Jill! I’m so happy to hear you’re back for another of my road trip guides! Love it! For adding days to this, you could certainly add another day in Zion for hiking, another day in Moab to spend in Arches or Canyonlands, and you can always do more than one day at the Grand Canyon! I would also recommend 2 days in Sedona if you’re planning to add that.
As for where to fit in a visit to the University of Utah… Salt Lake is quite a bit further north than most of the places on this itinerary. It would probably make the most sense to fit it in between Bryce and your time in Moab.
I made the same trip four times and would go back any time! I am sure my next trip will include the Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Valley and Lake Powell
I “messed” up the last trip by taking my friends to Valley of the Chelley instead of Monument Valley. My other favorite is the Petrified Forest with its Painted Desert!
Thank you for the wonderful travel plan, there is no other places/countries would give us the spectacular Parks and Monuments!!!
Good travel,
It’s a great part of the country, for sure. And there’s so much to see that you can make several trips to the same area and still see completely new things!
I’ve done a fair bit of research and this is the best Grand Circle itinerary I’ve come across! We’re coming from Australia in late September 2019, hiring a car in LA, driving to Vegas and doing your trip early October but going from Grand Canyon South Rim to San Diego and looping back to LA (23 days total, 11 from Vega to San Diego). Besides not returning to Vegas, the only thing we’re changing is stopping a night at Torrey/Capitol Reef so we have 2 days to drive from Bryce to Moab – I’m told Route 12 is worth savouring. I think we’ll drive 8 hours straight from Grand Canyon to San Diego because it doesn’t look like there’s much to see there but I’d love to hear your views! Thanks again!
I haven’t ever driven from the Grand Canyon to San Diego, so I don’t have any specific suggestions there. But it sounds like you’re allowing plenty of time for everything else!
Hello. ive been searching for itinerary ideas for RV trip to Grand Canyon and this 10 day was awesome. Thank you. we plan to go to the north rim and also i plan to reverse your trip. My husband can only be with us for a week. then he will fly home and me and teenage boys will stay out on the road another week or 2 before heading back to Iowa. Any specific recommendations for north rim?
The North Rim is much quieter than the South – but note that the North Rim is only open during the summer! So be sure to check, depending on when you plan to visit. I’ve written a post comparing both rims that might be helpful: https://www.dangerous-business.com/2011/11/grand-canyon-smackdown-north-rim-vs-south-rim/
Would love to get your thoughts and opinions on our itinerary rough draft we came up with for our upcoming (July) trip to the Southwest. This will be our first time and we will be traveling with our very adventurous 9 & 10 year old boys. We have a full 2 weeks so we basically took your 10 day trip, flipped it backwards and expanded a little. We are starting in Phoenix and ending in Las Vegas. Because we are inexperienced with traveling out west we would love any input you may have. Because of the ages of our boys we would probably limit hikes to no more than 5-6 miles/daily (possibly a little more if broken up). We tried to leave a little time during our trip to do a little fishing and the boys wanted to get a little disc golf in if possible. Please let me know the best way to share our itinerary with you.
Hi Vivian! I don’t offer any itinerary planning or anything like that and obviously can’t give any tips about traveling with kids since I don’t have any, but I’d be happy to take a look at what you’ve come up with. You can feel free to email me: [email protected]
Great! Thanks, I sent it to you this morning. Looking forward to hearing what you think.
I came across this site about a year ago and have planned our itinerary almost identical to this. Great information. We’ll be in Bryce the first week of April. It’s shame they’ve had so much snow in Bryce this winter, currently all the trails are closed and the scenic drive is closed beyond mile marker 3 and won’t re-open until some point in April, so it doesn’t look like we’ll be able to drive the remaining 15 miles out to Rainbow Point. Do you know if there are still any good observation points on the first 3 miles of scenic drive? Thanks.
Hey Dean! Yes! Viewpoints before mile marker 3 include Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, and Inspiration Point. According to the NPS website, the Rim Trail is open up to Inspiration Point, so you could still do a walk along it, too.
Thanks Amanda, the photos of those viewpoints look awesome!
We just returned from our 2 week road trip. A fantastic adventure. Every place we visited was unique and the drive through Grand Staircase-Escalante was epic. We did Sedona too. Thanks again for this itinerary.
Happy to hear you loved it!
This is great information Amanda! We are planning a family Southwest RV trip for next summer. I do have some concerns about certain parks not allowing RVs (Monument Valley being one of them). Do you know of any other parks that do allow RVs to enter the park?
I don’t know of any other parks that prohibit RVs. Obviously if you go in summer you won’t be able to drive into Zion Canyon – but no one can drive inside there in the summer. 🙂 I think there’s an extra fee attached for some of the tunnels near Zion for larger vehicles, but that’s the only thing I can think of!
Thank you for this!!! I’m planing my trip for May 10 days exactly. I love everything about this plan! I kew the places I want to visit, but I didn’t know where to started. This article also show me new places. Thank you, thank you!
Happy to be able to help!
Thank you for this awesome detailed post! I would love to do this with my family. They have spring break for 10 days starting March 8th. With you having snow in April…I wonder if this is not a good time to visit.
The kids really want to go to four corners. Could you suggest where we couod possibly shave a day to allow for it?
Thank you so much!!
It would still be chilly in the parks and towns at higher elevations in March. But this itinerary is doable year-round!
As for the Four Corners… it’s kind of in the middle of nowhere. You could maybe skip Page if you wanted to squeeze it in between Arches and the Grand Canyon – but to be honest I’ve heard it’s not that exciting!
This is an amazing article. I’ve done maybe half of these and agree with everything you’re saying and suggesting about those so I’ll definitely be following your suggestions for the others. Thanks for writing such a detailed, photo-ful, linked itinerary. It’s amazing.
Thanks very much, Ian!
We did our trip recently, the big add from your post was Upper Antelope. That was absolutely incredible. Thanks for your post. Looking forward to hitting more of them later.
So glad to hear it was great! The Southwest really is amazing.
Great to read. How crowded was upper antelope? We do the trip in june and i’m still not sure which to visit. Upper, lower or x-canyon
It gets pretty crowded in the summer – but the number of people is regulated by the fact that you have to book a guided tour. Lower Antelope will be less busy, but you can only see the light beams at Upper Antelope around midday.
I don’t know that it can get crowded as there’s three companies and they schedule it very well (and it can sell out – get your tickets a few days before at least). I was impressed with how often we were alone in different “rooms” or parts of the canyon. The different tour groups carefully manage that. There’s a little cross over going room to room but then you’re alone with the 8 other people in the tour, taking photos, etc.
We went with Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours and were very happy but everyone on other tours seemed happy too. Can’t speak about Lower Antelope but Upper was absolutely mind-blowing.
Oh, we must have been replying at the same time. My comment is in no way disagreeing with Amanda who I would defer to on all info about this area. We were there in April but every tour was sold out so I assumed that was indicative of how busy it could get.
I printed out your itinerary for a road trip with my son and it was so helpful!!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to post this valuable information. It was a trip of a lifetime!!
That’s great to hear, Lisa!
This is probably the best blog post about a Southwest road trip I have yet to see! Thank you so much for all the great tips and details. My husband and I are going next April! Can’t wait!
Thanks, Bonnie! I’m so happy to hear you’ve found it helpful!
Hi Amanda,
Great blog with pictures! Planning a trip for next April but only have 6/7 days. What would you recommend for an itinerary? Would love to see all of the above, but timing won’t allow. We also have kids so am a bit worried that they’ll go crazy being in the car for long drives. Thanks!
If you’re shorter on time, I would maybe just focus on either Utah or Arizona. You could do 6 days in Zion, Bryce, and that part of Utah. Or you could fly into Arizona and visit the Grand Canyon and the stuff around Page. Either option would mean less driving time, and more time to fully explore each place!
Wooowww your pics are absolutely stunning. Antelope Canyon was my favourite. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! Antelope Canyon is incredible for photos!
It’s funny, since we moved to NYC, we haven’t really done many road trips. We used to do a lot when we were in California. If we were to do another road trip in the future, the American Southwest would definitely be it! This is my dream road trip, and your pictures are gorgeous. Thanks for all of your great tips! 🙂
It was my dream road trip, too, and it certainly did not disappoint!
This is like, the exact road trip that my husband and I want to do some day! We really want to rent a car with a roof-top tent on it and camp around the National Parks as well! Good to know about the tours of Antelope Canyon! We’ll have to remember that when we finally make the plans to go!
That would be super fun! It’s an amazing part of the country to road trip!
I would LOVE to do this one day. I’ve done pieces, but have never really given myself enough time to stop and enjoy all the route really has to offer. Pinned for later so I can steal your itinerary 😉 Thank you!
Haha feel free to steal away! It’s an amazing part of the US, and everyone should take time to explore it!
5 of us took off from Las Vegas on June 10 and, with a few variations, mimicked your entire trip. Thank you for this post!!
That’s great to hear! I’m so glad to know that people are finding this itinerary so helpful!
Thx a lot for this great discription of your perfect road trip. It helps me a lot, as I just book our flights for June 2019 and i’m starting to plan our road trip, which should contain all spots you mentioned. As we have 14 nights, we are very lucky to be able to spend a little more time. So we probably will stay the first night in Vegas to handle the jet-lag and see the city although it should be very crowded at weekends.
If you have any other recommendations I would be very happy to hear from you.
Kind regards from germany
Frank
Hi Frank! If you have more time, then I definitely recommend spending some extra time in some of these places. You could easily devote more time to pretty much all the national parks!
So excited I read this, planning for my family next summer, thanks!
Excellent trip – nicely detailed.
Happy to use accomodation etc recommended by you.
We are a an averagely fit 62 year old couple from New Zealand but will be doing this trip in mid Dec this year as attending a Conf in Vegas prior.
Will this itineary still work ?? Any red flags or changes you recommend.
We already have an Annual Pass as bought it 2 months ago while we took a holiday in Yellow Stone !
Thank you in advance.
Kamal
Hey Kamal! This itinerary should be do-able in December, but just note that you might run into snow in some of the higher-elevation parks. I don’t know if any of the hiking trails close because of snow, but you should be able to check with a Ranger at the visitor centers. Just make sure to pack some warm layers!
Thanks Amanda.
Will report back after the trip.
We have booked Mawsik Lodge for 2 nights at GC and also extending to Sedona for another 2-3 days prior to return to Vegas.
Are there any special accomodation or tours we need to book at this time of the year as it should not be too busy I think.
Cheers.
Kamal
This time of year you shouldn’t have too many issues – though it never hurts to check on hotel availability, just to be safe.
[…] I wanted to head out west and explore some of our National Parks. I did my research (stumbling upon A Dangerous Business travel blog which covered a lot of the places I wanted to visit and turned out to be extremely […]
Thanks for all the good tips and pictures. We’ve been wanting to take this road trip, but didn’t know how to start researching it.
Hopefully this post has given you some ideas! 🙂
Hi Amanda! Could you please tell me how many days you spent in each city? Trying to do my itinerary for a road trip in September. You blog is Amazing!!! Help me a lot with this post!!! Thank you for all tips! Very excited for my road trip!
I literally followed this itinerary, which was a total of 10 days! 2 nights in Zion, 1 night in Bryce, 2 nights in Moab, 2 nights in Page, and 1 night in Flagstaff after the Grand Canyon. 🙂
Hi Amanda,
Great post! You’ve inspired us to take a trip out west in the spring ?. As far as the Upper Antelope Canyon tours, are there multiple tour companies? Is there a specific tour company you can recommend? Thanks!
Hey Mark! That’s awesome! As for Upper Antelope Canyon tours, yes there are a couple different companies, but they all offer basically the same tour. The first time I went, I went with Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours (we just drove to the canyon ourselves and joined the next available tour, though this is tougher to do now since it’s so popular!). And on my last trip, we went with Antelope Slot Canyon Tours (formerly Chief Tsosie’s).
Hi
Thanking you for this wonderful blog. Our recent 9 day trip to Utah was primarily based on this with small changes. It all worked out fine and the weather too cooperated. Keep up the good work , I sure enjoy your travel blogs.
Thanks
Thanks so much for letting me know! I’m glad you had a great trip!
Hi! I loved this post. this looks like a perfect road trip and I cant wait to go on this trip. Question: Is it better to do this clockwise or counter clockwise. I am thinking of whether sun will be behind us if we go counter clockwise. How about sunrise or sunset destinations in this trip, would clockwise or counter clockwise be better?
Thanks!
Jay
I’m not sure it really matters – if you go fairly slow, you’ll have both sunrise and sunset in most places. 🙂
Awesome post, Amanda. Love your blog, it’s #1 on my list of travel blogs to read, and believe me there are dozens of blogs on my list. I never get to half of them, but always get to yours!
I have a question about the inconic photo that is heading your post. The long straight road. Where exactly is this taken? My brother and his family will be visiting from the UK in the Spring and I’d love to take them to drive that road. It’s so iconic.
That specific road is U.S. Highway 163, just before you get to Monument Valley (coming from the north). It’s definitely very iconic!
We followed your guide for an end of Sept/Early Oct. visit and had a great time!
The only thing I would mention is that tours to Antelope now book over 6 months in advance. We were faced with all tours being sold out trying for 3 months. We were fortunate in keeping trying after arrival and found one tour at 4pm where a whole busload had cancelled and considered ourselves very lucky to get in at all. The only other thing I might mention is the severe overcrowding in GC, you might consider catching the free bus outside the park (purple) and not even trying to drive through. Although the bus was SRO we found it less stressful than dealing with the traffic.
Wow 6 months out?! That’s insane! I blame Instagram. Haha. Last year we were still able to get tour spots about a month beforehand. I’ll make a note that it’s even tougher now!
Glad you were able to get a spot on an Antelope Canyon tour! Its popularity has just skyrocketed this season, which is why potential visitors to the Page, AZ area should definitely book their tours in advance, or consider other slot canyons in the area that are just as beautiful but far less crowded http://antelopecanyon.az/antelope-canyon-alternative-tours/
We want to rent an RV for the trip in Vegas, any idea how many miles the 10 day trip was for you? Thanks
Following this itinerary, it was just under 1300 miles!
Thanks Amanda
Wow, your photos are gorgeous. I live in Las Vegas and you did an outstanding job of showing the beauty of the southwest in pictures. Thanks so much for your helpful information!
Luckily it’s not difficult to show the beauty of this part of the US – it’s so amazing!
Thanks for the info
Always happy to provide info like this!
Very nice trip, I came here three times (from France)….amazing places.
From Vegas, you can also add two or three days and travel a part of Route 66 and go to LA, or go across Death Valley an Yosemite and finish in SF
Yes for sure! I did a Route 66 road trip a few years ago and loved that as well!
Love this post, Amanda, especially the tips at the end re: water, travel insurance and the America The Beautiful Pass. I write for a couple of tourism-related sites in Page, AZ and would love to link to this post if it’s OK with you. If not, I totally understand. Check them out if/when you get a minute.
Take care, and happy travels!
Alley Keosheyan
http://www.antelopecanyon.az
http://www.horseshoebend.com
Links are definitely fine and always appreciated! 🙂
Hi Amanda,
Love the itinerary. My wife and I are thinking about doing something similar this December just before our Christmas break. Do you think it’ll be too cold for the hikes? Or will any of the parks be closed for the winter?
Thanks!
-Sam
Hey Sam! The only park that closes for the whole winter is the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The rest of the parks are open year-round, and they usually do keep the roads maintained. For the hikes, it totally depends. All of these parks do get snow in the winter, and it can get quite cold. If a park get a lot of snow, the trails obviously will be covered and potentially icy, too. I would be sure to bring good gear (including possibly traction devices like Yaxtrax and maybe even hiking poles) if you plan to do a lot of hiking. I would also check at each visitor center for trail conditions, so you know what to expect.
Hope that helps!
Great post. We are considering doing this but with a rented SMALL RV. What do you think? Thank you.
Should be fine. There are lots of people driving RVs out in that part of the US.
We took a slightly different road, as we wanted to see California as well. We had the best time ever during our south west road trip. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for an American adventure. Here is mine blog post: http://theworldbythebrunette.blogspot.com/2017/06/10-day-southwest-road-trip-itinerary.html
Nice! There are definitely lots of options when it comes to the Southwest!
America. I remember my trip to Lonavala about a year back when I was in India. We had taken a bike on rent in Mumbai from this company called www[dot]wheelstreet[dot]com. I want to know, if there are similar bike rental places in America as well, as I am looking forward to taking this trip on two wheels. And also, is it advisable to do so?
Yup, you can totally do this in the US, and you’ll see lots of people on motorcycles in this part of the US in the summer months especially. I’ve heard of Eagle Riders before, and found this whole list of places that rents bikes: http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/motorcycle-rentals/
[…] A Perfect 10-Day Southwest Road Trip Itinerary (A Dangerous Business) […]
Hi – sorry – I have more questions! Did you book your flights first then your rooms or the other way around? I wanted to go mid-to-late October, but am rethinking because of snowy weather. Do you think mid-to-late September will be crowded? I’m thinking 9/20 through 9/29 – in that date range. I’m trying to figure out the least expensive days of the week to fly. I’d be coming from NYC.
I would book your flights first so you have confirmed dates, and then work out your itinerary and book hotels. As for dates, I think late September would be just fine! The summer months are usually the busiest, but kids will be back in school by the end of September, so you won’t have any many families traveling then.
Hello Anita, I, my wife and our good friend are planning this exact trip for the beginning of Oct. We are retiree’s. The more the merrier, want to join in? We are from NW Pa. If you think you might, email me for further discussion. longbikez-at-gmail-dot-com.
Dave
Hi – This is the exact trip I am planning in October 2017. However, I’ll be going alone. Would you have made this trip alone? I must confess I’m a bit nervous about all the driving by myself.
The good news is that there’s not *that* much driving to this trip – I’ve done road trips with way more driving in the past! Having said that, though, I’m not personally a huge fan of solo road trips when they are longer than a few days. But that’s just because I like having someone to chat with and share the adventure with. But you absolutely can do it solo!
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Yes, 10 days is a long time to be alone. However I don’t see one park that I’d want to cross off that list! Unfortunately the one friend who I would consider asking isn’t fit enough to hike, and I want to do some hiking. I hate the thought of just driving through a park and not getting out of the car to experience it. I could try to cut it down to 7 days but I’d have to cut Canyonlands.
Then it sounds like you should just do it! 🙂
Hi Amanda. Wonderful capture of your trip, what a beautifully stunning adventure it must have been! I have been dreaming of this trip for years but only this year am seriously considering it due to improved health 🙂
thank you
for the link for the less strenuous hikes ,much appreciated, I will definitely be looking at those options. im wondering tho, Ill be travelling with more Able bodied people with zero restrictions(im not in a wheelchair but just need a chill experience kind of closer to base camp/rest areas & shorter hikes like the one you describe to Horseshoe Bend sounds perfect) cuz of this Ill likely have to break off from travel companions, are there places to kind of explore/hang around with maybe rest or cafe areas through many of these parks? Seriously the views alone are enough for me but Im a little hesitant that Ill be stuck in a situation where I must be continuously on the go( in terms of the shuttles, i guess, ) and places where cars cannot go(are there many of those?) or whether splitting away from group for hours is even feasable in terms of did you always have to go back to your entrance spot or hiked to entirely different location? sorry for this rambling,hopefully im making some kind of sense here. im trying to plan itinerary most comfortably explored for me while being part of group so I can get an idea of places I may consider crossing off the list, Since I am the itinerary planner & there so many stunning vistas at all of these places anyway 😉
The good news is that most of the national parks are very accessible – Bryce, Canyonlands, Arches, and the Grand Canyon all have viewpoints and short paved trails that you can drive to/access easily. Zion also has plenty of spots to stop and a couple easier trails that you could also enjoy. (And if anyone in your group wants to tackle tougher hikes in Zion, you could maybe hang out either in Springdale at a cafe, or at the Zion Lodge in the park – or just ride the shuttle around and enjoy the views!)
The shuttles that you’ll find in places like Zion and the Grand Canyon are more of a hop-on, hop-off deal, so you can choose to stay in one spot as long as you want to. The other parks, though, are all accessible by your own car.
Most of the things listed here (with the exception of the two more difficult hikes) would be suitable for you, I think. (Though, a word on the Horseshoe Bend hike – it’s not long, but it’s all uphill in sand on the way back!)
Thank you so much! I’m a lot more confident going on trip now 🙂
These pictures are surely inviting me enough to visit this place, rock formation is so enchanting. Thanks.
The Southwest has some of the best rock formations anywhere!
Thank you for this amazing itinerary. Those places and views breathtaking! Would really love to jump on a trip to the Southwest soon!
Love from Singapore,
Yeeling
http://artelounge.net
I’m glad this post could sort of transport you there!
This is a great road trip idea! I’d always thought I wanted to do a road trip like this but hadn’t quite figured how to fit it all together, and this is a great way to do it. I worked at the Grand Canyon North Rim a couple summers ago but STILL never made it to Page and Lake Powell and stuff 🙁 And I live in Vegas so have done Zion and Bryce. But to go further north into Utah would be amazing.
‘Love the post Amanda!
I totally agree with you. When visiting America, a roadtrip is the way to go!
When we went to America in 2011 (and I’ve only been once), we loved it! We went to California (of course), Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. We went to 4 National Parks, Route 66, San Fransciso, Vegas, The Grand Canyon, Santa Barbara, Disneyland California. It was amazing. Sadly, we were only able to spend a month as it was January (my son was in international school at the time so you could take time off “to travel”).
I’d like to go to America again. But perhaps not just now….
I’m glad to hear you spent quite a while and took to the road while you were here! So many people who come to the US for the first time just go to New York and LA and maybe Miami and think they’ve “seen” America. But of course that’s not true! (You did see some of my favorite parts, though – yay!)
I cannot wait to get back to the SouthWest this fall – planning to hit all of these highlights, and the North Rim!
That’s going to be a great trip!
Great Post! I really enjoyed it! I’m planning a 6 month US road trip, so I’m glad I stumbled across this article. I had a very similar itinerary to you, but added in Monument Valley and Sedona to my route after reading about them. I also didn’t know I would need a tour to see Antelope Canyon, which is helpful. Thanks for publishing this!
So happy to be able to help – and even happier to hear that you added Monument Valley to your list! It’s one of my favorite spots and I don’t think it should be missed!
Great breakdown of a Southwest road trip! I hit many of these same spots on a 10 day trip in 2012, but started in Denver and ended in Phoenix. The Southwest has called me back a few more times since then!
I’ve been twice and have no doubts I’ll be making more return trips!
Such amazing photos and that’s a good itinerary! I gain good information from reading this article for when we go traveling in the southwest of america. Thanks for sharing this!
Glad you found it useful, Jose!
The USA has such beautiful sights! These are some excellent suggestions for road trips. I particularly enjoyed the Tioga Road trip through Yosemite National Park. The views on display from the window of your vehicle are simply phenomenal! It seems that the USA is the perfect place to hit the road and cruise past its wonderfully diverse landscape. These routes look fantastic, I would love to follow them and see all these sights for myself.
Yosemite is definitely another gorgeous park – we have so many here in the US! I’m looking forward to exploring more later this year.
I’ve only been to Arches (which I loved btw) but am dying to go back and do just about everything you listed here. Zion, Monument Valley, and Horseshoe Bend are all at the top of the list. And coming from the East Coast, the scenery out there looks so surreal.
Mobs and all, I couldn’t not see Antelope Canyon. Your photos are beyond spectacular 🙂
Agreed. It was still a must for me, too!
Some of my favorite scenery in the world (no joke!). I had only been to Arches, Monument Valley, and Antelope Canyon previously, so seeing all the other parks was incredible (and I didn’t mind revisiting the places I’d already been at all either!).
Hi Amanda,
Great post. I live in India. My daughter lives in Portland. She and her husband traveled to almost all the places mentioned by you. And I traveled with them through their photographs.
I’ve relived the journey just now through your blog.
I and my wife are planning to visit USA this year. If my daughter has the stomach,and I have the stamina, maybe we’ll retravel the road.
Hope you have a fantastic trip, wherever it takes you!
Great photos and thanks for an interesting itinerary. I never would have thought about flying into Las Vegas and using it as a starting point of a new trip. But then I always find enough in and near Vegas to keep me busy. And it appears car rental rules have relaxed. It wasn’t too long ago that customers weren’t allowed to take car rentals out of state. And that had more to do with people who lost too much money in Vegas, cashed in their plane tickets, and needed a car home. Or to sell.
Oh man that’s crazy! We didn’t have an issue – and we told the guy renting our car to us where we were headed! We also returned the car in Vegas, though, so maybe that helped us avoid any issues.
You appeared to be on the edge of many of those rocks – wasn’t that dangerous?
I mean, I suppose it could have been if my balance had been poor. 😉 I made sure I was only standing in places that seemed supported underneath – and didn’t get toooooo close to the edge!
I’m lucky to live in Utah and explore these areas often – I spent last weekend in Moab at Arches and Canyonlands. I have Antelope Canyon on my short-term bucket list. This is a terrific itinerary, Amanda!
I’m definitely jealous! I mean, Ohio is still pretty cool, but Utah is just so stunning!
What a fantastic road trip! This must have been utterly amazing. Really enjoyed reading your post, Amanda.
It was fantastic! It’s one of those trips that I still find myself thinking about all the time.
Gorgeous, informative post! Perfect timing, too…we are visiting some of these same spots in just two weeks and seeing your photos has me very excited. By the way, I love your “Is Antelope Canyon worth it” post. It helped us a lot in our trip planning. Thanks again!
Ooo I’m jealous! I don’t think I could ever get tired of this part of the US. And I’m glad my Antelope Canyon post helped you out!
Bookmarking this for when my husband and I plan our trip to the Southwest! This looks like the perfect combination of driving and hiking. Thanks for all the detail in this post.
Yay! Our goal was to not spend too much time in the car in between sites, and we also had a few hikes we knew we wanted to do. It worked out well! (Though if we could have stretched the trip to two weeks, it would have been even better! But I know 10 days is much more feasible for the average American who may only get two weeks of vacation every year.)
Thanks for the great tips! My family and I are starting to plan a trip Las Vegas – Sedona for a week. We will fly from Boston to Las Vegas. I’m wondering if it is much easier flying out of Phoenix or looping back to fly out of
Las Vegas?
Thanks!
Itinerary-wise, it might be easier to fly out of Phoenix if you’re going to add Sedona, but you’d have to see what the cost difference would be like. (If you go to Phoenix, consider stopping in Scottsdale, too, another city I love!)
It’s actually crazy how many NPs and how much beauty you can see in a mere ten days! I keep thinking people in the US are very lucky to be so close to so much grand scenery! I’ll bookmark this itinerary to make sure I use it when I plan a trip in the area!
And it’s especially true in the Southwest – it’s chock full of amazing national parks and monuments and all-around incredible scenery!!
Ahh! This makes me want to be back in Utah! I worked there last summer on Lake Powell and will be back in April and I can’t wait! I totally agree with all of this and highly recommend Goblin Valley! It’s like a playground for grown ups. I definitely need to make it to Monument Valley this summer. I LOVE all these pictures! Sorry, rambling, I just love it all!
This part of the US is just amazing! I’m so glad I listened to my friend who told me we had to go to Goblin Valley – it was SO COOL. (But yes, if you haven’t been to Monument Valley yet, it’s an absolute must!)