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 the best 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. Should you tackle New England and the East Coast? The Deep South? The Pacific Northwest and California coast? Old Route 66?
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. You have deserts and mountains and some of the coolest national parks in the country.
Ready to hit the road?
So here’s my version of a “perfect” 10-day road trip itinerary for the American Southwest, based on a road trip Elliot and I took in April 2016:
Day 1: Vegas to Zion
We decided to begin and end our 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 was!
We landed at McCarran International Airport (via a direct flight from Cleveland!), took an Uber to the Tropicana Hotel on the Strip, and picked up our rental car there. (We opted to pick up our rental car on the Strip rather than at the airport because the rates were MUCH lower.)
And then we were 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 we were itching to get to Utah.
The drive from Vegas to Zion National Park in Utah takes just about 2.5 hours. Some people will opt to stay in St. George (closer to Vegas), but we decided the small town of Springdale would be much more central and better for entering the park early on Day 2.
If you arrive early enough in the day, you could visit Zion in the afternoon/early evening. Or, do what we did and explore Springdale a bit before getting an early night to prep for hiking Zion on Day 2!
A rainbow in Springdale!
Total driving time: 2.5 hours
Fees: $30 Zion entry (if you decide to visit today)
Where to stay: We stayed at 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 | Book here)
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 into Zion National Park, the first of the Mighty 5 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.
What you decide to do with your day really depends on your interests, the makeup of your group, and whether or not you’re up for any intense hiking or not.
To see views like this, you’ll need to hike!
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.)
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.
Halfway through the Angels Landing hike – it’s epic!
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.
Lower Emerald Pool
If you decide to do The Narrows, the 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.
Total driving time: 0 hours (yay free shuttles!)
Where to stay: We once again stayed at La Quinta Inn & Suites at Zion Park/Springdale.
Where to eat: After a day of hiking, we rewarded ourselves with pizza at Zion Pizza & Noodle Co.
Day 3: Zion to Bryce
Head out of Zion on Day 3 via the Mount Carmel Highway (the stretch of Route 9 between Zion’s entrance and Highway 89) that 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!).
Mount Carmel Highwa
The drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park only takes about an 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.
Inspiration Point at Bryce Canyon
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.
Sunset Point
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!)
Some leftover snow at Natural Bridge
Total driving time: 1.5 hours
Fees: $30 Bryce entry
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 | 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.
Hiking at Bryce Canyon
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.
A foggy hike in the Queen’s Garden
RELATED: A Foggy, Soggy Morning at Bryce Canyon
After our hike, we packed up all our things and headed further east. Our destination for the night was Moab, but we made a detour on the way to Goblin Valley State Park. There are two ways to get from Bryce Canyon to Goblin Valley, but we opted to take Route 12, which takes you through Escalante and meets up with Route 24 so you can briefly drive through Capitol Reef National Park.
On the way, 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.
Kiva Koffeehouse
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.
We got to Goblin Valley in the afternoon, and spent 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.
Valley of the Goblins
Hanging out with some goblins
From Goblin Valley, it’s another hour and a half to Moab, where you can base yourself for the next couple of nights.
Total driving time: 5.5-6 hours
Fees: $10 Capitol Reef entry OR $13 Goblin Valley State Park entry
Where to stay: Elliot and I stayed in a cute Airbnb apartment in Moab (get a free Airbnb credit here!), 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.
Where to eat: We grabbed 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 tends to get 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.
Island in the Sky at Canyonlands
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. This 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.
Mesa Arch around 10:30 a.m.
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.
Upheaval Dome – scientists still aren’t 100% sure how this was formed!
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.
Total driving time: 2-3 hours (including driving in the park)
Fees: $25 Canyonlands entry; $15 Dead Horse State park entry
Where to stay: Check out the La Quinta Inn and Suites Moab, or the Holiday Inn Express Moab.
Where to eat: We grabbed some delicious wood-fired brick oven pizza from Zax Restaurant & Watering Hole.
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, definitely spend the first half 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 arched. Park Avenue, Balanced Rock, the Windows Section, and Double Arch would be my top picks.
North Window Arch
We went back into town for lunch, and then got take-away sandwiches for a picnic dinner because…
The most iconic hike at Arches National Park is the hike out the 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.
Look how huge Delicate Arch is!!
The hike is 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 at Delicate Arch
Total driving time: Maybe 2-3 hours (including driving in the park)
Fees: $25 Arches entry
Where to stay: Again, Elliot and I stayed in a cute Airbnb apartment in Moab, but you can also check out the La Quinta Inn and Suites Moab, or the Holiday Inn Express Moab.
Where to eat: We loved breakfast at Peace Tree Juice Cafe, and 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, Monument Valley is a 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.
This is actually called John Ford Point.
Elliot and I arrived at Monument Valley before lunchtime (it’s only a 2.5-hour drive from Moab), and took in the views from The View hotel before meeting up with our tour guide from Navajo Spirit Tours for a guided tour of the valley.
Where’s Khaleesi to hatch these Dragon Eggs?
RELATED: Monument Valley: A Must-Visit in the Southwest
You absolutely CAN explore the 17-mile Valley Drive in your own vehicle, but if you really want to learn about the park and see some of the backcountry (which is not accessible to normal visitors), you’ll need to book a guided tour.
Totem Pole, which you’ll see on a backcountry tour of Monument Valley.
After our tour was over, we drove the remaining two hours to Page to arrive just around dinnertime.
Total driving time: 4.5 hours
Fees: $20 Monument Valley entry; $75 Navajo Spirit Tours Monument Valley tour
Where to stay: We stayed at the Best Western View of Lake Powell Hotel, 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!
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.
These shoes are not the best for hiking in sand!
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.
Upper Antelope Canyon
You sadly can ONLY visit Antelope Canyon as part of a guided tour, and tours 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).
To get a people-free shot like this, you need to be willing to elbow your way to the front of the group!
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.
Also, shooting up is a good way to avoid getting people in your canyon shots.
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.)
Total driving time: 1-2 hours
Fees: $55+ for an Antelope Canyon tour; $25 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.
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 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.
Grand Canyon North Rim
However, when Elliot and I did our road trip in April 2016, 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.
It’s actually quicker to reach the South Rim entrance to Grand Canyon National Park than it is to reach the North Rim, so it worked out well for us, timing-wise. We started out at Desert View (where we got caught in a blustery snow flurry!), and made our way along Route 64, stopping at all the viewpoints on the way to Grand Canyon Village and the visitor center.
Grandview Point (2016)
Desert View watchtower (2011)
After checking out the visitor center and nearby Mather Point, we hopped on one of the free park shuttles that travels along the South Rim. 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.
We hopped on and off the Red Route bus all afternoon, visiting amazing lookouts like Maricopa Point, Mohave Point, The Abyss, Pima Point, and more. We even did a short hike between two of the shuttle stops just to get our legs working.
Mohave Point
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 and Yaki and Pima Points, too.
Sunset at Mather Point (2011)
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!).
Total driving time: 4 hours
Fees: $25 Grand Canyon entry
Where to stay: We stayed at the Sleep Inn in Flagstaff simply because it was affordable and convenient.
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.
Elliot and I were both sad to say goodbye to the Southwest, but I have a sneaking suspicion this might not be our last trip there.
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 in 2011, and we both loved it.
Some things to do in Sedona (especially if you visit during the warm summer months) include: taking a Sedona Trolley tour, seeing the Chapel of the Holy Cross, splashing around at Slide Rock State Park, and possibly hiking in Red Rocks State Park.
Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona
Fees: $15 for trolley tour; $20 Slide Rock entry; $20 Red Rocks entry
Where to stay: Check out the Best Western Plus Arroyo Roble Hotel & Creekside Villas (mid-range), or the Amara Resort & Spa (luxury).
Where to eat: Get a sandwich at Sedona Memories Bakery Cafe – they’re the BEST!
Know before you go
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 at least $55 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 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.
Don’t forget your travel insurance. For any major trip (and especially one where you’re going to be driving through unfamiliar territory), I always recommend purchasing travel insurance. If you rent a car (or drive your own), your car should be covered in case of an accident. But what about all the other things that could potentially happen to YOU? I recommend World Nomads for basic (and really affordable) travel insurance – because you just never know!
Have you ever road tripped in the American Southwest? What are your favorite stops?
*Note: This post contains some affiliate links, meaning if you book/buy something after clicking on one, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you, of course!).
You might also like:
The Amazing American Southwest in Photos
6 Alternative Stops on a Road Trip in the American Southwest
Road Trip ’11 – The Final Plan
The post A Perfect 10-Day Southwest Road Trip Itinerary appeared first on A Dangerous Business Travel Blog.