For the ultimate American West adventure, consider a road trip from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. In less than a week, you can see some of the most incredible natural wonders in the country and the entertainment mecca of Sin City.
Visiting the Grand Canyon is something that you should do at least once. Its grandeur is almost unbelievable, and this famous landmark is just a few hours from Vegas. So, if you rent a car in Las Vegas, you can drive from Vegas to the Grand Canyon and see some iconic places along the way. We used Travellers Autobarn to rent a campervan in Las Vegas for this itinerary and it was an experience of a lifetime!
- Route summary
- Best stops between Las Vegas to Grand Canyon
- Las Vegas to Grand Canyon road trip itinerary
In this guide, I’ll share my recommended route summary and travel tips. You’ll also see how far the Grand Canyon is from Las Vegas and my downloadable map. Plus, some of our favorite places in the country are near the Grand Canyon, so keep reading to see our road trip itinerary!
Also, check our guide on the best road trips from Las Vegas if you want more ideas.
The Ultimate Las Vegas to Grand Canyon road trip
Check out the best route from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon and how much time you’ll need for your trip.
Route Summary
Las Vegas → Boulder City → Hoover Dam & Lake Mead → Grand Canyon West Rim → Route 66: Kingman to Seligman → Grand Canyon South Rim (National Park) → Grand Canyon East Rim (National Park) → Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend → Vermilion Cliffs National Monument → Grand Canyon North Rim (National Park) → Zion National Park → Valley of Fire State Park → Las Vegas |
Time recommended
If you’re wondering how long the drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon takes, it depends. To visit all four rims of the Grand Canyon, we recommend 6 days.
However, if you have less time, you can skip some stops or go straight to the West Rim (the closest section to Las Vegas). In fact, many Grand Canyon tours from Las Vegas do this, even if the West Rim isn’t within the National Park limits.
Best stops from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon by car
Below, you can find the best places to stop between Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Read a bit about each stop and decide which ones you want to visit during your road trip.
Boulder City
About 45 minutes from the Strip, Boulder City is one of the first stops between Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. This historic city originally housed the construction crew that worked on the Hoover Dam. Today, it offers dining, shopping, and tourist attractions like the Nevada Southern Railroad Museum, the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum, and the Alan Bible Botanical Garden.
Hoover Dam & Lake Mead
While you’re in Boulder City, you must visit the Hoover Dam. As one of the most impressive and historical places near Las Vegas, I recommend it for any road trip.
You can learn more about this landmark at the Hoover Dam Visitor Center. There are also great lookouts, like the Hoover Dam Bridge, where you can capture amazing photos.
Moreover, the dam’s construction led to the creation of Lake Mead, a large reservoir with swimming beaches, water sports, and campsites. They’re scattered throughout the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Grand Canyon West Rim
For this road trip, I recommend driving from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon West Rim. This rim is closest to Vegas and is just 118 miles away. It’s technically not part of the Grand Canyon National Park but managed by the Hualapai tribe instead.
While you’ll have to pay an extra fee to access the West Rim, it’s worth it for the views. This is also where you can find the Skywalk, a floating glass walkway that hangs over the canyon’s edge.
Route 66: Kingman to Seligman
Our Las Vegas – Grand Canyon road trip itinerary takes you along Route 66, specifically the 87-mile stretch between Kingman and Seligman, Arizona.
Approaching Kingman, you’ll find attractions like the Historic Route 66 Museum, the Mohave Museum, and the old Kingman Railroad Station. Seligman is an old railroad town known today as the “Birthplace of Historic Route 66.” Between these two charming villages, you’ll pass through smaller communities like Peach Springs, which serves as the Hualapai Tribe headquarters.
Grand Canyon South Rim National Park
The driving distance from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon South Rim is much longer than the West Rim. However, I really recommend including it in your road trip from Las Vegas if you have the time. This is the most beautiful (and popular) section within Grand Canyon National Park.
At the South Rim or Grand Canyon Village, you’ll find hotels, shops, and restaurants. From here, you can take a free shuttle to the most popular viewpoints in the park, including Yavapai Point, Mather Point, Yaki Point, Maricopa Point, Mohave Point, and Pima Point. The extrenuos South Kaibab Trail and Bright Angel Trail take you to the bottom of the canyon, and the Rim Trail is good for families and those with less time.
Grand Canyon East Rim National Park
Continue your drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon East Rim. This area is part of the South Rim, but it’s less crowded. If you travel along Desert View Drive, you can get pristine canyon views from Navajo Point, Lipan Point, Moran Point, and Grandview Point.
From the Desert View lookout, you can see the Colorado River and an Indian watchtower. The East Rim is also home to the Tusayan Ruins & Museum.
Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend
Another benefit of traveling from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon by car is that you can add a stop at Antelope Canyon. Your jaw will drop the moment you see the smooth, snaking walls and brilliant pinks and whites. Here, you can take a tour through the Lower or Upper Canyon and see the famous light beams.
While you’re there, you should also visit Horseshoe Bend, a 984-foot precipice overlooking the Colorado River.
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Along the border of Utah and Arizona, near Page, you can see the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. You can follow the highway along the base of the cliffs and take in the magnitude of this geological wonder.
One part of the monument, White Pocket, is one of the best places to visit in Utah, especially for photographers, but there are many others, such as the Coyote Buttes (you will need to win a lottery if you want to visit the world-famous Wave), the Toadstool Hoodoos, and Buckskin Gulch.
Grand Canyon North Rim National Park
As you make your way out of the Vermilion Cliffs, you’ll enter the Grand Canyon North Rim. It’s less crowded but also less accessible and only open from mid-May to mid-October. Even so, it offers beautiful lookouts like Bright Angel Point and Cape Royal. We have a full guide with all the cool things to do at the Grand Canyon North Rim.
Zion National Park
Less than three hours from the North Rim is Zion National Park. Cross back into Utah and explore this vast area full of hikes, overlooks, and impressive rock formations. We have a complete guide to visiting Zion to help you choose which sights to see.
Valley of Fire State Park
As you circle back to Las Vegas, make a stop at the Valley of Fire. This gorgeous state park is a unique landscape of fiery sandstone structures, scenic hiking trails, and colorful vistas. It’s truly the icing on the cake for this Las Vegas – Grand Canyon road trip!
Las Vegas to Grand Canyon road trip itinerary
Now that you know about the best things to do between the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, here is a breakdown of what to do for each day on this 6-day itinerary!
How far is the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas?
The driving distance from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon depends on which part you visit. You could do a loop to each of the rims, like in this Las Vegas – Grand Canyon road trip itinerary, or you can go directly to one of the rims. Here is the distance and driving time for each option.
Please be aware that times can increase if you rent an RV in Las Vegas for this trip.
FAQ – Las Vegas to Grand Canyon road trip
Here are the answers to some common questions about traveling from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon by car.
I hope you enjoy this Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon road trip itinerary! I also have a map to help you plan your route to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas.
This trip is truly a wonderful experience, so if you have any questions, feel free to leave me a comment below. Happy trails!
Thank you for your in-depth guide. I have done the South and West rims but at different times. I have friends coming from Canada in October and am looking for guidance because they also want to visit Vegas!
This site was extremely helpful.
Hi Angell,
Thank you! I suggest reading our article about Grand Canyon tours from Las Vegas. This could be a good way to see the Canyon and Vegas in a shorter period of time. Let me know what you think! 🙂