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If you can find a free weekend or a few extra days, you can take a spectacular road trip from Las Vegas. Sin City has the convenience of being close to several top attractions, cities, and national parks, so don’t miss your chance to explore the great American West!
You can plan a road trip itinerary using our guides on national parks near Las Vegas and things to do outside Las Vegas. However, this article gives you the best Las Vegas road trips to maximize time and mileage. I’ll share 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10-day Las Vegas road trip itineraries so you can find the perfect one for your schedule.
In summary, these are the best road trips from Vegas:
- Grand Canyon, the best 2-day road trip from Las Vegas
- Los Angeles, a fun 3-day car trip from Las Vegas
- San Francisco, one of the most popular 4-day road trips from Las Vegas to California
- Monument Valley, one of the best 5-day road trips from Las Vegas to Arizona
- Arches National Park, the ultimate 10-day road trip from Las Vegas to Utah
Also, before setting off on your weekend getaway from Las Vegas, you’ll want reliable transportation. I suggest reading my guide on renting a car in Las Vegas or, for the ultimate experience, renting an RV in Las Vegas or campervan rentals in Las Vegas.
1. Grand Canyon, the best 2-day road trip from Las Vegas
♦ 576 miles, 9 hrs total driving – 2 days, 1 night – Out & back
Taking a road trip from Vegas to the Grand Canyon is one of the best things to do near Las Vegas.
Right outside Las Vegas, you’ll pass the Hoover Dam, where you can spend a few hours. Take a tour of this significant landmark and check the attractions nearby.
1. Grand Canyon, the best 2-day road trip from Las Vegas
Continue towards Grand Canyon Village, also known as the South Rim. While it’s a slower route, to get there I recommend taking historic Route 66 from Kingman to Seligman. Once in the Grand Canyon National Park you can check its famous viewpoints, restaurants, and beautiful hiking routes.
The park is open 24/7, and the entrance fee is $30 per vehicle. If you have more time, I have some ideas for extending your Las Vegas road trip to the Grand Canyon South Rim.
2-DAY LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP ITINERARY
Day 1 – 300 miles, 5 hrs
Get an early start, so you have time to visit Hoover Dam and Boulder City. Then, continue your road trip from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon South Rim. The scenic route is via Route 66, between Kingman and Seligman. This way, you’ll see Angel & Vilma’s Gift Shop, famous restaurants like Mr. D’z 66 Diner, the Grand Canyon caverns near Peach Springs, and the Mohave Museum.
Once at Grand Canyon Village, you can take one of the shuttles to popular lookouts like Hopi Point (it has the perfect sunset views). The Rim Trail, which circles the South Rim, is a great hike to do as a family.
- Recommended accommodations: Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn and The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon are great, or consult our guide on where to stay in the Grand Canyon.
Day 2 – 280 miles, 4 hrs 15 mins
The best way to start your second day is with a Grand Canyon helicopter tour. It’s an amazing way to see the canyon, and we have an entire guide on the top 6 flight tours.
After your helicopter ride, take the free shuttle to one of the lookout points around the South Rim. You can also visit interesting places like the Yavapai Geology Museum and the Tusayan Ruins and Museum before heading back to Vegas.
- Recommended accommodations: Any of the best hotels in Las Vegas will be great for an overnight stay.
VEGAS ROAD TRIP ALTERNATIVES
One extra day
Use your extra day in the Grand Canyon to visit the West Rim. Here, you can see the Skywalk, a glass balcony that hangs over the edge of the canyon. Visiting the West Rim adds 90 miles and 2 hrs 15 mins of driving.
Two extra days
A couple of extra days at the Grand Canyon means you can hike the Bright Angel Trail, one of the top hikes in the canyon. The path starts at Grand Canyon Village and descends over 4,360 feet into the canyon.
The route is 16 miles round-trip, so you’ll need 2 days to do it. It’s best to hike to the bottom. Camp there overnight, then make the ascent back to the South Rim.
Three extra days
If you have three more days in this area, you can make the trek to Havasu Falls. The falls are part of the Havasupai Indian Reservation, so you must make reservations in advance.
To get to the trailhead, take Route 66 toward Peach Spring. Continue for about 130 miles and turn right onto Indian Road 18. This road leads to the Hualapai Hilltop Parking Lot.
From there, you can hike the Havasupai Falls Trail to the waterfalls, which aren’t far from the Havasupai Campground.
2. Hollywood, a fun 3-day car trip from Las Vegas to Los Angeles
♦ 350 miles, 6 hrs 15 mins total driving – 3 days, 2 nights – One-way
When planning a road trip from Las Vegas, consider California. This state is full of gorgeous landscapes, enjoyable cities, and, of course, beaches. My itinerary is for a 3-day road trip from Las Vegas to Hollywood, but you can add more days and take a Vegas road trip to San Diego too.
On this car trip to Los Angeles from Las Vegas, you’ll take a pitstop to 7 Magic Mountains before visiting Mojave National Preserve. The preserve has some of the best night skies in the country, so I highly recommend camping overnight.
2. Hollywood, a fun 3-day car trip from Las Vegas to Los Angeles
Then, head to Joshua Tree National Park and see the wide range of desert flora there. Check out the Cholla Cactus Garden and stay overnight in the park before waking up early for day 3.
The last stop on this road trip from Las Vegas to California is Los Angeles, where you can find unlimited things to do. If you have more time, extend your stay in LA, or drive down to San Diego.
Keep in mind that the end point of this route is different from the starting point. So, when setting up your rental, consider any extra fees for returning the car in a different location and book two one-way flights.
3-day Las Vegas road trip itinerary
Day 1 – 97 miles, 2 hrs
This Las Vegas road trip to California begins with a quick stop at 7 Magic Mountains. This colorful art installation by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone is a nice photo op along the Las Vegas Freeway.
Then, drive the hour or so to Mojave National Preserve, one of the most amazing destinations between Vegas and LA. Rather than drive through it, take time to appreciate the area, especially the Kelso Dunes and the ancient Mojave Lava Tube. The volcanic tunnel is over 1300 feet long and casts impressive light rays in the afternoon.
One of the most popular things to do here is to hike the Rings Loop Trail, which is a little over a mile long. You’ll see that Mojave National Preserve has lots of Joshua Trees; it actually has the highest density of these trees in the world, even more than Joshua Tree National Park!
- Recommended accommodation: Hole-in-the-Wall Campground
Day 2 – 125 miles, 2 hrs 15 mins
The next day, make the short drive to Joshua Tree National Park, which is also in the Mojave Desert. This park is known for its unique landscape of Joshua trees and gravity-defying rock formations.
That said, one of the best sights in Joshua Tree is the Cholla Cactus Garden. You can take the circular walking trail through the garden of brittlebush, desert lavender, and several species of cacti.
- Recommended accommodations: Americas Best Value Inn & Suites Yucca Valley or High Desert Motel Joshua Tree National Park
Day 3 – 130 miles, 2 hrs
The last stop on this 3-day road trip from Las Vegas is Los Angeles. Here, you’ll have your pick of all kinds of tours and activities, so check our guide on to things to do in Los Angeles for some ideas.
Everyone likes popular attractions like the Hollywood Sign and the Walk of Fame. Perhaps you’d prefer one of the beaches, like Santa Monica or Malibu. Film buffs can check out the famous Hollywood studios and theaters, while shopaholics can hit Rodeo Drive.
- Recommended accommodations: InterContinental – Los Angeles Downtown is nice, and we have a guide on where to stay in Los Angeles
Vegas road trip alternatives
One day short
If you must cut your trip short one day, skip Mojave and go straight to Joshua Tree. It’ll save you 25 miles and 45 minutes of driving.
One extra day
An extra day means you can spend two days in LA, which is great because there are so many things to do in Los Angeles and Hollywood.
Two extra days
Add two more days to your itinerary, and you can take a Vegas road trip to San Diego. It adds 120 miles and one hour of driving, and you can see fabulous beaches like La Jolla Cove.
3. San Francisco, one of the most popular 4-day road trips from Las Vegas to California
♦ 630 miles, 12 hrs 30 mins total driving – 4 days, 3 nights – One-way
Note: This route can only be completed when Tioga Road is open; check dates.
This 4-day road trip from Las Vegas is action-packed and starts with a visit to Red Rock Canyon. Then, you’ll head to Death Valley, where you can see the famous Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, Artist’s Palette, and other sights.
Then, you can witness the unique landscapes of Alabama Hills, Hot Creek, and Mono Lake before stopping at Yosemite National Park. This is a must-see on any road trip from Las Vegas to California since Yosemite is full of hiking routes, waterfalls, lookouts, and other landmarks.
3. San Francisco, one of the most popular 4-day road trips from Las Vegas to California
The last stop is San Francisco, an amazing city by the bay with all kinds of attractions. Not only is the city surrounded by beautiful natural places, but San Fran itself is tons of fun. Check out iconic areas like Nob Hill, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps. Besides that, there are museums, historic buildings, neighborhoods, and architectural monuments to behold.
With all of the stops along the way, this is the best road trip from Las Vegas to San Francisco!
Keep in mind that the end point of this route is different from the starting point. So, when setting up your rental, consider any extra fees for returning the car in a different location and book two one-way flights.
4-day road trip itinerary from Las Vegas
Day 1 – 130 miles, 2 hrs 30 mins
The first stop on this road trip from Las Vegas to California is right outside Sin City. You’ll start by exploring Red Rock Canyon, known for its fiery rock formations and ancient pictographs. You can check out the sights along the Scenic Loop Drive or do one of the most popular hikes in Red Rock.
Then, you’ll make your way to Death Valley, California, one of the largest national parks in the country. Here, you’ll have your pick of all kinds of attractions and points of interest, like the Artist’s Palette and Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the U.S. There are also hiking trails to overlooks like Zabriskie Point and Dante’s View.
- Recommended accommodations: Stay at The Ranch at Death Valley or check out our guide on where to stay in Death Valley
Day 2 – 230 miles, 4 hrs
Outside Death Valley, there is the town of Lone Pine, a great intermediary between Death Valley and Mt. Whitney. Here, you must see the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. If you’ve ever seen a western film, you’ll recognize the landscape of Alabama Hills. Check out scenic Movie Road and the famous Mobius Arch, which perfectly frames the mountain range in the distance.
Later, make the drive to Hot Creek Geological Site, a gorge with bubbling turquoise hot springs. Magma mixes with the cool waters of Hot Creek to heat the thermal pools, which you can hike past for a closer look.
Day 2 of this 4-day road trip from La Vegas ends with a visit to nearby Mono Lake. This saline lake offers lovely views of the Sierra Nevada mountains, as well as hiking and kayaking.
- Recommended accommodations: Spend a restful night at Lake View Lodge near Mono Lake.
Day 3 – 80 miles, 2 hrs
Get an early start in the morning so you can make the long drive to Yosemite National Park. You can stop by Yosemite Village and the Visitor Center for trail maps and info, then decide what to do.
I will say that some of the best things to see here are El Capitan, which is over 7,500 feet tall, and the Half Dome, another granite formation that’s over 8,800 feet tall. The park also has the highest waterfall in the U.S., Yosemite Falls, which is 2,425 feet tall.
There are other waterfalls in the park, as well as lakes and overlooks. You can see some of these while traveling along Glacier Point Road. Also, it’s worth seeing Tuolumne Grove, a giant sequoia forest. Of course, there is lots more to see here, including wildlife and beautiful hiking trails, so check our guide!
- Recommended accommodations: Stay at Yosemite Valley Lodge or one of the places in our guide on where to stay in Yosemite
Day 4 – 190 miles, 4 hrs
Finally, this Las Vegas road trip ends in San Francisco, one of the most enjoyable cities in the country. There is a little bit of everything here, so it’s well worth the drive.
This bay city is known for its relaxed environment and landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Nob Hill. One of the most iconic things to do here is to take a cable car past notable sights like Chinatown and Russian Hill.
San Francisco is full of museums, unique neighborhoods, shops, restaurants, and natural areas like forests, gardens, and beaches. So, be sure to read our guide so you can plan your perfect day in the city.
- Recommended accommodations: The Handlery Union Square Hotel is a nice downtown accommodation, or you can check our article on where to stay in San Francisco
Vegas car trip alternatives
If you can add more days to your road trip from Las Vegas to California, you can see even more incredible things along the way. Here are some ideas to consider if you have more time.
One extra day
If you have an extra day, you can spend more time in Yosemite. You could easily spend three days in the park since there is so much to do there. The Upper Yosemite Falls Trail is a gorgeous 7-hour route, and Tunnel View is an iconic lookout point. Mirror Lake and Mariposa Grove are two other lovely spots, and the Taft Point-Sentinel Dome hike is a must-do if you have the time.
Another option if you have one more day is to spend more time in San Francisco. You could even spend a week here and not get bored. So, it’s up to you if you want to see nearby natural attractions or explore the city.
Two extra days
With two extra days, you can spend more time in Yosemite or San Francisco and take a detour to Lake Tahoe. A visit to the largest alpine lake in the U.S. adds 150 miles (2 hrs 45 mins) of driving.
Here, you can do different kinds of water sports or visit one of the ski resorts. Lake Tahoe also offers excellent hiking trails like the Tahoe Rim Trail and Eagle Lake.
4. Monument Valley, one of the best 5-day road trips from Las Vegas to Arizona
♦ 900 miles, 16 hrs 20 mins total driving – 5 days, 4 nights – Loop
This 5-day road trip from Las Vegas has lots of interesting stops, so be prepared. As you leave Vegas, pay a visit to the Valley of Fire, and walk among the dazzling geological formations.
Then, spend a day exploring Zion National Park and some of the hiking routes and viewpoints there. Next, this road trip from Las Vegas goes to Arizona, where you’ll see Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. You’ll definitely want your camera for these two incredibly scenic places!
4. Monument Valley, one of the best 5-day road trips from Las Vegas to Arizona
The next stop on this road trip from Las Vegas is Monument Valley, an area full of mesas, buttes, and stunning starry skies. Finally, you’ll head to the Grand Canyon, where you can hike along the canyon’s rim or even take a helicopter tour.
As you make your way back to Vegas, take historic Route 66. It’s a bit longer, but it’s more scenic. As you get closer to Sin City, you can pass through Boulder City and check out the Hoover Dam, too.
5-DAY ROAD TRIP ITINERARY from Las Vegas
Day 1 – 180, 3 hrs 30 mins
This road trip from Las Vegas begins with a stop at the Valley of Fire, one of the best hiking spots right outside Sin City. Some of the most popular hikes in Valley of Fire include the Fire Wave Trail and Petroglyph Canyon Trail.
Besides hiking, you can do the Scenic Drive at Valley of Fire, which goes past some famous landmarks. While the park is known for its fiery rock formations, it also has colorful attractions like the Rainbow Vista and Pink Canyon. Plus, this can be a fun road trip from Las Vegas to do with kids. They’ll love the petroglyphs, Elephant Rock, and the Fire Cave.
After spending some time at Valley of Fire, drive a few hours northeast to Zion National Park.
- Recommended accommodations: La Quinta by Wyndham Kanab is comfortable and cheap, but we also have a guide on hotels and campgrounds in Zion
Day 2 – 120 miles, 2 hrs 20 mins
Day 2 of this Las Vegas road trip itinerary is dedicated to exploring Zion National Park. We have an article about all the things to do in Zion, but I’ll tell you some of the most popular activities if you only have one day.
As I said, the hiking trails here are amazing, so check out Angel’s Landing, The Narrows, or The Subway. The family-friendly Lower Emerald Pools trail is also worth doing. Also, Zion has excellent starry skies, and you can get iconic views from the Court of the Patriarchs lookout point.
If you take the Zion Scenic Drive, you’ll see the Visitor Center and Museum, Court of the Patriarchs, The Grotto, Weeping Rock, Big Bend, and Temple of Sinawava.
After Zion, head to Page, Arizona, and get some rest for another action-packed day.
- Recommended accommodations: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson is one of the best, or you can check out our guide on where to stay in Page
Day 3 – 120 miles, 2 hrs
As you continue your 5-day road trip from Las Vegas, make a quick stop at Horseshoe Bend. This horseshoe-shaped meander stands nearly 1,000 feet tall and has an imposing presence you have to see to believe. The view from Horseshoe Bend is incredible at sunrise or sunset, but even if you can’t visit then, it’s still beautiful.
Another great thing about Horseshoe Bend is that it’s a very short drive from Antelope Canyon. We have an article about how to photograph the canyon and which part to visit. I will tell you that if you go to the Upper section in summer in the middle of the day, you can see the famous light beams coming through the canyon walls.
Also, be aware that since Antelope Canyon is within the Navajo Indian Reservation, you must take a tour. A Navajo guide will take you through the canyon and tell you about the geological and cultural history of the area, and you’ll see the canyon’s undulating structure for yourself!
After spending time at Antelope Canyon, drive the two hours to Monument Valley and get some rest for Day 4 of this road trip from Las Vegas.
- Recommended accommodations: Goulding’s Lodge is among the most popular, or you can book one of the places in our where to stay in Monument Valley guide
Day 4 – 180 miles, 3 hrs 15 mins
Get an early start in the morning and check out Monument Valley. One of the best things to do here is to take the Scenic Drive past fascinating formations. You’ll see Elephant Butte, the Three Sisters, John Ford’s Point, The Thumb, and several other landmarks.
You can also hike the Wildcat Trail and capture superb photos at lookout points like The Mittens and Merrick Butte and Artist’s Point.
Be sure to budget enough time to drive to the Grand Canyon from Monument Valley since it takes over 3 hours, and you’ll want to rest up for tomorrow.
- Recommended accommodations: Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn or The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon
Day 5 – 300 miles, 5 hrs 15 mins
Spend the last day of this road trip from Las Vegas at the Grand Canyon. Start at Grand Canyon Village, which is at the South Rim. From there, you can take one of the shuttles to the South Kaibab Trail or Hermit Road where you can find beautiful viewpoints like Yavapai and Yaki Point on the Kaibab Rim Route or Hopi Point on the Hermit Road Route.
If you want to make your visit extra special, take a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon and see this natural wonder from a birds-eye view.
When it’s time to head back to Sin City, take the return trip via Route 66. This way, you’ll pass the most iconic part of this famous highway, then you can stop at Boulder City and visit Hoover Dam.
- Recommended accommodations: Spend the night at one of the best hotels in Las Vegas
VEGAS ROAD TRIP alternatives
One day short
If you’re short on time, you can skip Monument Valley and save 150 miles (about 2.5 hours) of driving.
One extra day
If you have time, you can make this a 6-day road trip from Las Vegas. You could spend a day in Bryce Canyon or check out Sedona and Red Rock Country.
Bryce Canyon National Park is a short drive from Zion and is known for its incredible hoodoos and rock formations. It adds 120 miles (2 hrs 15 mins) of driving.
Meanwhile, Red Rock Country is in the Oak Creek area of Sedona and has a distinct canyon landscape. Some of the most photographed sights here include Oak Creek Canyon, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Tuzigoot National Monument. It adds 135 miles (3 hrs) of driving.
Two extra days
If you have two extra days, you can maximize your road trip from Las Vegas to Arizona by visiting Sedona and Phoenix. Check out the iconic attractions along the Red Rock Scenic Byway. Phoenix is home to the Desert Botanical Garden, several impressive hiking trails, and South Mountain Park, one of the largest in the U.S. It adds 295 miles (5 hrs 20 mins) of driving.
Alternatively, two extra days can give you the best road trip from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. You’ll have enough time to hike the full Bright Angel Trail and camp at the bottom of the canyon.
Three extra days
If you want to extend your trip by 3 extra days, consider adding the Havasu Falls to your itinerary. After visiting the Grand Canyon, make the drive to Supai at the Havasupai Indian Reservation. Along with a lodge, you’ll find the Havasu Falls Trailhead, which takes you past the Fifty Foot Falls and Navajo Falls. Once you get to Havasu Falls, you can see Carbonate Canyon and stay overnight at the Havasupai Campground. It adds 140 miles (4 hrs 30 mins) of driving.
5. Arches, the best 10-day road trip from Las Vegas to Utah
♦ 1,545 miles, 31 hrs total driving – 10 days, 9 nights – Loop
This ultimate 10-day road trip from Las Vegas begins with a stop at the Valley of Fire, where you can take the scenic drive (Mouse’s Tank) past the Rainbow Vista, Arch Rock, and other impressive formations.
The next day, you can visit Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks for amazing lookout points, hikes, and geological monuments. Speaking of which, this road trip from Las Vegas to Utah also includes the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Spanning 1.8 million acres, this natural wonder sits between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef, another national park on this itinerary.
5. Arches, the best 10-day road trip from Las Vegas to Utah
Capitol Reef offers excellent hiking and backpacking, and it’s about an hour from Goblin Valley State Park, an awesome place in Utah for wildlife viewing and stargazing.
Two other national parks you’ll see are Arches and Canyonlands, which have thousands of natural arches between them. The tail-end of this Las Vegas road trip includes stops at Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and the Grand Canyon, which I’ve mentioned earlier.
Finally, as you make your way back to Vegas, you can visit Boulder City and Hoover Dam.
10-DAY LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP ITINERARY
Day 1 – 185 miles, 3 hrs 15 mins
The distance from Vegas to Valley of Fire is about 45 miles, so this state park is the first stop. It’s a great place to hike outside Sin City, especially since there are trails for all levels. Not only that, but each route takes you past some incredible sights, like the Fire Wave, Pink Canyon, and Balanced Rock.
After exploring this red sandstone playground, get back in the car and make your way to Zion National Park.
- Recommended accommodations: Stay at La Quinta by Wyndham Kanab or check our guide to hotels and campgrounds in Zion
Day 2 – 85 miles, 2 hrs
As one of the top road trip ideas from Las Vegas, you can’t miss Zion National Park. That said, if you only have one day there, you must prioritize.
I recommend doing a hike, such as Angel’s Landing, which takes about 4 hours and leads to an amazing 360° viewpoint. Other photographic spots in Zion include the Three Patriarchs, The Narrows, and the Emerald Pools.
After a day in Zion, continue this road trip from Las Vegas to Utah’s national parks by heading to Bryce Canyon.
- Recommended accommodations: Check out Bryce Park Place or our list of suggested hotels and campsites in Bryce Canyon
Day 3 – 105 miles, 3 hrs 15 mins
Like Zion, Bryce Canyon is an excellent stop on this road trip from Las Vegas to Utah. The defining characteristic of Bryce Canyon is the smattering of hoodoos, which are spire-like rock formations.
One of the best ways to see the hoodoos is by going to Sunrise Point, where you can see them glow in the sunlight. Moreover, there are other intriguing natural sculptures in Bryce, like Thor’s Hammer, Bryce Amphitheater, and Two Bridges.
If you’d like to do a short hike, I recommend the Navajo Loop or Queen’s Garden Trail. You can combine these routes and loop past Queen Victoria and Wall Street, ending at Thor’s Hammer.
The next stop will be the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, so head to your hotel and get some rest.
- Recommended accommodations: Stay at the Cowboy Country Inn or the Canyon Country Lodge
Day 4 – 115 miles, 3 hrs 40 mins
Besides Zion and Bryce Canyon, there are lots of other cool things to do in Utah. The next stop on this road trip from Las Vegas to Utah is the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, a remote region in southern Utah.
GSENM covers an expansive area, so you won’t be able to see everything during your trip. I recommend checking out the Hole-in-the-Rock Scenic Byway, a 55-mile road that winds around several attractions. It’s a good way to see the Zebra and Tunnel Canyons, the Devil’s Garden, Batty Pass Caves, Jacob Hamblin Arch, Coyote Natural Bridge, and more.
The arches in this place are out of this world, as are the Spooky and Brimstone Gulches. After basking in the magnitude of this natural monument, do the short drive to Capitol Reef and rest up.
- Recommended accommodations: Spend the night at the Capitol Reef Resort or Broken Spur Inn & Steakhouse
Day 5 – 160 miles, 2 hrs 45 mins
This Utah national park road trip from Las Vegas continues with a visit to Capitol Reef National Park. The area is known for its white sandstone cliffs and domes, which look like dried-up reefs. That said, it’s also in southern Utah’s red rock country, so the landscape is quite beautiful.
You can see lots of canyons, cliffs, gorges, and petroglyphs while traveling along the park’s Scenic Drive. There are also several trailheads, so consider a short hike like the Capitol Gorge, Goosenecks, or Sunset Point Trail.
About an hour north of Capitol Reef, you’ll find Goblin Valley State Park, another interesting place to visit in Utah. Its desert landscape is characterized by giant hoodoos, which have been nicknamed “goblins.” The park offers excellent wildlife spotting and enjoyable hikes like the Carmel Canyon Loop and the Three Sisters Trail, which leads to a natural monument by the same name.
Another great thing about Goblin Valley is that it’s about 1.5 hours from Arches National Park, the next stop on this Las Vegas road trip itinerary.
- Recommended accommodations: Red Cliffs Lodge or River Canyon Lodge
Day 6 – 30 miles, 45 mins
As you might expect, Arches National Park is full of natural arches, bridges, and rock structures. It’s the perfect place to visit on any Las Vegas road trip to Utah.
Some of the most iconic spots I suggest checking out include Balanced Rock, The Windows, and Turret Arch. Double Arch is one of the most famous landmarks in the park, as is Delicate Arch, which you can reach via a 3.4-mile hike.
If you want, you can hang out in the town of Moab before heading to Canyonlands National Park. Along with shops and restaurants, Moab is home to the popular strong>Corona Arch.
- Recommended accommodations: Consider Moab Springs Ranch in Moab or Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Moab
Day 7 – 200 miles, 3 hrs 40 mins
Day 7 begins at Canyonlands National Park, home to exceptional natural landmarks like the Mesa Arch. I recommend getting there at dawn so you can see the sunrise from the arch.
That said, there are other amazing sights to see here. For example, the Washer Woman stands 500 feet tall, and Monster Tower is even higher. One of the best viewpoints here is the Green River Overlook, where you can gaze at an impressive landscape from 1,000 feet up.
The park offers wildlife spotting, hiking, and kayaking throughout its four regions, so I suggest checking beforehand and planning which section to visit during your day here.
Moreover, together with Arches and Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point State Park is also worth visiting. Known as the setting for the film helma & Louise, the park has some family-friendly hikes to beautiful viewpoints. I recommend the Dead Horse Point Overlook Trail or the Visitor Center Nature Trail. They’re short enough to give you time to drive to Monument Valley and rest for tomorrow.
- Recommended accommodations: Book a room at Goulding’s Lodge or check out our guide on where to stay in Monument Valley
Day 8 – 125 miles, 2 hrs 10 mins
On Day 8, it’s time to bring this Las Vegas road trip to Arizona. The first stop in this state is Monument Valley, one of our personal favorites. With its striking landscape of red stone and green desert shrubs, it’s no wonder this place was a backdrop for movies like Fort Apache and Back to the Future III.
If you can time it right, catch the sunrise at Merrick Butte; it’ll leave you breathless. Of course, there are other iconic views here, such as the one from John Ford’s Point. A few other cool sights include Camel Butte, the Three Sisters, and Elephant Butte. If you want to do a self-guided hike, do the Wildcat Trail around the West Mitten Butte.
Monument Valley is the best introduction to Arizona, although as you drive to Page, Arizona, you’ll see that there is more to come!
- Recommended accommodations: Sleep at Country Inn & Suites by Radisson or one of the places in our Page hotels guide
Day 9 – 150 miles, 2 hrs 50 mins
Antelope Canyon is an absolute dream to visit, so you must add it to your Las Vegas road trip itinerary. It’s one thing to see photos of this place and another to walk through the slot canyon yourself.
We have a complete visitor’s guide with tips on how to photograph Antelope Canyon and which tour to take. I’ll tell you that both the Upper and Lower canyons are gorgeous, so there’s no wrong choice here!
What’s also great about Antelope Canyon is that it’s close to Horseshoe Bend, another stop on this Arizona road trip from Las Vegas. Be sure to make a quick stop here to see the view from nearly 1,000 feet high. You’ll want your camera with you because Horseshoe Bend offers the best images of the Colorado River.
After an exciting day, drive to the Grand Canyon and get some sleep for a full day of exploring tomorrow.
- Recommended accommodations: Stay at Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn or The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon, or consult our guide on where to stay in the Grand Canyon
Day 10 – 300 miles, 5 hrs 15 mins
Last but not least, this 10-day road trip from Las Vegas goes to the Grand Canyon. The South Rim is where Grand Canyon Village is, so I recommend exploring this area. There are popular overlooks and trails here, such as the South Kaibab Trail or the Rim Trail.
If your budget allows, I highly recommend taking a helicopter tour over the canyon. Not only is a helicopter ride a good use of your time, but you’ll be able to escape the crowds and see an entirely new view of the Grand Canyon.
Be sure to plan enough time to make the drive to Las Vegas from Arizona. Right before you hit the city limits, you’ll pass through Boulder City and the Hoover Dam. Consider checking out the Visitor Center or Memorial Bridge before heading into Vegas.
- Recommended accommodations: Recover from your road trip at one of the best hotels in Las Vegas
VEGAS car TRIP ALTERNATIVES
One day short
If you’re short on time, you can skip Monument Valley and save 150 miles (about 2.5 hours) of driving.
One extra day
If you have an extra day, consider spending more time in Zion since there are so many things to see there.
You could also extend your time at the Grand Canyon and visit the West Rim and Skywalk. It adds 90 miles (2 hrs 15 mins) of driving.
Yet another option is to check out Red Rock Country in Sedona, Arizona. The distinct canyon landscape includes Oak Creek Canyon, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Tuzigoot National Monument. It adds 135 miles (3 hrs) of driving.
Two extra days
With two extra days, you can maximize your road trip from Las Vegas to Arizona by visiting Salt Lake City. The city is full of impressive temples, parks, natural areas, and, of course, Great Salt Lake. It adds 355 miles (6 hrs 50 mins) of driving.
Another way you can maximize your road trip from Las Vegas to Arizona is by visiting Sedona and Phoenix. Check out the iconic attractions along the Red Rock Scenic Byway in Sedona. Then go to Phoenix, home to the Desert Botanical Garden, several impressive hiking trails, and South Mountain Park, one of the largest in the U.S. It adds 295 miles (5 hrs 20 mins) of driving.
If you loved the Grand Canyon, spend your extra time hiking the full Bright Angel Trail and camping at the bottom of the canyon.
Three extra days
If you want to extend your trip by 3 extra days, consider adding the Havasu Falls to your itinerary. After visiting the Grand Canyon, make the drive to Supai at the Havasupai Indian Reservation. Along with a lodge, you’ll find the Havasu Falls Trailhead, which takes you past the Fifty Foot Falls and Navajo Falls. Once you get to Havasu Falls, you can see Carbonate Canyon and stay overnight at the Havasupai Campground. It adds 140 miles (4 hrs 30 mins) of driving.
Those are the five best road trips from Las Vegas! I hope you found an itinerary that works for your schedule. Be sure to check out my map of each road trip so you can see the driving distances from Vegas and planned routes.
If you want more options, check my 10-day West Coast itinerary with Las Vegas as the starting point. It’s true that we didn’t optimize miles and time, but we got to see the main national parks and cities in Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and California.
Finally, feel free to tell me about your Las Vegas road trip below or ask any questions. I’ll be happy to help you out! Safe travels!
Good morning from Australia,
I will be visiting USA August & September 2024. I will be going to several cities and town, but would like to end up in Las Vegas.
I have been to Zion National Park & Bryce Canyon twice previously and was wondering if you would be able to tailor a road trip for me of approx 5 days, departing and returning from Vegas, or departing from Salt Lake City and returning to Vegas.
i would like to visit the large rock formations in the area.
Thank you and regards
Peter
Hi Peter,
That sounds awesome. I would start by looking at our 10-day road trip from Las Vegas (which goes to Utah), and tailoring it to your interests. For example, skip Zion and Bryce Canyon, and instead check out the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, which has some unique formations. There are lots of cool things to see in Utah, but I recommend the national parks at Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands.