3 States | 11 Cities | 1001 Miles

Add this road trip from Phoenix to Vegas to your bucket list! This ten-day outline visits eleven cities with gorgeous panoramic views, and includes three national parks. With these scenic backdrops, you won’t even notice the number of hours spent in a car!

Want to follow my step-by-step outline? Purchase my itinerary for a complete guide. It covers all details from lodging, dining, activities, costs, drive time between locations, and of course, tips on all things travel. (Not to mention addresses, phone numbers, hours of operations, and more!) You’ll have everything you need for your road trip from Phoenix to Vegas.

Day 1

Phoenix, Arizona

Fly into the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. If your flight is early enough, make a stop at the Desert Botanical Garden.

Break up your drive to Sedona with a stop at Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde, Arizona. As a perfect alternative to your typical zoo, Out of Africa includes a circus-like Tiger Splash Show, a safari ride, a hands-on reptile exhibit, and more. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, take a ride down the park’s Racing Raptor Ziplines!

 Travel Tip #1: Visit Out of Africa during your birthday month for discounts!

Sedona, Arizona

After a long day of travel, you’re only 30 minutes away from your next destination! We rented an Airbnb in Sedona. I highly recommend staying in or near the city, to take advantage of evening strolls downtown. On our first night, we had dinner at Open Range Grill & Tavern. If you can get a table out on the balcony, you’ll enjoy a mountain view!

Day 2

An early morning wake up had us on the move by 7am.

Travel Tip #2: If you’re traveling east to west across time zones, try to stay on your hometown’s time. This makes early morning wake-ups a breeze. The more daylight you have, the better. Besides, it’s always best to beat the crowds first thing in the AM!

We arrived at the Bell Rock Trailhead just after sunrise. The small parking lot fills up quick. Once you start your hike, however, you’ll think you have the place all to yourself! This simple hike is great for all ages. Spend as little or as long as you’d like here.

Next adventure: a Sedona jeep tour! You’ll want to book this in advance. We booked ours with Pink Adventure Tours and loved the Scenic Rim 2.0 tour. It was the perfect amount of time to take in the sights, while still having the evening to explore Sedona. Be prepared for a bumpy off-roading adventure. Secure your belongings in an enclosed bag!

After grabbing a bite to eat downtown, we ended the night at Wintery 1912. Here we enjoyed great drinks, live music, and of course, another mountain view!

Day 3

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Head north to the Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Center. Make a stop at Macy’s European Coffee House in downtown Flagstaff, and be sure to try their organic tempeh bacon!

Upon arrival at the Grand Canyon, park in the visitor center parking lot. Grab your backpack, and begin exploring! It’s as simple as that. Without a plan in mind, we were able to spend eight hours solely taking in different views of the canyon.

Take a lunch break at the visitor center, or head over to the IMAX Theatre and grab a bite to eat during the show.

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, wait until the sun starts to set. It’s like walking up to the Grand Canyon for the first time, all over again.

Check out my blog post on the Grand Canyon, for more details on the entire day.

It’s hard to leave these views, but you’ll want to head toward your next stop, Page, Arizona, by sunset. Forewarning: Page is a fairly small city, and the drive from the Grand Canyon doesn’t include many rest stops or food. Fill up on gas before heading out on this 2.5 hour drive.

Travel Tip #3: Be aware of the time upon arrival. Since Page is only seven miles from Utah’s border, your phone may pick up mountain time. You won’t want to be late to day four’s excursions!

Day 4

Page, Arizona

If you’re big on sight seeing and water activities, this is your city! 

A late night on day three calls for a later start to day four. No worries here, because your first stop doesn’t open until 8am, and it’s right around the corner.

Kayaking Lake Powell

You’ll need to rent your kayaks before heading to the lake. We picked up our gear from Kayak Lake Powell at 8am when they opened. Upon arrival at Lake Powell, drive up to the boat launch to unload your kayaks, before parking in the lot.

Lake Powell has different launch points, with multiple routes available. Download my itinerary for full details on how to enjoy the iconic canyon views shown in my photo. There aren’t many signs or directions in Page, and you won’t want to miss these sights!

We made it to the end of the path and back, in four hours.

You don’t need to be a kayaker to enjoy these views. Boat tours are available, as well as jet ski rentals. (Although, kayaking allows you to go further into the narrowing canyon!)

Travel Tip #4: Be sure to bring a waterproof camera or phone. Trust me, you won’t want to miss the opportunity for photo ops!

Antelope Canyon Tour

Make sure to book this in advance. Spots fill up quick, especially during prime time! We used Kens Tours, for an hour tour of Lower Antelope Canyon, and were amazed at the sights!

Travel Tip #5: There’s a $30 per vehicle fee at the Lake Powell entrance, but if you let them know you have also booked Ken’s Tours, you’ll only have to pay $2 for entry!

Horseshoe Bend

Take the twenty minute drive to Horseshoe Bend, before the sun starts to set. Be sure to save yourself a good fifteen minutes to walk from the parking lot to the lookout point. Bring water and a camera—it may look like a quick stop, but you won’t ever want to leave this view!

I highly recommend dinner at Big John’s Texas BBQ, for your last night in Page. If you’re looking for a fun atmosphere with live music, add this to your list! For the full experience, sit at the outdoor communal tables. We enjoyed dinner with a couple visiting all the way from Italy!

Day 5

Kanab, Utah

Break up your next drive with a quick stop to see the Toadstools in Kanab. This 30-minute round-trip hike is perfect for families, and is a great way to get out and stretch your legs!

Bryce Canyon National Park

Continue the drive through Utah to Bryce Canyon. Upon arrival, you’ll pay a $35 per vehicle entrance fee. We chose to enjoy this park by car, through its 20 mile scenic drive. It was a nice way to relax, before more hiking days ahead of us. Grab a map from the visitor center, and be sure to pull over at multiple viewpoints along the way!

Travel Tip #6: Notice the repetitive national park fees? If you plan to follow my whole itinerary, purchase an annual national park pass to save on fees!

Springdale, Utah

Continue on to Springdale, Utah. We stayed right downtown in Springdale, just outside of Zion National Park. You’ll want to do this, in order to take advantage of the free shuttle system into the park. 

Day 6

Zion National Park

This just might be our favorite National Park we’ve ever visited! The views are gorgeous, and the drive into the park is absolutely breathtaking. You’ll feel so small, driving between canyons towering up to 2,000 feet high on either side of the road.

We started off with a hike through Canyon Overlook Trail. This one mile, round-trip hike is great for all ages. Not to mention it’s an easy way to catch a gorgeous view. 

Travel tip #7: Start your mornings early! Check the current times of the shuttle system, and plan to arrive within the first hour, to avoid waiting in long lines.

After grabbing a bite to eat, we took the shuttle to stop #9 for a stroll down the Riverside Walk. This two mile out-and-back trail has paved walkways, (it’s even stroller accessible), and is an easy way to enjoy views of the river flowing along the canyons.

Travel Tip #8: If you plan to hike The Narrows, you’ll already be enjoying this hike along the way. (A tip we wish we had known!)

Day 7

Hiking the Narrows

If you’re at all adventurous, this is an absolute must-do hike. Don’t wait until your last day at Zion to conquer The Narrows. Last minute changes in weather can close the trail, and trust me, you won’t want to miss this!

My biggest advice for this entire road trip: do not talk yourself out of this one! As long as you have the proper gear, you won’t regret it.

Waterproof hiking gear can be rented throughout Springdale. Hiking boots with neoprene socks will keep your feet warm and dry. A hiking stick is also a must, and comes complimentary with all rentals. (I pride myself on having good balance, but would have taken multiple tumbles into the river, without one). The current is strong, and the rocks are slippery. The majority of this hike is in the water, and every step requires patience and carefulness. Take your time, and you’ll be just fine!

You can easily spend the entire day at The Narrows. Plan for this to be your only hike on day seven, and start EARLY! You’ll want to rent your waterproof gear as soon as they open. We picked ours up at 8am, and caught the next shuttle to the hiking trail.

Travel Tip #9: Pack enough food and water for a 9 hour day, and be sure to dress in layers. The mornings can be chilly, and the water is cold.

This is an out-and-back trail, so the length of time is all up to you. You can turn around at any point. However, once you enter into the canyon, you’ll never want to turn back! We planned for a half-day trip, but didn’t return until after 5pm.

Day 8

Relax! We spent this day taking it easy. A quick stroll down the Weeping Rock trail at shuttle stop #7 hike was a simple way to catch some great views. We headed to the hotel pool for the afternoon, (which we had all to ourselves the entire time). What a nice surprise for our anniversary!

The remainder of the day was spent downtown. We enjoyed ice cream from the Springdale Candy Company, and hit the gift shops!

Looking for a restaurant to celebrate something special? We had our anniversary dinner at Moki on the outdoor patio. This dinner with a view did not disappoint!

Day 9

Valley of Fire State Park

It was hard to leave Zion behind, but a stop at our next park made up for it! Head to Overton, Nevada to catch a few more mountain views before reaching Las Vegas.

You’ll have to pay a $10 entry fee at the visitor center. Be sure to grab a complimentary map, and have the worker point out the popular viewpoints for you. Our favorite was Mouses Tank Road. The rolling red rock hills with a mountain backdrop was a million dollar view.

Travel Tip #10: Drink lots of water at this stop! The desert heat is strong here, without a hint of shade.

Las Vegas

Continue on, until you reach your final destination: Las Vegas! The drive through the desert is gorgeous, and without warning you’ll quickly enter Paradise.

Travel Tip #11: Make your first stop the Welcome to Las Vegas sign. Once you arrive at your hotel, you won’t be driving a car again until heading to the airport.

If there’s one place to go without a plan in mind, it’s Vegas! This is where your itinerary ends. Check in to your hotel, grab a frozen drink, and relax at the hotel pool.

By this point in the trip, you’re likely exhausted. Check if your hotel has a free shuttle system to different points on the strip, and be sure to take advantage of it.

Grab a bite to eat, and head out on the strip! You don’t have to be a gambler to enjoy Vegas. We simply walked up and down Las Vegas Boulevard, checking out all the different hotels. You’ll have all night to take in the sights, since the city never sleeps!

Day 10

Almost to the finish line! As sad as it is when a trip comes to an end, you’ll most definitely need a rest by now. Head home from the McCarran International Airport with your photos, memories (and hopefully Vegas winnings), to last you a lifetime!

Download My Itinerary!

Don’t forget to check out my downloadable itinerary for your road trip from Phoenix to Vegas. This multiple page PDF package has all the info you’ll need to plan and enjoy your road trip.

Included is a printable step-by-step itinerary spreadsheet, with drive time and important tips, to take with you on your adventure! A separate information sheet lists all of my lodging, dining, and activities, with addresses, phone numbers, costs, etc. You’ll even find a grand total cost for the entire road trip, so you can start saving up now, for the road trip of a lifetime! Finally, you’ll receive a 16-page PDF itinerary booklet, with photos and important in-depth information.

Have less time to spend on your road trip, or prefer to have some relaxation time? (After all, it is a vacation!) My digital itinerary includes an alternate outlines for a more condensed trip.

Hopefully you’re convinced by now to add this road trip from Phoenix to Vegas to your bucket list. The adventure is worth every penny, and every minute spent on the road!