There are few road trips that feel quite as epic as the American Southwest.
I still remember driving through those vast desert landscapes, where seemingly endless highways cut between towering red-rock formations and some of the most spectacular national parks in the US. My husband and I travelled through the region as part of a huge road trip in 2017, just before we moved home to Australia after spending two years living in the US.
Our original trip started in Denver and finished in Los Angeles, taking us through Colorado, Utah, Arizona and Nevada along the way. It was an incredible adventure — but having now travelled around the Southwest on multiple trips, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend following our exact route.
Instead, I’ve put together the 10-day American Southwest road trip that I’d suggest for first-time visitors. Starting and finishing in Las Vegas, this loop takes in Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks before continuing through Page, Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon and Sedona.
If you’re dreaming of red-rock canyons, desert highways and ridiculously scenic drives, here’s my recommended 10-day American Southwest road trip itinerary from Las Vegas.
Quick summary:
This 10-day American Southwest road trip starts and finishes in Las Vegas, travelling through Zion, Bryce Canyon, Page, Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon and Sedona. I’ve included a day-by-day driving route, where to stay, and practical tips based on my own travels through the region.
Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the ideal place to begin an American Southwest road trip. It has a major airport with plenty of rental car options, and from the city you can quickly leave the neon lights behind and head towards the desert landscapes of Utah and Arizona.
I’d keep your first day fairly relaxed, especially if you’ve flown a long way to get here. Check into your hotel, wander along the Las Vegas Strip, and perhaps head somewhere with a view around sunset when the city starts lighting up.
I’ve visited Las Vegas a few times over the years, and I always have a good time there. It’s loud, chaotic and completely over-the-top, but that’s exactly what makes it such a fun place to visit. Even if casinos aren’t your thing, there are loads of other interesting things to do in Vegas, so it’s worth giving yourself some time to enjoy the city before setting off on your road trip.
Read more: Fun things to do in Las Vegas (that don’t involve gambling)
If you arrive early enough, you could visit somewhere like the Neon Museum or explore Downtown Las Vegas and Fremont Street. I wouldn’t try to squeeze too much into this first day, though — there are plenty of early starts and outdoor adventures coming up over the next nine days.
Where to stay in Las Vegas
I’ve stayed at Palms Place, just west of the Las Vegas Strip, and found it to be a good base for the city. I liked being slightly removed from the craziness of the Strip while still being close enough to easily access the main sights. The apartment-style rooms are also handy at the beginning of a longer road trip when you might appreciate having a little more space.
Day 2: Las Vegas to Zion National Park
It’s time to leave the bright lights of Las Vegas behind and properly begin your Southwest road trip! The drive to Zion National Park takes around 2.5–3 hours, crossing through a corner of Arizona before entering southern Utah.
I’d recommend leaving Vegas reasonably early so that you have most of the afternoon to spend in Zion. Keep in mind that Utah is an hour ahead of Nevada for much of the year, so you may lose an hour along the way depending on when you’re travelling.
Zion is one of those national parks where the scenery starts well before you reach the hiking trails. Huge sandstone cliffs rise around the canyon, and the landscape feels dramatically different from Las Vegas despite being only a few hours away.
For your first afternoon, I’d keep things fairly easy rather than attempting one of Zion’s major hikes. You could ride the park shuttle through Zion Canyon, stop at some of the viewpoints and tackle one of the shorter trails. This will give you a good introduction to the park before dedicating most of the following day to exploring it properly.
If you’re visiting during the busy season, it’s worth familiarising yourself with Zion’s shuttle system before you arrive. Private vehicles are restricted from Zion Canyon Scenic Drive when the shuttle is operating, so you’ll generally need to park in Springdale or near the visitor centre and use the shuttle to reach the main trailheads.
Where to stay near Zion National Park
I’d recommend staying in Springdale, which sits immediately outside the entrance to Zion National Park. It’s the most convenient base for this itinerary, with hotels, restaurants and access to the shuttle system within easy reach.
Day 3: Zion National Park
Give yourself a full day to explore Zion National Park. When I visited, I only had a day in the park, so I did a loop combining the Emerald Pools Trail with the Kayenta Trail — a gorgeous, relatively easy way to experience Zion Canyon.
The trail followed the river beneath towering sandstone cliffs, passing behind a small waterfall at the Emerald Pools before continuing along the Kayenta Trail. One of my favourite parts was the elevated view across the valley, with the Virgin River winding between Zion’s enormous red-rock cliffs.
If you’re after something more adventurous, you could instead tackle one of Zion’s famous hikes such as The Narrows or Angels Landing. Both require more preparation, so check current conditions and permit requirements before your visit.
Spend a second night in Springdale, ready to drive to Bryce Canyon National Park the following morning.
Day 4: Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park
Leave Zion in the morning and make your way to Bryce Canyon National Park. The drive takes around two hours, so you’ll still have plenty of time to explore once you arrive.
Bryce Canyon was one of my favourite landscapes in Utah. The park is famous for its thousands of orange and pink hoodoos — tall, narrow rock formations that fill the huge natural amphitheatre below the canyon rim.
When I visited, I did a short hike that descended from the rim and wound between the hoodoos, which I believe was the Navajo Loop Trail. Seeing these bizarre rock formations from above is impressive, but walking right amongst them gives you a completely different perspective.
I’d spend the rest of the afternoon exploring some of the viewpoints along the rim, then stick around for sunset if the weather cooperates.
Where to stay near Bryce Canyon
Staying close to the national park makes sense for this itinerary, especially if you want to catch sunset or get an early start the following morning.
Day 5: Bryce Canyon to Page
Leave Bryce Canyon in the morning and drive south towards Page, a small Arizona town surrounded by some seriously impressive desert scenery. The drive takes around 2.5–3 hours, so you can take your time and still have most of the afternoon to explore.
Your main stop for the day should be Horseshoe Bend, where the Colorado River makes an enormous horseshoe-shaped curve through the sandstone canyon below. It’s an easy walk from the parking area to the viewpoint, and I’d allow around an hour here to wander along the rim and take in the views.
I visited Horseshoe Bend on my 2017 Southwest road trip, and while the viewpoint has become much more developed since then, that dramatic view over the river is still one of the classic sights around Page.
I’d save Antelope Canyon for the following morning rather than trying to cram both attractions into one afternoon. Tours run at scheduled times, so having it booked for Day 6 also gives you a clear departure time for the drive to Monument Valley afterwards.
Where to stay in Page
Page is the most convenient place to stay for visiting both Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, with plenty of accommodation and restaurants in town.
Day 6: Antelope Canyon to Monument Valley
Start the morning with a tour of Antelope Canyon, one of the most spectacular natural attractions around Page. The narrow slot canyon is famous for its swirling sandstone walls, which glow in shades of orange and red as sunlight filters down from above.
Antelope Canyon can only be visited on a guided tour, so you’ll need to book ahead and arrive at your designated time. I’ve put together a separate guide on how to visit Antelope Canyon with more information on choosing a tour and what to expect.
Read more: How to visit Antelope Canyon: What to know before you go
After your tour, continue east towards Monument Valley, around two hours from Page. This was a destination I’d wanted to visit for years before finally making it there on my 2017 road trip, and the landscape absolutely lived up to my expectations. Those enormous sandstone buttes rising from the desert floor really do look as impressive in person as they do in photos.
Allow some time in the afternoon to explore Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, then stay overnight so that you can experience the desert around sunset and sunrise. I stayed in a glamping tent when I visited and loved waking up surrounded by the Monument Valley landscape.
Read more: How to visit Monument Valley: Best things to do in the Wild West
Where to stay in Monument Valley
If I were planning this trip today, I’d look at Goulding’s Lodge. I haven’t personally stayed there, but its location surrounded by the red-rock landscape makes it a particularly appealing option for an overnight stop at Monument Valley.
Day 7: Monument Valley to Grand Canyon South Rim
If you’re up for an early start, catch the sunrise over Monument Valley before driving towards the Grand Canyon South Rim. The journey takes around three hours, and you’ll approach the national park from the east via the Desert View entrance.
This is actually a great way to arrive at the Grand Canyon, as you can follow Desert View Drive towards Grand Canyon Village and stop at viewpoints along the way. I’d allow plenty of time for this section rather than driving straight through — your first glimpse into that enormous canyon is something worth slowing down for.
Read more: Grand Canyon in one day: The ultimate South Rim itinerary
I’ve visited the Grand Canyon a few times now, and it still blows me away every time. For this itinerary, I’d spend the afternoon exploring the South Rim viewpoints and walking a section of the Rim Trail before sticking around to watch the colours change across the canyon towards sunset.
Where to stay at the Grand Canyon
If your budget allows, El Tovar Hotel would be my pick for this itinerary. I haven’t personally stayed there, but the historic hotel sits right on the South Rim in Grand Canyon Village, which is a pretty unbeatable location for making the most of a short visit. Staying inside the national park also means you’ll be close to the canyon for sunset and can get an early start the following morning without having to drive back in.
Day 8: Grand Canyon to Sedona
Wake up early for one last look at the Grand Canyon before continuing south to Sedona. If you’re staying near the rim, this is a great opportunity to catch sunrise or squeeze in another short walk before leaving the national park.
The drive to Sedona takes around two hours, but I’d allow longer as you approach town. The final stretch through Oak Creek Canyon is particularly scenic, with the road winding through forest before emerging amongst the red-rock formations that surround Sedona.
Once you’ve checked into your hotel, spend the afternoon getting your bearings and exploring some of Sedona’s viewpoints. I’d save any longer hikes for the following day, when you’ll have a full day to enjoy the area without having to worry about driving anywhere afterwards.
Where to stay in Sedona
For this itinerary, I’d recommend staying somewhere fairly central in Sedona, giving you easy access to the surrounding hiking trails while still being close to restaurants and other facilities in town.
Day 9: Sedona
Spend your final full day of the road trip exploring Sedona, where huge red-rock formations surround the town in almost every direction.
When I visited Sedona, I did a Jeep tour through the surrounding landscape, and it was a very cool way to see more of the area. The tour took us off-road into the desert, reaching viewpoints and places that would have been difficult to access in a regular car.
I’d definitely recommend a Jeep tour if you want to experience Sedona beyond the town itself. Alternatively, you could spend the day hiking — Cathedral Rock and Devil’s Bridge are two of the area’s best-known trails.
Afterwards, grab something to eat in town or find a scenic spot to enjoy the late-afternoon light over Sedona’s red rocks. Spend a second night here before completing the loop back to Las Vegas the following morning.
Day 10: Sedona to Las Vegas
It’s time to complete the loop and drive back to Las Vegas. The journey from Sedona takes around 4.5 hours, so I’d leave reasonably early and allow most of the day for the drive.
Depending on your flight schedule, you could return your rental car and fly out that evening, or spend one final night in Vegas before heading home. Personally, I’d choose the extra night if you have the time — after 10 days of national parks, hiking and desert landscapes, finishing the trip with a nice meal and a fun night in Vegas sounds pretty good to me!
If you didn’t get much time to explore the city at the beginning of the trip, this is also your chance to squeeze in a few more Las Vegas activities before you leave.
How much driving is involved in this Southwest road trip?
This itinerary covers a lot of ground, but one of the things I like about this route is that most of the individual drives aren’t particularly long. You’ll generally spend around 2–3 hours travelling between destinations, with the longer drive from Sedona back to Las Vegas saved for the final day.
You’ll definitely need a rental car for this trip. I’d pick one up in Las Vegas and return it to the same location 10 days later, which keeps things simple and avoids the potential one-way fees that come with dropping a car in another city.
You don’t need anything particularly adventurous for the route itself — a regular rental car should be fine for travelling between the national parks and towns. If you’re planning any off-road activities, such as exploring the backcountry around Sedona, I’d book a dedicated tour rather than taking a rental car somewhere it isn’t supposed to go.
Best time for an American Southwest road trip
Spring and autumn are generally the most comfortable times for a road trip through the American Southwest. Temperatures are usually milder for hiking and sightseeing, and you’ll avoid some of the intense summer heat found in lower-elevation destinations such as Las Vegas and Page.
The tricky thing about this itinerary is the huge variation in elevation. Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon can be surprisingly cold while the desert areas are warm, so pack layers even if the forecast looks sunny.
Summer is possible, but you’ll need to plan outdoor activities around the heat and expect popular national parks to be busy. Winter can bring snow and icy conditions to higher elevations, which may affect hiking trails and driving.
National park passes and entry fees
This road trip visits several US national parks, so it’s worth comparing individual entrance fees with the America the Beautiful annual pass before you leave. The pass covers entrance fees at participating federal recreation sites and can work out cheaper when you’re visiting multiple national parks on the same trip.
Keep in mind that not everything on this itinerary is covered by the national parks pass. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park and Antelope Canyon are on Navajo Nation land and have their own admission or tour fees, which you’ll need to budget for separately.
American Southwest road trip FAQs
Is 10 days enough for an American Southwest road trip?
Yes! Ten days gives you enough time to see some of the Southwest’s biggest highlights without spending every day behind the wheel. This itinerary is fairly active, though, so if you prefer slower travel, you could easily stretch the same route over two weeks.
Where should you start an American Southwest road trip?
I think Las Vegas is an ideal starting point for this route. It’s well connected by flights, has plenty of rental car options, and puts you within a few hours’ drive of Zion National Park. You can also return to the same city at the end of the trip.
Do you need a 4WD for this road trip?
No. A regular rental car should be suitable for the main roads used throughout this itinerary. For any off-road experiences, such as exploring the desert around Sedona, I’d book a tour with a suitable vehicle instead.
Can you do this Southwest road trip in reverse?
Absolutely. You could travel from Las Vegas to Sedona first and complete the entire loop in reverse. I’d choose the direction that works best with accommodation availability, Antelope Canyon tour times and any other activities you want to book in advance.
How far in advance should you book this road trip?
I’d book accommodation near the national parks as early as you can, particularly if you’re travelling during popular periods. Antelope Canyon tours and any activities requiring reservations or permits are also worth organising well before your trip.
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