The Perfect Two Week Itinerary For a Southwest Roadtrip
The American Southwest is uniquely magical. The vast, rugged landscapes and vibrant sunsets are truly like no other place on earth.
Each mile of the road uncovers a new breathtaking landscape. From the red rock hoodoos in Bryce Canyon, to the casinos in Vegas, the southwest has unlimited places to explore. Preparing for a roadtrip might seem daunting at first, but having a thorough itinerary helps take a lot of stress out of the planning process.
Here is my simple two week southwest roadtrip itinerary!
Know Before You Go
Best Time To Go: The fall is the best time to do a roadtrip because it’s not so hot and you can beat some of the summer crowds. Know that temperatures can pass 100 degrees in the summer, and the winter weather can cause road and park closures.
Where To Fly To: I recommend flying into Las Vegas for this trip since it is a good starting and ending point for the trip. Some other nearby airports are Phoenix, Flagstaff, and St. George.
Rental Vehicle: If you are flying to the southwest and are not participating in a group tour, you willl definitely need a rental vehicle. Consider how much you are packing and how many people are going to determine which size car you want to rent.
America The Beautiful Pass: Consider purchasing the National Parks Annual Pass for $80. This will get you into all of the national parks and monuments, and there are several on this itinerary. If you don’t purchase the pass, it will cost approximately $25-35 per park depending on which one.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the most convenient place to start the trip, and the most convenient to fly to.
You may be surprised to hear that there is a to more to do in Vegas than gambling. You can visit Red Rocks National Conservation Area ($15 or free with America the beautiful Pass) to see some colorful rocks and mountains. You can also have a nice dinner on the Strip and take in the lights and nightlife of Las Vegas. My favorite part of the Strip is the Fountains of Bellagio which flows to a song every 30 minutes.
Grand Canyon
The face of the southwest, the Grand Canyon is definitely a must see place on this trip.
The Grand Canyon is approximately 4 hours and 15 mins away from Las Vegas. I recommend giving yourself a full 24 hours here. There are lots of drivable lookout spots, or you can hike down the rim to explore the canyon a bit more.
Make sure you put in directions to the South Rim Visitor Center, there is much more to see here than at the North Rim.
Sedona
With endless miles of hiking trails, Sedona is truly one of the most magical places in the southwest. It’s like heaven for hikers.
I fell in love with Sedona when I visited last year. I felt like I could’ve spent an entire month exploring the unique landscapes and hiking trails. the Devil’s Bridge is a popular and iconic photo spot as long as you’re not afraid of heights. If you have the chance to catch the sunset, hike up Cathedral Rock. It is one of the best sunset spots I have ever been to. Bring a flashlight for the way back after the sun goes down!
I recommend spending a full two days here in order to take in as much of its amazing scenery as possible.
Monument Valley
The vast, rugged landscapes of Monument Valley make it one of the most famous places in the southwest.
You can walk o the same road that Forrest Gump ran on in his award winning movie and catch the sunrise over the vibrant red rocks. there are not any large towns nearby, so it is very quiet and peaceful in this part of Utah. I recommend staying the night in Kayenta or Mexican Hat, two nearby small towns.
Make sure you have plenty of gas when you drive around here. There are not many places to fill up!
Moab
Moab is full of amazing places for adventure.
Moab is home to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, as well as acres and acres of BLM land. I recommend taking a drive through Arches National Park and visiting the famous Delicate Arch. If you have the time, head over to Canyonlands to see huge canyons and Mesa Arch. If you’re into adventures and excursions, this is the place for you. Choose from ATV tours, rafting, ziplining, and more! Spend a full two days here to make the most of your experience in Moab.
Bryce Canyon
Visiting Bryce Canyon for the first time was truly unforgettable.
Bryce Canyon National Park has some of the most stunning and delicate rock formations in all of the Unites States. The hoodoos glow in the colors of the sunrise, which I highly recommend getting up to see. I would spend a full day here hiking and exploring the canyon. The Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop Trail is a great one for the family, and Inspiration Point is the place to be for the sunrise.Â
Cedar Breaks
Cedar Breaks is the perfect pitstop along the drive from Bryce Canyon to Zion.
Cedar Breaks is a national monument that looks like a mini Bryce Canyon. There some nice hiking trails and overlooks here, and there is much less of a crowd. The amphitheater faces the opposite direction as Bryce, so here the sunset is amazing. The America the Beautiful Pass is accepted here as well.
Zion
Zion National Park is another hiker’s paradise, filled with miles of stunning hiking trails.
The drive from Bryce Canyon to Zion is so scenic, and only an hour and a half long. I would give yourself a full day and maybe even the next morning to explore this park. My favorite trail here is the Narrows if you’re willing to get wet. It’s a must do hike in Zion, famous for its huge, narrow canyon walls. If you’re looking for a family friendly hike, I recommend the Emerald Pools. The waterfalls and rock formations are incredible.
Valley of Fire
Before your journey comes to an end, check out the red rocks in Valley of Fire!
Reaching the end of this two week itinerary, Valley of Fire is the last stop on the list. It is on the way from Zion to Las Vegas, and it has some of the reddest rocks I have ever seen. The road in the park is very scenic, with lots of places to stop and take in the views. Be aware that there may be closures due to heat depending on what time of year you decide to visit.
The american southwest is one of the best places for a roadtrip, with miles and miles of unique scenery and hiking trails. There is so much to see and do for all types of families, but especially those who love the outdoors. I highly recommend spending time out here and experiencing all of the adventures that nature has to offer.
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