Utah and Arizona Road Trip Itinerary: What You MUST SEE in the Southwest

This Arizona and Utah road trip is full of canyons, national parks, and breathtaking desert drives.

From canyons to deserts to rivers, the Southwestern U.S. calls to adventurers and explorers. You could spend endless time uncovering the stunning landscapes here, but a 4 day Utah and Arizona road trip is the perfect introduction to the region.

Along the border of the two states, the Colorado River and its tributaries create breathtaking scenes preserved in national parks and recreation areas.

This Arizona Utah itinerary in the Southwest is perfect for first-timers looking for epic hikes, famous landmarks, and photo-worthy backdrops. It packs in tons of activities, so slow things down if you have more time and scroll to the end for a few ideas for how to extend the trip.

Las Vegas is a great place to start this road trip, since there is an international airport in the city and lots of national parks in driving distance. I’ve done this itinerary starting in Vegas and in Phoenix, Arizona.

You could also incorporate the 4 days into a longer road trip in the Southwest or add them on to a Vegas holiday. Read on for some of the best places to see on an Arizona and Utah road trip.

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The Ultimate 4 Day Utah and Arizona Road Trip

Use this Utah and Arizona map to plan out your road trip route from Las Vegas. I like to do a loop to maximize my sightseeing!

Renting a campervan is the perfect way to explore this area. You can stay at campgrounds in or near the national parks but have a built in bed and kitchenette. Escape Campervans even has Jeep models with a rooftop tent!

Day 1 — Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon

This 4-day road trip from Las Vegas begins early in the morning. If you arrive later, you can skip the tour at Hoover Dam and just stop by for photos since you’ll be driving right by it. The rest of the day will involve some scenic routes in Arizona after you cross the state line.

Hoover Dam

Start your Arizona Utah road trip with a visit to Hoover Dam, which is just 30 miles outside Las Vegas on the border of Nevada and Arizona. You can drive and walk along the top for free or book a tour to learn about the history of the engineering marvel and seeing how it works up close.

Powerplant tour tickets can be purchased ahead of time online, but dam tours are first-come, first-served. Arrive at the visitor center as soon as it opens (9 a.m.) or you might have to wait around for a later tour time.

Historic Route 66

The four-hour Arizona road trip from Hoover to the Grand Canyon might seem like a long, boring stretch of road, but luckily there is a bucket list experience on the way. About 75 miles into the drive at the town of Kingman, hop on historic Route 66 for a minor detour on your way east.

It only adds about 20 minutes to the trip versus taking Interstate 40. Pull over along the way to check out some of the retro diners and abandoned gas stations that litter the Mother Road here.

Williams, Arizona

Known as the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon,” the small town of Williams is a quirky and touristy blend of Route 66 memorabilia and Western cowboy culture. Route 66 is the main road through the town, which was bypassed by the interstate in the 1980s, and is lined with gift shops, hotels and eateries.

Williams is a good base for Grand Canyon vacations, since the South Rim is 60 miles north on State Route 64, and accommodations get pricier as you move closer to the national park. From Williams, you can also hop on the Grand Canyon Railway for an entertaining and scenic train ride into the park.

Grand Canyon National Park

Without any extensive detours, you should arrive in time to watch the sunset at the Grand Canyon (check the times), one of the most spectacular things to do in Arizona. If you arrive by mid-afternoon, you’ll have time to walk along some of the Rim Trail to scope out your ideal sunset spot.

Hopi Point along Hermit Road is one of the most popular views, as it juts into the canyon for east-west vistas of the changing colors in the sky and canyon. You’ll have to ride one of the park’s free shuttle buses to get here (the road is closed to cars from March to November), so plan ahead and anticipate crowds during busy times like summer, holidays and weekends.

Where to Stay Near the Grand Canyon

Staying within the national park is the most convenient option for maximizing time, and there are several lodges in Grand Canyon Village, as well as RV and tent camping grounds. The town of Tusayan has hotels just a few miles outside the entrance to the park and is connected via free shuttle, while Williams, 60 miles south, has a wide range of affordable options. These are the closest cities to the Grand Canyon for more options.

Search for Grand Canyon hotels and lodges or search for campervans for a more outdoorsy trip.

Day 2 — Grand Canyon to Horseshoe Bend

Day 2 of this 4 day Southwest road trip is all about Grand Canyon National Park, and you’ll have lots of options for activities there before driving on to Page, Arizona, for another bucket list sunset at Horseshoe Bend.

Grand Canyon South Rim

Consider waking up to catch the sunrise at the Grand Canyon and get an early start to your day at the South Rim. Mather Point near the main visitor center is a fantastic spot, though popular.  

The rest of the morning and afternoon is for Grand Canyon activities, with plenty to choose from at the South Rim. If you enjoy hiking, you can tackle a couple of miles on paths like the South Kaibab or Bright Angel trails that lead to the bottom of the canyon.

Or, take in the views from along the Rim Trail, which spans 12.8 miles (shuttles run the whole length). Bike rentals and mule rides are other popular ways to explore the canyon.

Desert View Drive

Before leaving the Grand Canyon, cruise along Desert View Drive, a 25-mile path from Grand Canyon Village to the east entrance/exit of the park. A handful of lookouts along the way have views of the Colorado River, and there are a few picnic areas as well.

The Tusayan Museum and adjoining Ancestral Puebloan ruins are just before the exit. So is the Desert View Watchtower, which you can climb for panoramic vistas of the canyon.

Horseshoe Bend

The final destination of the day is another 110 miles away, just outside of Page at Horseshoe Bend, an Arizona bucket list sight. Arrive before sunset to take in the views of the Colorado River, which makes a stunning U-turn here against the deep, orange cliffs.

The hike from a parking area to the rim is about 1.5 miles round trip. It gets crowded as the sun dips below the horizon, but there are plenty of viewpoints to pick from.

Read Next: These National Parks are Perfect for Fall Vacations

Where to Stay in Page

Accommodations in the small town of Page range from familiar chains to low-key, budget-friendly motels. If you decide to extend your stay here, you can rent a houseboat on Lake Powell for a one-of-kind vacation!

Search for deals on hotels in Page on Booking.com.

Day 3 — Antelope Canyon to Bryce Canyon

The 4 days in Arizona and Utah continue with a visit to a famous slot canyon, followed by a stone forest as you begin the Utah road trip portion. If you have extra time, add another day in to explore more of Bryce Canyon or one of the other Mighty 5 Utah national parks nearby.

Sunrise View

If you want to experience Horseshoe Bend without the sunset crowds, consider a visit in the morning, when you’ll get to see the shadows moving down the rocks as the sun rises higher in the sky. Since the hike here isn’t too strenuous, stopping by again doesn’t take much time from your agenda, but you will have to pay the parking fee a second time.

Antelope Canyon

Next up are the winding paths and soaring sandstone walls of Antelope Canyon. Erosion has carved passageways that you can walk through, smoothing the orange sides with a unique brushed pattern.

Visiting the slot canyon requires a guided tour for safety reasons, and booking ahead is essential during busier times for Upper Antelope Canyon or Lower Antelope Canyon, the two most popular sections.

A third tour spot, Antelope Canyon X, is still relatively unknown and way less crowded, so walk-ups can sometimes be accommodated. To catch the famous sunbeams that shoot down into Upper Antelope Canyon, a tour around midday is recommended, otherwise choose something in the morning to make more time for the next destination.

Page and Lake Powell

For the second half of the day, you can hang out around Page for a while longer to do things like kayaking and boating on Lake Powell and touring Glen Canyon Dam. Or, consider drive north through Utah for an afternoon at Bryce Canyon, which I’ll elaborate on below.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon is out of the way a little for a short trip (60 miles past where I recommend spending the night), but worth it for a few hours in the park and a scenic drive up.

Bryce Canyon National Park preserves the world’s largest collection of hoodoos, rocks weathered into towering columns that rise from a bowl-like canyon floor. With just a couple of hours in the park, you can drive to different viewpoints or walk a mile of the rim trail between Sunrise Point and Sunset Point.

There are a couple of shorter paths that lead into the canyon, too, including the Queens Garden and Navajo trails, each less than 2 miles round-trip. If you have more time, longer treks go to the stone forest on the canyon floor.

This is my favorite Bryce Canyon and Zion road trip.

Read Next: This Road Trip Packing List Includes all the Essentials and a Free Checklist

Where to Stay Near Zion National Park

Since you’ll be spending the next day in Zion National Park, look to towns convenient to the park entrances. Springdale is adjacent on the southern end. On the eastern side, look at Mt. Carmel Junction or Kenab, charming small towns with locally owned hotels and restaurants.

Find the best Zion National Park hotels and resorts on Booking.com.

This guide has the best places to stay near Zion National Park.

Day 4 — Zion to Las Vegas

The final day of this Las Vegas Utah Arizona road trip is reserved for Zion National Park, with time to drive back to Vegas for a late night or early morning flight.

Zion-Mount Carmel Highway

Entering Zion from the east involves a 12-mile scenic drive along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, which has stunning views of sandstone mountains, along with switchbacks and tunnels. Get an early start, as the parking lot at the visitor center can fill before 9 a.m. on busy mornings.

Canyon Overlook Trail

On your way into the park, you might want to stop to hike the Canyon Overlook Trail, which is located at the East Side Tunnel on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway before the road descends to the canyon floor. The 1-mile, round-trip path leads to views of the Zion and Pine Creek canyons.

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive

With the Virgin River running through and pink sandstone cliffs soaring into bright blue skies, Zion National Park was made for outdoor adventures. A shuttle transports visitors along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive to various trailheads, with hikes for every ability.

Zion National Park Hikes

For an easy path along the water, try the Riverside Walk, a paved, 2.2-mile option leading to The Narrows, a strenuous but bucket-list-worthy hike through the Virgin River. Thrill-seekers often head straight for Angels Landing, a 5.4-mile route that ends in a daring crawl up a steep ridge (you need a permit for this hike).

Return to Las Vegas

The 160-mile drive back to Las Vegas is a final scenic treat, covering incredible natural landscapes as you pass through Utah, Arizona and Nevada. In the Virgin River Gorge, red rock faces line the highway. If you arrive in the city early enough or don’t leave until the following day, you might have time to take in the Las Vegas Strip or a show.

Where to Stay in Las Vegas

Spend the night in one of Las Vegas' dazzling resorts, like the Bellagio or the Venetian.

Find the perfect Las Vegas resort for your trip on Booking.com.

Tips for an Arizona and Utah Road Trip

Below, I’ve rounded up some tips for your Arizona Utah road trip. I’ve driven this route a few times now, so I hope this guide will help you plan!

National Park Entrance Fees and Passes

If you plan to visit all three national parks in this Utah Arizona road trip, consider purchasing an America the Beautiful annual pass, which covers entrance fees at national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and more. The $80 price tag works out cheaper than paying the admittance for a car (around $30-35) at each park.

If you plan to road trip Arizona, Utah, Colorado and other states in the Southwest in the same year, the pass will be a bargain for national park visits.

When to Visit Utah and Arizona

This region gets extremely hot in summer, so be prepared with sunscreen, hats, and lots of drinking water. Summers also get very crowded at the big parks like Grand Canyon and Zion, so try to schedule a Utah to Arizona road trip in early spring or late fall, if possible.

Utah and Arizona Time Zones

You’ll be crossing time zones (Pacific and Mountain) on this Utah Arizona road trip itinerary, so pay attention if you have any tours booked. Nevada is in the Pacific Time Zone and Utah in the Mountain Time Zone, while Arizona observes Mountain Standard Time, which means clocks here don’t move forward with daylight savings time.

So, during standard time (roughly November through mid-March), Arizona and Utah are at the same time, but during daylight savings time, Arizona and Nevada are at the same time.

To make matters even more confusing, the Navajo Nation, which includes the northeastern corner of Arizona, DOES observe daylight savings time. So, if you visit in summer, prepare to watch your clocks freaking out and switching back and forth.

Other Things To Do Near Arizona and Utah

If you have more time to extend your Arizona to Utah road trip, there are a number of other parks and sites not far from this route, including the Grand Canyon North Rim, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Coconino and Prescott national forests, Monument Valley, and five Utah national parks (the two on this itinerary plus Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef).

Within day-trip distance of Las Vegas, you’ll find some more scenic spots like Valley of Fire State Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Sloan and Red Rock Canyon national conservation areas, and Death Valley National Park, home to the lowest point in North America.