Arches National Park, Utah, USA

Horseshoe Bend, Arizona, USA

Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

Lake Powell, AZ, USA

Arizona, USA

Utah, USA

Page, AZ, USA

Monument Valley, AZ, USA

Moab, UT, USA

Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA

A GRAND Canyon Road Trip

We arrived in Las Vegas early in the morning and set off for Williams, Arizona by noon, a charming town located on Route 66, just an hour's drive from the Grand Canyon. Williams offers a delightful western ambiance with a variety of bars and restaurants to enjoy.

Below is a list of accommodations in or close to Williams. 

On this trip, we prioritized comfort and convenience by opting for hotels along the way. While I usually prefer Airbnb or campsites to immerse myself in nature and local culture, keeping my mom's comfort in mind would ensure a smooth and exciting trip. 

Comfort by the Canyon King bed WiFi - Williams, AZ, US

This cute Airbnb not too far from downtown was perfect! It was super clean, bright, and comfortable. 

Arrive at the Grand Canyon early in the morning to avoid the crowds. When we got there around 7 a.m., we had the entire canyon to ourselves!

 The view was absolutely stunning, with the morning sunlight casting beautiful shadows on the canyon walls. It's an experience that truly takes your breath away and one that you have to witness in person to fully appreciate.

After spending time at the Grand Canyon you head two and a half hours north to Page, Arizona. 

I recommend departing the Grand Canyon around noon or 1 p.m. to avoid the peak crowds. You should arrive in Page by 3:30 p.m., where you will stay for the next two nights!

Upon arriving in Page from the Grand Canyon, you'll come across Horseshoe Bend on your left-hand side off of Highway 89. I recommend visiting the bend before checking in to your accommodation and unwinding for the night.

Horseshoe Bend is an absolute must-visit when exploring Arizona by road. The short and easy hike means that even those with limited mobility can enjoy the incredible view at the end.

It was such a special road trip around Arizona and Utah in the summer of 2022. My daughter was five years old, and I finally convinced my mom to come on a road trip with me. 

My mom has NEVER left the East Coast of the United States. I was so excited to share this experience with her and see her marvel at the giant rock formations and canyons that are so different from the East Coast. 

Here is what we saw on our seven-day Arizona and Utah road trip: 

 Considering that most working people in the United States only get a week or two of time off per year, I carefully designed this Arizona and Utah road trip to be completed in seven or eight days and offer some of the country's most breathtaking scenery.

Here is a list of things to see and do on days three and four! 

On day four, you'll be spending quite a bit of time in the car, but hey, that's all part of the road trip experience, right? I suggest getting up early and grabbing some breakfast in Page before fueling up for the day ahead. After that, you're headed to one of the most iconic spots of the wild wild west - Monument Valley

The Monument Valley auto road will take you about two and a half to three hours to complete so make sure you give yourself enough time to get to Moab at a reasonable hour. 

We hit Monument Valley by 9 a.m. and were done by noon. We grabbed some snacks and filled the tank again, and we were able to make it to Moab between 4 and 5 p.m. 

Moab has a main drag lined with accommodation options, but here are my picks. 

I suggest leaving early, around 6:30 -7, to complete the last leg of this road trip as early as possible. 

At the end of a long road trip, I ]understand the importance of giving yourself some extra time to relax and get organized. Personally, I like to book an additional night in Vegas and leave the next day, but If you're working with a tight schedule and only have seven days, consider booking a late flight out to give yourself some extra time. 

If you're heading back to the East Coast and have a red-eye flight, it's still a good idea to book a room, even if it's just for a few hours, to give yourself a chance to recharge. These road trips, while so worth it, can take a lot out of you.

Thanks for checking out my itinerary! I hope you get as much joy and adventure out of it as I did. If you have any questions or are looking for more suggestions, don't hesitate to ask. I'm always happy to help!

A GRAND Canyon Road Trip

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