Difference between revisions of "Phoenix to Las Vegas by car"

Revision as of 07:15, 26 January 2009

This article is an itinerary.

Driving in the Painted Desert near Wupatki

A meandering drive from Phoenix to Las Vegas, stopping at attractions including Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam.

Understand

It's only 300 miles from Phoenix to Vegas, and the distance between the two along the shortest line could easily be covered in a day. However, the number of sights and the sheer variety of scenery along and around this route is simply staggering, and a leisurely drive gives an excellent introduction to America's Southwest.

Prepare

Get in

Both Phoenix and Las Vegas are major transport hubs accessible by plane from all over the United States. Cars can easily be rented at either, and you can usually negotiate a free drop-off at the other end.

Drive

Day 1: Phoenix to Flagstaff

Red Rock Hills, near Sedona

~140 miles

• Explore Phoenix in the morning
• I-17 north to the Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon exit
• West onto SR 179 to Sedona and the Red Rock Hills
• Scenic but white-knuckled SR 89a to Flagstaff
• Overnight at Flagstaff

Flagstaff has a better range of accommodation and nightlife, but if you want to drive a little more today and a little less tomorrow, consider continuing on to Sunset Crater and Wupatki and overnighting at Cameron or Tuba City instead.

Day 2: Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon via Monument Valley

Sunset Crater

Monument Valley

~350 miles

• Route 89 north
• Detour to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Wupatki National Monument (open from 9 AM in winter, 8 AM in summer)
• East to Route 160, stop at Tuba City
• North at Kayenta onto Route 163 and Monument Valley
• Backtrack along Route 163, 160, 89 to Cameron
• West on AZ-64 to Grand Canyon in time for sunset at Desert View (East Rim)
• Overnight at Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan

Day 3: Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon

0 miles — park your car and walk!

• Full day for exploring the Canyon (or two days if you're planning to hike it)
• Overnight at Tusayan or Williams

Day 4: Grand Canyon to Las Vegas

277 miles

• I-40 west
• Take AZ-66 (a part of the historic Route 66) at Seligman
• Stops at Seligman, Huckberry
• Return to I-40 at Kingman, turn north almost immediately onto Highway 93
• Stop at Chloride
• North along Highway 93 to Hoover Dam
• Arrive in Las Vegas in time to catch sunset over the Strip

Stay safe

Much of the route is in desert areas where summer heat can be fearsome and gas stations are few and far between. Take plenty of water, and fill up your tank before heading off the Interstates.

Get out