10-Day Southwest USA Road Trip
The ultimate national parks adventure: Las Vegas → Zion → Bryce Canyon → Antelope Canyon → Grand Canyon → Sedona. Calculated distances, drive times, and complete budget breakdown.
10 Days
Duration
850 mi
Total Distance
$1,375
Est. Cost/Person
Mar-May
Best Time
Road Trip Route Overview
1
Las Vegas (Days 1-2)
Starting point, explore the Strip
2
Zion National Park (Days 3-4)
160 mi, 2.5 hours from Vegas
3
Bryce Canyon (Days 5-6)
85 mi, 1.5 hours from Zion
4
Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend (Day 7)
150 mi, 2.5 hours from Bryce
5
Grand Canyon (Days 8-9)
135 mi, 2.5 hours from Page
6
Sedona & Return (Day 10)
110 mi to Sedona, 280 mi to Vegas
1
Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas
Airport → Strip: 5 mi, 15 min
Morning/Afternoon: Arrival
- • Fly into Las Vegas (LAS)
- • Pick up rental car at airport
- • Check into Strip hotel
- • Lunch at casino buffet ($25-40)
Evening: Explore the Strip
- • Walk the Las Vegas Strip
- • Bellagio Fountains (free)
- • Dinner at restaurant ($30-50)
- • See a show or explore casinos
Rental Car Tip
Book an SUV or crossover for comfort on long drives. Budget $50-70/day. Fill up gas before returning to avoid airport prices.
Distance: 5 mi
Est. Cost: $150-200
2
Day 2: Las Vegas & Valley of Fire
Day trip: 110 mi round trip, 3 hours total
Morning: Valley of Fire State Park
- • Drive to Valley of Fire (55 mi, 1 hour)
- • Entry fee: $10 per vehicle
- • Hike Fire Wave Trail (1.5 mi)
- • See ancient petroglyphs
Afternoon: Return to Vegas
- • Drive back to Las Vegas
- • Late lunch on the Strip
- • Pool time at hotel
- • Pack for early departure tomorrow
Evening: Final Vegas Night
- • Dinner at Fremont Street ($25-40)
- • Free light show at Fremont
- • Early night for tomorrow's drive
Distance: 110 mi
Est. Cost: $120-170
3
Day 3: Drive to Zion National Park
Las Vegas → Zion: 160 mi, 2.5 hours
Morning: Scenic Drive to Zion
- • Check out and depart early (7-8am)
- • Drive through stunning desert landscapes
- • Stop in St. George for breakfast
- • Arrive Zion by 11am
Afternoon: Zion Canyon
- • Check into Springdale hotel
- • Zion entry: $35 per vehicle (7 days)
- • Take shuttle into canyon
- • Hike Emerald Pools Trail (3 mi, easy)
Evening: Springdale Town
- • Dinner at Zion Pizza & Noodle ($15-25)
- • Walk Springdale main street
- • Sunset views from Pa'rus Trail
- • Early night for big hike tomorrow
Distance: 160 mi
Est. Cost: $140-190
4
Day 4: Zion National Park
Full day in park: 15 mi shuttle rides
Morning: Angels Landing Hike
- • Start early (6-7am to beat crowds)
- • Angels Landing: 5.4 mi, 4-5 hours
- • Permit required (reserve in advance)
- • Challenging but iconic hike
Afternoon: The Narrows
- • Lunch break in Springdale
- • Rent water shoes/walking stick ($25)
- • Hike The Narrows (wade in river)
- • Go as far as you like, turn back anytime
Evening: Relax & Recover
- • Dinner at Bit & Spur ($20-35)
- • Soak tired muscles in hotel pool
- • Stargazing from hotel patio
Distance: 15 mi
Est. Cost: $110-160
5
Day 5: Drive to Bryce Canyon
Zion → Bryce: 85 mi, 1.5 hours
Morning: Scenic Drive
- • Check out and depart by 9am
- • Drive through Red Canyon
- • Stop for photos at viewpoints
- • Arrive Bryce by 11am
Afternoon: Bryce Canyon Rim
- • Check into Bryce Canyon City hotel
- • Bryce entry: $35 per vehicle (7 days)
- • Drive scenic rim road
- • Visit Sunset Point, Inspiration Point
Evening: Sunset & Stargazing
- • Sunset at Bryce Point
- • Dinner at Stone Hearth Grille ($20-35)
- • Return for stargazing (Dark Sky Park)
- • Ranger astronomy program (seasonal)
Distance: 85 mi
Est. Cost: $130-180
6
Day 6: Bryce Canyon Hiking
Full day in park: 10 mi trails
Morning: Navajo Loop & Queens Garden
- • Start early (7-8am)
- • Navajo Loop Trail: 1.3 mi, 1.5 hours
- • Connect to Queens Garden: 1.8 mi
- • Walk among the hoodoos
Afternoon: Rim Trail & Viewpoints
- • Lunch at park lodge
- • Walk sections of Rim Trail
- • Visit Rainbow Point (18 mi drive)
- • Stop at all major viewpoints
Evening: Prepare for Long Drive
- • Dinner at Bryce Canyon Pines ($15-25)
- • Pack and organize for tomorrow
- • Fill up gas tank
- • Early night (long drive tomorrow)
Distance: 46 mi
Est. Cost: $100-145
7
Day 7: Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend
Bryce → Page: 150 mi, 2.5 hours
Morning: Drive to Page, AZ
- • Depart early (7am)
- • Scenic drive through Utah/Arizona
- • Arrive Page by 10am
- • Check into hotel
Afternoon: Antelope Canyon Tour
- • Upper Antelope Canyon tour ($80-100)
- • Book in advance (required)
- • 1.5 hour guided tour
- • Best light: 11am-1pm
Evening: Horseshoe Bend
- • Drive to Horseshoe Bend (5 mi)
- • Entry fee: $10 per vehicle
- • 1.5 mi round trip hike
- • Sunset views over Colorado River
- • Dinner in Page ($15-25)
Distance: 155 mi
Est. Cost: $180-230
8
Day 8: Drive to Grand Canyon
Page → Grand Canyon: 135 mi, 2.5 hours
Morning: Scenic Drive
- • Check out and depart by 9am
- • Drive through Navajo Nation
- • Stop at Cameron Trading Post
- • Arrive Grand Canyon by noon
Afternoon: South Rim Exploration
- • Check into Tusayan hotel
- • Grand Canyon entry: $35 per vehicle (7 days)
- • Visit Mather Point
- • Walk Rim Trail sections
Evening: Sunset at the Canyon
- • Sunset at Yavapai Point
- • Dinner at El Tovar ($30-50)
- • Or budget: We Cook Pizza ($12-20)
- • Evening ranger program
Distance: 135 mi
Est. Cost: $140-190
9
Day 9: Grand Canyon Full Day
Full day in park: 25 mi scenic drive
Morning: Sunrise & Hiking
- • Sunrise at Mather Point (6am)
- • Breakfast at Bright Angel Lodge
- • Hike Bright Angel Trail (3-6 mi)
- • Don't go all the way down (very hard return)
Afternoon: Desert View Drive
- • Drive Desert View Drive (25 mi)
- • Stop at all viewpoints
- • Visit Desert View Watchtower
- • Lunch at Desert View Market
Evening: Final Canyon Views
- • Return via Hermit Road (shuttle)
- • Sunset at Hopi Point
- • Farewell dinner at Arizona Room ($25-40)
- • Pack for Sedona tomorrow
Distance: 50 mi
Est. Cost: $120-170
10
Day 10: Sedona & Return to Vegas
Grand Canyon → Sedona → Vegas: 390 mi, 6.5 hours
Morning: Drive to Sedona
- • Depart early (7am)
- • Drive to Sedona (110 mi, 2 hours)
- • Arrive by 9am
- • Quick hike: Cathedral Rock (1.5 mi)
Late Morning: Sedona Highlights
- • Drive through Oak Creek Canyon
- • Visit Chapel of the Holy Cross
- • Lunch at Elote Café ($15-25)
- • Browse Tlaquepaque Arts Village
Afternoon: Return to Las Vegas
- • Depart Sedona by 2pm
- • Drive to Las Vegas (280 mi, 4.5 hours)
- • Arrive Vegas by 7pm
- • Return rental car at airport
- • Catch evening/night flight home
Long Drive Day
This is a long driving day. Consider staying overnight in Sedona or Vegas if you have flexibility. Book late evening flight (9pm+) to avoid rushing.
Distance: 390 mi
Est. Cost: $85-130
Complete Trip Summary
850 miles
Total Distance
~16 hours
Total Drive Time
$105
Gas Cost (28 MPG)
$105
Park Entry Fees
Accommodation (9 nights):
$900 - $1,350
Budget: $100/night | Mid-range: $150/night
Total Per Person Estimate:
$1,375 - $1,850
Excluding flights & rental car. Based on 2 people sharing costs.
Quick Actions
Best Time for This Route
Best:Mar-May, Sep-Oct
Good:Feb, Nov
Avoid:Jun-Aug (hot), Dec-Jan (cold)
Spring is Ideal
April-May offers perfect weather, wildflowers, and fewer crowds than summer.
What You'll Need
- Rental car (SUV recommended)
- National Parks Annual Pass ($80)
- Antelope Canyon tour reservation
- Hiking boots & day pack
- Refillable water bottles
- Sunscreen & sun hat
Money-Saving Tips
- Buy National Parks Annual Pass ($80) instead of individual entries ($105 total)
- Book hotels in gateway towns (cheaper than in-park lodges)
- Pack snacks and lunch for hiking days
- Fill up gas in towns, not near parks (cheaper)