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Road Trip from Las Vegas To The Grand Canyon

We took a Road Trip from Las Vegas to The Grand Canyon after spending a few wonderful fun-filled days in Las Vegas The City of Lost Wages. This article will help you to plan your trip itinerary from Las Vegas to The Grand Canyon.

We took a bus tour from Las Vegas to The South Rim of The Grand Canyon

Is it worth driving from Las Vegas to The Grand Canyon? I say yes! And even better to travel in comfort and leave the driving to someone else. This article features our entire and fantastic road trip itinerary from Las Vegas to The Grand Canyon!

The West Rim of the Grand Canyon is closest to Las Vegas at 130 miles (210km) which is about a 2.5 hour drive.

But we chose to go to The South Rim which is further away at 275 miles (440 km) and around a 4.5 hour drive.

The road route to the South Rim of The Grand Canyon takes in views of Lake Mead, crosses over the Hoover Dam, and then travels along the historic Mother Road of Route 66.

Along the way, we also stopped off at the quirky historic towns of Flagstaff and Seligman and Kingman before we finally got to our destination and walked along The Rim Trail from Mather Point to Bright Angel Lodge taking in the incredible and awe-inspiring views along the South Rim of The Grand Canyon.

ROAD TRIP FROM LAS VEGAS TO THE GRAND CANYON

Table of Contents

THE EXCURSION

There are many tour operators of tours from Las Vegas to The Grand Canyon. We chose to go to The South Rim with a company called Sweetours who I can personally recommend to you. The bus/coach was large and comfortable and the driver friendly and knowledgeable (note: NOT a paid/affiliated link). The all-day bus tour included pick up and drop off at our hotel in Las Vegas. A continental breakfast. Deli-style lunch. National Park Fees.

LAKE MEAD

Just outside Las Vegas is Lake Mead. It’s immediately refreshing on the eyes to see its blue waters shimmering in the desert landscape. The lake is the largest man-made reservoir in the United States providing water to farmland and around 20 million people. Worryingly, the lake is now at less than 50 percent of its water capacity due to drought and increased demand.

THE HOOVER DAM

The first stop on our bus tour from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon was at The Hoover Dam on the border between the states of Nevada and Arizona. The dam was built in the 1930’s, during the time of The Great Depression, to provide power to California, Nevada and Arizona.

The Hoover Dam is an interesting stop off and without a doubt a breath-taking feat of construction and engineering

It was really interesting to travel over the U-shaped concrete construction across the Colorado River. But, once again, we can see how a clear white band betrays the low water levels.

Note: 2023 Update: Do check with your chosen tour operator if The Hoover Dam is still a stopping point on the bus tour due to newly implemented commercial vehicle fees.

THE MOTHER ROAD – ROUTE 66

Route 66 was America’s first continuous stretch of highway. Established in 1926, it stretched almost two and a half thousand miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. These days, it’s mostly been replaced by modern Interstate highways, but it’s legendary status as the most famous road in America still remains.

The historic road can still be seen today where 87 miles of Route 66 passes through the historic towns of Flagstaff , the old Santa-Fe railroad town of Seligman and the old road to Kingman.

Passing through these quirky old historic towns is like travelling back in time

THE GRAND CANYON SOUTH RIM

The Grand Canyon can be viewed at four distinct points: The South Rim, Grand Canyon West, Grand Canyon East, and the North Rim.

The South Rim is the most visited and the most popular part of the Grand Canyon National Park. It is open all year and offers various viewing points of the Colorado River far below and the widest and most expansive views of the Grand Canyon.

We chose the South Rim for the world-famous expansive views.

The South Rim also offers the visitor various hiking routes for most abilities and The Grand Canyon Village with shops and lodges and visitor facilities. It’s also where you’ll find the iconic and wonderfully rustic looking Bright Angel Lodge.

GRAND CANYON HIKES AT THE SOUTH RIM

We had a perfectly sunny and warm day for our visit and for our gentle hike along part of The Rim Trail. We walked for about an hour on an easy paved path and we stopped often to be amazed at the breath-taking views and to take photos.

You can find out more about hiking The Rim Trail HERE and study the destination map HERE.

After spending our allotted time at the Grand Canyon we got back to Angel Lodge in time for a drink at the bar before boarding our bus and heading back to Las Vegas. On the way back, we watched a movie on the TV screen at the front of the bus and then, suddenly feeling exhausted as light faded in the desert along Route 66, we napped until we finally arrived safely back at our hotel very late that evening.

It was a very long day. But it was a wonderful day. It was a big tick off the bucket list for sure and so worth every dollar and every minute we spent that day!

I have to say that I found the exceptional views from Mather Point at the South Rim so stunning and surreal and overwhelming that I experienced sensory overload and regularly had to pinch myself to prove I wasn’t dreaming.

Visiting The Grand Canyon was a dream come true for me and I’m so happy that we decided to tag an extra couple of days onto our Vegas trip to make the excursion possible if only for one day.

Seeing and experiencing The Grand Canyon is on most people’s travel wish lists. You can plan your visit and find out more about all four different viewing point locations and decide which part of the Grand Canyon suits you best HERE.

MAKING MEMORIES AT THE GRAND CANYON

You can go hiking at a gentle scenic saunter or you can tackle the Rim To Rim Hike. You can go white water River Rafting on the might Colorado River. You can also take Mule Trips into the Grand Canyon – creating even more memories by riding your mule deep into the Canyon to stay one or two nights at the historic Phantom Lodge Ranch – only to be reached by mule. What an adventure!

GRAND CANYON INTERESTING FACTS

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE GRAND CANYON

The best time for visiting the Grand Canyon is often during the ‘shoulder seasons’ between March to May and from September to November when it’s less crowded. In the summer (peak season) you can expect the park to be more crowded and local accommodation scarce (therefore do book ahead).

It’s also worth knowing that much of the park remains closed during the winter months (including the North Rim) although the South Rim can usually be visited in the winter and throughout the year. Indeed, many people think the wintertime and when it’s snowy is the best time to visit the Grand Canyon.

Is The Grand Canyon on your travel bucket list?

Have you already been to The Grand Canyon?

Do tell me about it!?

The Backpacking Housewife recommends accommodation website Booking.com

The Backpacking Housewife recommends World Nomads Travel Insurance