Day 7: Zion to Valley of Fire. The Colorado route mostly follows interstates as well, making it a smooth and enjoyable trip. Colorado Route. For dessert or a late afternoon snack, you should stop by Crystals and get a scoop of ice cream in an amazing pretzel cone. Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions Spend the morning and afternoon exploring more of Death Valley and whatever you didnt make it to the previous day. Start the morning off with a drive about 45 minutes out to the surreal landscape that is the Trona Pinnacles. Stops and things to do on Los Angeles to Denver drive or road trip leave the next day around 9:00 am, 9:00 am leave from Bellagio Hotel Turning left onto US-89A past Freedonia will take you to this magnificent national park. Here you can visit Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area before leaving the city. a frozen banana and deep-fried Oreo for a dollar each at Mermaids Casino. by calculating the distance from Los Angeles to Arches National Park. The cheapest way to get from Los Angeles to Arches National Park costs only $163, and the quickest way takes just 6 hours. Relax and stay at the bridge until the sun starts to go down, then head back down before it gets too dark. s.async = true; (Well get to that in a bit) That left us researching things to do in the area. Once youve finished up at Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park, drive 30 minutes (27 miles) to Lancaster for the night. For the first day, start from LA (we flew into LAX and went straight from there after picking up our rental car) and take State Highway 14 up to Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park near Agua Dulce. About; Roadtrippers Plus; Magazine; Contact; Help; Did you know: If you use the Roadtrippers mobile app, your trips will . Its unique and a great way to visit the park! You can make stops at several of the arches around the area, such as Mobius Arch (which is also a great spot for astral photography! But they do not sell alcohol or wine (a Utah state law. This is important for disinfecting your hotel room, shoes (after visiting public bathrooms), etc. This volcanic crater is 600 feet deep and half a mile across. It's a gateway to massive red rock formations in Arches National Park. This is a must-have in the heat of Moab. Also, note that you will soon be getting to a 60 mile stretch with no gas, sobe sure tofill up. The viewpoint is over 5000 feet above sea level with panoramic sights over Badwater Basin and the Devils Golf Course no hiking required! Haley is the blogger behind Ready Set Jet Set, a travel blog based out of Austin, Texas featuring all the best in solo female travel, adventure travel, weekend getaways, and so much more. restaurants around Barstow: One of my other regrets on this trip was going to Horseshoe bend in the morning and not at sunset - the view here is really made for sunset and dusk, and I felt like the site was pretty underwhelming in the bright daylight. With a 5-hour drive today, make sure to leave by around 11AM to get to Sedona with plenty of time to explore. Youll only need about 20 30 minutes at this stop. From there, we headed to Vegas for our last night. It is about 45 minutes out of town, and it is hard to miss. If you are looking for something different to do with your day, you can take a short drive to the Red Rock Canyon National Park. This park is so close to the city but couldn't be more different with its tranquil hiking trails and fascinating geological formations. MiltsBurgers A great local burger joint with a pleasant staff and grass-fed beef burgers. Cardinals look to end road trip, avoid sweep in series finale with ), Boot Arch, and of course, the Insta-famous shot down Movie Road for the perfect desert photo op. At only 10 minutes drive and 15 minutes walk, Horseshoe Bend is a fantastic sunrise spot in the area. Follow the interstate and you will have the option to make a detour to Death Valley National Park by taking Exit 246 for CA-127 just before you reach Mojave National Preserve. I just got back. It's okay, you can start planning your Read my full guide on Arches National Park here. and leave at 8:12 pm. . It will take you a few extra hours to drive, covering 1,440 miles in less than 22 hours. High Roller (10 mentions) travelers and answer their questions about Los Angeles! Page, Arizona is such a central spot with so much to do. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 8:01 pmdrive for about 1 hour, Catherine asked:Family road trip for 6 days in early August (1 answer), Barstow (13 answers) The 1,980-mile road trip from St Louis to Los Angeles takes 31 hours to drive. stay for about 2 hours and leave at 12:03 pmdrive for about 2 hours, 1:51 pm Beaver (Utah) Ultimate Death Valley Road Trip: A 5-Day Itinerary from LA If youre visiting in the summer, go as early as possible, as it is dangerous to walk out onto the flats in the afternoon when temperatures soar above 100 degrees and the sun beats down on you. questions about Barstow: Salt Lake City is about 10 hours away from Mount Rushmore National Park via our Utah Route and is the perfect stop before the last leg of your trip. next trip! This post is the first in an eventual series of posts about weekend road trips you can take outside of California. If you are feeling less adventurous but still want to admire the mountain scenery, the Kimpton Hotel Born will be the perfect choice of accommodation for you, with its stunning views and luxurious interiors. Cedar City Landlocked Lighthouse and Cafe Rio Dinner $10. The canyon is just so gorgeous in the soft light, I really wish we would have had one more chance. Day 3: Sedona to The Grand Canyon South Rim Day: Drive 2 and a half hours, cross into Nevada, and go straight to Valley of Fire State Park. If you started in the morning as I did, then I recommend stopping about an hour and a half in at the Dunken Donuts in Barstow. As you can see below, sunset is definitely one of the best times to visit Zabriskie Point, as the sun lights up the hills in shades of orange and pink. Read more about it here. 8 Epic Weekend Road Trips from Los Angeles, California 9:00 am start in Los Angelesdrive for about 2 hours, 10:53 am Barstow for our trip, we spent two full days inside the park, and were pretty much able to do everything we wanted (there were places we couldnt go without a 4WD vehicle) in that amount of time. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Driving Time: 4 Hours, 6 Hours if you drive to Page, Arizona. questions about Las Vegas: I did this on the Fourth of July weekend, so I only had to take two days off of work, and I got to have such a fantastic adventure. However, the stunning sights and attractions you will enjoy will make up for the relatively longer drive. Thanks for supporting Ready Set Jet Set by shopping via my affiliate links! The way the sun shines pre-dawn is a great way to see the bendwithout any shadows, as when the sun comes up, it casts lots of shadows. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. There are two in Vegas, one in Planet Hollywood and one in the Palms. We combined our trip to the Bryce Canyon with a trip to the coral pink sand dunes on our way to Zion National Park. What's the best time of year to hike in Zion? This Southern California road trip route includes driving parts of the iconic Highway 395 route, visiting at least two US National Parks (Death Valley and Joshua Tree). This small town, right on the outskirts of Monument Valley, is named after the Mexican Hat rock that is outside of the town. Or get a full Los Angeles to Arches National Park flight plan. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. Joshua Tree, California. The dunes rise up to 100 feet, and get their name for the mesquite trees located throughout the dunes. Downtown Container Park (15 mentions) Fun fact: in the original Star Wars, they filmed the scene here on Tatooine where the characters are looking down on Mos Eisley spaceport. For a shorter drive, spend the night in Las Vegas. questions about Barstow: Make sure to take some time to drive around the pinnacles to see them from different perspectives! After leaving from Los Angeles, you will be driving on Highway 15 towards Vegas. drive for about 2 hours, 10:03 am Zion National Park River Bend Cafe Connected to a tour company, but still a strong place for breakfast and coffee. Day 3: Drive to Bryce Canyon NP 2 hour drive. Another option is to drive around Movie Flat Road for scenic views around Alabama Hills. Where to sleep RV trailer Since you will have to drive through the town again on your way to Page, I would recommend stopping at Milts Burgers on the way out of town. Sunset: In the late afternoon, take the Devil's Bridge hike to the iconic bridge seen here. It is a fun little hamburger joint with locally raised meat and good prices. But, along the primarily Interstate 40 stretch, you'll want to make a few stops, so prepare for a long day or overnight journey. The benefit of staying at the Stratosphere is that you get a free pass to go up to the top if you stay there. If you plan to do sunrise at the sand dunes though, make sure to arrive plenty early and bring flashlights or head torches. eat at Del Taco Are hiking boots necessary now if I hike Angels Landing There area lot of other options heretoo, like a McDonalds (I always stop there on road trips for $1 large drinks), Chinese food, and Subway, but I am still partial to a coffee and a donut. If you do decide to go there in the winter, it's a good idea to take your snow chains with you. You can take photos of the point itself or overlooking Golden Canyon, or walk out to the end of one of the paths for great scenic portrait spots. Day 2 Arches National Park ($10) & Moab. If you only have a short timeframe available to you though, worry not. (Try. Los Angeles >> Mt. Rushmore Advice Needed - Road Trips Forum Drive through the stunning scenery of Monroe and Joseph Peaks. I couldnt recommend going at this time of day more, as there was almost no one there. When you arrive in the adorable Springdale town just outside of Zion National Park, reserve an E-bike for tomorrow morning, to make sure you can get one. , Hike to Delicate Arch (opt to do this early in the morning or late in the day) , Stop to check out the Three Gossips rock formation & the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint. You can take a tour of you would like, but I didnt do that. Day 1: Los Angeles to Palm Springs Rushmore Advice Needed. The study tracked five iconic routes and found that electric . I had quite a few questions on Instagram and Tiktok that I think will be helpful for your planning! Located in the heart of downtown, you will be able to visit Larimer Square, the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver Confluence Park, and the Centennial Gardens on foot for an easy-going day of stimulating activities. Giada We were staying cheap on this trip and ended up at the Motel 6. And if you know Los Angeles well, please help your fellow Poisonous plants/ Venomous animals in Bryce Canyon Los Angeles to Antelope Canyon - 11 ways to travel via train, plane For the first day, start from LA (we flew into LAX and went straight from there after picking up our rental car) and take State Highway 14 up to Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park near Agua Dulce. When in Monument Valley,consider stopping at Gouldings Lodge, which is the spot where many old westerns were filmed, including a cabin used in an old John Wayne movie. Bring your camping blanket and a jacket - it is cold in the morning! Pull over and park at any areas that interest you and get out of your car and explore. Here, youll find the main trailhead to hike Mt. Located in the heart of the strip, this luxury 5-star resort is close to all the major tourist attractions including the High Roller, MGM Grand, Freemont Street and the Stratosphere Tower. But if 7 days is all you have, continue straight through back to Los Angeles! If you want photos clean of footprints in the sand, youll have to spend 30 minutes to an hour hiking out to where its pristine. Or 3. start working your way back to Los Angeles. Make sure you check road conditions Drive through Thunder Basin National Grassland and follow US 16-E past Newcastle to reach your destination at Mount Rushmore through Black Hills National Forest. If you have time to extend your trip in Vegas, check out my guide to Vegas off-Strip! When is the best time to visit/hike Zion national park? The Mob Museum (8 mentions) At only 10 minutes drive and 15 minutes walk. It is a good cheap lunch spot. Without these we would have been very hungry and cranky, because after 7PM here, even the gas stations were no longer open. We absolutely loved our experience in the elevated and unique yurt. and answers related to Arches National Park. If we were to do this trip again (and things were open as usual), I would spend the night in Monument Valley and explore that are a bit more, then head back to Page, go to Antelope Canyon, and then finaly make it to Horseshoe bend for sunset. You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving Bryce is one of the highlights of the trip and you want to be able to explore it a bit before the sun goes down! Best road trip for desert tranquility. The state capital of Utah is known for its rich history and fantastic world-class ski resorts. Improve this map; Remove Ads. City: round-trip one-way. trip dates & more! If you have more time and want to take a more leisurely trip, spend a few days out in Palm Springs! Drive straight to the Devil's Bridge trailhead. Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino What's the best neighborhood in Barstow for a first time visitor? The whole day is spent in the park and in the town of Moab, which is right next to it. It a great stop, and I love supporting places like this. The route to southwest Utah will take you directly through Vegas, so you can hit up all the . On an impromptu road trip from Los Angeles to Sacramento, their past comes into focus and questions their future. We ended up getting stuck in some deep clouds and rain, but the usually clear sunset photos here look amazing! This will have to wait until next time! Road Trip from Los Angeles to Colorado Day 3 Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point & Driving $10, Moab to Page 4 Hours of Driving(Route 191, Route 163, Route 160, Route 98). Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. Camping along the way? Camping along the way? But you dont have to do that. Heading straight to the Devil's Bridge trail instead of going to town and checking into our motel first was a HUGE timer, and after the drive, it's so good to get out and immediately start exploring! If you passed up the dessert and are looking for a pit stop, I would recommend some ice cream at thefamous mid-west spot called Culvers. s.type = 'text/javascript'; Best new restaurants in Vegas? If you have more time, check out Merry Go Round rock for a great sunset viewpoint. The drive out is 52 miles from LAX, and takes about an hour to 1.5 hours depending on LA traffic. Our trip took 9 days, departing from San Diego and ending at the Arches National Park (the farthest point of the itinerary). , Hike to the Windows District & Double Arch. The 29 Palms Area of Joshua Tree has some very affordable motel accommodations. The weather is usually mild at this time of the year with temperatures around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Read more about it here. stay for about 4 hours and leave at 6:14 pmdrive for about 58 minutes, 7:12 pm Valley of Fire State Park The cheapest way to get from Los Angeles to Antelope Canyon costs only $122, and the quickest way takes just 5 hours. After your adventures on the slopes or in the city, you can try one of the many eateries and bars downtown for a night out, or head to the hotel to unwind in one of the pools or the spa before heading to the upscale Garden Caf for a cocktail or a meal. if you're camping, plan accordingly. There are a lot of other options here too, like a McDonald's (I always stop there on road trips for $1 large drinks), Chinese food, and . If you consider flying in and out of SLC as suggested by Valiant in post #6, I suggest a slightly different approach. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the You can take a longer loop on the trail and make it a big morning hike, or turn back earlier to make this a quick stop. I had roughly (very roughly) mapped out our drive that looks like this. 21 hours 50 minutes. The 932-acre park is most famous for its spectacular rock formations that have been the backdrop numerous Hollywood movies and TV shows over the years, such as Blazing Saddles, Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure, and Star Trek! Day: In the summer, check out Slide Rock State Park or Oak Creak Canyon for red rock natural swimming pools and a great place for photos or to take a dip on a hot day. Driving Time: 3.5 hours to Las Vegas, 7.5 Hours to Los Angeles. Hiking in sand can be strenuous and take longer than you might have planned to arrive at a good spot for photography, or to climb up one of the dunes! 10 Best Road Trips From Los Angeles Julio Uras struggles in Dodgers' loss to Pirates When youre ready, head to Las Vegas for the nearest major airport option to Death Valley National Park. This is one of the most unique places I have ever been in the world, and I absolutely loved it here. U.S. Southwest Road Trip - Zion, Bryce, and Arches National Parks (2020) Add a Day: Page, Arizona and Antelope Canyon. Any tips for traveling during the pandemic? Like this post? Del Taco 6. Is it better to stay on or off the Las Vegas strip? I even got to meet my new favorite dinosaur as well, which you can see a photo of above. Because of the timing of our road trip, we actually visited here for sunset, which can be another good time to shoot here as the lighting isnt as harsh. but nothing can top The Bellagio when it comes to luxury and glamour, The city offers many excellent hotel options for the visitor and of the best of them is the Grand America Hotel, the Kimpton Hotel Born will be the perfect choice of accommodation for you, with its stunning views and luxurious interiors. This spot provides a fantastic view of Monument Valley, as well as being the spot that Forrest Gump stopped running at in the movie of the same name. The grocery store in Springdale is open late and surprisingly well-stoked with things I didn't see anywhere else after we left California - like many flavors of Kombucha. Sunset: By early afternoon, drive North to Bryce Canyon. We were here for two days, and it was great. To learn more about what we did in the park, learn here. Yes, this site is still dedicated to California, but that doesnt mean that those of us that live here dont want to leave every once in a while and see what else the USA has to offer. My favorite is Sand Bench. Staying at one of the lodges within the park is ideal and puts you in the best spot for early mornings, but the town is only about a 10 minute drive (and is where you might have to go for dinner in summer hours with later sunsets) so no worries if that's what available! Road Trip from Los Angeles to Mount Rushmore - LazyTrips It can take awhile to walk out to where the salt flats are less trodden on, so make sure to budget time to walk out there and bring plenty of water and shade with you. There is usually a lot of people here for sunset, so be warned. Youll probably want some time here to explore and photograph, because the entire area is absolutely gorgeous and filled with red rocks, just like its name would suggest. 45 hours. Best tips and casinos for first time gambler? There are very, very limited options once you enter Navajo Territory, especially right now. Is it better to stay on or off the Las Vegas strip? There are very few restaurants or services in the Monument Valley area, especially right now as the entire Navajo Nation is on lockdown. . Just be mindful that temperatures here vary wildly. If you have time however, you can easily spend a day here. There are tons of other goofy things here too, like a cactus made of bowling balls and a Bigfoot sighting. Is it better to stay on or off the Las Vegas strip? var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0]; It was beautiful, and you must see it while in the park. This does not account for any detours you might want to take. I really dont know how this State Park isnt more popular (we hardly saw any visitors there!) Booking.com Alta Ski Area is one of the most popular winter sports centers in Utah and is only about 30 minutes' drive from the hotel. Mon Ami Gabi The interior roads of Monument are currently closed but we felt taht the drive is still very much worth it - the scenerry from the main roads is still stunning.When the Navajo Nation is not on lockdown, there are little shops along the highway where you can buy blankets, jewelry and handmade crafts. but you don't need to do the entire trek to enjoy! We chose to make the drive all the way to LA since it's so much easier to do after 8PM and is usually a straight shot with no traffic, but it does make for a long drive. trip dates & more! Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Los Angeles to Arches National Park. Past the city of Casper, merge onto Interstate 25 (I-25) and take Exit 210 for WY-259 and then WY-387. Poisonous plants/ Venomous animals in Bryce Canyon, Arches National Park to Los Angeles drive, distance from Los Angeles to Arches National Park, Los Angeles to Arches National Park flight plan. If you're heading farther into Utah to Moab or Arches National Park, Monument Valley can easily be a quick pass-through stop. Find all the transport options for your trip from Los Angeles to Arches National Park right here. You won't be short of choices for accommodation in Vegas, but nothing can top The Bellagio when it comes to luxury and glamour. We include the most popular starting points and show you the routes and points of interest on the way to Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National . I always stop whenever I see it as it is fantastic. Check out the Fire Wave hike for seriously gorgeous geology. I did this trip in 2016, and all information is from that time, read more about my trips outside of California here. Weekend Adventure: Arches, Canyonlands, Horseshoe Bend & Antelope The Cosmopolitan It also offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and rock climbing. You can choose to either hike the 3.8 mile out and back trail (which has a 980 feet elevation gain), or just take in the views from the Visitor Center for a quick photo op. The area is a hidden gem that easily deserves 2-3 days of your time. Visitors like to check out the 40,000 acres of red Aztec sandstone, and most importantly the petroglyphs that are over 2,000 years old. But bring a jacket, the temperatures here drop very quickly. Hiking through sand can be difficult, so make sure to plan accordingly, especially if youre wanting to walk out towards some of the taller dunes. Camping in this area is a great lower-cost option as well! Day 2: Joshua Tree to Sedona drive for about 1 hour. Rome2rio . Miles from L.A.: ~500. Find all the transport options for your trip from Los Angeles to Antelope Canyon right here. Morning: Head to Horseshoe Bend as early as you can make it out of bed after the late night drive from Monument Valley. Canyon hikes are different from most hikes because you're climbing down instead of up - so the most difficult part of the hike is the second half. Make sure to have 3 full hours before sunset to make the trail - the uphill second half is quite steep, and you'll want to take a lot of photo stops. Some of the things you can see are full dinosaur bone recreations, plaster mold dinosaurs to scale, old meteors, and petrified wood. 7:12 pm Green River (Utah) stay for about 1 hour. rent a one-way rental car and fly home). Quick Links: Zion National Park. Day 1: Los Angeles to Palm Springs. Day 3: Sedona to The Grand Canyon South Rim. Also, Fremont St has a few accessible stops as well, such as Heart Attack Grill, which is over the top ridiculous, or pick-upa frozen banana and deep-fried Oreo for a dollar each at Mermaids Casino. Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. to double check the weather. On the way to Colorado we stopped in Zion, Bryce, and Arches National Parks and a made additional stops in between. Drive to Springdale, Utah/Zion NP 4 hour drive. 11:00 am start in Los Angelesdrive for about 2 hours, 12:53 pm Barstow Drive through Arizona, Utah, and Nevada see some of the greatest sites on the USA's map - from deserts to canyons to mountains. That makes for a great way to end a road trip as you can get a drink looking down on the city. I didn't feel any energy particularly, but it was very windy. You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from Los Angeles to Arches National Park. If you're planning a road trip to Arches National Park, you can research locations to stop along the way. or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world. This post is my five-day road trip to some of Utahs and Arizonas best spots, and it has all of the details for you to do it as well. 6 of the best road trips to the Grand Canyon - Lonely Planet Yearning for a bit of an adventure? A note on Zion during the pandemic: We visited Zion over the fourth of July weekend, shortly after they re-opened. This summer we are planning a long road trip from Los Angeles to Denver, Colorado. The drive out is 52 miles from LAX, and takes about an hour to 1.5 hours depending on LA traffic. Poisonous plants/ Venomous animals in Zion Canyon, Are hiking boots necessary now if I hike Angels Landing, Arches National Park to Los Angeles drive, distance from Los Angeles to Arches National Park, Los Angeles to Arches National Park flight plan. EVs vs. Gas Cars - How Do They Compare on a Road Trip From Trona Pinnacles, we drove about two hours up Highway 395 to Lone Pine, featuring Alabama Hills and the Mount Whitney Portal, to explore for the afternoon. Moab Brewery A popular dinner spot in the area with fresh beer (alcoholic and root beer) and good food. However, traffic congestion and hotel prices tend to increase during this peak period. We took a road trip in our 2022 Volkswagen ID4 Pro yearlong tester over the holidays to see family in Sacramento, California. Once you're up, you could go straight for an early morning hike, or head back to your lodge for breakfast. . restaurants around Las Vegas: Last but definitely not least, I can't skip over the fact that you can plan some seriously epic road trips from Los Angeles if you're willing to do a one-way trip (i.e. Road Trip from St Louis to Los Angeles, California - LazyTrips Canyoneer boots, Keen sandals, or old tennis shoes for Narrows hike? We stopped here for a couple of hours and jumping into the lake on a hot day felt amazing! Bryce Canyon National Park. The walk to the main site is about 3/4 of a mile and it is very flat but sandy. Rent e-bikes in the morning to explore Zion's scenic route. Best tips and casinos for first time gambler? Day 6: Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park. Disclaimer: This post is in partnership with Visit California.