Planning a Los Angeles to Grand Canyon highway journey? These handy itineraries will make it easier to plan your journey with ease!
A Los Angeles to Grand Canyon highway journey is likely one of the most unbelievable adventures to have in western USA. From the legendary seashores and nationwide parks of Southern California, to the rugged purple rocks of Arizona, you’ll be able to drive by some unbelievable sights on a Grand Canyon highway journey.
There are a couple of methods to drive from Los Angeles to Grand Canyon Nationwide Park. Our highway journey information options the 2 greatest routes to take.
One heads immediately from Los Angeles to Grand Canyon’s South Rim, and the opposite follows a northern route by Las Vegas, southern Utah, and in the direction of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim.
Each drives are filled with cool points of interest to entertain nature fans, rock climbers, wildlife lovers, metropolis dwellers and extra.
Our Grand Canyon highway journey suggestions will make it easier to plan probably the most handy journey by western USA. When you arrive on the Grand Canyon on the finish of the highway journey, we’ll point out a number of the greatest issues to do on this well-known nationwide park.
How lengthy is a Los Angeles To Grand Canyon drive?
Driving immediately from Los Angeles to Grand Canyon Nationwide Park is about 8 hours in the event you drive nonstop. So you’ll be able to full the drive in a day! Nevertheless it’s far more enjoyable to take the scenic route and cease at the most effective nationwide parks, cities, and nature preserves alongside the way in which.
The precise driving time to your highway journey will depend upon what number of stops you are taking and your remaining vacation spot within the Grand Canyon.
We’re going to supply two completely different highway journey itineraries from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon. Every highway journey may very well be carried out in a straight shot, or they are often prolonged into a couple of days if you wish to make stops.
It’s round 500 miles from Los Angeles to Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, and there may be a lot to do when you arrive on the well-known pure surprise. So take your time and attempt to spend a minimum of a couple of days or perhaps a week or extra for this journey.
The easiest way to get round is to hire a automotive and discover by yourself! We advocate Rental Vehicles, which has the biggest vary of autos for the most effective worth in the marketplace.
What’s one of the simplest ways to get from Los Angeles to Grand Canyon Nationwide Park?
The Grand Canyon is an enormous space, and there are two completely different routes from Los Angeles.
The primary is from Los Angeles to Grand Canyon South Rim. That is about 491 miles and seven hours and 20 minutes of driving (with out stops). It’s probably the most direct route and takes you straight from California into Arizona.
This route takes you east out of LA and previous Palm Springs, Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, and Lake Havasu Metropolis. You then’ll arrive on the South Rim Grand Canyon Village.
There may be one other route that’s extra handy for these visiting the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
This route takes you northeast out of LA in the direction of the Mojave Nationwide Protect. You’ll then cross by Las Vegas in Nevada, and head into southern Utah the place you can cease to discover Zion and Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park. You then’ll depart Utah and enter northern Arizona earlier than reaching the North Rim Customer Heart.
The northern route takes round 8 hours and quarter-hour of driving to the North Rim Customer Heart, protecting roughly 533 miles (with out stops).
Ought to I go to the North Rim or South Rim of the Grand Canyon?
First time guests to the Grand Canyon usually select the South Rim as a result of it has plenty of services and superb views. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is much less touristy and extra wild. Each are breathtaking!
In case you have the time, you are able to do each of our highway journeys from Los Angeles! Begin with the southern route if you drive from Los Angeles to Grand Canyon Nationwide Park. Discover the South, then drive to the North and expertise each areas.
To drive between the North and South of the Grand Canyon takes round 4 hours since it’s important to go across the canyon. So solely take into account this selection you probably have loads of time.
After trying out the North, you’ll be able to return to Los Angeles by way of the northern route in reverse. You may want round 2 weeks a minimum of for each highway journey itineraries and some days exploring each ends of the Grand Canyon.
However you probably have time, that is probably the most unbelievable journey from Los Angeles!
Have extra time in Arizona? Try these High Issues To Do In Arizona!
What number of days is sufficient for the Grand Canyon?
Although many individuals go to the Grand Canyon as a day journey, the extra time you may have there, the higher. In case you’re solely visiting the South Rim, attempt to have 2 days in any case. 3 days or extra is good!
In case you’re going to go to each the South and North of the Grand Canyon, attempt to spend a minimum of 2 days in every place. And bear in mind it takes 4 hours to drive between the 2.
You’ll be able to tackle multiday treks and tenting adventures within the Grand Canyon you probably have time. However the time you spend right here is as much as you. Even in the event you solely have a day on the Grand Canyon, it’s higher than by no means seeing this pure surprise!
In case you solely have time to go to one facet of the Grand Canyon, you can additionally take into account a helicopter tour! This is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Grand Canyon Nationwide Park and you’ll see all the canyon from the sky with out having to drive from place to put.
What time of yr is greatest for a Los Angeles to Grand Canyon highway journey?
The most effective time for a Grand Canyon highway journey is both spring (March, April, Might) or autumn (September, October, November).
These months fall underneath “shoulder season”, that means they’re between peak vacationer season and off season. Not solely are temperatures probably the most nice throughout these months, however costs are usually decrease and crowds are much less intense.
A Grand Canyon highway journey is doable in summer season, however the climate may be very popular which isn’t preferrred for climbing. A winter highway journey is doable as nicely, and chances are you’ll even see some snow in sure excessive elevations! However desert temperatures may be excessive, so chances are you’ll encounter some chilly climate and highway closures.
Spring and autumn are positively the most effective months for a Grand Canyon highway journey due to the best climate situations.
Whether or not you wish to go horseback driving by the desert, tackle an iconic hike by a canyon, tour an exquisite metropolis, or swim in pristine lakes, spring or autumn will present probably the most snug temperatures for all actions.
Los Angeles to Grand Canyon Street Journey Itinerary – South Rim
So listed here are the 2 greatest highway journey itineraries for touring from Los Angeles to Grand Canyon Nationwide Park. These highway journeys additionally work in reverse in the event you’re going from the Grand Canyon to Los Angeles.
The primary route is good for visiting the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. The second is good for visiting the North Rim. Each may be modified nonetheless you wish to fit your schedule!
We’ve damaged up the itinerary so that you solely need to drive a couple of hours at a time. Be happy to skip any locations or spend longer at any given place, relying on how lengthy you need your highway journey to be.
Los Angeles
Earlier than you start your Grand Canyon route, attempt to spend a couple of days exploring Los Angeles! This unbelievable metropolis is dwelling to fabulous seashores, distinctive neighborhoods, epic nightlife, and limitless leisure.
These excited by artwork and tradition can tour the Getty Heart, the Broad, or the Los Angeles County Museum of Artwork. In case you’re extra excited by movie and leisure, go to the superb Common Studios Hollywood or tour the enduring Warner Bros Studios.
The Hollywood Stroll of Fame, the Hollywood Signal, and the Griffith Observatory are different highlights of Los Angeles, notably for individuals who desire a photo-op.
Anybody on the lookout for out of doors actions in Los Angeles can discover its many seashores, resembling Venice Seashore, Malibu or the surf mecca of Huntington Seashore. Or you’ll be able to go for a hike in Runyon Canyon.
Los Angeles is stuffed with wonders. When you’ve had your fill of the town, it’s time to embark in your Los Angeles to Grand Canyon highway journey!
Palm Springs
- Distance from Los Angeles: 107 miles
- Driving time: 1 hour and 40 minutes
From Los Angeles, begin heading east in the direction of the Grand Canyon. Palm Springs is true on the way in which, and this energetic desert oasis is a superb place to spend a couple of hours or perhaps a few days.
The resort metropolis of Palm Springs is widely known for its scorching springs, trendy motels, golf programs, and vibrant arts scene. With year-round heat climate, scenic landscapes, and out of doors actions like climbing within the close by San Jacinto Mountains, Palm Springs has a lot to supply!
A must-do is driving the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for the most effective views over the Coachella Valley and surrounding desert. Or try the Palm Springs Air Museum, Palm Springs Artwork Museum, Moorten Botanical Backyard, or Residing Desert Zoo and Gardens for extra insights into the native artwork, tradition, and wildlife.
From there, it’s positively price stopping within the close by pure surprise of Joshua Tree Nationwide Park in your strategy to the Grand Canyon.
Learn in regards to the greatest issues to do in Palm Springs for extra concepts!
Joshua Tree Nationwide Park
- Distance from Palm Springs: 37 miles
- Driving time: 50 minutes
Certainly one of California’s most well-known nationwide parks is Joshua Tree Nationwide Park. It’s a really distant park with little to no services, so ensure you come ready with water, meals, and additional gas or provides.
However what it lacks in trendy facilities, it makes up for in breathtaking pure magnificence.
Joshua Tree Nationwide Park combines the fascinating landscapes of each the Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert. Yow will discover twisted, iconic Joshua timber and rugged rock formations all through the world.
From epic climbing trails to huge starry skies, Joshua Tree Nationwide Park is an out of doors lover’s paradise. That is an incredible place for tenting if you wish to spend an evening right here earlier than persevering with in your Los Angeles to Grand Canyon highway journey!
Lake Havasu Metropolis
- Distance from Joshua Tree Nationwide Park: 149 miles
- Driving time: 2 hours and 40 minutes
After Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, proceed in your Grand Canyon highway journey and cross the border into Arizona. You’ll cross proper by Lake Havasu Metropolis in your strategy to the Grand Canyon, so it is a handy place to cease, refuel, stretch your legs, and discover.
The centerpiece of the town is Lake Havasu itself, a big reservoir on the Colorado River that gives a surprising backdrop for a variety of water-based actions.
Boating, fishing, jet snowboarding, and swimming are immensely widespread, attracting guests from across the area. Town’s heat local weather and sunny skies make it an excellent spot for out of doors adventures year-round.
One of many metropolis’s most well-known points of interest is the historic London Bridge, which was bought from the Metropolis of London in 1968 and reconstructed in Arizona. This exceptional feat of engineering has grow to be an emblem of the town and a serious vacationer draw.
Grand Canyon Village
- Distance from Lake Havasu Metropolis: 232 miles
- Driving time: 3 hours and 40 minutes
You’ve completed your Los Angeles to Grand Canyon highway journey! Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim is a superb place to start your exploration of the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon Village is the first gateway for guests exploring this iconic pure surprise. As the primary hub for the Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, the village gives a spread of lodging, eating choices, and customer companies, making it an excellent base for vacationers.
Key points of interest throughout the village embody the historic El Tovar Resort, the Hopi Home, and the Grand Canyon Railway Depot. Guests can get pleasure from breathtaking views of the canyon from numerous lookout factors, embark on guided excursions, or hike alongside scenic trails that cater to completely different expertise ranges.
Cruise over the Grand Canyon on a scenic airplane tour or admire the views of the Colorado River from a leisurely journey on the Grand Canyon Railway. Embark on tenting adventures or take day hikes to numerous sections of the Grand Canyon.
Climbing trails just like the Vivid Angel Path and South Kaibab Path present breathtaking views and difficult hikes. For a much less strenuous possibility, the Rim Path gives panoramic vistas with out steep elevation modifications.
You too can proceed your Grand Canyon highway journey by the world by taking up a scenic drive, such because the Desert View Drive. This 25-mile route alongside the South Rim gives quite a few viewpoints, resembling Moran Level and Lipan Level, the place guests can marvel on the canyon’s expansive magnificence.
Los Angeles to Grand Canyon Street Journey Itinerary – North Rim
Right here is one other Los Angeles to Grand Canyon highway journey itinerary that may be a bit longer however consists of some superb points of interest. It’s additionally preferrred for heading to the northern facet of the Grand Canyon.
Los Angeles
This Grand Canyon drive additionally begins in Los Angeles, in fact.
In case you have time, take into account taking a day journey from Los Angeles earlier than beginning your Grand Canyon highway journey. You’ll be able to sip wine in Santa Barbara, see well-known points of interest in San Diego, or soak within the solar in Santa Monica.
Or spend extra time delving into the leisure wonders of Hollywood!
Everytime you’re able to embark in your Los Angeles to Grand Canyon highway journey, right here is one other widespread route you’ll be able to take.
It’s additionally necessary to notice that any driving distances in and round LA in your highway journey could take longer attributable to visitors.
Mojave Nationwide Protect
- Distance from Los Angeles: 176 miles
- Driving time: 3 hours
Head northeast out of the town in the direction of the barren landscapes of the Mojave Desert. You’ll cross in between Angeles Nationwide Forest and San Bernardino Nationwide Forest in the event you really feel the necessity to cease for any hikes.
However when you exit the mountains and forests of Southern California, it’s all sand dunes and cacti as you drive into the Mojave Desert.
Mojave Nationwide Protect is a beautiful place to cease and discover throughout your Los Angeles to Grand Canyon drive. There are such a lot of cool pure wonders and actions to attempt right here.
Go sandboarding down the huge golden slopes of the sand dunes. The Kelso Dunes are a number of the largest and greatest for sandboarding in Mojave Nationwide Protect.
You too can go off-roading, tenting, mountain climbing, and wildlife recognizing. There are additionally some epic climbing trails together with the Teutonia Peak Path, Lava Tube Path, and the Rings Loop Path the place you’ll be able to view distinctive rock formations, historic lava beds, and dense Joshua tree forests.
For one more unbelievable highway journey, try this Wonderful Las Vegas To Zion Nationwide Park Drive!
Las Vegas
- Distance from Mojave Nationwide Protect: 67 miles
- Driving time: 1 hour
Subsequent in your Grand Canyon drive is the well-known Sin Metropolis, extra formally generally known as Las Vegas, Nevada.
Las Vegas is most recognized for its casinos and leisure, as discovered within the coronary heart of the town, the Las Vegas Strip. In case you’re on the lookout for Sin Metropolis highlights resembling the Bellagio Fountains, the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas, and the gondola rides at The Venetian, the Las Vegas Strip is the place to be.
Different enjoyable issues to do in Las Vegas embody indulging in wonderful eating, strolling down the action-packed Fremont Avenue, or admiring panoramic views of the town from the Excessive Curler Ferris Wheel.
There may be additionally an abundance of retailers, museums, spas, and day journeys to think about whereas visiting Las Vegas. Most individuals want to spend 3 days in Las Vegas as there may be a lot to do, however if you’re able to hit the highway you’ll be able to proceed in your Grand Canyon highway journey.
Valley of Fireplace State Park
- Distance from Las Vegas 45 miles
- Driving time: 45 minutes
Simply outdoors Las Vegas on the way in which to the Grand Canyon lies Valley of Fireplace State Park, an beautiful space in southeastern Nevada recognized for its vibrant purple sandstone formations and historic petroglyphs.
Begin your exploration of the park on the Valley of Fireplace Customer Heart to study in regards to the park’s geology, ecology, and historical past. The middle gives informative reveals and is a superb place to get maps and path info.
In case you’re on the lookout for the best rock formations within the park, try Arch Rock and Elephant Rock. Or go on a hike such because the Fireplace Wave, a path resulting in an exquisite wave-like rock formation, or the White Domes Path, which options slot canyons and historic movie websites.
For seeing historic petroglyphs, try Atlatl Rock and Mouse’s Tank. Or simply drive by the park and admire the views from the automotive! Valley of Fireplace Freeway and Mouse’s Tank Street are two of probably the most scenic drives in Valley of Fireplace State Park.
Zion Nationwide Park
- Distance from Valley of Fireplace State Park: 120 miles
- Driving time: 2 hours
From Valley of Fireplace State Park, your Los Angeles to Grand Canyon highway journey continues. It might appear counterproductive to maintain heading north, however that is the primary highway and the quickest strategy to attain the Grand Canyon on this route.
You’ll briefly cross by northern Arizona earlier than coming into southern Utah. The highway curves again south into Arizona and brings you proper to Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, however it’s positively price exploring one of many nationwide parks in Utah when you’re right here.
Zion Nationwide Park is true on the way in which. This majestic nationwide park showcases a few of Utah’s greatest surroundings, together with dramatic cliffs, dense forests, and rugged valleys. There may be superb mountain climbing, horseback driving, mountain biking, and stargazing in Zion Nationwide Park.
In case you have time, try Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park which is only one hour away from Zion. However Bryce Canyon is barely out of the way in which from the Grand Canyon highway journey, so it’s solely a superb possibility you probably have spare time.
Grand Canyon North Rim
- Distance from Zion Nationwide Park: 121 miles
- Driving time: 2 hours and half-hour
From Zion Nationwide Park, it’s slightly below 3 hours to drive south into Arizona and attain the northern part of Grand Canyon Nationwide Park.
So that you’ve accomplished this Los Angeles to Grand Canyon highway journey and might now spend a couple of days exploring the North of the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon North Rim gives a extra secluded and tranquil expertise in comparison with the South Rim, with beautiful vistas, scenic trails, and various wildlife.
Among the greatest hikes embody the straightforward Vivid Angel Level Path and the difficult North Kaibab Path. This a part of Grand Canyon Nationwide Park has plenty of unbelievable viewpoints as nicely that don’t require a lot effort to achieve.
Drive or hike to Cape Royal for some of the expansive views of the Grand Canyon, together with a transparent sight of the Colorado River.
Level Imperial gives superb views of the japanese Grand Canyon and is the best level on the North Rim at over 8,000 ft. Roosevelt Level and the Torro Weap Overlook additionally supply mindblowing views of the canyon partitions, valleys, and Colorado River under.
Different locations to your Los Angeles to Grand Canyon highway journey
These highway journey routes we’ve laid out supply probably the most direct drive from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon.
However there are numerous extra locations that might match right into a Grand Canyon highway journey in the event you had tons extra time! Possibly you may have a couple of weeks and also you’re hoping to see as a lot as attainable within the space.
Listed below are some options for methods to increase your highway journey and discover extra of California, Nevada, Arizona, or Utah.
Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam is simply half-hour southeast of Las Vegas and is a widespread day journey from the town. A well-known engineering marvel positioned on the border between Nevada and Arizona, Hoover Dam stands as one of many biggest achievements of the twentieth century.
Constructed in the course of the Nice Melancholy between 1931 and 1936, this colossal concrete arch-gravity dam spans the Black Canyon of the Colorado River. You may simply cease by Hoover Dam in your strategy to the Grand Canyon!
Learn subsequent: The Final Las Vegas to Los Angeles Street Journey Itinerary
Demise Valley Nationwide Park
Situated on the border of California and Nevada, Demise Valley is likely one of the coolest nationwide parks within the space. It’s a bit additional north so isn’t precisely on the way in which to the Grand Canyon from Los Angeles.
However you may make a small detour right here and spend a day or two exploring the most well liked, driest, and lowest nationwide park in america. Demise Valley is dwelling to mindblowing pure wonders just like the salt flats of Badwater Basin and the towering sand dunes of Mesquite Flat.
In search of extra highway journey concepts? Try The Final Northern California Street Journey Itinerary.
Sedona
After trying out the Grand Canyon, discover one other gem of Arizona by heading about 2 hours south to Sedona. This charming little city surrounded by purple rocks and plush valleys has a lot to see and do!
Cathedral Rock, Satan’s Bridge, and Bell Rock are only a handful of the wealthy purple rocks which have epic climbing trails close to Sedona. Locals and vacationers alike love the fascinating pure surroundings that thrives in and round Sedona.
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