Vegas to Los Angeles

[Neville]

We are flying from the UK to Las Vegas at the end of April and want to visit Death Valley, Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon on our way to Los Angeles. We plan to hire a car in Vegas and drop it off in Los Angeles. As this is our first time in USA we have no idea which is the best way to do this so any suggestions or advice would be very welcome. We intend to stay for 4 nights in Vegas so have about 6 days to accomplish our tour including two ot three nights in Los Angeles.

[Mass Tim]

Welcome to the RoadTrip America Forum!

A couple of things to consider when renting a car:
-One way rentals can cost significantly more than returning the rental vehicle to the place you rented it from.

-There can be significant fees to rent a vehicle if you are under age 25.

The route from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon is approximately 6 hours, one-way, so you will need to allot a couple of days, minimum, to see the Grand Canyon on this trip.

[Southwest Dave]

As Tim mentioned it is up to 6 hours to GC, plus anytime you want to spend at the Hoover dam. You can stay in lodgings within the South rim NP area or pay less at one of the towns outside such as Williams, Flagstaff and the closest [and most likely dearest option outside] Tusayan. There is also Cameron trading post which is situated near to the East entrance. For you first night providing you don't wish to stay in the park, I would stay at Flagstaff or Cameron and enter the GC from the East entrance along Desert view drive. Your first views from the Watchtower area will be open views of the Colorado river as it starts to make it's way through the canyon. Continuing on you will come across more viewpoints all the way to the Village area, where you could walk along the rim between Mather and Yavapai point. [great for a sunset] You can also take the hop on hop off free shuttle bus service up to Hermits rest with many more viewpoints.

You could then stay the night or leave by way of the South kiosk back towards I 40 and complete the loop on 64, staying somewhere just outside the park. You will need at least the full day and 2 nights around the canyon to do it justice.

You can go to LA in a straight shot along I40/I15 or with an overnight stop you could head towards Joshua tree NP/Palm springs and continue next day.

[UK Wanderers]

We've done the journey you are planning several times and for a first trip to the US, it's 'awesome'. The advice you've been given by more seasoned travellers than us, is excellent. When visiting the Grand Canyon, we normally stay in Williams. It's about an hours drive to the South Rim. You can also get a steam train that get's 'robbed' on the return journey. There are several reasonably priced motels, a fantastic Route 66 diner and a bar/restaurant called Pancho McGillicuddys, I think the spelling is pretty close! Good food, great selection of alcohols and as it's situated in an old brothel, a great atmosphere too! Enjoy