San Francisco to Las Vegas a little bit different

[MJKK]

What a great forum, I've already looked at a whole heap of hints and other posts, and can see that SF to LV is a very popular trip.

Here's the thing, I was in the USA 4 years ago and I did a trip beginning and ending in Las Vegas and we 'did' Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Hoover Dam, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes and much more e.g all the must see big ticket sites.

This time, as the title suggests, we're starting in San Francisco and ending in Las Vegas (early October), picking up a car on the Monday, dropping it off in Las Vegas on Saturday. I have two must do things on my list, Highway 1 down the coast from SF, and Antelope Canyon & Monument Valley.

At the moment, my skeleton trip is:

Monday - San Francisco to Cambria via Carmel/Monterey for lunch
Tuesday - Cambria to Kingman via Mojave/Edwards Air Force Base
Weds - Kingman to Page
Thurs/Friday - Antelope canyon/Monument Valley
Saturday - Page to Las Vegas

I know I'm going to have some fairly high mileage days, but that doesn't bother me on the open road, and I'm set on seeing Antelope Canyon as it is my big regret not having visited the last time I was over.

Would welcome any hints/tips/comments on my route and any general advice. I seem to remember there is a railroad running through Kingman and Flagstaff, so may look to avoid staying there to actually get an uninterrupted nights sleep!

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

I think your plan looks very reasonable. In fact, if I'd change anything, I'd probably try to press farther than Kingman on day 2, and shoot for Williams. That assumes you'll be on the road basically all day - if you were thinking of spending your morning around Cambria before hitting the road, then Kingman is probably as far as you should go. Also note that public access to Edwards is very limited, especially for non-citizens, if you were hoping to actually stop there.

[MJKK]

Thanks Michael

What about coming off the 40 at Kingman and making a detour via Peach Springs on Route 66 - would probably stay at Peach Springs overnight.

Thanks for the advice about Edwards, even with the special relationship (we are British), I didn't think they would just let people in, and was only thinking of passing by, I would imagine it's pretty impressive just from the perimeter

Thanks again

[Midwest Michael]

I've been on the base a couple of times, for work, and it is a big place - basically its only city. However, if memory serves, you really don't see much anything from the highway (everything is too far away).

Peach Springs could also be an option, you'll just have to see what you've got for lodging choice, as I believe they are pretty limited.