Monument Valley to Bryce Canyon

[Emmamaymurphy]

So we start our USA roadtrip next week. We are booked into a hotel in Monument Valley on 22-7-15 and travel the next day to Bryce Canyon for 2 nights at the Lodge. The most direct route is via Page and Kanab, but would it be better/nicer to do the longer route via Mexican Hat UT 95N and UT 12W via Boulder and Grand Staircase Escalante instead? It is a couple of hours longer but would the views/landscape be worth the deviation? We have 2 drivers so the driving time isn't too much of an issue. Thank you! Emma

[glc]

Welcome to RTA!

Yes, the longer route is well worth the extra time. UT-12 is one of the greatest scenic drives you will find anywhere. On the way on UT-95, you may want to take a quick detour through Natural Bridges.

You may want to consider taking UT-261 from Mexican Hat to UT-95 up the Moki Dugway. The drive up the Dugway itself is a graded gravel road, quite steep with many switchbacks. I'd advise you to check on conditions before you do, it can get quite washboarded. If you don't do it, you have to take US-163 to US-191 to get to UT-95.

If you have time, you will also be going right by Capitol Reef, you could take a quick trip down to the end of the road and back.

I'd advise an early start - with all the sights along that route this is going to be an all-day drive.

[Emmamaymurphy]

Wow the route (if weather permits) looks amazing! We'll be in a hired Chevvy Tahoe - would that car be suitable to do the UT-261 road?

[Southwest Dave]

It will be fine unless it is washed out by a freak storm, I have driven it in a 30ft RV with reasonable ease. You can also take a quick detour to Goosenecks SP and see the river carve it's way around the rocks from the overlook.