Hi everyone. My family is planning a week trip from SD to Grand Canyon and then to vegas. We are leaving Sunday and head to Grand Canyon first. Then we have to be in Vegas by Wed night. Is that enough time for Grand Canyon? What would be a good route to take? And since it's our first time to the Grand Canyon, what are the must sees? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Get an early start Sunday, take I-8/AZ-85/I-10/AZ-101/I-17 to Flagstaff and spend the night. This is about a 500 mile drive, and should take no more than 10 hours. You will have about a 90 minute drive to the GC from there. Considering it's about a 6 hour drive from the GC to LV, that will give you 2 full days at the GC, which is more than enough time. You might even think about seeing some other sights in the area with that much time.
As glc said, you can make it in a long day, but even if you stopped a bit short for the night you will have time to see some of the highlights. If you go all the way to Flagstaff I would take the 89 North and drive into the South rim from the East entrance along Desert view drive [64] and exit the South entrance [64] completing a loop. As you go in via the East entrance you can stop at the Watchtower and get some great wide open views as the Colorado makes it way into the canyon. As you drive along you will get more great viewpoints all the way towards the village. If it's still running you can get the free shuttle bus from the village area all the way to Hermits rest, hopping on and off at various viewpoints.
If you have time on the way to Vegas you could travel part of the original route 66 through Seligman and Kingman, that still has some Diners and cool memorabilia stores along the way.
San Diego to Grand Canyon, then to Vegas
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