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So after a bit of fiddling around I've made this rough outline of what I was thinking to do. I'm thinking maybe cutting out Glacier would be something to consider as it is a fair way out of the way.
Although I've asked this question before, I'm going to ask it again now that I have more of an idea as to my goal, thanks to you guys. When looking at the below google maps outline, can you guys think of anything nearby that is worth checking out, do you think 3 weeks is enough and would you have any suggestions as to cutting things out. Oh, and of course, anything else you guys can think of that I haven't!
Link to the google maps "rough draft" here: https://goo.gl/maps/hYJts
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Just north of Missoula, Montana there's the National Bison Range - but you might feel that you've already seen enough buffalo in Yellowstone. BTW north of there you drive past the scenic Flathead Lake.
In southwestern Utah, as well as the magnificent Zion NP there's also Bryce Canyon NP and Cedar Breaks National Monument - apologies if you had already planned to visit them.
On US89A near Page (on your route as marked on the map) you cross the Navajo Bridge over the Colorado River - well worth a short stop, and you can walk over the old bridge for views down into the canyon.
After the Grand Canyon, US163 runs through Monument Valley and is therefore much more scenic than US191. US163 is paved and perfectly ok even in a rental car - it's the backroads which branch off it that are not.
Between Moab and I-70, I'd highly recommend Ut128 which runs alongside the Colorado River with huge sandstone bluffs either side - it's almost as if you were driving at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
Near Grand Junction, you might want to visit Colorado National Monument. Also, if you've got a spare day at that point, it would be worth running down to Montrose for the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, a sheer walled canyon that you can view from both the rim and the river level. And if you've still got spare time, getting back to I-70 via C064 over the Grand Mesa is a great drive but it's not a fast road up there.
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Consider.
Your route will pass right by Bryce Canyon. It would be a pity to miss that. It could then continue on to Zion via 89 and onto the east entrance of the Grand Canyon (after Zion).
You might also consider a small detour off I-70, onto US6 and over Loveland Pass. Great view and a lovely mountain drive.
Lifey
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North rim.
If you are travelling Sept/Oct you do have the option to visit the quieter North rim of the GC after Zion NP. I too would recommend Bryce canyon and afterwards you could continue on UT scenic 12 to Torrey and visit Capitol Reef NP on route to Canyonlands and Arches NP via Hanksville.. Lot's of other great suggestions for you to consider and keeping in mind that you can easily spend 4 to 5 days in Yellowstone and the Tetons I think maybe you might be right in considering dropping Glacier NP, as wonderful as it is.
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I thought of that.
Dave suggestion of the North Rim is a good one. It is by far my preferred destination at the Grand Canyon. However, it will greatly depend on when you decide to take this trip. The North Rim, being at 1000' higher than the South Rim also closes for winter.
Lifey
