Best Route from Grand Canyon to Zion

[cselman]

I've got a trip coming up where I'm starting in Las Vegas, going to the Grand Canyon, and then on to Zion Nat'l Park. Looking at maps, I'm wondering what the best route is to get from the Grand Canyon (South Rim) to the southwest corner of Zion (Springdale). I'll be starting my drive around 5pm, so I'm hoping to get to my hotel in Springdale sooner rather than later.

Looks like the most direct route is travelling east on Hwy 64, then Hwy 89 north, Hwy 89-Alt through Jacob Lake, rejoining Hwy 89, and then going through the south end of Zion. What worries me is that the roads around Jacob Lake and in Zion look like they're zig-zagging roads that could take quite a while to get through.

Is this the quickest route, or is there a better way?

Thanks.

[Robert Schaller]

These roads are secondary highways -- but not particularly slow going. The road through Jacob Lake climbs up over the Kaibab Plateau and is a mountain road, but not one you have to crawl on -- you can run 45-60 most places and 65 others. From Mt. Carmel Jct through Zion will be slower, as you'll have NPS speed limits on it -- but it's not that far. I don't think you'll have any problems. Figure on about a 5 hour drive. The other possible route is through Page on US89 -- and is almost the same mileage and time. The 89A route is prettier altogether, but you miss the great views of Lake Powell you get on the main route through Page. Your choice.

By the way, you might want to stop at Cameron (at the Trading Post) for dinner -- I remember it being pretty good chow!

[Mark Sedenquist]

I've got a trip coming up where I'm starting in Las Vegas, going to the Grand Canyon, and then on to Zion Nat'l Park. Looking at maps, I'm wondering what the best route is to get from the Grand Canyon (South Rim) to the southwest corner of Zion (Springdale). I'll be starting my drive around 5pm, so I'm hoping to get to my hotel in Springdale sooner rather than later.

Unless your reservations are firm (where are you staying?) I would do the trip in reverse. From Las Vegas to Springdale is an easy three hours (I drive that route several times each year) via I-15 and SR-9 and then follow your stated route to the Grand Canyon. The route you have chosen is very scenic and one of our favorite routes -- but it is very time consuming, at a minimum it will be six hours of driving. The fastest route would be to stay on US-89, through Page, Kaibab and up. A little bit longer, but a faster driving road.

Mark

[cselman]

My plans are firm at this point, plus I'll actually be making a full circle ending up back in Las Vegas to catch a plane home.

Thank you both for your help. I think I'll try heading through Page.