Sedona to Vegas via Grand Canyon

[wjl11]

Hello,

We are traveling from Sedona,AZ to Vegas and would like to drive by the Grand Canyon on the way (no overnight stay). Can anyone suggest the best route for this one-day trip?

Thanks!
W

[Robert Schaller]

Probably the prettiest route is SR89A to Flagstaff, then US89 north to Cameron. Take SR64 into the GCNP from the east, and along the East Rim Drive to Grand Canyon Village. Continue south out of the park to Williams on SR64 and take I-40 to Kingman, then US93 to Las Vegas.

This is an 8 to 9 hour drive with no stops, so this will be a long day for you and unfortunately you'll have to drastically limit your stops within the park (and everywhere else) in order to make this run in one day. Don't forget you'd have to stop for a couple of meals as well. You could shave a few miles off by using US180 out of Flagstaff to Valle, then SR64 into the park. You'd miss the spectacular US89 route from Flagstaff to Cameron, which in my opinion is well-worth the extra time and miles.

A much better choice is to make the Canyon your destination for the day, and stay overnight in Williams. You could then finish the run to Las Vegas early on the second day (about 3+ hours of driving if you do not lollygag and depending on the degree of traffic congestion at Hoover Dam).

I hate to think you'd not be able to take advantage of an opportunity to enjoy Grand Canyon by trying to just "drive by." That would be a terrible waste. Bob

[wjl11]

Ok, I'm going to drop the Grand Canyon portion of the trip. 9 hours is too long. So, is there anything of interest on the drive from Sedona to Vegas? Looks like I40 West to Route 93 North. Is it worth it to take Route 66?

Thanks again.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Ok, I'm going to drop the Grand Canyon portion of the trip. 9 hours is too long. So, is there anything of interest on the drive from Sedona to Vegas? Looks like I40 West to Route 93 North. Is it worth it to take Route 66?

The drive from Sedona to Las Vegas has some of the most magnificent vistas in Arizona, as far as Route 66 -- here is a field report posted by Arizona Bob.

Plus here is some really useful information about that drive along US-93.

Mark