Seeking LA to Yellowstone first-time roadtrip advice...

[DavidParis]

Hello,
Family of 4 with 2 boys aged 16 and 18, travelling from Europe this summer to the US, are seeking advice on driving/sightseeing/things to see on our first-time road trip. We have 11 days to do the following route plan :

Arrive in LA, 1 night in Santa Monica.
Drive to Las Vegas (via Death Valley, worth it or not?). Stay 1 night.
Drive to Grand Canyon Village. Stay 1 night on-site.
Drive to Page, AZ. Stay 1 night. Antelope Canyon tour.
Drive to Moab, UT via Monument Valley. Stay 3 nights.
Drive to SLC,UT. Stay 1 night. See lake, cathedral.
Drive to Jackson, WY. Stay 1 night.
Drive to West Yellowstone, MT. Stay 2 nights and visit YNP.
Dribe to Logan, UT. Stay 1 night.
Depart to FL by air next day out of SLC.

Between the driving portins there are obviously activities planned, including hiking, river-rafting, road and MTB biking, etc.

Just a bit concerned about all the driving. Does it appear to be too much? Any tips, pointers, things-not-too-miss along the way?

Many thanks in advance for your advice.

Kind regards,
David S.

[Southwest Dave]

Hello and welcome to the RTA forums !

Generally speaking I think you have a very nice trip planned with a nice mix of driving and sight seeing. Just the drive across Death valley makes it "worth it" IMO, it is an incredible landscape. Two things to consider though, with a little sight seeing it will be a long day on the road following on from an International flight and it will be incredibly hot in DV. The heat isn't so much a problem as you can do a lot of sight seeing from the car, or with a short walk from it, just carry plenty of water and make sure you have sun protection. I would decide on how you feel next morning, jet lag affects different people in different ways, if you are on the road early go for it ! From Santa M, head north on I 405/5 and CA14 to Palmdale to US395. Then take CA190 to Death valley junction, on the way look out for the Sand dunes near Stovepipe Wells and stop at Furnace creek [good place for refreshments] and the view at Zabriske point. At DV junction you can take the 'Locals route' to Vegas. Head to Pahrump on Ash Meadows/State line Rd/Bell Vista Ave and NV160 to Vegas.

[Jerry Kendrick]

Here's something to consider. The Grand Canyon Skywalk on the Hualapai Indian Reservation is something to see! It is somewhat hard to get to, but well worth the effort. From Las Vegas, take US 93 across Hoover Dam and continue SE. Turn on Pierce Ferry Road, then take Diamond Bar Rd. to the reservation. There are several miles of bumpy, dusty, dirt road but in the end it is worth the effort. There are fees for the reservation and the Skywalk. http://www.grandcanyonwest.com It is certainly possible to visit the Skywalk and still make it to the south rim (Grand Canyon Village) in the same day.

[Lifemagician]

There are several miles of bumpy, dusty, dirt road but ...

The OP will be driving a rental car, and this road would most likely violate his rental agreement.

[DavidParis]

Thanks all for the information.
Kind regards,
David

[Midwest Michael]

The Grand Canyon Skywalk on the Hualapai Indian Reservation is something to see! It is somewhat hard to get to, but well worth the effort.

I've got to say, I think this is the first positive review of the Skywalk I've seen.

Nearly every person I've heard from who has gone out there has said it isn't worth the cost. The skywalk costs about $80 per person (compared to $25 for the entire car for the national park) and you're not even allowed to take your camera with you, so it is a major expense. And most rental car users will need to use the remote parking/Shuttle Bus system because the road is in such poor shape.

Have there been some improvements lately, or did you just think the experience was worth those detractions?

[panchodog]

I think with your limited time, you've got at least one night too many in Moab and one too few in Yellowstone. Yellowstone is huge. I think three days is a minimum for Yellowstone personally.

[Lifemagician]

That is very much a personal preference. Having spent time in both areas, I would find it hard to spend more time in one than the other. They are both very large areas and both with many attractions.

[Utahtea]

Here's something to consider. The Grand Canyon Skywalk on the Hualapai Indian Reservation is something to see! It is somewhat hard to get to, but well worth the effort. From Las Vegas, take US 93 across Hoover Dam and continue SE. Turn on Pierce Ferry Road, then take Diamond Bar Rd. to the reservation. There are several miles of bumpy, dusty, dirt road but in the end it is worth the effort. There are fees for the reservation and the Skywalk. http://www.grandcanyonwest.com It is certainly possible to visit the Skywalk and still make it to the south rim (Grand Canyon Village) in the same day.

Be careful because most car rentals say you can NOT drive on dirt roads. The Skywalk is very expensive at about $70+ per person, so make sure you are willing to pay for it before driving out.

I've never been to the Skywalk, but IMHO, with your short time, you will want to spend as much time at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Utahtea

ETA: Sorry about posting info that was already said, I didn't see any replies when I went to post!