Denver to LA via Las Vegas and Grand Canyon

[DownUnderFamily]

We are very excited about our trip to the US in Dec and Jan (we live in Perth, Western Australia). We are visiting friends in Denver and Orange County and thought we could drive from Denver to LA. We would be leaving around 10 Jan 2012 and have only three or four days. We will be traveling with our two girls aged 10 and 8. We know it is probably a crazy idea given the time of year but probably the only opportunity for us to get to America. Any suggestions on places to visit, accommodation, best car to hire, hints etc, would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

With just 3 or 4 days, you're going to have to be careful with your time, especially since you do have the chance of having a weather delay on top of the drive - which needs 2 full days all by itself.

I'd say the Grand Canyon and Vegas are kind of an either/or situation, since trying to do both would involve a few hours of backtracking and that's time you probably don't have.

The easiest thing to do would be to follow I-15 and I-70, which is the most direct route and it would take you to Vegas, and very near several other national parks like Zion, Arches, and Canyonlands to name a few.

If the grand canyon is a priority, then I'd take I-40 out to it, and then work up to I-70 by going through Monument Valley and picking up I-70 near Moab.

[Lifemagician]

You will be in for some experience, going from Perth to the snows of the Rocky Mountains..... in January!

Michael has given you the best advice available, but please note...

If the grand canyon is a priority, then I'd take I-40 out to it, and then work up to I-70 by going through Monument Valley and picking up I-70 near Moab.

I am sure Michael meant it the other way around. In his haste (he's very busy), he had you going from LA to Denver. So just change these instructions around. I can't help but agree, that if you have the time, that would be by far your best route.

Enjoy.

Lifey in Melbourne

[Southwest Dave]

With 4 days you could include GC and Vegas, but it would be a bit of a 'whirlwind' tour. From Denver head for Moab for the night [Arches NP?] and take 191 south and through Monument valley on 163 to 160 to 89 and then south to 64 that will take you into the GC south rim NP via the East entrance. Spend a night at GC and continue to Vegas for night 3 and then continue to LA. If you could spare another day [or two] you would have some time to explore some of the places that you will be driving through.

As mentioned, weather could play it's part and cause delays, so you may as well have your options open and go with the weather and let each day unfold.

[DownUnderFamily]

Thank you very much for your replies and some great advice. Having looked at the distances and weather we now think it will be too difficult in only a few days. We will just have to save up and make another trip when we have longer to enjoy all those wonderful sites.

Thanks again for your help.

[Lifemagician]

... we now think it will be too difficult in only a few days.

I would not just give up like that, and completely forget about it. When you are in Denver, you will get to hear the weather forecasts... including the weeklong forecasts. Why not wait to decide till then. At the time of the year you are travelling, this trip can easily be made without reservations. You can make all those decisions when you are in Denver. It would be a shame to miss out on the Grand Canyon, if the weather happends to be nice when you are over there. And the drive from Denver to the GC, as above, is such a spectacular drive, over very good roads. If the weather is fine, and the forecast is for continuing fine weather, there is no reason for you to miss all that.

On the other hand, if the forecasts are for storms, and snow and blizzards, etc., book a flight to OC, and enjoy the time with your friends.

Lifey