5 Day Southwest Road Trip from Orange County, CA

[Bodkin]

Hello,

This is going to be my first planned road trip I plan on taking with my wife and another married couple, so I'm looking for all the advice I can get :) .

We've leaving from Orange County, CA and our whole trip will last 5 days and 4 nights.

I'm trying to recreate a similar trip my parents took me on when I was a wee lad, but I know I won't have enough time to hit up all the places, considering that trip went through Hoover Dam, Mesa Verda, Bryce Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and probably a whole bunch of other spots that I don't remember.

I'm thinking of leaving for Vegas in the morning and stay the day there since my wife has never been to Las Vegas, then leaving the next morning for the rest of the trip leaving 4 days and 3 nights to finish the rest of the trip. This is where I haven't filled in the details and really need some help planning.

I'm thinking from Vegas to Zion National Park, to Bryce Canyon, to Grand Canyon, then heading back home. But this is only a rough planning.

Anything more I can safely fit in on the five days? BTW, we don't plan on doing much in the way of hiking, this is more of a drive around and see the sights and relax type of road trip.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Ryan

[glc]

Those 3 places are about all you are going to be able to fit in, otherwise there won't be much relaxation - spend a night near each park. By the way, the admission to each park is $25, so an $80 annual parks pass will just about pay for itself on this trip alone.

[Southwest Dave]

Hello and welcome to R.T.A.

I'm thinking from Vegas to Zion National Park, to Bryce Canyon, to Grand Canyon, then heading back home. But this is only a rough planning.

That will make a nice relaxed trip with the time you have. You could take a trip across Death valley on the way to Vegas or a detour to Monument valley before G/C or stop at Joshua tree on the way home as options.

Have a great trip !

[glc]

If you add Death Valley to the mix, the parks pass will pay for itself. The fee at DV is $20. You can order a pass over the Internet or simply buy one at the first park you visit. It covers the vehicle, driver, and up to 3 adult passengers.

[jlittle]

I think adding Death Valley might strain the relaxed pace your current agenda provides. DV is a huge park!

A nice side-trip on the way from Vegas to Zion is Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. I was more impressed with it than I expected to be -- it can be appreciated in a visit of just a couple of hours, or a couple of days.