cathy81

I'm going to several national parks in July and, although I have planned out my itinerary, I wanted to be certain I am correct in my estimated travel times. Please let me know if these seem accurate.

Phoenix - Sedona = 2 hours
Sedona - Grand Canyon = 3 hours
Grand Canyon - Page = 2.5 hours
Page - Monument Valley = 3 hours
Monument Valley - Four Corners = 1 hour
Four Corners - Moab = 4 hours
Moab - Canyonlands = 1 hour
Moab - Arches = 1 hour
Moab - Bryce = 4.5 hours
Bryce - Zion = 2 hours
Zion - Las Vegas = 2 hours

Also, is it worth stopping at Page? Or should we go straight to Monument Valley? What is the time from Grand Canyon directly to Monument Valley?

Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions or comments.

Myer

Phoenix to Sedona is about 2 hours.
GC to Page is about right (2.5).

Moab to Canyonlands is well under an hour. It's about 30 miles. Dead Horse Point is right outside of Canyonlands and definitely worth the visit.

Moab to Arches is only a few minutes. Maybe 10 minutes from the center of town.

Moab to Bryce sounds about right except the road between Boulder and Escalante is full of "steep slopes & sharp turns".

I hope you're not going straight from Moab to Bryce Canyon. There are some spectacular sights en route such as Goblin Valley (under-rated), Lower Calf Creek Falls (relatively long, hot but easy hike to spectacular falls), Scenic Road between Boulder & Escalante (you will be on this), little known Willis Creek slot canyon (I was there this past May).

Bryce to Zion is about 80 miles. However, the time could vary greatly as part of the ride is full of switchbacks and could have traffic lined up at the park entrance. Depends on time of year and day. Or if there's a trailer in the tunnel requiring traffic in the opposite direction to wait.

Zion to Las Vegas I think was almost 3 hours. Don't remember exactly.

Page.
Page is the site of 3 great sights; The Best Dam View, Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon. Allow about 3 1/2 - 4 hours in the middle of the day (high sun).

I never actually went into the town. I saw the Horseshoe Bend view on a magazine cover in B&N last weekend.

cathy81

Thanks for the info, Myer. We're somewhat short on time and decided to spend more time in Bryce rather than on the sights on the way from Moab. However, I've heard great things about Willis Creek and may be able to squeeze that into the day.

Myer

I don't know how much time you've allotted to Bryce Canyon. However, I would only bother with Bryce Point, Natural Bridge and then hike Navajo Loop down and Queens Garden back up.

This will also put you at Sunset & Sunrise Points.

Also, get to Bryce Point for sunrise.

As far as spectacular is concerned, Lower Calf Creek Falls has it. Unfortunately, it's a hot 2.5 miles each way (nothing difficult). You've got to allow at least 3 hours since once there you'll want to cool off in the water.

Willis Creek is about 10 miles below Cannonville that's directly on the way to Bryce. The road from Cannonville down is rather steep and dirt, but once you start walking from the parking lot, it's an easy walk and you enter the first slot within 5 minutes. The first one isn't very impressive but then they get really good.

About three or four slots in you get to a very small waterfall.

I turned around and came back after 4 or 5 slots. You can stop whenever you want depending on your timing.

Right near the east entrance to Zion is the Canyon Overlook trail. Not too long and spectacular views of the canyon. You'll be entering thru this entrance and the tunnel.

Dayle

cathy,

The road you will drive between Moab and Bryce is just as fabulous as Bryce itself. I also highly recommend the Lower Calf Creek Falls hike.

If you are short on time I would honestly recommend you skip the 4 Corners. A waste of time. Very cheesy.

Supercilious

I don't know if you have read the comments on your other thread. There were some comments about Page there.

Most of your times are pretty close. The major exception is Moab to Bryce at 4.5 hrs. I suppose you could do this that quick if you drove I-70 and US 89 which is the recommended route by some mapping sites. However, the route along Hwy 12 from Torrey through Boulder and Escalante as others have said is much more spectacular. It is also much longer in time. And you will find yourself stopping quite frequently at the vista points. You want to be fresh for this drive. That's why I recommended staying in Torrey instead of driving from Moab.

Your time for Moab to Arches is for the scenic road to its end in Arches at the parking area for Landscape Arch (a must see).

Also, Zion to Vegas is more like 2.5 to 3 hours.

cathy81

Thanks everyone. I'll tweak my times as you've suggested.