Lostmymind4

Who can route the best, most scenic trip???Driving my parents from vegas to denver on a bucketlist tour to see GC. So far we arrive in Vegas on 6/16 and need to be in Silverthorne, CO by 6/24 to meet up with family. We will spend the first 2 night in vegas followed by 2 nights in GC. My goal is to also get in Sedona, Mesa Verde and Arches NP along the way. Please help navigated best, most scenic routes for the time we have available. My parents are active but have some health restrictions so no strenuous hiking necessary. Appreciate any feedback.

emalloy

Here is a map with chart to distance and time for the area that was posted years ago by another fodorite and I've found helpful.

http://ohiohickstraveltips.weebly.co...-utah-map.html

If you don't have lodging yet, you need to get it asap!

janisj

W/ 2 nights in Vegas and 2 nights at the South rim, you only have 4 nights remaining. GC > Sedona > Mesa Verde > Arches would eat up almost 2 days worth of driving -- I'd cut Vegas back to one night and add time along your route.

fmpden

Your time is short. M Verde is a full day even if you don't stay overnight in the park that is always recommended. It is a solid hour drive in from Cortez and, of course, back out. Just from Cortez to Silverthorne is another 8 to 10 hours of solid mountain driving.

Have you looked at a map? Sedona is well south of Flagstaff. Well out of your way if you are going from Vagas to Colorado via the G Canyon and M Verda. Something has to give. You current schedule doesn't work.

Lostmymind4

Thanks for the responses. Yes i have looked at a map and yes we have lodging reserved. Based on the replies im concerned that google map estimated travel times are inacurate? It shows 2hrs from MV to Arches and 4.5hrs from Arches to Silverthorne? Seems like the longest drive will,be btwn Sedona and Mesa. Maybe we should cut Sedona? I realize its alot of driving...trying to maximize the trip so parents can see the things they wish. Appreciate the help.

janisj

>> im concerned that google map estimated travel times are inacurate?

fmpden

Since you asked the same question again, I assume you cannot find your first question. I will bump this so they are together. Spend some time learning how to use this site.

Lostmymind4

Thanks so much for the warm friendly advice.

fmpden

If you don't want the responses, then don't ask the question. You seen to have your mind made up about your plans so why ask?

lindagj

Couple of quick comments. Goggled Arches to Silverthorn--362 miles, FIVE hours 36 min, not Four. Very optimistic estimate.
We drive from Grand Junction to Denver often and know the road. Glenwood Canyon, east of GW Spgs can be slow. Interstate 70 is super busy at this time of year with tourists. Vail Pass and the approaches to Eisenhower tunnel are not dangerous but do climb rapidly. Sunday traffic is even worse with weekenders adding to the mix. Locals do all they can to avoid that area on Sunday.

If I think of other things I will post again.

Lostmymind4

Thank you Lindagj...those are the types of comments i need. Looking for helpful advice from people who travel these routes and know the roads. By reading some of the posts on this site i realized i may need to re-route and re-think our plans. Totally open to suggestions and do not have my mind made up. Appreciate helpful tips versus irritated posts that defeat the purpose of sites like this. Keep the helpful advice coming!

Lostmymind4

@fmpden...my response was to your commment about the use of the site. Fortunately my time to research posting etiquette is limited with running a business and raising a family. Simply looking for travel advice for our trip. Open-minded to travel suggested thus my reason for the initial posts.

Lostmymind4

In reading other travel forums and the advice given here we are cutting our vegas trip which will allow for an extra day to go the NP as well as extra night in Moab. After planning this trip for months im 2nd guessing my choice to see sedona. Should we trade sedona for a quick 1day trip to Zion instead? Realizing we will not see but a glimpse of everything it has to offer. My specific question is zion vs sedona? I have rooms reserved in both places pending this last min change? Thoughts?

emalloy

I like the red rocks in the Arches and Canyonlands area better than in Sedona and since it is a bit off your path I would skip it this time.

When you say you are cutting your Vegas trip, does that mean no nights there or just one?

If it is no days, fly into Vegas, head right up to Zion, spend the rest of the day, the night and most of the next day in Zion then head out towards Grand Canyon south rim. Spend the night in Kanab or Page or Cameron Trading Post which ever you can get to before it gets dark and the visibility makes it hard to see the animals along the road.

If it is one night in Vegas, get up early and head to Zion, spend most of the day and then head for GC, spend the night in Kanab or Page, depending on how far you get before dark.

Lostmymind4

Great. Thanks! We will be doing 1 night in vegas leaving early for zion. Since ive learned that google maps is not a good gauge for time how long should we plan to get to GC from zion. We have reservations in Tusyana on Sat.
Appreciate the help

emalloy

It should take between 4 and 5 hours to get from Zion to the south rim. Down 89 then east on 64. Tusayan will be a little farther. You will have nice scenery on the way and leave time to stop along the rim at the viewpoints.

I really prefer staying in the park and by now those people who made reservations last year have found they can't make the trip so some spots there might be available. If you can get them and cancel Tusayan without penalty, I would grab them. We've often seen elk and deer once you get to the NP property, so staying in park avoids driving after dark when you want to stay for sunset.

emalloy

Actually it's west on 64

Lostmymind4

Great. I will check again for a room in the park. Fingers crossed.