We are thinking of going to the Grand canyon, from either Anaheim or San Diego, need help with the best way to go. Was thinking of heading towards Las Vegas having a night in Boulter City, then head out to the canyon the next day. Having a night there and return to Las Vegas for a few nights. Or should we go via Scotsdale?
Need help with our drive to the Grand canyon from San Diego.
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Are you sure you want to drive your own car through that many miles of desert?
You would be able to spend more time at GC if you flew to LV and rented a car from there. Scotsdale is quite a few miles out of your way unless there is really something you wanted to see there. The town most people want to see in AZ is Sedona.
If you are looking to visit Vegas, just stay there... its much cheaper and only a few hours to GC...
If you are looking for a "Nature" route, go through scottsdale, Sedona, Flagstaff, and to the Canyon... there are much more interesting stops by driving this way...
If you have the time, make a circle starting on the south route and finishing in Vegas... have Fun
Many times - we rent a car - see www.carrentals.com, and enjoy the drive. It's 5 hours or so from SD to Vegas - and another 5 hours to the Grand Canyon, or from Vegas - you can take a tour bus, etc - and leave the driving to them.
BTW - Scottsdale is just an upscale suburb of Phoenix. No special reason to go there IMO.
I'm doing a week in Sedona and from there I am going back and forth to the G-C.
From San Diego, I am taking I-8 to Yuma to Gila Bend, turning North and driving all the way to Sedona. An alternate would be to drive all the way SD to Flagstaff (about 8 hours). If that is too much, then consider driving the 6 hours to metro Phoenix to break up the trip there. Nice(r) hotels and resorts in Scottsdale than in Phoenix.
An alternate route, just a bit longer, is to drive San Diego to Laughlin, break the trip there, and then continue to the GC the next day.
Depends somewhat on whether you decide to leave from San Diego or Anaheim.
San Diego to Grand Canyon via Phoenix is about 9.5 hours, but the shortest route is through LA then Kingman at about 9 hours.
I really don't understand why you would consider going through Las Vegas on the way to the Grand Canyon when you are already planning a few nights in Vegas on the way back.
If you're starting from Anaheim, the shortest route is through Kingman. Detouring through Phoenix would add 1.5 hours to your trip. Again, going through Vegas would add another hour and I don't know why that would be an option if you're planning on being there afterwards anyway.