Hi, I'm planning a short trip (4 days 3 nights) from Las Vegas to Zion/Bryce and the North Rim. From the previous posts, it looks like there are a couple of different ways to cover all three places so I'm wondering if you all know which itinerary makes more sense time/route-wise. (Also please let me know if any of my driving times are off..) Thanks!

Itinerary:
Day 1: LV - Zion (3hrs)
Day 2: Zion - GC Nth Rim (2.5hrs), spend a few hours and then drive GC-Bryce (3hrs)
Day 3: Bryce (do horseback rides)
Day 4: Bryce- LV (5hrs?)

The other plan was to go LV-Zion-Bryce-GC-LV.
Day 1: LV - Zion (3hrs)
Day 2: Zion - Bryce (2hrs)
Day 3: Bryce- GC Nth Rim (3hrs)
Day 4: GC Nth Rim-LV (5.5hrs)

Also, if I could add an extra night, where would you spend it?

Thanks!

The roads you will be on can't be driven as fast as you have them.

From Zion to the N. Rim you better figure more like 4 hours. From Bryce to the North Rim is more like 5 hours. The N. Rim to Las Vegas is more like 6 1/2 -7 hours.

You are taking on two much if you drive from Zion to the N. Rim and then to Bryce. The roads around the N. Rim are slow driving roads.

It's probably a toss up which way you do it but I would take that extra day and spend at least one night in Zion, and the N. Rim and if you want to do the horse back ride then two nights at Bryce.

Utahtea

Thanks Utahtea! I might not be able to squeeze in that extra night but we really want to see the Grand Canyon... is there a better (or more sane!) itinerary you'd suggest?

Day 1: Las Vegas to Zion- 3 hrs driving & spend the rest of the day touring Zion.

Day 2: Exit Zion throught the Zion Tunnel - 4 hours driving to Grand Canyon. View over looks & watch sunset at GC.

Day 3: Tour a little more at Grand Canyon in the morning and drive - 5 hrs to Bryce. You should beable to see the sunset.

Day 4: Tour Bryce before heading back to Las Vegas - 5 hours.

If you decide you have that extra day you can spend it horse back riding in Bryce or even Zion if you prefer because you can go back to Vegas thought Zion.

You are going to be spending a lot of time on the road and only get a glimse of each park. I would suggest getting up very early each morning to make the most of each day.

Utahtea

Just called Xanterra and looks like I'll have to do LV-Zion-Bryce-GC-LV due to lodge availability. Well, I guess if I do get that extra night, I'll drive back to Vegas through Zion and spend the extra night there to break up the drive? Thanks for all your help- it was great!

It really was a toss up on the route. I'm sure you will have a good time!

Utahtea