I am traveling cross country to Palo Alto this month. I have the beginning and end of the trip mapped out but am stumped once I get to Santa Fe. I would like to do some parks in Utah (Bryce? Moab?) before stopping off at Grand Canyon on way to LA for drive up Pacific Highay. Advice much appreciated. I have 9 days to get from Santa Fe to Palo Alto.

It's 370 miles from Santa Fe to Moab, so that will eat up most of day 1. I would try to get into Arches and see some of the park on this day.

Day 2 I'd spend in Arches and Canyonlands National Park, Island in the Sky District. Spend another night in Moab.

Day 3 Drive from Moab to Capitol Reef via Hwy 191, I-70 and Hwy 24 which is 160 miles. You should have time to drive the scenic drive in Capitol Reef and maybe get in a hike or two. Spend the night in Torrey, Utah.

Day 4 Drive scenic Hwy 12 over the Boulder Mountains, thru Escalante - Grand Staircase National Monument to Bryce. 115 miles. You should have enough time in Bryce to see some of the over looks. Spend the night in Bryce or nearby.

Day 5 Go into Bryce for a quick hike then head to Zion National Park via Hwy 12, Hyw 89 and Hwy 9. Spend the day touring Zion. Spend the night at nearby Springdale, Utah.

Day 6 Maybe squeeze in a hike before heading to the Grand Canyon. 255 miles via Lake Powell. Plan on lunch at the Marina or a picnic there for a beautiful setting. Make sure you leave time to stop at the scenic overlooks from the Desert View entrance all the way to the Grand Canyon Village. Spend the night at the Grand Canyon or near by at Tusayan, AZ.

Day 7 will be a long almost 500 mile day to Los Angeles.

Day 8 & 9 you can drive the Pacific Coast Highway.

BTW, you only save 120 miles by going to the North Rim before Zion and then L.A. If you have never been to the Grand Canyon, I'd go to the South Rim...much better views IMHO.

ALSO if you are going to do all of these parks, you should purchase a National Park Pass for $50. It's good for 1 full year from month of purchase.

Utahtea

Thank you. I have already gotten the park pass. One other question. Should I try to figure out a way to stop in Mesa Verde, NM. I have friends who say I would be missing a great place.

So much to do and so little time. Are you moving to Palo Alto or are you just visiting? Your sign on name is Stanford so I was wondering if you were going to go to school or work there. If so, maybe you could save L.A. & the Pacific Highway for another time.

That would free up a couple of days and you could easily spend a day at Mesa Verde. You will be driving right by there. If you do go, you will want a full day there and take one or two of the ranger lead hikes. There are three ruins that can only be seen on ranger lead hikes and they are some of the best!

Utahtea

I am going for a ten month fellowship.My husband is driving cross country with me but wont be staying at Palo Alto so I wanted to give him a little taste of the Pacific Highway......

Maybe you could cut out the southern part of the Pacific Coast Highway. Cut across at Wasco to Lost Hills and take Hwy 46 & 41 to Morro Bay and drive up the coast. Cutting out L. A. will save you a lot of driving time!

Utahtea

You can also make it from Moab, Utah via Capitol Reef, scenic Hwy 12 to Bryce in one day. If you get an early enough start you could even spend some time at Capitol Reef.

Utahtea