Would appreciate any help with this route [must sees, best route, where too stay, timeline etc]
Quickest route through the mountains best as I have done the rockies trip too many times.
Thanks alot
Cheers,
Jan
Vancouver Island,BC

North or South Rim of the Grand Canyon?

Whichever rim you choose, I would think the general plan would be to head south on I-25, then west on I-70, until you get into Utah. Then, depending on what Utah parks you want to visit (drive past?), choose a highway, and head south toward the Grand Canyon.

To go to the South Rim, I'd probably turn off I-70 at the road that runs south past Arches and Canyonlands NPs, through Moab. For the North Rim, I might drive down past Bryce NP.

Crossing the Rockies on I-70 is pretty fast and easy, but does involve grades that can overheat some vehicles. Once you get off the interstate, the roads won't be as fast, but the desert scenery is amazing, very different from crossing the Rockies. From I-70, the road past Moab as far as Monticello is pretty fast driving (maybe 1.5-2 hours from I-70 to Monticello). I imagine it's pretty good south of Monticello, but I haven't driven in that direction.

Quickest route is I25 south to Denver and I70 west To UTah and Rt 191 south to Moab (Arches/Canyonlands). Then south to rt 160 passing by Monument Valley. East on rt 160 to 89 to 64 to The South.Rim. This can be done in Four days if you don't spend too much time in anyone place. If you have. If you want to visit Bryce and Zion National PArks followed by Las Vegas it is suggested you go to the North Rim from Monument Valley.

ttt
Looking for more input was hoping to get to Mesa Verde in a day. Sounds like I probably can't do it.
Thanks for your Help
Cheers,
jan

You can do Mesa Verde with a (relatively) small detour. At Monticello, Utah, turn onto 666 toward Cortez, then east on 160. The entrance to Mesa Verde is probably only an hour or so from Monticello. It's worth the detour!

Thanks travellyn you have been most helpful. I appreciate any help I can get.
I keep reading about all the wildfires. It will be much hotter and dryer early August, getting worried
Take Care,
Jan

Thanks, Jan.

Good news! Early August is usually wetter than June, which tends to be our driest month. The monsoon season (yes, it really is called that) starts in mid-July most years. This year has been so warm so far that maybe we'll get lucky and get an early rainy season. (This is what I keep telling myself as I read about new fires every day.)