We have 1 or 2 days between Grand Canyon south rim and Bryce. Should we go to Arches
(Moab) and stay there overnight. How far is Arches from Grand Canyon south rim. DOes this make sense--we would then to to Bryce for 1 days and Zion for 1 day then vegas.

My suggestion would be to add that extra night to either the Grand Canyon or Zion (depending on how long you're South Rim visit is.) While you can still see and do a lot in one day if necessary (I did a whirlwind GC, Bryce and Zion trip recently and it was fantastic), I would've loved an extra day at Zion (actually, could've easily spent several days there!)

oops, that was supposed to be "depending on how long YOUR South Rim visit is." I don't care if other people do it, but I can't believe I did that

Wanted to add -- I believe the South Rim to Arches is 333 miles (compared to 283 to go South Rim to Bryce.) Then Arches to Bryce is another 271 miles. I guess it depends on how much of a priority seeing Arches is to you, but I still think you'd enjoy an extra night at one of your other destinations. But hopefully utahtea will see your post, as she is the resident Fodors expert on this area and will no doubt give you the best advice!

You might want to consider visting the North Rim of the Grand Canyon? I did a trip many yrs ago -Vegas -Bryce-Zion, No. Rim-So. Rim-Sodona-Phoenix. North Rim was definately one of the highlights. The lodge is amazing. Just a thought!

I agree with the North Rim idea. Even if you go when the lodge there is closed, you can still spend a day doing the trails. We did the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Moab trip and places in between a few years ago. You will want to stay in Moab longer than overnight--save it for another trip IMO.

From the S. Rim to Moab, Utah you would pass by Monument Valley and after you left Moab you could take I-70, Hwy 24 to Capitol Reef, then take scenic Hwy 12 to Bryce. That is 375 extra driving miles and will take about 8 1/2 extra hours of driving time. Problem is, you will be spending most of those extra days in the vehicle instead of siteseeing!

I also think if you've been to the S. Rim that you should see something different and skip the N. Rim IMHO, it's to much driving for the same thing.

I would suggest going straight from the S. Rim to Page, AZ and spending some time at Lake Powell. I highly recommend doing the 1/2 day Colorado River Float trip. It was the highlight of our trip last summer. You would also have time for the Upper Antelope Slots Canyon tour.

http://www.utahtea.lithium.com/vacation2003/float.htm

OR

from Bryce Canyon take Scenic Hwy 12 thought the Escalante - Grand Staircase National Monument and over the Boulder Mountains to Torrey, Utah. Spend the extra night here & day there and see one of Utah's undiscovered treasures - Capitol Reef National Park. I would return via Hwy 12. It's so scenic and you see different angles driving the different directions. This will add 165 miles and a total of about 6 1/2 hours in the vehicle BUT THE SCENERY is WORTH IT!


OR you could drive just 130 miles out of your way to see Monument Valley.

Utahtea

Thank you all for your responses-I think I will save Arches for another time-I agree Utahea that I don't want to spend too much time in a car. I think I will go with Lake Powell between Grand Canyon and Bryce-but we are doing a 1 day still water in Grand Can--so we don't need the float trip at Lake Powell?