NYC to Grand Canyon--help!!
 

My friend and I are planning a 7-10 day trip to the Grand Canyon (south rim) and Sedona in October. We need advice on where to fly into and out of to get there (we live in NYC). We're thinking into Las Vegas and out of Phoenix. It will cost a little more and save some driving time, but I'm wondering if just going round-trip through one city or the other would just make more sense. We have no particular interests in either city (having been to both), but we're open to anything and are looking for ideas and opinions. Thanks!

My husband and I did a 10 day trip (years ago) starting in Vegas & ending in Phoenix. We spent 1 night in Vegas, went to Bryce & Zion in Utah, No. Rim, So. Rim, Sedona (for the day but could have stayed a day or 2) and out of Phoenix. It was an awesome trip.

We just got back about 3 weeks ago from a 7 day trip to Sedona & the GC. Here is the thread to read our trip report:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34655352

Hope this helps. Also, do a search by clicking on Arizona above and read old reports.

Good luck,

MY

You would probably be better off flying into and out of Phoenix. Sedona (a truly beautiful place!) is only a 2 hour drive, and a couple more from there to the grand canyon. And there is a lot more to see around Sedona and Flagstaff.

We 3 NYers (husband, 10 year old child and myself) took Jet Blue to Vegas for two nights, drove to GC for one night, then drove to Phoenix for 5 nights and flew back to JFK from Phoenix. Simple, easy relaxing trip with a great price . . .

Jo1023,

Are you just going to spend the 7 - 10 days in Sedona and the South Rim or do you plan to travel to other places like Lake Powell, Bryce National Park and Zion National Park.

If you just want to see just Sedona and Grand Canyon, then coming and going from Phoenix would be the shortest driving at around 460 miles round trip. Round trip from Las Vegas to just these two parks is 68 miles.

If you are planning on Bryce and Zion, then starting in Phoenix and ending at Las Vegas (or visa versa) would be about 775 miles.

If you want to only fly into and out of one location and visit Bryce and Zion, then Las Vegas makes the best location for a circle round trip at 945 miles. The plus is will have very few miles you will have to double back on. Round trip from Phoenix on the other hand is 1005 miles and most of the roads you will be doubling back on.

Utahtea