Phoenix to Las Vegas
 

Hi All,
We are going to be driving from Phoenix to Las Vegas in late October of this year. Just not sure which route to take.

About 5 years ago, we went from Las Vegas, stayed a night in the Grand Canyon, then a night in Sedona, then down to Phoenix stopping along the way. One of the best vacations we've ever had.

This time we are going the opposite direction. We are going to leave on Thursday morning and have to be in Vegas around 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Couple of things, we cannot change our travel times and we don't want to stop in Sedona. We go there with my parents every time we are in Phoenix.

Here are my initial thoughts:
1) Thinking of going from Phoenix to Lake Havasu City for a night stopover then onto Vegas.
or
2) Going up to Monument Valley spend the night then onto Vegas. This just seems like too long of a drive for the 1 1/2 days we have to travel.
or
3) Going form Phoenix to Grand Canyon for a night then onto Vegas. Long drive but doable in 1 1/2 days.

What are your thoughts? Anyone visit these places in the time frame we have?

Is there anything to see going the Lake Havasu City route? I know going the Grand Canyon route was awesome.

Any advise would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Duane

Anyone?

Suggestion: drive north from Phoenix to Flafstaff on I-17 and on to the Grand Canyon -- stopping at Montezuma Castle National Monument (near Camp Verde) for a pit stop and/or a picnic lunch. That way, you will see the Grand Canyon at sunset as well as at sunrise the next morning.

Return from GC to Williams and onto I-40 westbound, stopping at either Kingman or Hoover Dam, and then into LV without being too tired. A 7 pm. arrival should be easy.

The Grand Canyon, as majestic as it is, looks most awesome at the close and beginning of the day.

From Phoenix to GC is about a six or seven hour drive, depending on traffic and weather. In late October, the aspens on the sides of San Francisco Peaks north of Flagstaff may still be in color change.

You ask about Lake Havasu. A lot of driving and not much to see when compared with the other route suggested. After all, Lake Havasu is not a lake, just a wide place in the Colorado River, lined with mobile homes, RVs, and a few gambling casinos at Laughlin. And you will see plenty of that kind of thing in LV.

Well Duane, there are many routes and much to see as you know. And yet much that is cactus and brush. I'm still working on my "Back from Arizona:trip report" which is from a first timers visit to the area.

Yes, always the Grand Canyon beckons for another view. But is that all you are doing, mostly just overnight stops along the way to Vegas? Guess you have timeconstraints. But how about some strolling around in Jerome or Prescott? Or you might actually hike down to the Colorado one day at the western part of the GC (instead of usual rim overlook at the Nat'l Pk).

ozarksbill

Thanks for the comments. Looks like I will rule out Lake Havasu City.

Unfortunately we only have those 2 days. Want to spend as much time with my parents as possible and need to be in Vegas Friday evening.

Thanks again for the suggestions,
Duane