Zoom

Hello Fodorites:

I have researched drivetimes from hotel websites and such, but hoped to get realistic ones from those who are familiar with the route and terrain.

The route is:

Sunday - Vegas to Grand Canyon South
Tuesday - Grand Canyon South to Zion
Thursday - Zion to Vegas

Also if there are any areas of traffic (other than Vegas) that we should know about, or areas with limited refueling options, etc. or anything else we should know. This is being done second week in October.

The rest of my trip was planned off of this board - thanks for the assistance everybody!

happytourist

Go to mapquest.com for fairly accurate mileage and times. It says 275 from LV to GC, about 4.75 hours. It shows 252 from GC to Springdale (Zion)-- about 5 hours, and 158 (2.5 hours) back to LV. The second segment is not interstate so will take longer, although the roads are virtually empty on that stretch.

As for gas, a good rule is to never let your tank go below one-quarter full. You'll go through some large empty spaces but there are towns with services along the way, even in October. My family was hiking in the Page area last December and heard reports about restaurants being closed, but never had any problems.

vegasnative

Vegas to the GC is about a 4 1/2 hr drive. You can refuel in Williams, just before you head north on the 64. You can get gas in Page, Az or Kanab, UT before you go through Zion. With plenty of gas opportunities from Zion to Vegas during that 3 hour drive (Hurricane, St. George &/or Mesquite) I am not familiar with the drive from GC to Zion as far as time or gas stations. There is a poster "utahtea" that is very familiar with these areas...so hopefully they will see this and help you out where I could not. Have fun, that's a nice little trip!!

utahtea

Las Vegas to South Rim Grand Canyon is 279 miles and will probably take between 4 1/2 to 5 hours. Gas in Kingman, Seligman, Willams, Tusayan.

South Rim to Zion National Park via Hwy 89 and Hwy 9 is 253 miles and will take about 5 hours. There is gas at Cameron. NO gas between Cameron and Page, AZ. There is gas at Kanab, Utah and Mt. Carmel Jct.

Going on Alt 89 instead of Hwy 89 is about the same amount of miles, but will take a little longer to drive. It's more mountain driving and if you get stuck behind a RV then it will take a lot longer.

Zion to Las Vegas is 165 miles of mostely Interstate 15 and should take less than 3 hours. Plenty of gas from Springdale to Mesquite, NV. Then they are pretty scarce into Las Vegas.

Utahtea

utahtea

Forgot to mention to give yourself time between the S. Rim Village and Zion to stop at the overlooks as you exit the Grand Canyon and at least a quick stop to see Lake Powell just past Page, AZ.

Utahtea

Zoom

Thanks everybody for the information - its just what I was hoping to get.

Can't wait to visit your part of the country Utahtea. Am coming from the Northeast and have always wanted to do this!! A life changing event this year (why does it sometimes take that) pushed me to make it a reality.

Zoom

ausc59

Good info as we will be in this area next week and I hadn't even thought about where to plan to buy gas...just tried not to think about how much it might be! We are flying into Phoenix, driving up to Sedona, then GC so Rim, Page, GC No Rim, Bryce, and Zion. Where might we realistically look for Wal-Marts, etc to stock up on stables along this route?

vegasnative

Right there in Phoenix...you probably won't find another Wal-mart until you get out of Zion on the other side (St. George) that is if you are even going that way. The gas stations will have a few goodies, but you will pay more for it, Wal-mart in Phoenix is a great idea to stock up before you hit the road. You can even buy a cheapy cooler there that you wont mind abandoning before your flight home.

utahtea

There is a Wal-Mart in Page, AZ and it's a very nice store. There are two in Flagstaff but we've never shopped there. Page and Flagstaff will be your best bets for stocking up once you leave Phoenix.

You will be able to find some groceries in Springdale and Ruby's Inn near Bryce.

Utahtea

ausc59

TThanks for the help. Where exactly in Phoenix is W-Mart? We are flying into the airport there and driving up via HWY 17 - is it anywhere near where we will be passing through? Or would we be better served by waiting for the one(s) in Flagstaff....do you know where they are? We will con't on 17 to there and catch 89 up to Cameron.

vegasnative

Actually...I have been to the Wal-mart in Flagstaff...forgot about that. Surprising Page has one, guess they are everywhere...As far as Wal-marts in Phoenix they probably have a few considering we have about 12 here in Vegas and Phoenix is about 5 times larger. I would look in a phonebook at the airport (if you are not staying your first night there) and just ask someone at the rental car counter..they will get you there.

ausc59

Good suggestions. Thanks. We are staying the first night in Sedona.

utahtea

ausc59,

Check out this link for the Wal Marts in the Phoenix area!

http://www.walmart.com/storeLocator/...sfsearch_city=

Utahtea