I bought the tickets and got the SUV rented! Now to nail down the itinerary to book some lodging. Thanks to all for your ideas!!

What would be 3 1/2 - 4 hours from Vegas going towards moab?

Google maps says
St George is 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Green River is 5 hours and 45 minutes.
Cedar City is 2 and 1/2 hours.
Capital Reef is 5 1/2 hours.

Spend the first and last night in Springdale near Zion NP. Remember, you "gain" an hour between Springdale and Vegas. For instance 2 PM in Utah is 1 PM Vegas.

Well, originally you said you arrived in Vegas at 1, and with that time you could expect to be in Moab a little after 9. Since you're actually arriving at 2, I wouldn't go all the way to Moab. As I said before, I would reverse the order of my original itinerary and just drive to Springdale.

And then spend the last night in St. George. It is right on the interstate and will make for a relatively easy drive from Moab. You can then wake up in the morning and gauge how much time you have to get to Vegas in time for your flight, with the possibility of driving through Snow Canyon or Valley of Fire on the way back. St. George is also about an hour closer to Vegas than Springdale, so you won't feel as rushed.

The sun sets a bit after 6 pm in late March, so I would want to stick to the interstates to get to Moab without encountering animals on the curvy back roads where I couldn't see the wonderful scenery because it is dark. That said, the junction of 15 and 70 is about 3 and a half hours from Vegas. I think the town is Sulphurdale, UT, if you google for lodging.

It all depends on where you want to go that first day. Also to consider is how long of a trip do you want to make back the last day to Vegas. Hopefully your plane will be on time and you can get your SUV rental/luggage in under an hour.
You could book 2 or 3 places that you could cancel. See how you feel and if your plane is on time.

This is the plan...
2 nights Zion
3 nights Moab
1 night Torrey
1 night Bryce
1 night Vegas

Any tips on Lodging???

Zion - stay in park at Lodge or stay in Springdale?
Moab - stay in town or at Sorrel River??

Sign up for the Fiery Furnace Tour at Arches asap.

www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/programs.htm

We've stayed at the following:

Desert Pearl Inn in Springdale. I love this place. Large rooms, kitchenette, beautiful pool area and hot tub. Short walk to Zion Pizza & Noodle Co which is very tasty after a day of hiking.

Best Western Canyonlands Inn in Moab.

Best Western Capitol Reef in Torrey. It was clean & basic. I might try Austin's Chuckwagon next time.

Best Western Ruby's in Bryce. It was just okay for a night, but it has been several years since we stayed there.

Can you tell me more on the Fiery Furnace? I have no problem climbing, squeezing through tunnels - but freak out over side of cliff drops.

Booked it anyway.....my kids are going to LOVE it!! I watched the video!

I'm glad you booked it! I was worried about the same thing, but didn't have any issues and don't remember anything the least bit scary.

I did get stressed on a hike at Zion a couple of years ago. My then 14 year old would not stop turning around and talking to me while he was walking. Rather than watch him walk off a cliff, I left him with his dad & brother and I went back to the trail head.

Very torn on lodging in Moab - Sorrel River looks so lovely..but will it be too far out of the way???

We are there 3 nights.....

Thinking that we would eat dinner on the way back to the resort in Moab after visiting parks each day... so as to not have to drive back and forth too often.

In Moab we enjoyed Cali Cochita, a block from town, great breakfasts at 8 AM.

I also love Cali Cochita B&B but don't think they take kids and if I recall from several other spring break threads posted by OP, she has 1 or 2...

I may be wrong above; they have a room [ Suite Cochitta] that will take kids.

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Yes. 20 miles one-way to Moab is too far when there are some great properties in or very near Moab. Why spend 50 minutes or more every day just driving to/from Moab? And why do that to stay at a nice resort which you won't be there to enjoy all day? Just too much driving back and forth for what you're looking to do in the parks.

Cali Conchita is booked for our dates. Any other ideas? Would love to not stay at a motel.

Stay in park at Bryce and Zion. Consider Austin's Chuckwagon in Torrey or the Schoolhouse B&B.

Gozno Inn?? Sunflower B&B??

Sunflower B&B is supposed to be very nice. I'm going to try it next trip. Definitely stay in town. Driving out and back to Sorrel Ranch every day will be a major drag. Too FAR!

Best restaurant in town is Desert Bistro, res required, kind of expensive and worth it! Only if your kids are on the sophisticated side for dining.

Zion pizza and noodle is great in Springdale!

Booked sunflower. On to Torrey - whats the story with the Chuckwagon?? Everyone loves it but it looks like an old motel. What makes it special??