Southwest US trip ideas

smkettner wrote:
Two weeks? It is almost 1800 miles to Grand Canyon. 3 days, 600 miles per day, a week in GC and then 3 days back at 600 miles per day. Dang that sounds like a marathon. The week could be split into Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion. That would be max, not much more. Kids are ready for this?

Probably a bit cold/snowy yet in Rocky Mountain or Yellowstone in late Spring early Summer. If the drive seems a bit much maybe focus on TX & NM.

I would not change anything to save fuel. Just go with what you have.

I a agree with sm. I did this in 2012 and I found that anything over 450 miles a day was very stressful leaving me drained. ( I am currently on my way out there, now in Amarillo, and have limited my day driving to 350 to 400 miles per day) One park is about all you will have time to squeeze in......if you can do a 3 day drive and do the Grand Canyon South Rim spend 5 days and do a 3 day run back that would leave you 3 days...not enough to get to the North Rim or Bryce or Zion and back. I'd suggest the Grand Canyon then back into Flagstaff for the remainder where you could do Flagstaff - many things to see there including the Lowell Observatory; Williams, or Sedona and there are two great places to visit about an hours drive east of Flagstaff; Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Prepare yourself for a marathon drive and enjoy the trip.