South Rim to Bryce

[helmethead]

Hi, everyone. Just joined this forum --- looks like a wealth of great information to be found.

Just wondering if any of you can help with this. I understand that the drive between the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Park takes 6 hours. But does that include the "normal" kinds of stops for gas, leg-stretching, etc., or is it straight driving? I've been having trouble getting a handle on that.

Also, is it a relatively easy drive in an RV, or are any parts of it white-knuckle switchbacks or otherwise hairy?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. We're hoping to do this drive in one go (as opposed to staying somewhere overnight en route) but we're not sure if that is feasible.

Thanks!

[Lauren]

Welcome to the best forums on the internet as well as the best lifestyle to live - part time or full time (we are part time - 16 years).

[helmethead]

Hey, thanks so much, everyone. This is exactly the kind of information I was looking for!

I'm an RV "newbie" (with a navigator who is prone to car sickness), so I think I'll probably take the easy route and avoid the switchbacks!

[paulj]

The 'detour on 89' is 89T. It leaves 89 before the 89A split. It should be well signed.

http://azdot.gov/docs/default-source/projects/us89-detour-and-repair.pdf?sfvrsn=2

[Lauren]

2gypsies says the same thing as me except the road in to Bryce is indeed Hwy 12.

They do not call it a detour on 89 - they call it 89A or Alt 89....can't remember which and we just did it a month ago. It gets a little confusing just south of Page as the signage is not real good; just use common sense and head to Page. You pick up the 89 south / east of town and then on your way.

[ReneeG]

2gypsies wrote:


Alternatively, drive the same as above but when you take 89 to the detour you'll instead pick up 89A to Jacob Lake, AZ and Kanab, Utah. Then you'll pick up 89 north again to Hwy 12. This bypasses Page, AZ. This route is 276 miles but you'll have a very steep climb with switchbacks on 89A just before Jacob Lake. We've done it often with our motorhome but just wanted to alert you.

This is the route we've taken. You're right about the climb up to Jacob Lake but it's doable even towing. We've done it in one day, easy.

[2gypsies1]

This is the route recommended from Grand Canyon South to Bryce (& I assume you're staying at Trailer Village in the park itself). If you're staying elsewhere you'll have to adjust.

Grand Canyon - Trailer Village - take Hwy 64 east out of the park to Hwy 89.
Take Hwy 89 north and just north of Hwy 160, continue on 89 and you'll be directed to a very easy detour because of a road collaspe about a year or so ago on 89. This detour will take you into Page, AZ.

From Page follow 89 west to Kanab, Utah.

From Kanab take 89 north to Utah Hwy 12 which is just south of Panguitch, UT.

Take Hwy 12 east to Bryce.

This route is 282 miles. A good stopping point for stretching would be Page, AZ and you might even consider spending the night to check out Glen Canyon lake in town. There are no big climbs or switchbacks on this route. At 50 mph this would be approx. 5-1/2 hours of driving time - no stops.

Alternatively, drive the same as above but when you take 89 to the detour you'll instead pick up 89A to Jacob Lake, AZ and Kanab, Utah. Then you'll pick up 89 north again to Hwy 12. This bypasses Page, AZ. This route is 276 miles but you'll have a very steep climb with switchbacks on 89A just before Jacob Lake. We've done it often with our motorhome but just wanted to alert you.

There's not much mileage difference between the two routes - just depends on what you want to see along the way.

Ruby's RV is recommended for touring Bryce if you want hookups. It's just outside the park entrance.

Have a great trip.

[kohldad]

Agree with Lauren. Just make sure you follow the signs to Page so you don't miss the 89A/89 split. Not sure about now, but when I went through in 2005, Page was the place to restock on groceries and fuel.

Remembering the trip, we left Trailer Village about 8am, stopped at the Tower for about an hour, stopped for another 1/2 hour at the dam, an hour in Page, and still had enough time after setting up at Ruby's campground to visit Bryce Canyon, stopping at most of the overlooks for a quick peak to orient ourselves for the net day. This was all towing a 35' FW. I don't drive fast as I like to look around.

[Lauren]

I have driven those roads many times and not sure I see a lot of confusion about it. And have not a clue why one would go to Tuba City.

We just drove most of that route about a month ago.

Take the 64 east to the 89 to Bryce entrance road. My Google says 284 miles and 5h11m. Figure 6 hours or so with stops.

Easy drive.

[helmethead]

Okay, thanks everyone, that's all helpful. Anyone out there know the difference between the two routes that Dr. Quick mentioned? In a perfect world, we'd probably like to travel by the fastest route as long as it was pretty easy terrain.

[jules6]

It's an easy drive in a RV no switch back pretty flat. I've never driven it straight thru but Google says it 5 hrs with no traffic. Thats not counting gas or rest stops.

[Dr_Quick]

I just checked Google maps, and it all depends on which way you want to go. Shortest route is to east at about 280 miles, but I believe that you man not be comfortable on some of the back roads that it choose.
Through Tuba City and using the bridge at the dam to 89 is about 320 miles, but it maybe an easier route for you.
Maybe some on who has traveled these roads could help you more.

[Bull_Rider]

Find out how many miles, and divide by 50. That's how much time it will take with stops for gas, potty stops, etc.