10 Awesome Stops from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon by Car

As if the two epic stops bookending this road trip aren’t motivation enough, the drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park is filled with other amazing places you can use to break up the 253 mile distance, or 4 and a half hour trip.

Don’t simply make your Vegas to Grand Canyon road trip about getting from one bucket list stop to another, instead make the most of the drive by squeezing in a few top Nevada and Arizona photo ops. If you’re renting a car in Las Vegas you might as well make the most of it! 

No idea where to start? Here are the most exciting stops, according to me. 

Map of Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon by Car

While you’re in Las Vegas, how about doing a helicopter ride over the strip, or booking a ticket to the High Roller Ride at the Linq? Both offer amazing views of an iconic city. Also, read my review of staying at The Stratosphere – the Vegas hotel with the rollercoasters on the top!

Check out my top tips for making the most of Las Vegas here.

1. Lake Mead

You won’t be far into the Grand Canyon road trip, before you start to see Lake Mead. This lake lies on the Colorado River and is flanked by beautiful mountains. It makes for the perfect photo op (especially with a drone – check laws) and as if by magic there’s the Lake Mead Scenic View, Sunset View or Lake Mead National recreation area set up to make sure you get a snap worth sharing.

All have amazing views and if you’re already feeling like you need a quick refresh, you can take a quick dip in the water. LOOK AT IT! 

Click here if you want to experience the Grand Canyon by helicopter – one of the most impressive sights in the world. And if you just want to do a day trip to the Grand Canyon from Vegas, via the Hoover Dam, this is the tour for you.

Check out all the impressive Grand Canyon tours here.

2. Hoover Dam

Hop in the car for another 10 minutes and pull up to the Hoover Dam. A big concrete arch on the border of Arizona and Nevada states, it might not sound that interesting but this spot has a load of historical significance and is pretty impressive to see.

The Hoover Dam is a 700-foot tall, man-made dam that produces hydroelectric power and water. Completed in 1936, it was considered an engineering win at the time, and you can now walk over the damn via the world’s tallest concrete arch bridge. If you want to get a bit more info then you can take a construction tour of the dam and adjoining powerplant.

Bit of a niche audience but if you want to learn more about the Hoover Dam, think about joining one of the Hoover Dam information tours. 

3. Chloride, Arizona

Say hello to Arizona and a whole lot of history with a stop in the city of Chloride. As the oldest mining town in Arizona, there’s a fair bit of history and some cool things to see here, including the roadside junk art and quirky murals.

Only a few hundred people live in this place, but if you turn up on a reenactment day with mock gunfights, you’ll see a few more and get a real feel for what this town was like in its mining heyday.

ACCOMMODATION IN CHLORIDE, AZ: Grand Canyon West Hotel Sheps Miners Inn

The Grand Canyon West Hotel Sheps Miners Inn is a 4-star hotel, complete with karaoke! Now that’s not something you see advertised by a hotel very often. As well as the karaoke you’ll also get the usual air-con, mountain views and Wi-Fi as standard. Stay here and there’s a children’s playground and a steakhouse onsite too.

4. Kingman, Arizona

Also known for its history as well as the hiking, Kingman is worth parking up to take a look around. Depending on how much time you have on your Grand Canyon trip, you can make this a real educational stop by hitting up the Mohave Museum of History and Arts, the Route 66 Museum and Kingman Railroad Museum.

If you’re travelling from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon by car, these are the kind of fun detours you can enjoy. 

If you’d prefer an alcoholic education then, granted you’re not the one at the wheel of the rental car, swing by the Cella Winery, Stetson Winery or Desert Diamond Distillery instead.

5. Alpacas of the Southwest

From Kingman you can opt to take the I-40 or Route 66. If you go for the I-40 then 14 miles east you’ll reach a ranch that’s home to 37 alpacas all waiting to be fed, petted and photographed.

For $11 per car you can get up close with a tour at the SouthWest Alpacas Farm, but be sure to put some dimes aside to purchase the essential souvenir: a pair of alpaca socks. No road trip to the Grand Canyon is complete without them.

6. Keepers of the Wild

– Billy Connolly knows what it’s like driving from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon!

If instead of the I-40 you opted for Route 66, then apart from driving on one of the world’s most famous roads, you can surprisingly do a safari. Not quite what you were expecting on your Las Vegas to Grand Canyon drive? Me neither but Keepers of the Wild is a sanctuary for rescue animals and offers tours for $20.

While you might be imagining the usual dogs and cats scenario, instead expect to see tigers, lions, bears and wallabees.

7. Seligman, Arizona

Make Seligman, aka the birthplace of Route 66, your next stop.

Throwing you back to the 1950s, Seligman has retained all its otherworldly charm. In fact, if you’ve ever watched the Disney movie Cars, you’ll know exactly what to expect because rumour has it Pixar may have drawn a little inspiration from this place.

A dusty desert town, there are only 500 residents so it’s really quiet meaning no queues when you grab a milkshake from the Delgadillo’s Snow Cap drive-in or a buffalo burger from the Roadkill Cafe.

ACCOMMODATION IN SELIGMAN: The Aztec Motel & Creative Space

The Aztec Motel & Creative Space is located in beautiful Seligman, Arizona, on the Historic Route 66. It offers comfortable, modern accommodations with a retro flair. The Creative Space is a formal/informal meeting space and also ‘party hub’ where guests can chill out. The property is great for people and families on road trips, and even better for groups.

8. Williams, Arizona

Before you take a swift turn north for the final stretch on your journey, pull in to the town of Williams.

Calling itself the Gateway to the Grand Canyon, it marks the last part of the famous Route 66 and is again another one sending you onto what feels like a movie set, this time to the Wild West. Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum, the Route 66 Zipline or a visit to the Bearizona Wildlife Park are all fun activities to do here.

9. Kaibab National Forest

If you have a bit of time before you reach the Grand Canyon, stop off at the Kaibab National Forest. Think of the forest as a primer for the breathtaking views you’re about to see in the canyon itself.

The forest is 1.6 million acres of lush greenery making it the perfect spot for a quick hike or picnic. You can also get some great views from the Marble Viewpoint.

10. Tusayan

The closest pitstop to make from the Grand Canyon National Park is the town of Tusayan. It sits just by the south rim entrance so is a good alternative for accommodation if everything closer is fully booked.

The town itself is quite small and made up of hotels and restaurants and so while it’s not bursting with things to do, it’s a good place to consider parking and then taking the shuttle bus up to the entrance. This is a good spot if you just want somewhere to chill. 

ACCOMMODATION IN TUSAYAN: WANDER CAMP GRAND CANYON

The Wander Camp Grand Canyon is located in Valle Grand Canyon Junction Arizona. Tusayan is 34km from the tented camp, but it is on the way to the Grand Canyon so a great stop. And just look at how beautiful the beds and rooms are!

11. Grand Canyon

You definitely need a few days in the Grand Canyon to explore the best of the area. How about doing a Grand Canyon West Rim Skywalk while you’re there?

Alternatively, this jeep and hike tour of the Grand Canyon looks pretty sweet too. These tours are great if you want to know more about the Grand Canyon, how it came to be, and need all your weird and wonderful questions answered.

ACCOMMODATION IN GRAND CANYON: ZION VIEW CAMPING

Zion View Camping has mountain views and is a stunning place to stay in the Grand Canyon. Some units feature a balcony and/or a patio with river views too. The campground offers an outdoor fireplace, which is a beautiful way to spend an evening with your fellow campers. There’s also outdoor play equipment for all to play on!

More unique Grand Canyon accommodation here.

If you’re planning to visit the Grand Canyon, you can download the VPN for unblocked USA website to research all your route online, without any issues and obstacles. And if you are planning to work during your trip, you may also check part-time weekend jobs in Las Vegas.

READ MORE 

The best Grand Canyon day hikes for you to enjoy on Vagrants of the World. One of the best things to do from Grand Canyon to Las Vegas is to get out and see the views for yourself.

Want another Vegas road trip option? How about driving from Vegas to Yosemite?

Where to Stop Between LA and the Grand Canyon

More cities near the Grand Canyon 

Just two hours north of the north rim of the Grand Canyon, and you can visit the incredible Zion National Park. Here you can follow the paths where ancient native people and pioneers walked.

If you look at a map you’ll see there are lots of National Parks near the Grand Canyon. If you want to extend your trip to look round these, then it’s really easy to drive there. 

Here are some of the best cities near the Grand Canyon, with their distances and timings too. I just want to make it as easy as possible for you to enjoy your road trip from Las vegas to Grand Canyon, and vice versa. 

Sedona in Arizona would be my top choice, in fact, I’ve written a guide to the best things to do in Sedona here.