The Ultimate Vegas to Grand Canyon Road Trip Itinerary
A Grand Canyon Day Trip Two Hours from Vegas
The road trip from Vegas to Grand Canyon West is one of the most underrated drives in the Southwest. Get ready for desert landscapes and unique roadside stops, all leading to the edge of something unforgettable.
Driving from Las Vegas
The trip from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West is about 130 miles and takes roughly two hours. You’ll start by heading southeast on I-11 toward Boulder City and Hoover Dam. You’ll cross the Nevada–Arizona state line via the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, named after two notable figures: Mike O’Callaghan, former Nevada governor, and Pat Tillman, the NFL player who left a football career to serve the country in the U.S. Army.
After you cross into Arizona, you’ll turn off onto Pierce Ferry Road, then follow Diamond Bar Road all the way to the Grand Canyon West Welcome Center.
Must-See Stops & Photo Ops
This isn’t a drive you have to rush through. There are some genuinely fun and scenic stops along the way. Here are a few stop-worthy detours:
- Boulder City – Stop for breakfast at the Coffee Cup Café, made famous by Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.
- Hemenway Park – This peaceful park near Lake Mead is a great spot to stretch your legs and, if you’re lucky, spot wild bighorn sheep grazing. The park installed a live “ram cam” so people can also view sheep remotely.
- Hoover Dam – Even if you’ve seen it before, it’s worth pulling over for the panoramic views and taking in the sheer scale of the bridge.
- Joshua Tree Forest – On Diamond Bar Road, you may spot stretches of twisted Joshua trees. Fun fact: Some Joshua trees live several centuries, with estimated lifespans of 150 to 300+ years.
What to Do When You Arrive
Once you reach Grand Canyon West, your road trip turns into a canyon adventure. Here’s what you won’t want to miss:
- Walk the Skywalk – Step out onto a glass-bottom bridge suspended 4,000 feet above the canyon floor. It’s a bucket-list moment only available at the West Rim.
- Explore Guano Point – Revel in panoramic canyon views where remnants of a $3.5 million tram system still stand as a tribute to the canyon’s mining past.
- Grab Lunch with a View – Refuel at the Skyview Restaurant and enjoy scenic views of the canyon and Skywalk.
- Add a Helicopter & Pontoon Tour – Want to turn the adventure up a level? Book a helicopter tour that takes you down to the canyon floor where you’ll enjoy a Colorado River pontoon ride – an experience exclusive to Grand Canyon West.
Make It a Full-Day Adventure
Leave early from Vegas, hit a couple of stops along the way and plan to spend four to five hours at Grand Canyon West. You’ll be back in the city by dinner, or stay the night at the Cabañas en el Gran Cañón Oeste if you want to catch an unforgettable sunrise over the rim.