What do you get if you combine a natural wonder that dates back six million years, a WW2 engineering masterpiece and a stretch of road that attracts thousands of visitors every year?
A two-day bucket list adventure of a lifetime!
In May 2022 we headed off on a first-time trip to Las Vegas. Of course, we loved the big neon lights and exploring The Strip but what surprised us most was that getting out of the city became our highlight.
We took on a mighty 15 hour road trip and although it was a success, it’s not something we’d recommend. Instead, we’ve put together an itinerary that gives you less time spent clock watching and more time to explore. Win, win!
*This itinerary involves car hire for a minimum of 2 days. It’s preferable to collect the car the night before so you can set off nice and early.
DAY ONE
Hoover Dam
We’re beginning this epic road trip by driving 40 minutes (35 miles) to what was once the largest dam in the world.
Head South out of Vegas and take the I-515 onto the I-11 straight to Hoover Dam.
Standing at just over 726 feet tall, the construction of Hoover Dam took 5 years and was completed in 1936. Fun fact, Lake Mead and Boulder City would not exist without the development of the dam.
We’d say 30 minutes is plenty of time to explore here.
Kingman
Next up you want to take the US-93 (S) to Kingman. Known as “The Heart of Historic Route 66”, Kingman is the perfect town to start your Route 66 journey.
The Route 66 museum is a must do in town. It provides a trip back in time and offers an insight into origins of the iconic road, along with stories of the migrants who settled there.
Feelin’ hungry? Cross the road and grab breakfast at Mr D’z diner. A throwback to a 50’s style American Diner that serves some seriously tasty food.
Hackberry
Continue along Route 66 for 30 minutes until you reach the small village of Hackberry.
The main point of interest is the Hackberry General Store. To us it’s the epitome of what Route 66 once was in its glory days.
Be sure to take some photos of the vintage cars, signs and gas pumps that surround the outside. Then head in to browse the memorabilia or pick up a souvenir or two.
Peach Springs
We didn’t stop in Peach Springs as there’s nothing to immediately see here.
It’s located within the Hualapai Reservation and is still the administrative HQ of the Hualapai people.
Grand Canyon Caverns
Next up we’re taking you to the largest dry caverns in the whole of USA.
Situated a whopping 300 feet underground, they offer tours of various lengths exploring these natural caverns. Skeletons of marine life can be seen formed in the limestone.
You can also pop into the local gift shop, diner and gas station.
Seligman
Seligman or the “Birthplace of Historic Route 66” is a fun little town that was one of our favourite stops. It’s a further 30 minutes down the road from GC Caverns.
The buildings are exactly what we wanted from our Route 66 experience and the whole place felt like a movie set. For any Disney-Pixar fans, Seligman is the home of Cars’ Lightening McQueen.
Firstly, go grab yourself a milkshake from Delgadillo’s Snow Cap. This place holds the world record for serving the most flavours of shakes with 266 to choose from! Take a wander through their courtyard which is brimming with vintage cars.
Now make your way down the road to visit some of the other quirky attractions.
Historic Seligman Sundries is probably the most photographed store and sells lots of mementos, drinks and snacks. Other places we’d recommend taking a look at are Seligman Depot and The Rusty Bolt.
Both places offer unique photo opportunities and will have you wandering around in awe.
We’re sure you’re probably getting hungry by now so if you fancy lunch, head to Roadkill 66 café. They offer dishes such as Buzzard Bait and Roadside Revenge.
Williams
Our final stop along the Mother Road is a 45 minute drive from Seligman.
Williams boasts the most preserved section of Route 66 and is hailed as the Gateway to the Grand Canyon.
The street is lined with countless shops, restaurants and motels. Vintage cars are in their dozens and the Route 66 memorabilia is captivating.
You have a couple of options on how to continue the trip. We recommend staying the night in a Williams authentic Route 66 motel. This way you can explore the town at leisure, grab yourself a root beer and experience the way it lights up in the evening.
Alternatively, you can continue your drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim and book a place to stay near there.
Day Two
Decide if you want to fuel your belly in Williams or wait until you get to the South Rim. There’s a Starbucks and a couple of places to get food right before you head into the Reserve.
Now it’s time to head to the main event. Take the 64 N for just over an hour direct to the Grand Canyon, South Rim.
Once you arrive, you’ll be required to pay the entrance fee. The fees here are considerably less than what you’ll pay at the West Rim and are valid for 7 days.
| Private Vehicle – Admits all persons travelling in vehicle | £29/$35 |
| Motorcycle – Admits cyclists and one passenger | £25/$30 |
| Individuals | £16.50/$20 |
Now that you’re in, it’s time to explore.
Some of these destinations can be reach by car but in peak season (March – November) several carparks are closed. It’s worth taking advantage of the shuttle buses than run in either direction and stop at all the viewpoints mentioned.
Bear in mind when planning your day, the drive back to Las Vegas takes around 4.5 hours (280 miles).
The South Rim is divided up into three sections of multiple viewpoints.
Grand Canyon Village
Grand Canyon Village is where most people opt to stay when visiting the South Rim. It offers hotels and restaurants as well as the start of some hiking trails.
- Lookout Studio – This ancient looking studio is built straight into the edge of the Canyon. It’s the best view of the Grand Canyon from the Village.
Desert View Drive
Desert View Drive stretches 26 miles east of Grand Canyon Village.
If you want to see as much as possible be sure to take the orange shuttle bus.
- Mather Point – By far the busiest viewpoint but it still provides a great first look at the canyon, even if you are sharing it with hundreds of others.
- Yavapai Point – Fewer crowds than Mather Point with stunning panoramic views of the Canyon.
- Yaki Point – Fantastic views of the east side and South Kaibab Trail. Head down the trail to reach the aptly named ‘Ooh Aah Point’.
Also note, the Kaibab Trail and Yaki Point Road carparks are closed during peak season (March-November). Access is via the orange line shuttle bus only.
- Grandview Point – As the name suggests Grandview point gives a stunning view of the canyon and even a sneaky peak at the Colorado River.
Hermit’s Road
Heading west out of Grand Canyon Village will have you wandering along 8 miles of Hermit’s Road.
Nine of the most spectacular lookouts can be found in this direction, however reaching some of them can be quite time consuming.
During peak season the only option is to take the red shuttle bus.
If you decide to spend your day along Hermit’s Road, then be sure to check out some of our viewpoint highlights.
- Maricopa Point – The second stop on the red shuttle. A magnificent viewpoint that, if you’re lucky, you’ll be sharing with only a handful of others.
- Hopi Point / Mohave Point – Both viewpoints offer breath-taking views and are often billed as the best sunset spots. Mohave Point tends to be slightly less busy that Hopi Point.
- The Abyss – With a sheer drop of 3,000 feet, you’re literally looking into the…abyss.
- Pima Point – The last stop on the shuttle and some of the closest views of the Colorado River. It’s a must see.
Now it’s time to peel yourself away from this Natural Wonder.
Jump in the car and head to 64 (S) and then merge onto the I-40 which will take you all the way back to Las Vegas. The drive is a lengthy one but you’ve got plenty of new talking points which will make the time fly by.
Let us know what you think of this itinerary. Have we missed any must-see places?