Driving from from Las Vegas to visit the Grand Canyon

Hi Derek - Welcome to Travelblog!

The south rim is the "classic" side from which to view the canyon; it is also the more touristy (which is not to say this is a bad thing - because if you want amenities, or options of places to eat and/or stay that it is all there). Chances are the photos you've seen are from the south rim, and there are plentiful rim overlooks.

The north rim is "the side less traveled" - so fewer people, fewer facilities. It is also more forested and provides a different experience.

Really depends on your travel personality and expectations. If you want to go more off the beaten path and see the site from a different perspective, north rim will provide a more unique trip. If you're at all worried you'll be disappointed if you don't see the traditional angles of the canyon, stand right on the edge and get that large expanse before you, definitely chose the south rim. There are ways to get away from the crowds if that is what deters you (walk 100 yards down any trail - seriously. Although if you venture down too far be prepared to encounter a ranger asking you how far you plan to go. This is to prevent unprepared folks from getting themselves in over their head).

Never driven the entire route to/from the canyon to Vegas, but we have driven I-40 and I believe we took 64/180 north outside of Flagstaff to the rim. In the lower elevations it's desert (Joshua tree, scrub brush) and once you start climbing into Flagstaff and the upper elevations and plateau you'll get scattered forests. If you're interested in archaeology or pueblos, there's Wupatki National Monument between Flagstaff and the rim on 89; not the most direct route, but just a different approach. It's probably a toss between faster longer roads, vs slightly slower but shorter distance. Both roads are fine and well traveled.

I believe it is about a half-day's drive time, so making a day of it gives you enough time to stop and enjoy some things along the way.


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Not first-hand knowledge, but yep - looks like the road is closed for weather/repairs until "mid-may" according to the NPS website.

I would check up with Arizona DOT to make sure it's open if you're planning a May trip. If you zoom in at the top of the state, you'll see the road to the north rim as SR 67 (currently with a closed sign). This says it will open on May 14th.
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Hi, when we drove to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas we went to the 'west' rim as it was 2 to 3 hours where the other drives we were told were 5 hours to get there. We had a really nice trip and stopped at Hoover Dam along the way (not too far out) and it turned out we drove through Joshua Trees (U2 album) so that was quite good. Otherwise it was lots of desert so we were happy to go the minimum journey and we arent really landscapey type people so we go tthere, walked out on the rim a bit, ohhed and ahhhed for maybe 1/2 hour to an hour, then headed back. There was a little station of some sort at the actual rim although i cant remember much about it other than it had a lookout and a ranger.

Oh the trip was over unsealed roads so dont get a convertible mustang like we did lol! But all the rental car places had maps to get to the rim we went too and the more populate ones too so it wasnt difficult to find etc.

have fun! tam Reply to this