May 16 to May 22, 2026 • 7 days • desert loop from Las Vegas

Las Vegas road trip plan by driving leg.

This static itinerary turns the stops from trip.md into a day-by-day driving plan. It starts on May 16 at 5:00 PM in Las Vegas, keeps the first night in Las Vegas, then follows Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Zion, and back to Las Vegas.

See daily plan Open full route in Google Maps

Daily itinerary

Each day is split into timed sightseeing stops and driving legs, with start times you can adjust.

Day 1 Saturday May 16

Arrive in Las Vegas at 5:00 PM

Driving: 0.5h local Sightseeing: 3h Overnight: Las Vegas

Times below update if your Las Vegas arrival shifts. Your 6:30 PM dinner reservation stays fixed at the booked time.

Keep the first evening light around your 6:30 PM reservation at Gordon Ramsay Burger inside Planet Hollywood, then stay on easy Strip and downtown walking instead of trying to force more driving.

Popular easy sights

Bellagio Fountains and Conservatory 45 min
Gordon Ramsay Burger at Planet Hollywood 90 min reservation at 6:30 PM
Sphere exterior and Venetian area stroll 45 min
Fremont Street Experience canopy show 75 min
Local arrival and hotel check-in Settle in, grab dinner, and keep the car parked for the night.
30 min No intercity leg
Day 2 Sunday May 17

Las Vegas to Hoover Dam to Grand Canyon

Driving: 5h Sightseeing: 4h Overnight: Grand Canyon

Default is 8:00 AM. The stop times below slide when you change the start time.

Leave Las Vegas after breakfast, stop at Hoover Dam for the engineering landmark and viewpoints, then continue east to the South Rim for an afternoon or sunset at Grand Canyon overlooks.

Popular easy sights

Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge overlook 30 min
Hoover Dam viewpoints and visitor area 45 min
Grand Canyon Mather Point 45 min
South Rim scenic drive and overlook stops 75 min
Grand Canyon Village rim stroll 45 min
Las Vegas → Hoover Dam Quick first leg before the main Arizona drive begins.
45 min Google Maps
Hoover Dam → Grand Canyon Visitor Center Main driving block of the day through Kingman and Williams to the South Rim.
4h 15m Google Maps
Day 3 Monday May 18

Grand Canyon to Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and Antelope Canyon

Driving: 3h Sightseeing: 6h Antelope ticket: 4:00 PM Suggested overnight: Page / Lake Powell

Default is 8:00 AM and leaves a small buffer before your 3:15 PM Antelope Canyon check-in for the 4:00 PM tour.

Start with an easy South Rim viewpoint, then head north to Page. This day is paced around Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, a quick Glen Canyon viewpoint, and a firm Antelope Canyon check-in around 3:15 PM.

Popular easy sights

Yaki Point sunrise viewpoint 30 min
Horseshoe Bend overlook 90 min
Lake Powell scenic overlooks and Lakeshore Drive 75 min
Glen Canyon Dam overlook 45 min
Antelope Canyon guided tour with 4:00 PM ticket 105 min including 3:15 PM check-in and the guided tour
Grand Canyon Visitor Center → Horseshoe Bend Drive north toward Page for the iconic Colorado River overlook.
2h 30m Google Maps
Horseshoe Bend → Lake Powell Short local transfer for overlook time or a marina stop.
15 min Google Maps
Lake Powell → Antelope Canyon Finish at the canyon and plan to be there by about 3:15 PM for your 4:00 PM ticket.
20 min Google Maps
Day 4 Tuesday May 19

Antelope Canyon to Monument Valley

Driving: 2h 15m Sightseeing: 5h Suggested overnight: Monument Valley

The Monument Valley 17-mile scenic drive is treated as the main afternoon block here.

Keep this day focused and scenic. The drive is manageable, which leaves enough time for the Monument Valley viewpoints and the 17-mile scenic loop if conditions allow.

Popular easy sights

The View Hotel overlook 45 min
17-mile scenic drive through Monument Valley 2h 30m
John Ford's Point photo stop 30 min
The View Hotel sunset overlook 30 min
Antelope Canyon → Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Single easy transfer day through northern Arizona’s desert landscape.
2h 15m Google Maps
Day 5 Wednesday May 20

Straight transfer from Monument Valley to Zion

Driving: 4h 30m Sightseeing: 2h Overnight: Springdale / Zion

This is still the longest transfer day, but it now includes the scenic Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway approach instead of indoor detours.

This follows the “Maybe Straight to Zion?” note directly. Treat it as a repositioning day: leave Monument Valley in the morning, enjoy the scenic Zion approach in the afternoon, then keep Springdale easy before your full Zion day.

Popular easy sights

Forrest Gump Point roadside photo stop 20 min
Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway scenic pullouts 45 min
Springdale town center stroll and hotel check-in 60 min
Pa'rus Trail easy river walk 45 min
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park → Zion National Park Longer cross-desert drive, but still realistic as a single day.
4h 30m Google Maps
Day 6 Thursday May 21

Full sightseeing day in Zion National Park

Driving: 0.5h local Sightseeing: 7h Overnight: Springdale / Zion

Everything here stays on easy walks, shuttle-access stops, and scenic drives through Zion.

Plan this as a park day rather than a road day. Use the shuttle where required and keep the day centered on scenic overlooks, easy riverside walking, and shuttle-access viewpoints instead of strenuous trails.

Popular easy sights

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive shuttle ride with photo stops 90 min
Pa'rus Trail river section 60 min
Riverside Walk 2h round trip, easy
Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway scenic drive pullouts 60 min
Canyon Junction Bridge photo stop 30 min
Springdale → Zion Canyon Visitor Center Optional local navigation link for the park entry area.
10 min Google Maps
Day 7 Friday May 22

Zion back to Las Vegas

Driving: 2h 45m Sightseeing: 2h Trip finish: Las Vegas

The return drive includes the Virgin River Gorge scenic stretch, then a light finish back in Las Vegas.

Take a short Zion morning if you want one last viewpoint, then drive back to Las Vegas. This keeps the return leg relaxed and leaves room for traffic or a final lunch stop before the trip ends.

Popular easy sights

Springdale riverfront walk 45 min
Pa'rus Trail canyon overlook 30 min
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign 45 min
Zion National Park → Las Vegas via Virgin River Gorge Final return leg back into Nevada, with the scenic gorge stretch built into the route.
2h 45m Google Maps

Hotel suggestions

Popular overnight bases that fit the route and keep the next morning simple.

Las Vegas

Good for the arrival night, especially because Planet Hollywood is next to your Saturday dinner reservation.

  • Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
  • Paris Las Vegas
  • Vdara Hotel & Spa

Grand Canyon South Rim

Choose an inside-park lodge if possible, or stay in Tusayan for easier booking availability.

  • Yavapai Lodge
  • Maswik Lodge
  • Red Feather Lodge in Tusayan

Page / Lake Powell

Best base for Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, and an easy start toward Monument Valley.

  • Hyatt Place Page / Lake Powell
  • Lake Powell Resort
  • Hampton Inn & Suites Page

Monument Valley

Book early here. The best-known properties are limited and often sell out before the trip month.

  • The View Hotel
  • Goulding's Lodge
  • Hat Rock Inn in Mexican Hat

Springdale / Zion

Use one Springdale base for both Zion nights so you can walk or shuttle into the park with minimal driving.

  • Cable Mountain Lodge
  • Desert Pearl Inn
  • SpringHill Suites Springdale Zion

Inside-park and Monument Valley stays are usually the hardest rooms to get, so those are the ones worth booking first.

Drive times and stop lengths are approximate. Use each day's dropdown to shift the schedule, but recheck live traffic, park rules, and fixed reservations closer to departure.