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The American Southwest is a land of cinematic moon-like landscapes, crimson canyons, and rugged desert beauty. It’s where towering rock formations and endless open roads beckon the most adventurous traveler, though if you only have two weeks to enjoy this region, you better get your notepad ready.
The American Southwest comprises of several states. This two week American Southwest road trip will take you through Arizona, Utah, and Nevada, weaving through iconic national parks, vibrant desert towns, and lesser-known hidden gems.
Monument Valley
You’ll explore some of the USA’s most striking landscapes, the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Zion, as well as the wild beauty of Sedona.
Although you only have two weeks to play with, you can expect jaw-dropping scenic drives, legendary Route 66 roadside attractions, and plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the untamed spirit of the desert.
The Ultimate Two Week American Southwest Itinerary
Highway 12, Utah
For ease, this itinerary will start and end in Las Vegas, taking a loop around the American Southwest. If you don’t have your own car, then you can find car rentals in Vegas here.
As you only have two weeks, we’re not going to spend a lot of time in Vegas. This is a destination that should be visited in its own right, and allow 2-3 days to fully experience it.
Of all the places in the American Southwest, Vegas is our least favorite, but not because we don’t like it, but because we prefer nature – which is what this itinerary is going to focus on.
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The following 2 week itinerary through the Southwest region of the USA will give you just a taster of the highlights of this region, and will take you through Utah and Arizona, starting and ending in Las Vegas.
Although parts of New Mexico, Texas, California and Colorado also extend into the unofficial boundaries of the American Southwest, it’s simply not possible to explore all states in two weeks – America is too vast, and no one wants to spend their entire vacation in a car!
We give you some ideas for how to shorten and extend this itinerary at the end of this guide, but for now, let’s load up our vehicles and hit the road!
Days 1-2: Las Vegas to Zion National Park, Utah
Zion National Park Driving Time: 2hrs 37 mins / 159 miles Consider: Driving via the North Road through Lake Mead (3hrs 37 minutes)
Pick up your hire car and set straight off for Zion National Park. With its immense red and white sandstone cliffs that reach out of the forested river bed to the brilliant blue of the sky, Zion National Park is an unmissable destination.
It’s where towering sandstone cliffs meet lush canyon floors, and is home to world-famous hikes like Angels Landing —a thrilling ascent not for the faint-hearted with jaw-dropping views — and The Narrows, which carves through an aptly named narrow slot canyon, which was carved by the Virgin River.
Zion is an adventurer’s dream. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive offers postcard-worthy views at every turn.
There’s a helpful free shuttle bus through the park which takes you to the top hiking trails, viewpoints, and attractions. Don’t miss:
- Angels Landing and The Narrows Hike (Adventure Levels turned up to the MAX!)
- The Riverwalk Hike, which can be added to the Narrows adventure.
- Weeping Rock
- Lower and Upper Emerald Pool
- Sunrise at Canyon Overlook Trail is a must, painting the red rock in fiery hues.
- Springdale IPA from the Zion Lodge
- Zion Carmel Tunnel Drive to Canyon Overlook (which you could do in the morning on the way to the next stop, Bryce Canyon)
Day 3: Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
sunrise Bryce Canyon Driving Time: 1 hr 22 mins / 72 miles
Walking through Bryce Canyon National Park feels like stepping into another world — where fiery red spires sculpted by wind and time make way for archways and enchanted forests. It’s one of our favorite national parks in the USA and an unmissable site to add to your Utah Bucket List.
The best way to experience this otherworldly beauty is to hike. The famous Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail takes you on a stunning descent into the maze of rock formations. If you only have time for one hike, this should be it.
Don’t miss the colorful panoramas from Sunrise Point and Bryce Point, which both offer unbeatable views, especially at sunrise when the morning light sets the canyon ablaze.
If you enjoy camping, and love gazing up at the night sky, then the good news is Bryce has dark sky designation, making it one of the best places in the U.S. for spotting the Milky Way!
It can easily be explored in one day, although 2 days would be optimal if you could extend your itinerary – especially so you can see both sunrise and sunset.
- Hike or horse ride the Fairyland Loop Trail
- Queens Garden & Navajo Loop Trail
- Sunset / Sunrise from Bryce Point
Day 4: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
Stunning views this week along the Burr Trail in Utah Driving Time: 56 mins / 48 miles
Vast, rugged, and wildly untamed, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument has something to offer anyone who craves solitude or adventure.
Covering 1.87 million acres of sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and prehistoric fossils, this remote gem offers off-the-beaten-path adventures in Utah that you will be talking about for years to come.
If you’re not claustrophobic, don’t miss a hike through the winding passages of Spooky and Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyons, the undulating waves of colorful rocks as you traverse through are mind-blowing.
Some other sites not to miss are Metate Arch, and the hike to Calf Creek Falls, where set in the heart of this desert oasis is a shimmering waterfall.
Escalante’s beauty lies in its remoteness and has minimal crowds, which is why we think it’s worth a stop for a day.
Some of our favorite things to do in Grand Staircase-Escalante are:
Day 5-6: Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Capitol Reef National Park Driving Time: 1 hr 32 mins / 67 miles
Capitol Reef is often overlooked in favor of Utah’s more famous parks, but that’s why you should visit – hidden gems are hard to come by these days!
Capitol Reef National Park is a treasure trove of towering cliffs, winding canyons, and ancient petroglyphs.
In native language, the area known as Capitol Reef means “the land of the sleeping rainbow,” which couldn’t be more apt when you look at the landscape.
The park’s heart is the Waterpocket Fold, a massive wrinkle in the Earth’s crust that creates stunning rock formations.
There’s a scenic drive, Scenic Byway 24, which cuts through the park and offers sweeping desert views from all angles.
Here are some of our favorite things to do in Capitol Reef National Park:
- Cassidy Arch Hike
- Hickman Bridge Trail
- Capitol Gorge
- Explore the Cathedral Valley Loop
- Sunset Point Trail
- HWY 24 scenic drive
- Raspberry white chocolate cookie from the Fruita District
- Gifford Homestead for homemade pie.
Read more: If you have more time, take a side trip to Goblin Valley State Park, which only requires a couple of hours exploration.
Day 7-8: Monument Valley, Utah
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Driving Time: 3 hrs 42 mins / 184 miles
Monument Valley is a vast desert plain punctuated by towering sandstone buttes that glow red at sunrise and sunset.
Straddling the Utah-Arizona border, this sacred Navajo land has been immortalized in classic Western films, yet it remains a place of deep spiritual resonance.
It reaches right into your soul and lifts you into the present moment and plops you right into wonder and awe.
You can easily explore this park in one day by driving the 17-mile Valley Loop for up-close views of legendary buttes and formations with names like Mittens, Camels, Sisters and more, or take a guided tour with a Navajo guide to learn about the valley’s cultural significance.
Day 9: Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, Arizona
An iconic Southwest USA view of Horseshoe Bend Driving Time: 2 hrs 21 mins / 126 miles
Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are two unmissable natural landmarks that sit fairly close to each other. They are on the way from Monument Valley to Grand Canyon and can both be seen in half a day.
We loved our tour of Lower Antelope Canyon, which is less crowded than Upper Antelope Canyon (the most famous one).
Both canyons are famous for their mesmerizing light displays, visible from the floor of the slot canyon carved by wind and water. The swirling sandstone walls and ethereal light beams are a natural wonder you won’t find anywhere else on this planet.
You need a guided tour to explore both narrow passages — opt for Upper Antelope Canyon if you want to see more iconic light shafts or Lower Antelope Canyon for a more adventurous, less crowded experience.
A short drive away is Horseshoe Bend, a 270-degree curve in a canyon carved by the Colorado River. In our opinion, the view is better than the Grand Canyon! But that’s just us.
Day 10-11: Sedona, Arizona
Sedona Driving Time: 3 hrs 5 mins / 161 miles
Surrounded by towering red rock formations and glowing desert mesas, Sedona is a place where adventure and spirituality collide.
I could feel the wonderful energy and spirit in this iconic place thanks to the many vortexes in the area. It’s well known around the world for it’s spiritual healing energy.
As well as healing vortexes, Sedona also has breathtaking hiking trails – the Cathedral Rock and Devil’s Bridge trails would be our top picks for the most iconic views in Arizona.
The town itself is a mix of art galleries and wellness retreats. And for a more leisurely pace, take the Red Rock Scenic Byway, which winds through stunning desert landscapes.
Some of my top things to do in Sedona are:
Day 12-13: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park – a Southwest USA itinerary must Driving Time: 2 hrs 5 mins / 113 miles
I’m pretty sure one of the reasons you are doing a road trip of Southwest region is to visit the Grand Canyon National Park. It’s everything and more, despite it’s world-famous reputation.
We have visited several times and have loved every visit – be it winter, summer or Fall.
No matter how many photos you’ve seen, nothing prepares you for the sheer scale of the Grand Canyon.
This mile-deep, 277-mile-long Great Wonder of the World is one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on Earth.
The South Rim is the most accessible and is where you will find iconic viewpoints like Mather Point and Desert View Watchtower, whereas the North Rim, if you can drive that far, offers a quieter, more rugged experience.
Some of our recommended things to do in the Grand Canyon are:
- Hike the Bright Angel Trail
- South Rim Trail
- Visitor Center movie and Junior Ranger Program
- Hopi Point Sunset
- Desert View Watchtower (my favorite views)
- The South Kaibab Trail
Day 14: Las Vegas, Nevada
Driving Time: 4 hrs 24 mins / 279 miles
Let’s finish this incredible American Southwest road trip in Sin City! If you’re traveling as a family and wondering whether it’s safe for kids – of course, you can take your kids there, there’s lots to do for families in Vegas.
Our girls have been four times and love it! All those flashing neon lights, evening shows, waterparks, rollercoasters, endless shopping, all you can eat buffets, gigantic wheels, and quirky museums – it’s more than just casinos.
You decide how long you want to visit, or if you want to stick around at all!
Some of our top things to do in Las Vegas are:
- Casino hop the Strip and gaze in wonder
- See a show in the evening
- Visit Downtown Las Vegas (before 5pm if with kids) and Downton East
How to Shorten or Extend This Road Trip
If you only have 10 days, consider taking out Capitol Reef National Park and Sedona.
It’s a difficult choice as I love them both, but compared to the other attractions on this itinerary, they would have to be my choice to cull if you wanted to see the highlights.
However, if you wanted to do a little more lesser-known attractions, then keep them in and take out Zion National Park!
Craig suggests leaving Sedona in if you’re short on time and taking out Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument – he thinks Sedona is WAY better with all the amazing hikes, Pink Jeep Tour, restaurants and bars, awesome accommodation options etc whereas Escalante is in the middle of nowhere.
You’ve gotta do Zion, Bryce, Monument Valley, and Sedona he says!
This is the problem with family travelers, we each have our own opinions – but hopefully this guide has given you an overview of each place and you can decide which national park speaks to you more.
If you do want to extend this itinerary, the following itineraries are for three and four weeks exploring this region:
These itineraries will include the other national parks we love such as Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, as well as uncover the artistic charm of Santa Fe and the adventure captial of Moab.
You could take a day off any of the mentioned areas if you want to fit them, as you will drive through there. We’d suggest Arches over Canyonlands.
Tips for a Southwestern USA Road Trip
Burr Trial Utah
- Adapt the itinerary based upon your departure and arrival times.
- Instead of adding in times for each day, I’ve listed my recommendations so you can slot it into times that suit your schedule. Think about how to incorporate sunrise and sunsets.
- You can do these recommendations across a full-day or split into afternoon/next morning before departing for next destination.
- Plan for early days and late evenings. It will be tiring but so worth it to see as much as you can.
- Restaurants and cafes are not a big part of this American Southwest region experience. Grab something where you can, or pack your own picnics and snacks.
- A national park pass will save you money in the Southwest.
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Are you planning to road trip the American Southwest? What are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments.
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