From the nonstop entertainment of the Vegas Strip and Lake Havasu to the breathtaking natural beauty of the Grand Canyon and Valley of the Sun, this Las Vegas to Phoenix road trip will fill your days (and nights) with stories to tell for years to come.
Las Vegas may lie at the heart of the Loneliest Road in America, but there is nothing empty about this desert paradise that features some of the most iconic entertainment destinations and well-preserved natural landmarks in the country. On this Last Vegas to Phoenix road trip, you (and whoever is lucky enough to join the ride) will experience a canyon deep enough to create its own weather patterns, a city that defies brutal weather in the name of entertainment, and the largest reservoir in the country…before you even leave Nevada.
Stops
1. Las Vegas
2. Hoover Dam
3. Grand Canyon
4. Flagstaff, AZ
5. Lake Havasu
6. Phoenix, AZ
Info at a glance
- 8-12 days of travel
- Type of route: Nature
- 6 stops along the route
- 735 miles of driving
Highlights
- Catch a show in Vegas, hit the tables, embrace the nightlife.
- Visit the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.
- Experience the majesty of the Grand Canyon from above and below.
- Cruise into Flagstaff on Route 66.
- Explore the Valley of the Sun in and around Phoenix.
Getting to the start
Kick off your road trip from Las Vegas, the live entertainment capital of the United States. For those who are coming from outside the area, you can fly into McCarran International Airport and rent a car from the on-site rental car center. Use Highway 593 and Las Vegas Boulevard to reach the iconic Las Vegas Strip in about 10 minutes. If you prefer to travel via train, Amtrak stops in Las Vegas.
When to Visit
Considering this road trip begins in the Mojave Desert and arrives at the Sonoran Desert, the best time to plan your Route 66 adventure is in the winter months – specifically from December to February. While you might think Nevada and Arizona will be a “flip-flops and tank tops only” kind of trip, your stop in Flagstaff might throw you a curveball. It averages over 100 inches of snow per year, so pack your bags for the hot desert nights of Vegas and the snow-covered mornings in Flagstaff.
Driving tips
The speed limits will vary along the route depending on whether you are driving through rural or residential areas. In the open rural areas, you can expect limits of up to 75 miles per hour while roads outside towns may be lowered to 65 mph. There are no tolls required on this road trip, but you may end up on narrow roads as you tour the Grand Canyon – be prepared to slow down and take your time.
What to know about the route
To kick off this 750-mile road trip, you will leave the bright lights of Sin City for the engineering marvel of Hoover Dam and Lake Mead by heading south on Interstate 515, Highway 93 and Highway 95. Once you reach the exit for Hoover Dam Access Road, you will ride that for 3 miles until you reach the Visitors Center. After spending a day learning the history of Hoover Dam and relaxing along Lake Mead (or maybe taking a dip), you will hop back onto Highway 93 South until you see Diamond Bar Road – the path to the famous Grand Canyon Skywalk. There is no way you can fully appreciate this world-famous wonder in a single afternoon, so take 2-3 days to hike, camp, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty. Use I-40 to drive further east into Arizona until you reach Flagstaff, where you can spend 1-2 days in the snow and sun. Travel back along I-40 West until you rejoin Highway 95 South to connect with I-10 East on your final stop of the road trip – Phoenix. With a potential for changing weather conditions, small and winding trails and plenty of gear to bring along, the best vehicle for this trip would be an all-wheel-drive SUV.
Las Vegas, NV
There is a reason Las Vegas is known as the entertainment capital of the world. You will understand once you make your first walk down the Vegas Strip at night. Catch a live show at one of the resorts, test your luck at the casinos or dig into one of the famous all-you-can-eat buffet options.
Points of interest
Whether you are an early-riser or a night owl, there is plenty to explore in Las Vegas around the clock. Check out famous locations from your favorite movies like the Bellagio fountains or a show at the MGM Grand. Be sure to save time for a visit to Fremont Street, where you can feel what it was like to hit Vegas in its early days – filled with neon lights and old-school casinos.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
Vegas does everything at 110% and food is no exception. Almost every major resort has at least one all-you-can-eat buffet, but the highest rated options are found at Caesar’s Palace, Wynn Las Vegas and the Cosmopolitan. You are allowed to explore the Strip with a drink in your hand or gaze over the city from a rooftop bar like SkyBar of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. There are plenty of hotel resorts to choose from, including the Venetian, the Bellagio and Mandalay Bay.
Sixt Insider Tip
Las Vegas has plenty of nicknames, but you should see why it is called the City of Lights. Climb on the High Roller Ferris wheel at the LINQ at sunset and watch as the city lights up the night sky. The best part: You can enjoy the air conditioning of your compartment as you watch.
From Las Vegas to the Hoover Dam (35 miles)
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas…but try to keep those fun memories on the drive to your next destination, the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. On your way out of town, drive through Downtown Las Vegas to see a different side of the city often overshadowed by the Strip. You can also stop by the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial in Boulder City, directly on the way to the Hoover Dam Visitors Center.
Hoover Dam
Since it was first built in the early 1930s, the Hoover Dam has been attracting visitors from around the country to marvel at this feat of engineering. Spanning 1,244 feet at a height of 726 feet, the dam itself is the main attraction. However, you will not want to miss the scenery and outdoor opportunity of Lake Mead, the reservoir that was created after the formation of the dam. This lake has 750 miles of shoreline to explore, with everything from sandy coves to open waters.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
What could be better than camping under the stars? Bring a picnic to Lake Mead Recreation Area and camp out in the 1.5 million-acre park. There are over 900 campsites to choose from, so feel free to explore your options and get a bit picky. Just be sure to reserve your campsite in advance, as this is an extremely popular spot.
Sixt Insider Tip
The best way to explore this area is up-close, so climb out of the car and hike your way through the Mojave ecosystem with vibrant rock formations aplenty. For water sports enthusiasts, the lake offers a great chance to let loose with water skiing and tubing.
From the Hoover Dam to the Grand Canyon (100 miles)
There are plenty of hidden gems tucked into the stretch of road between Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon, including a unique rock formation by the name of Liberty Bell Arch. This photo favorite is located at the end of an easily accessible hike and has been formed over years of wind and water erosion. It now resembles the famous Liberty Bell that resides in Philadelphia, even including the “clapper” that hits the side of the bell to produce a ringing sound.
Grand Canyon
Carved deep into the earth by the mighty Colorado River, the Grand Canyon reaches depths up to one mile deep and stretches 277 miles through the Navajo Nation and Havasupai Indian Reservation. With some points as wide as 18 miles, there is only one way to truly appreciate the majesty of this natural wonder, in person.
Points of interest
The Grand Canyon Skywalk is not for the faint of heart. This is a horseshoe-shaped bridge that reaches out over the canyon at a height of 4,000 feet. You will never forget the feeling as you stare down at the bottom of the canyon through the glass walkway.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
After a heart-pounding view over the canyon floor at Grand Canyon Skywalk, refuel at the nearby Sky View Restaurant. With glass windows lining the restaurant to peer into the canyon below, this gives “dinner with a view” a whole new meaning. Hopefully you didn’t pack the tent too deep into the trunk, because you will definitely want to spend a night camping alongside the canyon with the Colorado River lulling you to sleep. Just be sure to reserve a campsite well in advance.
Sixt Insider Tip
This region has been continuously inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years, even considered a holy site by the Pueblo people. Make time to learn about the tribes who have called this place home for generations, and browse pottery or other traditional items from their shops along the canyon.
From the Grand Canyon to Flagstaff (200 miles)
Head south on Diamond Bar Road until you reach Historic Route 66. Back when this was the primary highway, people didn’t drive on it to make great time – they drove on it to have a great time. The drive on Route 66 is a destination in itself, and you should stop at every roadside attraction that happens to catch your eye.
Flagstaff, AZ
There are not too many places in the world where you can see white snow blanketing the vibrant colors of red rock formations that shoot up to the skies – one of those places is Flagstaff, Arizona. This city is a popular destination for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, especially backpackers, climbers and runners who want to take advantage of the high altitude and extensive trail network.
Points of interest
If you are visiting in the winter, take a day to visit Arizona Snowbowl for skiing and snowboarding along the San Francisco Peaks. You can also see a meteorite impact crater at Barringer Crater about 30 miles outside of town. It is nearly 4,000 feet wide and 560 feet deep, estimated to have formed about 50,000 years ago when an iron meteorite struck the earth.
Sixt Insider Tip
Even if you are feeling tired, don’t go to sleep until the sunset is complete. Flagstaff is the first International Dark Sky City, with restrictions in place to ensure the night sky is fully visible. Grab a blanket and head outside to gaze up at the Milky Way as you have never seen it before, with the best views near Northern Arizona University on the west side of town.
From Flagstaff to Lake Havasu (200 miles)
Load up the car and head east back to Route 66, as you drive along this historic road to your next destination: Lake Havasu. If the historic nature of this drive has piqued your interest, stop by the Ash Fork Route 66 Museum to learn more about the history of the roadway and the cars that drove it.
Lake Havasu
What does it take to be nicknamed Arizona’s Playground? Start with 300 days of sunshine per year, add in 60 miles of waterways, and sprinkle 400 miles of coastline to make Lake Havasu an outdoor destination unlike any other. As the perfect setting for boating, hiking, backpacking, biking, off-roading, fishing, and golfing, the most challenging part of a visit to Lake Havasu is figuring out when you are going to sleep.
Sixt Insider Tip
While a majority of the attractions in Lake Havasu are natural beauties, save time for a visit to London Bridge. The bridge that currently spans the Bridgewater Channel in Lake Havasu was originally built in 1831 and used in England to cross the River Thames. As it gradually sunk into the river because of increased vehicle traffic, the city of London auctioned the bridge off in 1967 to, you guessed it, Lake Havasu City.
From Lake Havasu to Phoenix (200 miles)
Ready for the final stretch of your road trip? Head south on Highway 72 until you hit Interstate 10, then head east until you reach the Valley of the Sun. Along the way, check out the Giant Cactus Monster and Hobo Joe – two large roadside attractions that must be seen to be believed.
Phoenix, AZ
As the capital and most populated city in Arizona, the city of Phoenix is synonymous with the state itself. Professional sports teams like the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Sun play their home games here, and Arizona State University has a large campus here. After a long road trip filled with adventure and excitement, Phoenix offers one last chance to try something new and find time to relax.
Points of interest
If you feel the need to get outside before heading home, take a hike! Seriously, take a hike up Camelback Mountain on the Echo Canyon Trail for a 1,280-foot climb with stunning views of the Phoenix skyline and Salt River Valley. For the artsy crowd, pay a visit to the Musical Instrument Museum and experience over 8,000 instruments from more than 200 countries. If you’re ready to kick up your feet and relax, catch a show at the Orpheum Theater and enjoy the live pipe organ.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
The Valley of the Sun is quickly becoming a culinary hotspot, with 17 James Beard nominations in 2020 and a growing restaurant scene. Although you will find a melting pot of cultural foods, this city is known for exceptional Sonoran-style Mexican food. Inspired by Arizona’s southern border with the Mexican state of Sonora, this style of cooking places a heavy emphasis on flour tortillas and carne asada (steak).
Sixt Insider Tip
Even if you have had enough of the outdoors, make some time to visit the Desert Botanical Garden while you are in Phoenix. This is a great opportunity to get up close with some of the most beautiful and rare plants and succulents of the Sonora Desert and surrounding area – perhaps including some of the plants you noticed along the road trip but did not necessarily know enough to identify.
