The Perfect 7-Day Las Vegas Road Trip To Utah Itinerary

This is the perfect 7-day Las Vegas road trip to Utah! Many perceive Las Vegas only as a city of crazy hotels, casinos, and bachelorette parties. While these are part of the charm and the truth, there are many other awesome experiences to explore.

Is it crazy if I tell you that the best thing about Las Vegas is leaving Las Vegas?🥲 No offense!

Las Vegas is an ideal starting point for an unforgettable road trip through some of Nevada, Utah, and Arizona’s most breathtaking national parks, state parks, and landscapes. And that’s precisely the road trip I planned in April 2024!

If I were to do it again, I’d allow for more time, as there’s abundant beauty to see! However, seven days is the perfect balance between fun and activity for an epic Las Vegas to Utah road trip.

Don’t forget to check out my Ultimate Solo Female Travel Guide to Las Vegas!

Why start a road trip in Las Vegas?

Las Vegas has the closest major airport for those aiming to visit Utah National Parks like Zion and Bryce, particularly if travelling from outside the USA. From Las Vegas, it’s just a 2.5-hour drive to Zion National Park or a 2-hour drive to Death Valley.

Additionally, Las Vegas offers a great nightlife scene, contrasting the possible outdoor adventures during the day. You can start or end your trip by exploring the iconic Strip, catching a show, and trying your luck at one of the casinos.

Doesn’t that sound like the perfect trip? Adventure and outdoor activities mixed with pleasure and relaxation.

While Salt Lake City, Utah, might seem a better choice, it’s further away from national parks like Zion National Park or Bryce National Park.

Salt Lake City is nothing bad, but this road trip and Las Vegas are the perfect contrast! And you don’t want to miss Valley of Fire, my favourite, just outside of Las Vegas.

Is a Las Vegas road trip safe for solo female travellers?

Absolutely! I did this Las Vegas road trip solo and with a friend. However, it’s important to be well-prepared and have a solid plan. Be prepared if you’re renting a car, but more on that later.

This itinerary’s state and national parks are popular destinations with well-established safety measures. Many visitors visit these areas, offering a sense of security. Follow safety guidelines, and you’ll have nothing to worry about!

Be sure to choose reputable hotels in strategic locations along this 7-day road trip from Las Vegas. But fear not; I’ll share some recommendations to help you on your way!

The routes from Las Vegas to Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon National Park are common with more people, so you won’t be alone! But always have proper safety precautions in place when hiking solo as a woman!

Can you do a day trip from Las Vegas to Zion?

Of course, you can! If you leave Las Vegas early and arrive at Zion around opening time, you’ll have the entire day to explore Zion National Park! It’s going to be a long day, for sure. Head back to Las Vegas in the afternoon, and you could be back at the beginning of the evening.

A few safety road trip tips

A road trip is so much fun and is something you can do solo! You’ll decide on your itinerary, get to play the music you want to listen to and stop whenever, wherever you want!

However, taking a road trip solo as a woman requires a few safety precautions. After all, safety is more important than everything!

• Get a proper rental from a reputable rental company. Do not skip out on proper insurance; getting road assistance might be safe, especially if driving long distances. Check out Discovery Cars or Hertz (I’ve used them many times in the US)!
• Always make sure you have enough gas in the tank! The US is big, and sometimes, you drive long distances without a gas station. You do not want to get stranded along the side of the road with an empty tank! Fill up your tank if you get less than a quarter of a tank.
• Don’t drive out without food and drinks! Go to the supermarket before your drive! Get plenty of water and snacks like popcorn, beef jerky, granola bars, fruit, chips, and more. You better have enough to eat and drink. You can stow everything in your car.

7-day Itinerary from Las Vegas to Utah

Ready to hit the road? Let’s dive into this 7-day itinerary!

Day 1: Las Vegas

Touch down in Las Vegas and grab your rental car from the airport. Take the day to unwind and soak in the energy of the Las Vegas Strip. Staying nearby gets you easy access to all the awesome hotels and attractions!

You could catch an early show and dinner, but make it an early night! You’ll have a long day ahead of you tomorrow!

I’d suggest checking out the Venetian and having dinner at the Grand Lux Cafe inside the Venetian.

Day 2: Zion National Park

Rise and shine early for a drive to Zion National Park, approximately 2.5 hours away.

Arriving early gets you better parking options. Once there, park in Zion’s designated lot or, if it’s full, alongside the road from Springdale for $15 (full day).

A free shuttle from Springdale stops at various points along the road to Zion’s Visitor’s Centre.

With a 7-day pass for $30 per car, you can explore breathtaking trails like Scouts Lookout/Angels Landing and Emerald Pools.

Angels Landing and the Narrows are probably the most famous hikes in Zion National Park. To hike the Narrows, check the instructions on the website. You’ll need gear!

You’ll need a permit for Angels Landing, which you can get through a lottery on their website a day in advance. If you win, you’ll hear that the day before your visit.

Getting to hike to the top of Angels Landing is basically in the hands of the park Gods! But, even if you don’t get the permit for Angels Landing, you can still hike out to the starting point of Angels Landing!

Scouts Look Out is about a 3-hour strenuous hike. It offers the same amazing views as Angels Landing but without having to climb your way through narrow and steep parts.

After a long day in Zion National Park, I recommend staying the night in Kanab, which is about one hour away. You can take the scenic drive from Zion, Highway 9. It’s a beautiful drive!

Day 3: Arizona

Leave Kanab early to Antelope Slot Canyon in Arizona, a must-see natural wonder! Even though this tour is mostly about Utah, these spots in Arizona can’t be missed if you’re in the area!

It’s just a 1,5 hour away from Kanab, and you’ll get to tackle 2 amazing sights in one!

You must book a guided tour to visit any Antilope Canyons! The stunning red canyons are simply amazing! Afterwards, refuel with a delightful lunch in Page before heading to Horseshoe Bend, just a short drive away.

Horseshoe Bend is iconic for the horseshoe-shaped river view! If you’re visiting Antilope Canyon, visiting Horseshoe Bend is a must. It’s just a 10-minute drive from Page!

We’ll return to Kanab to stay the night. If you have the time, you could check out some great scenic spots in Kanab!

The iconic Welcome to Utah and Welcome to Arizona signs are also on the same highway, very close together! It’s a great spot to take a photo!

Day 4: Bryce Canyon National Park

Today, we’re off to Bryce Canyon National Park! Leave Kanab early in the morning for a 1.5-hour drive to Bryce. If you’re in the Zion area, visiting Bryce is a must! You can easily spend the entire day in Bryce, driving up to every viewpoint.

If you’re on a budget, I recommend returning to Zion and hiking another trail! Your pass is valid for a week, so you don’t have to pay the entrance fee to another park. There are different hiking trails in Zion, so pick another one for today.

After a long day of hiking in Bryce, you can sleep in Hurricane or St. George to minimize driving time. Sleeping in these cities is the perfect base for an early morning departure to the Valley of Fire on our way back to Las Vegas.

Day 5: Valley of Fire

Depart Hurricane early and go to Valley of Fire State Park on your return to Las Vegas. Valley of Fire is probably my favourite place in Las Vegas! The hiking trails are fantastic, and most of the viewpoints are great.

I fell in love! Valley of Fire can get hot during the day, so be prepared when visiting. There’s also less signage on some of the trails, so don’t wander off. You should have cell service, but still pay attention!

The scenic drive is just epic! Early in the morning, when the sun rises, or just around sunset, you’ll get the best views and opportunities to take photos! Valley of Fire is open from sunrise to sunset, with an entrance fee of $15 per car.

A system at both entrances allows you to pay the entrance fee, even if the booths aren’t open yet. I loved walking around the trails! Just be careful and stick to the trails! And don’t leave your car without water.

Afterwards, head back to the Las Vegas Strip for a day of food, drinks and a show! There are many places to stay on the Strip or downtown. Staying on the Strip will put you in the middle of all the craziness.

Day 6: Back to Las Vegas

Start your day early and drive to the iconic Welcome to Las Vegas sign! The earlier, the better, because it can get crowded and the small parking lot fills up fast!

After the Welcome to Las Vegas sign, drive to the vibrant 7 Magic Mountains. These coloured stacked boulders are a 30-minute drive south of Las Vegas, a perfect combination with the Welcome to Las Vegas sign (the sign is on the way!).

Get back to Las Vegas and go for lunch in the Arts District! This is my favourite neighbourhood! I love Esther’s Kitchen, which is a great spot for lunch!

After lunch, head out to Red Rock Canyon, just a 25-minute drive from Las Vegas. You’ll need to buy tickets and arrange an arrival time slot online. Entrance is $20 per car, and you can easily spend the entire afternoon there.

I’ll be honest. Red Rock Canyon is great but much more crowded than the Valley of Fire. It offers a view of great hiking spots, and you can climb pretty far up the red rocks! It’s worth a visit at least once!

Enjoy the evening on the Strip in Las Vegas, or return to the Arts District! For drinks, I highly recommend Velveteen Rabbit and Garagiste Wine Bar downtown.

Day 7 Home

On your final day, seize the opportunity to visit any missed attractions before departure. Consider grabbing a bite at In-N-Out Burger, my personal local favourite😄

Things to do in Las Vegas

If you’re in Las Vegas, you gotta head out to see the Strip! You can’t miss this iconic Vegas view even if you don’t like casinos!

Just walking around will do it for most! Check out the Bellagio, the Venetian, Cesar’s Palace and the Cosmopolitan. The newly opened Fountainblue is supposed to be on another level and a great place for drinks!

You can’t leave Las Vegas without catching a show! There’s so much to see! I highly recommend seeing Rouge in the Stratosphere! Rouge is everything a true Vegas show should be: a little raunchy, lots of humour, some nudity, and mind-blowing acts like acrobats, aerial dancing, pole dancing, and more.

Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon must be one of the most famous canyons worldwide! Despite the many times I’ve been in Las Vegas, I’ve never visited the Grand Canyon. Mainly because all the other activities seemed more appealing to me!

However, if you want to drive to the Grand Canyon, I recommend driving from Antilope Canyon to the Grand Canyon. You can stay in the area overnight and then drive back to Las Vegas from the Grand Canyon.

Your itinerary will be picked up in Las Vegas, where you can take a day trip to the Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon.

Death Valley

Death Valley is only a 1.5-hour drive from Las Vegas. There are several viewpoints, but I would visit Zabriskie Point, Basewater Bassin and Sand Dunes. Death Valley is another great option if you’re staying in Las Vegas!

You could skip driving to Arizona and go to Bryce the next day. Then, take a day trip to Death Valley, leaving Las Vegas early in the morning. If you stick to a few points in Death Valley, you can easily do this on a day trip!

Is the drive from Las Vegas to Zion pretty?

Honestly, it’s not that special! However, you can see some beautiful sights during sunset. But it’s not a scenic drive. I feel most of Nevada is not as beautiful as Utah, Arizona, or California.

The beautiful parts start when entering Utah, where the elevation begins!

Is the drive to Zion scary?

The drive to Zion from Las Vegas is a piece of cake! Really! It’s easy and relatively boring most of the way. But, as I recommended in this itinerary, you can and should take Highway 9 from Zion to Mount Carmel to Kanab!

The drive is stunning! But you have to be careful, as the road has many sharp turns, and it’s crowded on the side of the road because of all the people parking and stopping to take photos.

The tunnel can be tricky, but it was nothing too bad! Just pay attention and stick to the speed limit!

I adored this 7-day road trip from Las Vegas to Utah! While I’m eager to explore even more next time, this adventure was amazing! Utah and Arizona are such beautiful and versatile states to visit!

Looking to find a great rental? Don’t forget to check out Discovery Cars!

I hope this 7-day Las Vegas road trip to Utah inspires you to plan a trip! It inspired me to make an unforgettable road trip one day, driving from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, Utah, Arizona, and back!

Let’s hit the road and make unforgettable memories! As always, I’m here for questions! The fastest way is to leave a comment on my most recent post on Instagram!