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 and Utah’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 or the 10-day Las Vegas to Arizona road trip!

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 like 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.

There are also so many fantastic things to do in Las Vegas for women!

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 and have more people, so you won’t be alone! But always take proper safety precautions 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 it’s something you can do solo! You’ll decide on your itinerary, play the music you want to listen to and stop whenever and wherever you want!

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

• 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! Bring 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.
• Do NOT travel without proper travel insurance, especially when renting a car! Travel insurance is a must and will protect you from accidents.

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!

Where to stay in Las Vegas?

Since we’re only staying for a night before moving on, I recommend staying near the Strip! Check out this budget option Ellis Island Hotel Casino & Brewery! This hotel is simple and basic but has everything you need for a short night stay.

They offer free parking, and there is a small casino, restaurants, bar and brewery in the other building. You can easily walk from the hotel to the Strip in just 10 minutes.

If you’re looking for something fancier for the rest of your trip, check out The Cosmopolitan or The Venetian. I love the location of both, in the middle of the Strip, and there are plenty of facilities in the hotel with nice spacious rooms.

And if you’re looking for a no-casino, no-smoking hotel where it’s actually quiet but still on the Strip? Check out Mariott’s Grand Chateaux.

>> Check out all the amazing hotels in Las Vegas!

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 Comfort Suites Kanab (breakfast in included) , which is about one hour away. You can take the scenic drive from Zion, Highway 9. It’s a beautiful drive!

Or check out The Riverside Ranch Motel (which is en route to Bryce) and if you’re looking for something truly epic, check out a Glamping Tent!

Day 3: 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 4: 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 5: Welcome To Las Vegas Sign

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 (it’s free) 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 downtown! This is my favourite neighbourhood! I love Esther’s Kitchen, which is a great spot for lunch and dinner!

I suggest spending some time in the Arts District! Check out the amazing street art, go thrift shopping, maybe get a $10 tattoo at Koolsville and check out the ‘greetings from Las Vegas’ mural.

For drinks, I highly recommend checking out Velveteen Rabbit (cocktail bar), Garagiste Wine Bar, The Wine Garden and Able Baker Brewing.

Don’t forget to check out Freemont Street, which is the old part of Las Vegas where the fun all started!

Day 6 The Las Vegas Strip

Wake up early and head out for 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 morning hiking or climbing up the red rocks.

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

After Red Rock Canyon, get back to your hotel. Ditch your rental and spend the rest of the day on the iconic Las Vegas Strip.

The Las Vegas Strip is big, so it will take you a while to walk from one side to the other. The casinos are all awesome, and you’ll find plenty of places to go for a drink, food and a show!

Show to check out are Rouge in the Strat, Absinth, or if this is a girls’ trip, you can’t miss a night out with the Chippendales!

Day 7: Goodbye Las Vegas

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 Strat! 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.

How about an epic helicopter ride over Las Vegas? A once-in-a-lifetime experience! And what about the magnificent Sphere or the top-rated magnificent show Absinth?

Las Vegas is also home to many concerts and residencies, so I always check if an artist I love is performing! You can check current concerts in Las Vegas here!

I go more into detail on the best things to do in Las Vegas in 24 best things to do in Las Vegas for women.

Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon must be one of the most famous canyons worldwide and can also be a part of this 7-day Las Vegas to Utah road trip!

If you want to drive to the Grand Canyon, I recommend driving from Bryce 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, but you have to make choices if you still want to visit Valley of Fire or Red Rock Canyon. These can be skipped, and you’ll enjoy a day in Las Vegas.

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 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!

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!