4 Day Arizona to Utah Road Trip From Las Vegas to Salt Lake City That you Will Love
Arizona and Utah are huge states but it is indeed possible to visit them in just 4 days. We understand it’s hard to know what to choose between national parks, cities and recreational areas.
In this post, and based on our US travel experience, we crafted a 4 day Arizona to Utah itinerary from Vegas to Salt Lake city that covers the most beautiful stop points.
Overview of the route
- Total distance: 819 miles/1318 km
- Driving time: 14 hours
- Pace: Fast-paced
- Departure: Las Vegas
- Arrival: Salt Lake City
- What you’ll see: A mix of national parks, canyons, famous landmarks, cities and wildlife
- Ideal for: Couples travelling from Arizona to Utah who don’t need to come back to Arizona and are looking to turn the long driving hours into an adventure . Salt Lake City has an international airport so you can go anywhere from your last stop.
Map of this 4 day itinerary from Vegas to Salt Lake City
In this itinerary, you will find Arizona to Utah road trip ideas if you only have four days.
To ensure you have the best Utah road trip from Arizona, we have selected what are the best and most mind-blowing stops in our experience. Of course, you can also use this itinerary backwards to have the best road trip in Arizona from Utah.
Day 1: Las Vegas to Grand Canyon & Horseshoe Bend
- Las Vegas to Grand Canyon: 4h25min, 265miles/426km
- Grand Canyon to Horseshoe Bend: 2h13, 120miles/193km
- Heavy Driving Day
Morning: Las Vegas
With only a brief stop in Las Vegas, it’s best to maximize your visit. Start with a drive down the iconic Strip, marveling at the famous hotels, and make a quick stop for a photo op at the classic Las Vegas sign. For a taste of the city’s unique offerings, consider wandering through The Venetian Hotel, an impressive replica of Venice, or catch the mesmerizing fountain and light show at the Bellagio. Before you set off for the Grand Canyon, allocate an hour to ride the High Roller, the towering Ferris wheel, offering a stunning 360° view of the glittering Las Vegas skyline. This whirlwind tour ensures you experience the essence of Vegas even with time constraints.
Time recommended: 3-4 hours
Budget: You can book your tickets here for the High Roller.
Afternoon: Drive to & visit Grand Canyon National Park, one of the best Utah road trip national parks
On your Arizona to Utah road trip, the Grand Canyon stands as a magnificent highlight, famed for its vast, colorful layered rock formations. Nestled at its depths flows the Colorado River. If you’re hesitant between the Grand Canyon and Bryce, fear not, this itinerary will take you to both.
While the South Rim offers iconic viewpoints like Mather Point, Hopi Point, and Shoshone Point, it’s a bit off the main route. Instead, consider the North Rim to save on driving time without missing the spectacle. Here, must-visit spots include Bright Angel Point, Coconino Overlook, and the North Kaibab Trailhead, each offering unique perspectives of this geological wonder. This detour to the North Rim ensures you’re still immersed in the Grand Canyon’s awe-inspiring beauty, with a more convenient route for your journey.
Note that the North Rim is usually closed from October to May.
Time recommended: 3h
Budget: $35 per car
End of the day:Horseshoe Bend in Glen Canyon on your way to Page
Your next stop on this road trip from Arizona to Utah is beautiful Horseshoe Bend. Although it is often thought to be part of the Grand Canyon, that’s not the case. Horseshoe Bend is actually part of Glen Canyon and right on the road towards the West. This gorgeous rock formation is located in the Colorado River. It is shaped as a horseshoe making for some of the best views in the West. The Glen Canyon Dam is also one of the main landmarks to see in the area. It’s especially beautiful at the end of the day during golden hour.
Time recommended: 1h
Budget: $10 per car for parking
Sleep in Page
- For an unforgettable glamping experience, we recommend this accommodation.
- This hotel is good value and also has a seasonal outdoor pool.
Tours and activities we recommend
- Visit the Grand Canyon by Helicopter: On my first US West Coast Rod Trip, I took a helicopter to the Grand Canyon and it was a memorable experience! We ended up being completely alone in the middle of the canyon! We highly recommend booking a Grand Canyon helicopter experience.
- If you’re the adventurer type, book this raft trip on the Colorado River in the middle of Glen Canyon and the Grand Canyon!
Day 2: Page & Antelope Canyon, a must see on a 4 day Utah and Arizona road trip
- Page to Antelope Canyon: 9min, 6 miles/10km
- Antelope Canyon to Kanab: 1h20min, 78 miles/126km
- Light Driving Day
Morning: Antelope Canyon Upper
Day 2 starts with Upper Antelope Canyon. There are two Antelope Canyons, one is upper and one is lower. The most famous and accessible one is Upper Antelope Canyon though they are pretty similar when it comes to colours and rock formations.
You’ll first have to hop on the back of a truck that drives you to the canyon. As this is a popular one, there are usually several trucks going there at the same time. Then you’ll follow your guide into the canyon to discover those beautiful ocher rock formations.
Time recommended: 2h
Budget: $8 per person for entry to the Park and $37 per person for the canyon visit. We recommend booking your tickets through one of the tour operators directly as tickets will be cheaper than on other websites, see here.
Afternoon: Antelope Canyon Lower
We visited both canyons and also love Lower Antelope Canyon. It is less famous but also smaller than Upper Antelope Canyon. It’s also less busy which is nice if you’re trying to get away from the crowds. You’ll have to go down a few staircases inside the canyon to get to the bottom of it. There you’ll enjoy the beauty of the daylight beaming against the ocher colours. The whole visit is on foot and due to the stairs, ti’s not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Time recommended: 2h
Budget: $8 per person for entry to the Park (only need to pay this once for both canyons) and $28 per person for the canyon visit. We recommend booking your tickets through one of the tour operators directly as tickets will be cheaper than on other websites, see here.
An alternative to these two canyons is the new Canyon X. It’s a gem and can also be cheaper depending on when you book!
End of the day: Drive to Kanab
Sleep in Kanab
- We stayed at this hotel, which was wonderful! The rooms were large and comfortable and the hotel even has an outdoor swimming pool which we really appreciated in the middle of summer! It was one of the cheapest hotels but definitely good value! There are lots of places to get breakfast in the area as well.
- For a budget-friendly option with breakfast included, we recommend this hotel. We have stayed at this hotel brand before and it’s good value for the price, especially when it’s just for one night.
- For a unique experience, this luxurious tent welcomes you for the night with stargazing opportunities and a small pool!
- With a pool and hot tub, this is a great modern and comfortable hotel for couples looking to relax on their 2 wee West Coast road trip!
Day 3: Bryce Canyon National Park
- Kanab to Bryce Canyon: 1h31, 79 miles/126km
One of the best National Parks in Utah and Arizona to include to your itinerary is Bryce Canyon National Park. Known as a must-see on a Utah big 5 road trip, it’s equally a must to add it on your way to Utah from Arizona.
Bryce Canyon was one of the most surprising national parks on our USA West Coast road trip. If you think you’ve seen everything canyon related after the Grand Canyon, you’re wrong!
Bryce Canyon is a breathtaking place that will make you feel extremely small and that will remind you of what planet earth and nature can do.
There are a number of viewpoints to stop at in Bryce Canyon. Rainbow and Yovimpa Points are located at the south of the Canyon and provide stunning views from the Pink Cliffs to the Vermillion Cliffs. Natural Bridge is another point where you can see arches made by erosion from the rain and the wind into the canyon. Bryce Point is a viewpoint over Bryce Canyon amphitheater and the start of a couple of trails. We wouldn’t recommend embarking on a full trail as they can take several days to complete. However, you can walk for 5 minutes just to get into the canyon a bit more.
Finally, Sunrise and Sunset Points are located on the north side of the canyon and deliver stunning views on a rock formation called Thor’s Hammer due to its shape. This spot is great at the end of the day especially!
Pink Cliffs, located more south, is essentially another viewpoint with incredible views on the layered pink rock formations. Standing here will make you feel so small yet so free!
All together, Bryce Canyon is an absolute gem that you should add to your West Coast USA road trip itinerary.
Time recommended: all day
Budget: $35 per car
Sleep in Panguitch or Hatch
- We highly recommend staying at one of these budget-friendly cabins in Panguitch!
- Alternatively, you can stay at these lodges in Hatch!
Tours and activities we recommend
- We recommend this hiking experience in Bryce Canyon to completely immerse yourself in the park!
Day 4: Salt Lake City & Antelope Island
Bryce Canyon to Salt Lake City: 4h, 270 miles/435km
Located in the Great Salt Lake, the island is a stunning place that gives you one of the best views on the lake. Your first stop will be the visitor centre for any information, map and pit stop you need. But the main reason why Antelope Island is so interesting is because it is the home to one of the largest herd of bisons in the USA. While on the island, you can also see mule deer, pronghorn antelopes, coyotes and bighorn sheep.
If you have time before your flight, you can spend some time in the city. Salt Lake City is a stunning city surrounded by mountains in a pure Utah-style landscape. There are two areas of the city you should see: Temple Square with a lot of LDS buildings and the Foothills Cultural District. The Utah State Capitol is also a building to check out for its architecture.
Time recommended: Half Day to Full Day
Budget: $15 per vehicle
Sleep in Salt Lake City
In the city, you can stay at this hotel to keep things on a budget as much as possible or you can stay here for a more modern stay with a pool.
Have more time?
Check out our Arizona to Utah 10 day road trip here and our 7 day itinerary here.
Need to go back to Vegas?
Check out our 4 day Arizona Utah road trip from and back to Vegas.
— SAVE THIS POST —
Did you like this post? If you liked this post, don’t hesitate to share it!
Want to save this post? You can pin the following images on pinterest to save this post.
We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home.
We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home. With over 10 years of experience in dating and traveling to romantic places, we share our favorite date ideas and romantic destinations to help couples level up their relationships. Having lived in and traveled through the USA, we also share our favourite things to do in the States.
With 70,000 monthly readers and 16,000 followers on social media, Be Right Back is your go-to resource for romantic trip ideas and couple activities at home and abroad.