If you’ve always wanted to trade Florida’s sunshine for Nevada’s neon lights and the stunning views of the Grand Canyon, get ready! This week, we’re going to talk about an amazing 5-day road trip itinerary that will take you from Orlando to Las Vegas and then to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, which is one of the most famous natural wonders in the United States. With a friendly, helpful tone, I’ve broken down the best routes, places to stay, things to do, and even how much you can expect to spend on your next great adventure.
How to Get There and Get Around
A direct flight from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Las Vegas (LAS) is the best way to start your trip. It usually takes about five hours. Airlines like Southwest, Frontier, and Allegiant offer nonstop flights that cost between $200 and $320 round trip. This is a great deal for a trip like this.
When you get to Vegas, you can pick up your rental car at Harry Reid International Airport. Depending on the type of car you rent, four days of rental usually costs between $140 and $280. If you want to see the Grand Canyon in comfort, you need to have your own wheels here. In that case…
Day 1: Jump into the craziness of Las Vegas
When you get to Las Vegas, you should check into a strip hotel. Prices can be very low during the week. For example, the Paris Las Vegas, MGM Grand, or Excalibur charge between $120 and $250 per night plus resort fees. Spend your night watching amazing shows like the Bellagio fountains or going to a show on Fremont Street. The Strip is the best place to get a taste of the city’s unique energy.
Day 2: Drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim with beautiful views
Get up and shine! To get the most out of your afternoon at the Grand Canyon, which is about 280 miles and takes about 4.5 hours to drive, you should leave Las Vegas between 6 and 7 a.m. If you have the time, you might want to take a short detour to Hoover Dam. It’s free to drive across, but guided tours cost between $10 and $30.
Take the scenic route through Kingman, Arizona, and then go up AZ-64 North to get to the South Rim. At Mather Point, take your first amazing pictures, and at Hopi or Yavapai Point, watch a sunset that you’ll never forget. The park’s lodges, like Maswik Lodge and Bright Angel Lodge, are great places to stay, but you should make your reservations at least a year in advance because they fill up quickly. Otherwise, Tusayan has chain hotels that are a little cheaper.
Day 3: Full immersion in the Grand Canyon
There is so much to see and do at the Grand Canyon that you should spend a whole day there. Get up early to see the sunrise from Mather Point or Desert View Watchtower. After that, you can decide if you want to hike. Bright Angel Trail is a popular and easy hike that goes between 3 and 6 miles round trip. The Rim Trail is a 13-mile paved path that is mostly flat and has beautiful views. It’s an easier option.
Use the park’s free shuttle buses (Orange, Blue, and Red routes) to make it easy to get to all the best lookout points. Helicopter tours from the nearby Grand Canyon Airport can show you the canyon’s beauty from the air for about $250 to $350 per person if you’re feeling adventurous. Star-gazing programs at night focus on why the Grand Canyon is an International Dark Sky Park. This is great for people who love to spend the night outside.
Day 4: Back to Vegas (or on to more fun)
It’s time to go back to Las Vegas after one last sunrise and breakfast with a view. You have choices on the 4.5-hour drive. You can go back to the Strip quickly and spend your last night in town at a Cirque du Soleil show, a comedy club, or by playing some games. If you want to see something different, you could drive a little farther to Flagstaff or even Phoenix. Flights back to Orlando might be cheaper or easier from there.