See also 'Out and About'

The routes outlined here are a general guide, clockwise or anti clockwise, out and back, it matters not, the main endeavor is to   enjoy the journey and to get to see some truly wonderful locations. Most destinations on this site have their own page with a                                                                     little more specific direction and information.

Caution:  Don't give yourselves too tight an itinerary ( i.e have to be in area 'a' by tomorrow night latest) This is not the way to enjoy the vacation. A full loop can be accomplished with days out in a 10 day period with time to relax and visit the places you really want to see. If it suits, stay and explore an area further you can always get to see the rest another time, another vacation.
Its really not a good idea to try and see all the parks and monuments in one hit . . unless you are taking an extended vacation.
                                                                                       Relax, enjoy each day.

Grand Canyon south rim direct from Las Vegas Nevada. (around 5 hours).
                                                                                       Take(93) south. at Kingman east on ( I.40). at Williams north on (64/180).
Grand Canyon south rim direct from Phoenix Arizona. (around 4.25 hours).
take (I.17) north. at Flagstaff north on (180 from east R66). Alternatively take the (I.40) west from Flagstaff and at Williams north on (64/180).

From Phoenix Arizona: Out & back or to reach the 'loop' it would make sense to take in Sedona as your first destination. From Sedona take the (89a north)a scenic drive through Oak Creek Canyon to Flagstaff(b*). If you are going to take in the 'full loop' its just a question of clockwise or anti-clockwise. You may find the journey from Flagstaff to Hoover Dam and Las Vegas a little over long so early in your vacation. First choice would be the (180) to Grand Canyon. From here leave by the East exit and the (64) to rejoin the (89 north) at Cameron. From this point continue north to where the road forks either west past Lees Ferry and the Vermilion Cliffs and on to Grand Canyon north rim. Then Utah, Kanab (b*) Zion and Bryce Canyon. Alternatively head straight on, stopping by Horseshoe Bend, to Page and Lake Powell. The route guides below will help you plan your trip you have a choice of destinations . The 'Out & About' section suggests attractions where ever you are based.

Full loop: as an example from Las Vegas: S.Ut and N.Az: If embarking from Phoenix Note. Towns marked with a (b*) are well placed bases or stopovers to stay while exploring the district.

Clockwise :From Las Vegas. Take(I-15) north. then east on (9) through Springdale to the Zion Visitor Center. From Zion continue east on the scenic (9)(incredible views) to the junction of the (89). choose south to Kanab(b*) or north to Panguitch(b*)

Alternative : continue on the (I-15) until you reach Ceder City then east on (u14 scenic byway, terrific overlooks here) left on (148) past Cedar Breaks National Monument then right on (u143) to Panguitch(b). This is Bryce Canyon country.
From here (89) south to Kanab(b*). North rim of Grand Canyon is an easy out and back day trip from here. Take the (89) south up over the Kaibab Plateau then the (67) into the park. Continuing the loop, back on the (89) descending to the Vermilion Cliffs (sweeping overlooks here) Lees Ferry, Marble Canyon and the Twin bridges over the Colorado. At the junction its south to Grand Canyon and Flagstaff. (Kanab to GC southrim..allow 4-5 hours with rests)

Alternative: From Kanab take the (89a) east to Page(b*) Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. To continue go south on the (89a) all the way to either Grand Canyon south rim or Flagstaff(b*)

Flagstaff(b*) days out to Grand Canyon south rim, Sedona, Jerome,Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater, Meteor Crater, Montezumas castle, and more. Possible detour to Canyon De Chelly. Continue loop: (I-40) Williams, Havasupai falls (route 66 if you still have a spare day) Hoover Dam then home leg (98) Lake Mead and finally back to Las Vegas. The whole route can be reversed.

Las Vegas out and back : much the same as above except do not take the (89) south to Flagstaff.

Based in Kanab (beautiful surrounding landscape) there is an easy drive to Zion and an outstanding piece of ever changing landscape on the (89) north to Bryce.(take this route in the early morning sunshine. . superb!) To see Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend you may prefer to stay a couple of nights in Page (b*) A day or so visiting Grand Canyon north rim is comfortable from Kanab.

Based in Panguitch (small quiet town, not much there but a good base) 20 mins to Red Canyon, Bryce Canyon and scenic highway (12). This road takes you on to Kodakchrome basin as well as a delightful spot known as Bryce waterfall (see Out and About page) continue on to experience almost lunar landscape just a few miles on from Escalante. An easy but beautiful trail to a hidden waterfall can be found at Calf Creek. A nice drive is the (143) up to Ceder Breaks and Brian Head Peak (September time brings a blaze of color from the Aspens here). You can , with care, motor up to 11,300 ft on Brian Head Peak (wonderful views over three states and pay a visit to the highest placed restroom in the area !). Make your way to the (148) to loop around and back to base. This will take you to Navajo Lake and then Duck Creek before rejoining the(89).

Based in Flagstaff. Day trips to Grand Canyon south rim via the (180) a comfortable 1.5 hour or so journey to the entrance. For the east entrance take the 89 (maybe take in Sunset Crater and the Wupatki National Monument) on the way. Then west on (64). There are a couple of overlooks along here on your right, huge deep gorges with a tributary of the Colorado way down below. Well worth stopping for. A more direct route to Grand Canyon is possible especially if you are staying in Williams on famous Route 66. Take the (64/180) north to get to the entrance in an hour or so.
Don't miss the (89a) down heart stopping hairpin bends to the sublime Oak Creek Canyon road and Sedona. Follow the (89a) further to Cottonwood and the old mining town of Jerome up in the mountains. It is possible to cut through from Cottonwood to Montezumas Castle (ancient ruin) via Cornville eastbound. Near here is Camp Verde an historic cavalry fort used during the Apache wars. More trips,Walnut Canyon is a short drive east on the (I-40)for Meteor crater continue on the (I-40) east past Twin Arrows and Two Guns, the crater is sign posted via a small paved road south. The town of Prescott (89/89a south) has a nice, almost cosmopilitan, air about it  look out for their periodic south western craft fairs. As Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley require longer journeys they are dealt with from the main page.