The best 2-week USA self-drive holiday

The Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion and Monument Valley are some of the must-see destinations of any road trip through the American West .

In this two-week itinerary, I take you on a journey through some of the most spectacular and iconic landscapes in the USA.

Departing from Las Vegas, this 2,000 km loop promises an unforgettable adventure and lasting memories.
 

Map of the 2-week USA self-drive holiday

Road trip summary

Days 1-2 : Las Vegas

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas!

Your 2-week road trip begins in the most eccentric destination in the USA.

After dropping your luggage off at the hotel, soak up the atmosphere as you make your way along The Strip and enter the fantastic palaces and theme hotels for which Sin City is famous.

While in Las Vegas you simply must visit: 

• Caesar's Palace, for a trip back to Ancient Rome.
• Venetian, for a gondola ride along the canals of Venice.
• Paris Las Vegas, for a stroll along a re-creation of the streets of Paris.
• New York New York, to marvel at the reproductions of the Big Apple's most iconic buildings.

In the evening, head to the Bellagio to admire the dance of the 1,000 or so fountains and their sound and light show for some truly spectacular all-American entertainment.

 

Days 3-4 : Zion (266 km / 2:46)

Today you'll be leaving the glitzy superficiality of Las Vegas for the lush wilderness. Pick up your rental RV in the early afternoon and head to Zion National Park, the first stage of your road trip through the American West.

Legend has it that when the Mormons discovered Zion, they thought they'd found heaven on earth! 

You'll soon see why: the park is known for its canyon lined with ash and poplar trees, its waterfalls, and its massive sandstone cliffs of many colours. 

Set up camp and spend some time exploring your surroundings. If you choose to stay at the campground in Springdale, don't hesitate to take a stroll through the town. Alternatively, the campground inside the park is ideally located near the Visitor Center, where you can catch the park's free shuttle bus.

If you don't arrive too late and feel like stretching your legs, I suggest the Emerald Pool Trails, which will take you to 3 waterfalls.

 EMERALD POOL TRAILS 

Distance (round-trip): 4.7 km
Time (round-trip): 1:30
Level: Easy
Elevation gain: 185 m

On the way back, take the Kayenta trail, which offers a superb view of the canyon and the banks of the Virgin River below.

The 4th day of your trip is dedicated to exploring the park. Get up early to enjoy the trails without the crowds!

Hiking enthusiasts won't want to miss Angels Landing Trail, renowned the world over for its beauty as well as its difficulty.

ANGELS LANDING TRAIL 

Distance (round-trip): 8 km
Time (round-trip): 5 hrs.
Level: Difficult
Elevation gain: 497 m

If that's not for you, then try "The Narrows", a hike through the narrowest section of the canyon.

 THE NARROWS 

Distance (round-trip): Variable
Time (round-trip): Variable
Level: Easy to moderate

Depending on the water flow, this hike is easy to moderate and is suitable for families (bring a baby carrier for kids under 4). You can wade through the water of the Virgin River as far as you like and turn back at any time.

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Days 5-6 : Bryce Canyon (134 km / 1:45)

On the program today: Bryce Canyon, one of the most spectacular parks in the West.

To get there, you'll need to take the Zion Mount Carmel Highway, which features in our list of the most beautiful roads in the American West. A stop at Canyon Overlook is a must to contemplate the singular beauty of these extraordinary landscapes.

Characterized by its amphitheatre of "hoodoos" (rocky spires formed by erosion), Bryce Canyon National Park isn't very big and can be easily explored in 24 hours.

When you arrive, park at the shuttle station, to the north of the park. Using the shuttle service will save you precious time: in high season, getting around the park is difficult and the parking lots fill up quickly.

The free shuttle bus runs every 15 minutes and serves all the park's points of interest.

Many viewpoints, such as Bryce Point, Inspiration Point and Sunset Point, are within easy reach of the shuttle bus stops.

But for a foray into the heart of the amphitheatre, the Queen's Garden Trail is THE hike to do.

 QUEEN’S GARDEN TRAIL 

Distance (round-trip): 2.9 km
Time (round-trip): 1 to 2 hrs.
Level: Easy

The trail starts at Sunrise Point. The first section of the trail descends several metres and offers magnificent views of the park. You will pass through archways carved into the rock and will eventually reach the forest of hoodoos. Now that you're at their feet, you can see for yourself just how tall these fairy chimneys really are!

At the end of the trail, you have two options: either turn around and head back to Sunrise Point, or take a short 1.3 km trail to join the Navajo Loop, another of the park's great hikes.

 

Days 7-8 : Arches (420 km / 4:42)

Your 2 week itinerary continues and today's destination is Moab, a very friendly town with a convenient location close to Arches and Canyonlands parks.

You'll spend the next two days visiting Arches National Park, one of my favourite parks.

This fabulous park, which contains more than 2,000 natural arches, is traversed by a 35 km scenic road.

Your first stop is Courthouse Towers in the Park Avenue section of the park, which served as a filming location for "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" and "Thelma and Louise". 

Continue on to the Windows section, just past Balanced Rock, a huge boulder that appears to be balanced on top of a rocky tower.

If you can, spend the end of your day hiking to Delicate Arch, the most photographed arch in the world and the symbol of Utah.

 DELICATE ARCH 

Distance (round-trip): 4.8 km
Time (round-trip): 2-3 hrs.
Level: Intermediate
Elevation gain: 146 metres

The best way to enjoy the park is to sleep there. If you're travelling by RV through the American West, book your night at the Devils Garden Campground in advance.

From there you can walk to the Devils Garden section, home to the largest concentration of arches, including Landscape Arch, the largest in the park with a span of 90 m.

 

Day 9 : Canyonlands

Not much driving today, as Canyonlands National Park is less than an hour from Moab. 

On the way, stop off at Dead Horse Point State Park (there's a $20 fee per vehicle), which offers breathtaking views. From the promontory you can see an immense mesa surrounded by deep canyons, overlooking the meandering Colorado River.

Continue on to Canyonlands, which boasts an amazing diversity of dramatic desert landscapes featuring canyons, mesas, and towering rock pinnacles.

The park is divided into 3 districts, but we'll focus on "Island in the Sky", which is both accessible and incredibly beautiful.

Head to Grand View Point Overlook for the best view of the park. 

Another must is the short hike to Mesa Arch.

 MESA ARCH 

Distance (round-trip): 1 km
Time (round-trip): 20 minutes
Level: Easy

A twenty-minute walk will take you to one of the most beautiful landscapes in the southwestern United States.

This is a very popular hike for families with young children and less experienced hikers.

 

Day 10 : Monument Valley (276 km / 3:21)

This morning, take the wheel and get ready to experience something you've been dreaming about for a long time.

You'll finally get to set foot on the legendary road to Monument Valley!

Route 163 in Monument Valley is also where you'll be able to relive the famous running scene from Forrest Gump. 

Make sure you have enough battery power and room on your memory card, as I have a feeling you'll be clicking away to get the perfect souvenir shot!

After your photo shoot, it's time to explore the legendary landscapes of the Wild West that you've seen so many times in movies and on TV.

Located in the heart of Navajo Indian territory, Monument Valley can be visited on foot, on horseback or by 4x4.

Start your visit at the Visitor Center to learn more about the history of the park and the conditions for visiting it. While you're there, check out the adjacent terrace for an iconic view of the three buttes.

Then set off along the Monument Valley Scenic Drive, a 27 km unpaved road that winds its way through the buttes, spires and mesas of Monument Valley.

At the end of the day, return to Monument Valley View near the Visitor Center to enjoy the spectacular colours of the sunset over Monument Valley.

 

Day 11 :  Lake Powell (212 km / 2:11)

Your two-week tour of the American West continues on to Lake Powell.

With its beaches, gorges, turquoise waters and reddish rocks, Lake Powell is a place of colour and contrast. 

If you'd rather explore than bask in the sun, head to Horseshoe Bend, which offers an amazing view of the Colorado River.

 Horseshoe Bend 

Distance (round-trip): 2.4 km
Time (round-trip): 30 mins. to 1 hr.
Elevation gain: 73 metres
Level: Easy

Another option today: an excursion to Antelope Canyon (plan ahead when preparing your trip, as places are booked up weeks in advance).

Whether you opt for Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon, you'll be accompanied by a Navajo guide and delighted by the adventure that awaits you. 

A foray into this spectacular canyon, shaped by water and wind over thousands of years, is a truly unique experience.

 

Days 12-13 : Grand Canyon (226 km / 2:39)

What would a trip to the American West be without a visit to the Grand Canyon?

You'll spend the next two days exploring the park.

Start off in style by treating yourself to a helicopter tour. After all, you don't visit the Grand Canyon every day! From the air, you'll be able to admire the canyon in its entirety and appreciate the breathtaking immensity of the American landscape.

Stop off at the Visitor Center to help prepare your stay, then head to Mather Point for your first contact with the most spectacular canyon in the world.

If you're short on time, note that the Rim Trail runs alongside Hermit Road, which is used by the park's shuttle bus. The shuttle goes to the most beautiful viewpoints such as Trailway Overlook, Maricopa Point, Hopi Point and Mohave Point, to name just a few.

Then take Desert View Drive to Desert View Point for a sunset you won't soon forget.

You'll be exploring the depths of the canyon on your second day. For this, you'll need to take the Bright Angel Trail.

Bright Angel Trail 

Distance (round-trip): 19.6 km
Time (round-trip):  9 to 12 hrs.
Elevation gain: 940 m 
Level: difficult

If you don't have the time or energy to do the complete hike, you can turn around at 3 Mile Resthouse, about 4.8 km from the start.

 

Day 14 : Kingman (274 km / 2:40)

On the road again...

Your last day is all about Route 66.

On the way, stop off in Hackberry, and in particular at its General Store, to stock up on Mother Road souvenirs.

Outside the store you'll see old Mobilgas gas pumps, but don't count on them to fill up your tank: they're just for show!

Once in Kingman, head for the Arizona tourist office, which also houses the Route 66 museum. This is undoubtedly the best place to learn more about this iconic route.

If you haven't yet had the chance to eat in a typical American diner, then head to Mr. D'z, which will charm you with its 1950s decor.

Try the homemade pizza and their homemade root beer. This will be one of your last meals on American soil, so you may as well make the most of it! 

 

Day 15 : Las Vegas (180 km / 1:48)

It's time to enjoy the final moments of your American West vacation! But I have a feeling they may not be your last...

Then head to the Las Vegas airport and board your flight home.

 

So what do you think of this two-week tour of the American West?

If you have any questions and/or suggestions, feel free to share them in the comments below.