Las Vegas to San Francisco 13 – A wonderful route that reaches many of the most beautiful locations in West USA. This route includes a visit to Utah’s gems (Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce and Zion National Parks in addition to beautiful state parks), and afterwards a visit to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, and at the end a long drive from San Francisco. This route also includes a more urban side – in the cities of San Francisco and Las Vegas.
Day 1 – Arrive to Las Vegas and spend the afternoon in the city
Lodging location: Las Vegas
Day 2 – Enjoy the day in Las Vegas
Lodging location: Las Vegas
Day 3 – Drive to Zion National Park and visit sites along the way, 3 hours drive
Lodging location: Springdale (Zion)
Day 4 – Visit Zion National Park, short drive
Lodging location: Springdale (Zion)
Day 5 – Drive to Bryce National Park (through amazing highway 9) and visit Bryce, 2 hours drive
Lodging location: Bryce
Day 6 – Drive to Moab through highways 12 and 24, and on the way visit Capitol Reef National Park. If you have time it is also recommended to make a detour for a short visit in Goblin Valley State Park, 5 hours drive
Lodging location: Moab
Day 7 – Visit Arches National Park, 1 hour drive in each direction
Lodging location: Moab
Day 8 – In the morning visit Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky district) and if you have time – Dead Horse Point State Park, and in the afternoon – go on a short rafting trip from Moab, 1-1.5 hours drive in each direction
Lodging location: Moab
Day 9 – Drive north to Vernal and visit the area circled in blue in this map, in the Dinosaur National Monument, that includes great views, see route map here, 5.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Vernal
Day 10 – Visit the area circled in red in this map, in the Dinosaur National Monument, that includes a wall full of Dinosaur skeletons, and the drive north and embark on a short rafting trip, 2 hours drive
Lodging location: Flaming Gorge
Day 11 – Drive north through Wyoming to Cody. On the way you may stop in the small town of Thermopolis that has hot springs and petroglyphs, 3 hours drive
Lodging location: Cody
Day 12 – Visit Cody’s great museums and then drive to Red Lodge, 1 hour drive
Lodging location: Red Lodge
Day 13 – Drive east on the Beartooth Highway and then enter Yellowstone National Park through the Lamar Valley, 3 hours drive
Lodging location: Gardiner
Day 14 – Visit Mammoth Hot Springs and then drive south and visit the Lower Geyser Basin, 2 hours drive
Lodging location: West Yellowstone
Day 15 – Visit the Upper Geyser Basin and the Midway Geyser Basin, 1 hour drive in each direction
Lodging location: West Yellowstone
Day 16 – Drive east and visit the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, on the way you may stop at Norris Geyser Basin, 2 hours drive
Lodging location: Canyon Lodge
Day 17 – Drive south to Grand Teton National Park, on the way stop at Hayden Valley and West Thumb Geyser Basin in south Yellowstone, 3 hours drive
Lodging location: Jackson
Day 18 – Enjoy a day in southern Grand Teton National Park plus participate in outdoor activities (rafting, horseback riding etc.) near the town of Jackson, less than 1 hour drive in each direction
Lodging location: Jackson
Day 19 – Drive west and visit Craters of the Moon National Monument, 4.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Twin Falls
Day 20 – Continue driving west towards Reno, NV, on the way you may stop here and near Twin Falls you may visit Shoshone Falls, 6.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Reno
Day 21 – Drive to San Francisco, on the way you may stop here, or if you have time you may make a detour to Lake Tahoe or enjoy this place in Reno, 3.5 hours drive
Lodging location: San Francisco
Day 22 – Visit San Francisco
Lodging location: San Francisco
Day 23 – Enjoy one more day in San Francisco
Lodging location: San Francisco
Day 24 – Fly home
– In order to fill this route with content – see our California, Northwest USA and Southwest USA destinations page, where you can find articles that include suggestions what to do in various locations along this route.
