Visit Scottsdale, Grand Canyon NP, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon NP, Zion NP, Las Vegas, Death Valley NP, Yosemite NP, Napa Valley, San Francisco, Carmel, Santa Barbara, LA & San Diego.
The Ultimate Southwest road trip is packed full of stunning desert, mountain and coastal scenery from start to finish. Tick off awe-inspiring State and National Parks and incredible cities and towns as you drive. Visit all of Arizona, Utah, Nevada and California’s must-see places on this epic three-week adventure.
Key road trip highlights:
Share this trip
All of our American road trips can be tailored to meet your requirements. Do you have more or less than 21 days for your road trip? No problem, we can bolt on extra nights to allow more time to explore or shorten the number of destinations as required.
After touching down in Phoenix, you’ll pick up your rental car at the airport and take a short drive to one of the fabulous resort hotels in upmarket Scottsdale or neighbouring Carefree to the north.
The world’s largest and most well-known geological wonder is simply staggering. Two billion years in the making, the Colorado River has forged a mile deep, 18 miles wide and 277-mile long gouge into Arizona. On your way to the Grand Canyon, you’ll pass by the charming spa town of Sedona and funky Flagstaff, too.
Put your spurs and chaps on, and head to cowboy country. Cross the from Arizona and into Utah, and you’ll witness the proud and glorious “Mittens” of Monument Valley, made up of every shade of orange and red you can imagine. Spend the night on Navajo Territory, taking in the view as the sun sets and rises again.
Drive west to Bryce Canyon National Park, famous for its unique geology consisting of horseshoe-shaped amphitheatres carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Bryce is a small park, but it packs in slot canyons, windows, fins, and also spires called “hoodoos”. En route, you’ll pass by the town of Page, home of the incredible Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend – two of the most photographed spots in the southwest of America. If you’d like to add an overnight stop in Page, just let us know when you request your personalised quote.
Zion offers emerald-coloured pools, lush green trees, rust-red canyon walls and crystal-clear skies. This combination of exquisite colours is a visual delight; enjoy the stunning views on the many available trails, which range from the super easy Riverside Walk and Lower Emerald Pool to more challenging hikes. Such is the beauty found here that Zion National Park is arguably The American Road Trip Company’s favourite National Park.
Another day to wander along the trails and take in the geological wonders of Zion National Park. The brave and athletic among you may wish to tackle the epic Angel’s Landing trail, culminating at a lofty perch boasting magnificent 360-degree views over the valley below. Alternatively, walk the famous ‘Narrows’, often knee-deep in water. Tonight, enjoy a meal in the town of neighbouring Springdale, with plenty of local options to choose from.
Cruise southwest to find “Sin City” Las Vegas. Once you’ve checked into your chosen Las Vegas hotel, get dressed up and hit the town for fun and games at the endless casino tables and in the town’s celebrated bars and restaurants.
Wake up after the night before in the luxury of your Las Vegas hotel room. With so many first-class cuisine, shopping and entertainment options, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy today. Alternatively, if you just want to relax, why not spend the day by the hotel pool or spa? We also recommend visiting one of the over-the-top food buffets in the hotels. Make sure you are hungry when you go; the range and quality of the food is truly incredible!
Death Valley has an extreme climate and geology. The roads here are superb, dipping and leaning around curves before straightening out as you drop to 85 meters below sea level in the salt flats of Badwater. You’ll finish the day’s drive near the snow-capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada; it’s one of the longer driving days, but it offers numerous incredible vistas and experiences.
Drive north up the scenic Highway 395, with a vast desert to the east and the massive Sierra Nevada mountain range to the west. Once you reach the weird and wonderful Mono Lake, head west over the Tioga Pass (June-October) and into the majestic Yosemite National Park.
Yosemite National Park is over 1,000 square kilometres of nature at its finest. The most visited area of the Park is the Valley Floor, where you’ll find vast rock faces, abundant wildlife, staggering views and stunning waterfalls. Leave enough time to visit the giant redwoods at Mariposa Grove and finish off your stay watching the sunset from Glacier Point, which offers the best views in all of Yosemite.
You don’t have to like wine to enjoy this beautiful area. These two neighbouring valleys offer stunning scenery made up of perfectly manicured vineyards stretching across endless rolling hills. Enjoy the pretty scenery by car, bicycle, train or even an early morning hot air balloon ride. Napa and Sonoma are a foodies’ heaven too, with places like Thomas Keller’s Bouchon and French Laundry, and if you do happen to like wine, then enjoy one of the many available vineyard tours.
Spanning the headlands between Marin County and San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the world’s most beautiful structures and is a delightful experience whether you walk, bike or drive across. You can also gain stunning views of both the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco beyond it by driving up Conzelman Road on the north side of the bridge. Once you hit town, you’ll be able to start exploring San Francisco’s most iconic locations.
Once the famous San Francisco fog lifts, one of America’s favourite cities will be revealed. Ride a cable car, climb the steep streets and appreciate the vibe only this city can offer. Full of Victorian charm, famous movie locations and world-leading tech companies, San Francisco has so much to offer, and it is rightly considered a must-see city for anyone visiting the Southwest of the US. Want more time here or anywhere else? Then just let us know.
Monterey was once California’s capital of the whaling and sardine industry; however, today it’s best known for the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium that presides on Cannery Row. The focus now is on marine education and preservation. Want to experience Monterey Bay first-hand? Then take a whale-watching trip in these world-famous waters. In the early evening, cruise along “17-Mile Drive” on your way to Carmel-by-the-Sea. You’ll pass millionaire mansions, Pebble Beach Golf Club and a beautiful rugged coastline along the way.
Carmel-by-the-Sea has two world-class beaches backed by a gorgeous small town made up of beautiful homes, classy restaurants and quaint streets. To the north is the world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Course, and to the south is Big Sur starting with the wild and wonderful Point Lobos, which can be enjoyed through the many short walking paths.
Big Sur is arguably the best driving experience in all of America. Enjoy the winding roads, numerous State Parks and stunning vistas. Along the way, Hearst Castle perches on “The Enchanted Hill” and overlooks the Pacific Ocean in the distance. Hearst Castle is indeed the product of one man’s ambition, wealth and imagination; if you’re keen to visit here, then an extra overnight stop in Cambria is key, as there’s a lot to see. Onwards to Santa Barbara next, built in a charming Mediterranean style, this is one of the Central Coast’s essential stopovers.
Continue driving south down the Pacific Coast Highway, passing through Malibu on your way to Santa Monica in Los Angeles. With its “Baywatch” lifeguard towers and old-fashioned Pier, Santa Monica is a must-see place to stop and enjoy. Hire a bike and cruise the boardwalk to Venice Beach or shop til you drop on 3rd Street Promenade.
Hollywood is synonymous with glitz and glamour, and although many studios have moved on to other parts of town, it’s still fun to visit the home of the Oscars and walk Hollywood Boulevard looking for the handprints of your favourite movie stars. Just a short drive northeast of here lies the Griffith Observatory, perched high on a hill overlooking the urban sprawl of LA. This recently renovated landmark is well worth a visit; it also offers incredible views of the famous Hollywood sign.
A short drive down to San Diego along the final stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway today. Heading south, you can stop by the upscale beach towns of Newport Beach and Laguna Beach in Orange County. Also, be sure to check out Torrey Pine State Reserve just north of San Diego. This glorious spot is right on the highway; enjoy beaches, coastal trails and spectacular views. Other highlights in San Diego include Balboa Park, Gaslamp District and the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
After three incredible weeks exploring the Southwest of the United States, maybe it’s time to relax by the hotel pool or chill on Coronado Beach? If you want to do more, your personalised Road Trip Pack will list all the available attractions, such as Cabrillo National Monument, the USS Midway Museum and the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Tomorrow, you’ll return your car to the airport and return to the UK.
Share this trip
You’ll find answers to most of your questions right here. If you still need assistance, Feel free to get in touch, and we’ll be sure to get back to you promptly!
Not a problem. If you are lucky enough to have extra time to explore more places or add more rest days, then just let us know and we’ll adjust your trip to match your preferred timescale.
We strongly advise that you purchase travel insurance for your holiday to cover you against medical expenses, theft and other financial costs. Should you need to cancel before travelling, some insurance policies may pay out for any loss of funds that have been paid to us and which cannot be refunded under our cancellation policy.
Many of our trips have a different end destination than the starting point, so this is not a problem. Please note a fee sometimes applies for one-way rentals between other regions or states, which will be paid to the supplier directly when collecting the vehicle. We’ll endeavour to inform you of this charge within your quote.
No, far from it. We work with a range of properties from 3* to 5*, so we can adapt the trip to match most budgets. We have access to rooms in more than 800 hotels, motels, lodges and B&Bs across North America.
The minimum age to rent a car is 21 in the United States or Canada, although, in addition, any drivers under 25 years of age will generally incur a surcharge.
Please use the form below to request a quote from our team. Fields marked with an * are mandatory. Please note that we currently only serve customers based in the UK & The EU.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Get in touch to discuss your Bespoke Road Trip plans, or check out these similar road trip itineraries…
ARTCo customers can be confident that we only work with the very best service providers, such as Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and Alamo. Any payments made to us are fully protected via the government’s ATOL scheme (Flight packages) or Financial Failure Insurance (Non-Flight Packages).
