The Open Road Travel

Best Places To Stop On The Ultimate LA To Grand Canyon Road Trip

With at least 7.25 hours of driving on an LA to Grand Canyon road trip, you’ll need to break the journey up to enjoy it. Of all the great places between Los Angeles and the Grand Canyon, two stand out above the rest as the top places to make an extended stay.

Preferred Route – Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas is the largest and most populous city in Nevada, and receives 42 million annual visitors. Founded in 1905, it took its current form in the late 1930s, thanks to its legal casino gambling drawing tourists from Los Angeles. A thriving 24-hour metropolis, entertainment establishments, casinos, hotels, bars, and restaurants line the streets. Hosting everything from cabarets to international artists, Las Vegas is unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Nature lovers will also love nearby Mount Charleston, the most prominent peak in Nevada and the 8^th-most prominent in the contiguous United States at 11,916 feet. Its stunning wilderness areas are filled with hiking trails and striking views, and it even turns into a skier’s paradise in the winter.

Our guides on where to stay in Las Vegas, the top attractions in Las Vegas, and how to enjoy Las Vegas on a budget provide all the information you need to enjoy “Sin City” your way.

Best Hotel To Stay At In Las Vegas, Nevada – The Bellagio

The Bellagio is a stunning, iconic, 5-star casino hotel at the heart of The Strip, famed for its legendary Bellagio Fountain Show.



Each room is elegantly styled, air-conditioned, and features marble en-suite bathrooms, comfortable, stylish linens and furniture, incredible views, and luxury amenities including flat-screen satellite TVs, electric drapes, plush bathrobes, iPod docking stations, Wi-Fi, and a minibar. Guests receive access to 5 pools, various bars, shops, and restaurants, a casino, a botanical garden, conference rooms, a fitness centre, and valet and self-parking.

Both Routes - Williams, Arizona

Williams, Arizona, was established in 1881 and named after the famed local trapper William Sherley "Old Bill" Williams. The westernmost city on the legendary Route 66 to be bypassed by I-40, and the southern starting point of the Grand Canyon Railway, Williams is affectionately known as the "Gateway To The Grand Canyon."

It features numerous roadside attractions, including Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum and its collection of classic vehicles, the Route 66 Zipline that soars above Route 66, the Bearizona Wildlife Park, where you can observe bears, bison, mountain goats, raptors, and more, and two sites listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places: Urban Route 66 Williams and the Williams Historic Business District/Historic Downtown District.

You could easily spend a few days in Williams, Arizona. That’s why we published an article dedicated to the town, which you can read here.

Best Hotel To Stay At In Williams, Arizona – Trapper’s Rendezvous

A fabulous, 4-star Wild West-themed establishment, Trapper’s Rendezvous embraces the essence of Williams and the Old West in everything from its charming wood-panelled rooms to the elegant entrance.



All rooms include breathtaking views, large seating areas, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, flat-screen satellite TVs, hairdryers, refrigerators, tea and coffee-making facilities, and complimentary bathrobes and bottled water. All reservations also include free parking and access to complimentary hot and cold snacks and drinks in the dining room during the day, BBQ facilities, and a fire pit.

Top Attractions On The Ultimate LA To Grand Canyon Road Trip

Barstow, California

Barstow, California, sits on the fabled Route 66 and is famed for its historic railroad depot. Established in 1847, the Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum displays artwork, vehicles, photographs, and Route 66 artefacts, and numerous exhibits and locations dedicated to the railroad litter the town, making it an ideal stop for anyone interested in cars, trains, or the railroad.

Calico Ghost Town

Calico is a preserved and restored abandoned silver mining town in the southern California hills, allowing visitors to explore an authentic Wild West town. Attractions include train rides into the mine, recreations of stores demonstrating how traditional goods were made, an authentic saloon where you can sit and enjoy peanuts and old-fashioned sarsaparilla, and plenty of great photo ops and a gift shop selling souvenirs and local handicrafts.



We recently ranked it among the best Old West towns in the United States.

Baker, California (Preferred Route Only)

Baker is a small town with two big attractions. The “World’s Tallest Thermometer” is fully functional, stands 134 feet tall, weighs 66,812 pounds, and commemorates nearby Furnace Creek (in Death Valley National Park) recording the world’s highest ever temperature, 134°F (57°C), on July 10^th, 1913. Alien Fresh Jerky is an iconic, alien-themed store decorated with sculptures and models that sells a diverse selection of jerky and out-of-this-world gifts.

Mojave National Preserve

The 1.6 million-acre Mojave National Preserve in the Mojave Desert is the United States National Park System’s 3^rd largest unit. A desert wilderness known for its dense Joshua tree forests, dunes, hills, mountains, and natural formations, it’s popular for camping, hiking, horse riding, and four-wheel driving. It is also home to the Kelso Ghost Town and its historic rail depot, as well as countless historic markers.



Primm, Nevada (Preferred Route Only)

Primm, Nevada, was founded on the California–Nevada border as State Line in the early 1920s to capitalise on gambling being legal in Nevada but not in California. Renamed after its founder, Ernest Jay Primm, it boasts numerous casinos, including the Primm Valley Resorts trio of Buffalo Bill’s, Whiskey Pete’s, and Primm Valley Resort, attractions like Bonnie and Clyde’s car, and locations including the Star Of The Desert Arena, Primm Valley Golf Club, and the Fashion Outlets Of Las Vegas mall.

Henderson, Nevada (Preferred Route Only)

Henderson, Nevada’s second most populous city, lies 15 minutes southeast of Las Vegas. It boasts a fabulous selection of bars, casinos, restaurants, shopping centres, movie theatres, concert venues, golf courses, country clubs, and resorts in a far quieter, more relaxed atmosphere than Vegas. It also offers easy access to many scenic attractions.

Lake Las Vegas is a 320-acre reservoir surrounded by upscale resorts and facilities ideal for boating and swimming. The River Mountain Loop trail showcases some of the region’s most stunning vistas. Clark County Wetlands Park and Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve protect the local wildlife and landscape. Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden and Acadia Demonstration Gardens display southern Nevada’s indigenous flora.

Boulder City, Nevada (Preferred Route Only)

Boulder City, Nevada, was founded in the 1930s to house employees building the Hoover Dam. Its attractions include the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum, which details the dam’s construction, the Nevada Southern Railway Museum’s picturesque train rides through the Mojave Desert, a delightful downtown featuring charming shops, local art galleries, and inviting cafés, and access to kayaking and boating on Lake Mead and hiking and biking in the desert hills.

The Hoover Dam (Preferred Route Only)

The iconic Hoover Dam, built between 1931 and 1936, is a concrete gravity-arch dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, famed for its unique design, construction techniques, and scale. Among the world’s largest dams at 726 feet (221 meters) high and 1,244 feet (379 meters) long, it houses the United States’ largest reservoir, Lake Mead, and supports a hydroelectric plant responsible for 29% of southern California’s electricity, 23% of Nevada’s, and 19% of Arizona’s.



Guided excursions, informational plaques detailing its history, and memorials to construction workers who perished educate visitors on its notorious construction and let them appreciate its scale and the stunning views surrounding it.

Arizona Last Stop (Preferred Route Only)

Arizona Last Stop is a popular roadside attraction in White Hills, Arizona, offering a convenient resting spot with a café and souvenir shop in an otherwise desolate stretch of desert.

It also has a collection of unique Route 66-themed memorabilia and organises outdoor activities, including its famed Bullets and Burgers experience, where visitors can responsibly handle various firearms under expert supervision, as well as off-road adventures, helicopter tours to the Grand Canyon, and other package tours.

Grand Canyon West Skywalk (Preferred Route Only)

Grand Canyon West Skywalk is a horseshoe-shaped glass structure extending 70 feet into the Grand Canyon. Visitors can stand 4,000 feet above the Colorado River and enjoy stunning panoramic views. While personal cameras are prohibited for safety reasons, professional photographers are available to document your visit.



You will also find exhibits on the culture and history of the local Hualapai Tribe, plus many other viewpoints and attractions. Eagle Point is a natural rock formation resembling a flying eagle, and Guano Point offers spectacular 360-degree views of the canyon and hiking trails. Helicopter and rafting tours are available, as are Native cultural performances and excursions to Hualapai Ranch.

Chloride, Arizona (Preferred Route Only)

Chloride is a silver mining community founded in 1863. Arizona’s oldest continuously occupied mining town, it is home to 230 residents and the state’s longest-continually-operated post office. While much of the original settlement burned down in the 1920s, various mines, buildings, including a playhouse, bank, and jail, and murals crafted from brightly painted boulders, still make it a fascinating destination.

We recently ranked it among the top ghost towns in Arizona and California, and it stands out against the rest of the nation’s offerings, too.

Santa Claus, Arizona (Preferred Route Only)

Santa Claus, Arizona, was established in 1937 as a Christmas-themed community famed for its whimsical decorations, candy-striped buildings, and year-round holiday atmosphere. You could meet Santa, dine at the Santa Claus Inn, and send postcards stamped from "Santa Claus, Arizona."

Now a ghost town, dilapidated structures and graffiti-covered remnants of its formerly lively decorations are all that remain. This, combined with its eerie atmosphere, makes it a popular attraction with photographers, history enthusiasts, ghost hunters, and curious adventurers.

Kingman, Arizona

Kingman, Arizona, known as the "Heart of Route 66," is a delightful town adorned with murals, antique shops, and traditional diners embodying mid-century Americana. Popular attractions include the Arizona Route 66 Museum, the Powerhouse Visitor Center and its classic automobiles and artefacts, a Locomotive Park showcasing a refurbished 1920s steam engine, the Mohave Museum of History and Arts, and the Kingman Railroad Museum.



Nearby, the Hualapai Mountains offer cooler climates, picturesque hiking trails, vibrant wildlife, and the famed Monolith Garden Trail. 

Hualapai Reservation (Preferred Route Only)

The Hualapai Reservation covers almost one million acres along 108 miles of the Grand Canyon’s western rim. Home to the Hualapai Tribe, whose name means “People of the Tall Pines,” cultural exhibits, traditional performances, and local crafts teach travellers about Hualapai heritage and traditions.



The reservation also leads those willing to make a lengthy hike or horse ride through Havasu Canyon to Havasu Falls. One of Arizona’s most stunning locations, Havasu Falls is an infamous desert oasis with turquoise waters flowing over red sandstone cliffs. Crystal-clear pools ideal for swimming or unwinding, and very few people, create a perfect spot for adventurers and photographers seeking a memorable experience or true tranquillity.

Seligman, Arizona

Seligman is another iconic Route 66 town. The Seligman Commercial Historic District was designated an Arizona historic highway in 1978 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. It showcases businesses and structures dating back to 1903, including a gas station, post office, general store, pool hall, and theatre; some still operate while others are maintained as museums or serve as themed bars, shops, and restaurants.

Kaibab National Forest

The 1.6-million-acre Kaibab National Forest surrounds the Grand Canyon’s North and South rims and contrasts their predominantly arid, rocky terrain with a diverse array of aspen, fir, juniper, oak, pine, and spruce forests, shrubs, water features such as Scholz Lake, and wildlife. You will also find the Historic Spring Valley Cabin, a structure built in 1917 to house park rangers.

Final Thoughts On The Ultimate LA To Grand Canyon Road Trip Itinerary

That concludes our guide to the ultimate LA to Grand Canyon road trip itinerary. You should now have all the necessary information to complete the drive, including when to go, which route to take, how long it is, where to stay, and what to see along the way.

We also published guides on exploring Grand Canyon National Park and the best areas to stay in Los Angeles, which you may find helpful.



All that’s left is deciding what to take with you, and then you can start budgeting and booking everything, so you can look forward to enjoying it all for yourself as soon as possible.