The Ultimate Ten-Day American Road Trip: Pacific Coast to Desert Southwest

Trails of Curiosity
Nov 24, 2024
5 min read

Quick Reference Timeline

Days 1-3: California Coast

San Francisco
Pacific Coast Highway
Los Angeles

Days 4-6: Desert Southwest

Death Valley
Las Vegas
Grand Canyon

Days 7-8: Utah Wonders

Zion National Park
Bryce Canyon

Days 9-10: Arizona & New Mexico

Monument Valley
Santa Fe

The Ultimate Ten-Day American Road Trip: Pacific Coast to Desert Southwest

Detailed Itinerary

Days 1-2: San Francisco

Arrival: San Francisco International Airport Drive time to next destination (Monterey): 2 hours (120 miles)

Begin in the City by the Bay, where iconic sights pack into walkable neighborhoods. Start your first day at the Ferry Building, walking north along the Embarcadero toward Fisherman's Wharf. The waterfront path offers constant views of Alcatraz Island and the Bay Bridge. By late morning, rent bikes for the quintessential ride across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, returning by ferry for spectacular city skyline views.

Your second day explores San Francisco's distinct personalities. Ride a cable car up steep hills to crooked Lombard Street. Wander through North Beach's Italian heritage and Chinatown's bustling streets. End your day at Twin Peaks for a sunset panorama of the city, with the Golden Gate Bridge glowing in the distance.

Day 3: Pacific Coast Highway & Los Angeles

Drive time from San Francisco to Los Angeles: 7 hours (380 miles) via Pacific Coast Highway Drive time to next destination (Death Valley): 4 hours (265 miles)

The Pacific Coast Highway provides one of America's most scenic drives. Leave San Francisco early, stopping first in Monterey to drive the famous 17-Mile Drive, where coastal mansions share the road with wind-sculpted cypress trees. Continue to Big Sur, where the Santa Lucia Mountains meet the Pacific in dramatic fashion. McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall pouring directly onto a beach, offers a perfect photo stop.

Arrive in Los Angeles by late afternoon. Spend your evening exploring the Santa Monica Pier, where Route 66 meets the Pacific, and the vibrant Venice Beach boardwalk. Watch the sunset over the Pacific before heading to your hotel to rest for tomorrow's desert adventure.

Day 4: Death Valley

Drive time from Los Angeles: 4 hours (265 miles) Drive time to next destination (Las Vegas): 2.5 hours (140 miles)

Death Valley's extreme landscape demands an early start. Begin at Zabriskie Point for sunrise, when the badlands glow golden in the morning light. Visit Badwater Basin, North America's lowest point, before the day heats up. The salt flats stretch endlessly toward distant mountains, creating surreal patterns in the desert floor.

By mid-morning, explore the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, where wind-sculpted dunes create perfect ripples in the sand. Drive the Artist's Palette loop to see mineral-tinted hills in shades of pink, green, and purple. Depart by mid-afternoon for Las Vegas, arriving in time for sunset.

Day 5: Las Vegas & Red Rock Canyon

Base: Las Vegas Drive time to Red Rock Canyon: 30 minutes (17 miles) Drive time to next destination (Grand Canyon): 4.5 hours (270 miles)

Start your morning with a quick trip to Red Rock Canyon, where a 13-mile scenic drive showcases the Mojave Desert's dramatic geology. The visitor center provides context for the area's unique ecology, while short hikes offer close-up views of the colorful sandstone formations.

Return to Las Vegas for an afternoon exploring the Strip's iconic hotels and attractions. Each resort offers a different themed experience, from the canals of Venice to the streets of Paris. As night falls, the city transforms with spectacular light shows and fountain displays. Take in a cirque show or simply enjoy the people-watching along the bustling Strip.

Days 6-7: Grand Canyon

Drive time from Las Vegas: 4.5 hours (270 miles) Drive time to next destination (Zion): 2.5 hours (150 miles)

Arrive at the Grand Canyon by mid-afternoon on Day 6. Head straight to Mather Point for your first canyon view – no photograph can prepare you for the reality. Walk part of the Rim Trail to Grand Canyon Village as the setting sun creates ever-changing shadows across the canyon's depths.

Start Day 7 early with a hike on the Bright Angel Trail – even going just 1.5 miles down provides an unforgettable below-the-rim experience. The afternoon Desert View Drive takes you to less-visited viewpoints along the East Rim. End at Desert View Watchtower, where the canyon opens to views of the Painted Desert beyond.

Day 8: Zion National Park

Drive time from Grand Canyon: 2.5 hours (150 miles) Drive time to next destination (Monument Valley): 4 hours (250 miles)

Zion's massive sandstone cliffs, colored in shades of cream, pink, and red, create one of the most scenic canyons in America. Start with the Riverside Walk to the entrance of the Narrows, where the Virgin River has carved a stunning slot canyon. Take the shuttle through the canyon, stopping for short hikes like the Emerald Pools Trail.

For a more adventurous option, hike Angels Landing (if you're comfortable with heights) or the Hidden Canyon Trail. End your day at the Human History Museum viewpoint, watching the setting sun paint the Watchman peak in brilliant oranges and reds.

Day 9: Monument Valley

Drive time from Zion: 4 hours (250 miles) Drive time to next destination (Santa Fe): 6 hours (380 miles)

Arrive at Monument Valley by mid-morning. This iconic landscape, featured in countless Western films, embodies the American Southwest. Take the Valley Drive past the most famous formations – the Mittens, Merrick Butte, and Three Sisters. Consider a Navajo-guided tour to access areas closed to general visitors and learn about the cultural significance of this sacred landscape.

Late afternoon light provides the best photography opportunities, when the red sandstone buttes glow against deep blue skies. Depart for Santa Fe in late afternoon, staying overnight in either Farmington or Bloomfield, New Mexico to break up the drive.

Day 10: Santa Fe

Complete drive to Santa Fe: 3 hours (180 miles) Final destination: Albuquerque International Airport (1 hour from Santa Fe)

Complete your journey in America's oldest capital city, where adobe architecture and Native American culture create a unique atmosphere. The historic Plaza has been the city's heart for over 400 years. Spend your morning exploring the Palace of the Governors and surrounding Native American artisan market.

Canyon Road deserves your afternoon, with over a hundred galleries housed in historic adobe buildings. The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum provides insight into how the region's landscape inspired one of America's most significant artists. End your day with New Mexican cuisine, where the state question "Red or green?" refers to your chile preference.

This ten-day itinerary provides a perfect introduction to the American West, from Pacific coast to desert Southwest. While covering significant distance, each day offers unique landscapes and experiences that showcase the region's diversity.