The Ultimate Ten-Day American Road Trip: Southwest Treasures and Rocky Mountain Majesty

Quick Reference Timeline

Days 1-3: Arizona

• Sedona

• Grand Canyon

• Page/Antelope Canyon

Days 4-6: Utah's Mighty Five

• Zion National Park

• Bryce Canyon

• Arches National Park

Days 7-8: Colorado Rockies

• Rocky Mountain National Park

• Garden of the Gods

Days 9-10: New Mexico

• Taos

• Santa Fe

Detailed Itinerary

Days 1-2: Sedona

Arrival: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Drive time to Sedona: 2 hours (120 miles) Drive time to next destination (Grand Canyon): 2.5 hours (110 miles)

Begin your journey in Sedona, where red rock formations create one of America's most stunning landscapes. Arrive in time for an afternoon hike at Bell Rock or Cathedral Rock, where vortex sites attract spiritual seekers from around the world. The red rocks glow brilliantly during sunset, particularly from the Airport Mesa viewpoint.

Your full day in Sedona allows time to explore the surrounding red rock country. Start early with a hike on the Devil's Bridge Trail, Sedona's largest natural arch. The afternoon Broken Arrow Pink Jeep tour provides access to spectacular viewpoints while explaining the area's geology and indigenous history. End your day in Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, where Spanish Colonial architecture houses galleries and artisan shops.

Day 3: Grand Canyon South Rim

Drive time from Sedona: 2.5 hours (110 miles) Drive time to next destination (Page): 2.5 hours (140 miles)

Approach the Grand Canyon through the desert highlands, arriving at Desert View for your first canyon vista. The watchtower here provides views extending to the Painted Desert. Work your way west along Desert View Drive, stopping at the major viewpoints - Lipan Point, Moran Point, and Grandview Point each offer unique perspectives of the canyon.

By afternoon, explore the historic Grand Canyon Village area. Take a short hike on the Bright Angel Trail - even going just 1.5 miles down provides an unforgettable below-the-rim experience. End your day at Hopi Point, where the setting sun creates an ever-changing display of colors and shadows across the canyon's depths.

Day 4: Page & Antelope Canyon

Drive time from Grand Canyon: 2.5 hours (140 miles) Drive time to next destination (Zion): 2.5 hours (150 miles)

Start your morning with a guided tour of Upper Antelope Canyon, when light beams pierce the narrow slots creating otherworldly scenes. The smooth, wave-like walls demonstrate the artistic power of flash floods carving through sandstone over millennia. Your Navajo guide will explain both the geology and cultural significance of these remarkable slot canyons.

By midday, visit Horseshoe Bend, where the Colorado River makes a dramatic 270-degree turn below red canyon walls. A short hike leads to the rim overlook - stay behind barriers while photographing this iconic scene. Lake Powell's blue waters provide stunning contrast to the surrounding desert landscape before you depart for Zion National Park.

Days 5-6: Zion National Park

Drive time from Page: 2.5 hours (150 miles) Drive time to next destination (Bryce): 1.5 hours (75 miles)

Arrive at Zion in time for your first exploration of the main canyon. The Pa'rus Trail provides an easy introduction to the park's towering sandstone cliffs and diverse flora. End your first day at the Canyon Junction Bridge, a popular sunset spot where the Virgin River leads the eye toward the Watchman peak.

Dedicate your full day to experiencing Zion's highlights. Start early with the Riverside Walk to the entrance of the Narrows, where the Virgin River has carved a stunning slot canyon. For the adventurous, Angels Landing provides thrilling views (if you're comfortable with heights), while the Emerald Pools trails offer a less strenuous but equally scenic option. The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway tunnel and switchbacks provide dramatic views of the canyon's eastern side.

Day 7: Bryce Canyon & Drive to Moab

Drive time from Zion to Bryce: 1.5 hours (75 miles) Drive time Bryce to Moab: 4 hours (260 miles)

Arrive at Bryce Canyon for sunrise, when early light illuminates the amphitheater of orange and pink hoodoos. The Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail provides the perfect introduction, taking you down among these remarkable rock formations. Inspiration Point and Bryce Point offer grand views of the entire amphitheater.

Depart by early afternoon for Moab, arriving in time to catch sunset at Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. The 3-mile round-trip hike rewards you with views of Utah's most famous natural arch glowing red in the evening light.

Day 8: Arches & Colorado National Monument

Drive time from Moab to Colorado National Monument: 1.5 hours (113 miles) Drive time to Rocky Mountain National Park: 4 hours (250 miles)

Start early exploring Arches' remarkable stone formations. The Windows Section provides easy access to multiple arches, while balanced rocks seem to defy gravity. Devil's Garden showcases Landscape Arch, one of the world's longest natural stone spans.

Depart by midday for the drive to Colorado, stopping at Colorado National Monument. This hidden gem offers a scenic drive along the rim of dramatic red rock canyons. Continue to Estes Park, gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, arriving in time for dinner.

Day 9: Rocky Mountain National Park

Base: Estes Park Drive time to next destination (Santa Fe): 6 hours (400 miles)

Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved through-road in any national park, provides your introduction to the Rocky Mountains. This remarkable road crosses the Continental Divide, offering abundant wildlife viewing opportunities and spectacular alpine views. Stop at the Alpine Visitor Center, surrounded by peaks and tundra landscape.

Spend your afternoon exploring the Bear Lake area, where a network of trails connects subalpine lakes reflecting snow-capped peaks. The short hike to Dream Lake offers one of Colorado's most photographed mountain scenes. Depart late afternoon for Santa Fe, staying overnight in either Colorado Springs or Pueblo to break up the journey.

Day 10: Santa Fe

Complete drive to Santa Fe: 3 hours (200 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. The Palace of the Governors, the oldest public building in the United States, hosts Native American artisans selling traditional jewelry and crafts under its portal.

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 journey with New Mexican cuisine, where the state question "Red or green?" refers to your chile preference.

This ten-day itinerary showcases the American Southwest's most spectacular landscapes, from red rock canyons to alpine peaks. While covering significant distance, each day offers unique natural wonders and cultural experiences that define this remarkable region.

Travel Tips:

• Book accommodations well in advance, especially in national parks

• Get a National Parks Annual Pass ($80) - it pays for itself on this trip

• Start early to avoid crowds and afternoon heat

• Carry plenty of water, especially in desert areas

• Check road conditions, especially for Trail Ridge Road (seasonal)

• Build in flexibility for weather or unexpected discoveries

• Best seasons: Late spring or early fall for moderate temperatures

• Consider flying into Phoenix and out of Albuquerque