The most direct route is Seattle, Boise, Twin Falls, Salt Lake City. In southern Utah make time to visit Zion NP (and Bryce Canyon NP).

At night, the highways in ID and UT are as safe as other highways.

Twin Falls is half way from Vancouver, and there are many hotel options there. There are many other options along the way.

HTTY

If you're driving back home via Vegas and California, I agree with HTTY's suggestion to drive thru Salt Lake City, Zion NP, Page (AZ) to grand canyons.

depends upon your interest and time you have, Zion NP is good. On the way tp grand canyon from Page, AZ; stop by Horseshoe bend of colorado near Page.

have a nice trip!!

DayDreamBeliever,

It would be helpful if we had a little more information. What time of the year are you making this trip? Are you planning on going to the North Rim or the South Rim of the Grand Canyon? How long do you have for this trip? Did you want to see other nearby National Parks?

Utahtea

Thanks Happytrailstoyou and Ansh

Any Hotel suggestions in Salt Lake City, Zion or any other place short of Salt Lake City towards Canada So we can have atleast 2 nights kinda equidistant from each other ? Boise or Twin Falls

Is 2 nights stopping on the way till GCN is toooo hectic with a 16 & 10 Year old & grandma or OK

Is Hwy 84 as fast as Hwy I 5 ..... Is it winding mountains all thru
The reason I ask is speed - 100 miles can take 1 hour or maybe 3 depending on road conditions and traffic Is the wilderness or small towns scattered throughout .. we are totally clueless about ID,UT,AZ

The whole trip Van -- GCN -- LV -- CA -- Van we are planning 10 days

Dear Utahtea,
10 days -- 18th to 27th of Aug -- Planning to go Southrim GCN
Will it be killer hot...no detailed stay in National Parks this time
Maybe any which R kinda on the way or a bit off but only for 1 night

Just a night or max 2 in Vegas we can fly anytime from Bellingham WA
as another trip and 2 nights in CA as family is there - we have driven to CA in day many times before so are familiar with the area and the drive

Any info would we greatly appreciated Thanks

"Van -- GCN -- LV -- CA -- Van we are planning 10 days" w/ 5 people from 10 yo to granny no less! That's nuts.

Just a basic route BC > SLC > GC > LV > SF > BC w/o any sightseeing detours is almost 3500 miles. You are talking 60+ hours car time w/o any stops. This should be a 3 week trip.

We’ve done trips similar to your suggestion 2 times (from Seattle, not Vancouver) on two week vacations.

It’s do-able …
… but …

Your need to determine your priorities and focus on just a thing or two and speed by the rest.
And you need to understand all 5 of your tolerance for driving and being cooped up in a car together.
(a) Are you intending to go to the north rim or the south rim of Grand Canyon? (You will be able to do only 1 … the south rim will take apx. 2 hrs longer each way using routes that miss the north rim )
(b) How important are Las Vegas and California to your priorities?
(c) How big is your car? A standard 5 passenger sedan? Or a 7 or 8 passenger van or SUV?
(d) How well can all of you stand heat? It’ll be hot, even with AC on (sun through windows).

Here are a few thoughts based on some of our similar trips:

1. Fastest Way:
Seattle I-90 > I-82 > I-84 > Salt Lake > I-15 > North Rim, back same way
2 ½ days driving ea way, 1,400 miles ea way (not touring, just driving quickly to get to the GC area)
If you have only 10 days available, that leaves 5 days in the Grand Canyon and adjacent area. I’d recommend detouring on one way to see Bryce Canyon, leaving 3 to 4 days at Grand Canyon. And of course you could shorten the time at the canyon and add it elsewhere.
We did this in 14 days spending time at Bryce, the canyon area east of GC, and the South Rim, and had time to take a few day long hikes at the CG and canyon area.

2. Las Vegas:
After seeing the Grand Canyon you could drive ½ day to Las Vegas, spend a night, then return via I-15, SLC etc, the way you came. Add total 1.5 days (seeing LV only 1 night) … quickest way to add LV.

3. Las Vegas + a small portion of California
After seeing GC and LV, you could return via northern Nevada & Calif. (GC > LV > Reno > Mt Shasta > I-5 > Van … nice trip … add 1 to 2 days
We did this in 14 days too, spending less time in the canyon area east of GC and touring a bit at the east side of the Sierra's.

Don't attempt to add in SF or the coast!!!

There are lots of options and each of the generalized options above has lots of choices and variations. Make the decision re priorities, then use Mapquest or Google Maps to play with times on some of the routes and options. After that, we could all focus our answers better.

"We’ve done trips similar to your suggestion 2 times (from Seattle, not Vancouver) on two week vacations. "

There is a hecka lot of difference between 10 days and two weeks. Those 4 extra days makes this (sort of) doable.

PS
The relatively new feature on the "directions" choice Mapquest and Google Maps, that allows you to drag the route outline on their maps is great to get quick distance and time estimates of various options.

Is 2 nights stopping on the way till GCN is toooo hectic with a 16 & 10 Year old & grandma or OK

I'd recommend three nights, but if you must do it in two days, I think I'd spend the first night in Bosie which is 630 miles/ 1013 kilometers. I wouldn't try to go all the way to Twin Falls which is 760 miles/ 1223 kilometers.

I'd stick to the interstates and spend the second night in Cedar City, Utah which is 590 miles/950 kilometers.

The next day you can drive though Zion National Park hopefully spare an hour and a half to ride the free shuttle buses into the beautiful canyon and then continue past Lake Powell/Glen Canyon National Recreational Area, Page, AZ to the Grand Canyon South Rim which will be 310 miles/ 499 kilometers. Make sure you stop at the view points at Desert View and a few on the way to Grand Canyon Village. We always camp so I can't help with lodging. Just be aware that if you spend the night in Williams, it's 50 miles back to the Grand Canyon. August can be hot but the S. Rim is at around 7,000 feet so it won't be as hot as the desert. The elevation might effect grandma!

I don't know how old "grandma" is but if she's 62 years of age, then at the first National Park you enter, have her purchase a lifetime Senior National Park Pass for $10.00. http://www.store.usgs.gov/pass/senior.html. If she is that old, then make sure you stop often for her to stretch her legs and move around. Sitting for long periods can be dangerous for old people.

I don't know where in California you are stopping, but this is a lot of driving for such a short time. as janisj pointed out you are looking at 3,500 miles.

There is NO WHERE in the US you can drive 100 miles in one hour. You might be able to do 70-75 miles in one hour on the interstates. Driving in the parks will be much slower. Again as janisj pointed out you will be doing at least 60 hours of driving in a short time.

Two nights, three days to get to Grand Canyon and probably arriving to late to see to much. One day at Grand Canyon, a day to drive to Las Vegas, one night in Las Vegas, a day to drive to your location in California and two days to drive home...doesn't leave but one day to visit family...if that! Maybe you can find a few more days.

Utahtea

Consider taking the Coast Starlight to Sacramento and the CA Zephyr from SAC to Salt lake City and renting a car there.
The nights you spend on the train you are not paying for a hotel room. The CA Zephyr gets into SLC early in the morning. Have a good breakfast and then go to rent the car.

Thanks to everyone for valuable tips
Planning still - got 10 days 20 - 29 Aug - ?? where to go ??
Done CA extensively before so SF, LA, along 101 done

HOW HOT WILL IT BE IN AUG END in UTAH ARIZONA and NAVADA

I should have asked 1st -- when is the best time to visit GCN
N vs S Rim - ideas for 2 days at either which is better
Zion NP vs Bryce Canyon - 1 day itenery

The point of going thru LV and CA is if we are driving might as well go another route and stop and DO NOTHING in Modesto

so far I am thinking

Night #1 #2 #3 #4 #5/6 #7/8/9
Van > Boise > Tropic(Bryce) > Page > GCN S rim > LV > Modesto
10hrs 10Hrs 3hrs 3hrs 5hrs 8hrs

Thanks again
PS utahtea oops I meant 100 km/hr not miles - Canadian eh

Drop Modesto and take a detour up 99 through Fresno and 41 to Oakhurst, CA. In the morning take the drive through Yosemite and then head for home. Better to drive through Yosemite than spend a night in Modesto IMHO.

Modesto is an armpit. But adding Oakhurs/YNP will add more than 5 hours to your drive (and 7 hours is likely if you get out of the car in Yosemite Valley).

DDB: hmmmm ... there is something wrong with the estimated times you calculated ... almost all of them are *way* off ...

I almost always drive over the speed limit, and I have driven all the routes you talk about a number of times, and I couldn't come close to your estimated times for any of them.

Check that you didn't use distance in miles and speed in kmh. That could account for an abnormally low estimate.

Example: Modesto to Vancouver in 8 hours? no way.
The distance is ~170 miles. To do it in 8 hrs you'd have to average 129 mph. At 70 mph the whole way it would take you ~14 hrs, but add time for gas and food stops, large areas where the speed limit is 60, and traffic delays.

I've driven Modesto/Seattle a number of times (also relatives in Modesto)and tha fastest, when I'm in a hurry, including time for gas and food stops, was ~13 hrs ... add 2 1/2 hrs to Vancouver gives you about 15 1/2 hrs including for stops, etc.

Oopps ... distance Modesto/Vancouver is apx *770* miles
Damned typing

Argh ... *970* miles
fingers careless

Van > Boise 10 hrs #1 Night
Boise > Tropic(Bryce) 10 hrs #2 Night
Tropic(Bryce) > Page 3 hrs #3 Night
Page > GCN S rim 3 hrs #4 Night
GCN S rim > LV 5 hrs #5/6 Night
LV > Modesto 8 hrs #7/8/9 Night
Modesto > Van 16 hrs BACK to the grind

These are driving times only not adding food and reststops

These are mapquest times -- this is why I was asking if one can go 70ish miles/hr esp in UT and AZ coz I think mapquest does not factor in HWY or mountainy or paved roads etc or do they ? They just average ...... ?? right

"They just average ...... ?? right"

No -- it takes into account terrain, speed limits, etc.. What it doesn't factor in is construction, traffic, weather and such.

They tend to be on the optimistic side because "real life" doesn't run at the posted speed limits . . .

Planning still - got 10 days 20 - 29 Aug - ?? where to go ??

How about Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons? It's less than 900 miles from Vancouver. You could make it there in two easy days. Spend 4 days in Yellowstone, two days at Grand Tetons and then two days driving home.

OR how about your Canadian Rockies, Jasper, Banff, Yolo & Kootenay which is only a days drive from Vancover? I love your Rockies!!!!

HOW HOT WILL IT BE IN AUG END in UTAH ARIZONA and NAVADA

Weather is much milder in Wyoming than Utah, Nevada and Arizona. Temps can easily reach the 100's in all the southern states. Grand Canyon will be a little cooler because of the elevation.

S. Rim VS N. Rim is an age old question and we each have our preferences. Less lodging and less crowds at N. Rim. I prefer the S. Rim especially if I it's a person's first visit.

With your route you can save about 200 miles and maybe some driving time. Driving times can almost end up being the same because while it is shorter to the N. Rim you can easily get stuck behind a slow moving RV..and the slow driving curvy roads into the N. Rim don't lend themselves to passing.

Honestly, I'd save the Grand Canyon either for a trip where you fly down to Las Vegas and rent a car and do a couple nights at the Grand Canyon or wait until you have longer than 10 days. It's not going to be much of a vacation for anyone stuck in a vehicle for as many hours as you will be driving....no matter how wonderful the scenery.

BTW, is it possible to fly to Las Vegas on this trip?


Utahtea

Wow, this whole thread is convoluted.

DayDreamBeliever,

I think you should be able to get to the Grand Canyon, but it would probably serve you well to NOT go to California on the way back.

When it comes to traffic, you can be sure that Idaho and Utah (outside of SLC @ rush hour) are much better bets than anything to do with California.

First of all, the most expeditious path from Vegas to Seattle is VIA SLC and BOISE. (that has to tell you something)

So EVEN IF you are inclined to pass through Vegas, California is STILL not a helpful alternative.

In terms of the first night, IF you are leaving bright and early on August 20 (the last date you gave) then it is good to be contemplating a SUNDAY night for hotel variables.

(Weekend travelers are gone, and business travelers aren't there yet)

I think I would TRY to get to Twin Falls, maybe targeting dinner in the Boise area on the way. The extra time spent there could mean the difference in seeing Zion as mentioned above.

Cedar City, Utah is a good target for that 2nd night, leaving less than 300 miles or 5 hours to get to the Grand Canyon.

I understand the urge to go via California on the way home, but it will only slow you down (both with more desires and slower going)

IF you stick with returning home via SLC and Boise... maybe you can get 2 or 3 full days in the GC and perhaps even take a few hours to look around SLC and Boise.

On such a hectic driving schedule, you'll already feel as if you're "seeing something different" even if returning on the exact same path, particularly given the chance some of your driving will be done after dark.

If you've done California extensively, (and will probably be back there at some point too)... there just isn't any need to go there on this trip.

In terms of the time guesstimates on MapQuest and the like, you can improve upon them a LITTLE bit... with steady driving JUST above the speed limits. So much of your path is rural you won't likely have too much trouble staying on a predictable schedule.

With so many people in tow, it would be wise to NOT have every second booked. Ease-back a bit on the demands you make of yourself (cut out California, and be content to return much of the way you came... if there is time on the end, go due north from Idaho into Canada, and home from the Cdn Rockies or the like) (but don't make plans for that!).

Good luck.

Didn't wanna change but it is for the best ----- right ??

Day 1 Fly to LV(9AM landing) ----- Night GCN South rim
Day 2 Drive to E rim exiting to night in Page
Day 3 Drive to night in Bryce Canyon
Day 4 Drive to LV for nights 4/5/6

So what best to do
1 day each at GCN, Page and Bryce

Is this better ? Since flying cannot do 10 days $$

Looks a little better and I'm sure your children and grandma will be much happier.

You said: "Just a night or max 2 in Vegas we can fly anytime from Bellingham WA as another trip"

Not sure why that changed to three nights now. I personally wouldn't spend as much time in Las Vegas with kids but then I don't care that much for Vegas. I'd really reconsider and spend one night in Zion National Park.

Utahtea

Hmmm .....
point is we arrive from bryce late evening so probably nothing done that night
so day 1 vegas -- outlets + 2nd night a show
& day 2 vegas itself
but good idea - what to "see" in Zion nearish the shuttle route coz we probably cannot hike too too much

The Zion shuttle takes you into the Zion Canyon. The shuttle ride alone is very scenic because you are down in the canyon with the canyon walls and domes all around you. Best stops if you aren't hiking would be the Zion Lodge for an ice cream and at the end of the shuttle bus ride at the Temple of the Sinawava. At least get out and take a look around before taking the shuttle bus back to the Visitor Center. There are other great stops depending on how much time you want to spend here.

Just so you know at Bryce Canyon you are on the rim looking down and you have to walk to all the over looks from the parking areas while Zion you are in the canyon. You don't see all that much of Bryce canyon from the scenic drive in the park.

What are your plans for Page, AZ? Why the night there?

Utahtea

Page because of the Upper Antelope Canyon Tour

Page because of the Upper Antelope Canyon Tour

You don't need to spend a night in Page to do the Upper Antelope Canyon tour. It will take a total of 2 hours out of your trip and then you can go to the Wahweap Marina for lunch and view Lake Powell while you take a short rest stop before you continue to Bryce from the S. Rim of the Grand Canyon.

If you didn't have so short of time, I wouldn't recommend pushing for 290 miles on this day. This would save you a night for Zion.

Utahtea

Everyone has different vacation styles. Yours looks to be like a whirlwind. If LV is not a big draw (cause you can get there easy), then I just wouldn't spend anytime there at all other than to arrive and depart. But that's just me. Take it for what it is worth to you.

With a now 7 day trip/6 night trip I would do something like this:

day 1 arrive LV drive to South Rim, stopping at the Hoover dam and new bypass bridge. Stay GC
day 2- enjoy Grand Canyon. Take the shuttle to Hermits Rest, wander the visitors center, listen to a ranger talk, watch the sunset. Stay GC
Day 3- GC to Page. East Rim, be sure to stop at Desert View and Tusayan ruins. Stop at Cameron Trading Post for shopping and a Navajo taco. Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend Stay Page. Enjoy a pool.
day 4 Page to Bryce. Stop at the Best Friends Animal Shelter for a tour. Stop in Red Canyon for some good first hoodoos. Enjoy the main Bryce Amphitheater (Sunrise, Sunset, and Inspiration points). Stay Bryce.
Day 5 take the scenic drive in Bryce and stop at the viewpoints on the way back. Drive to Zions. Take the free shuttle ride. Get out at all the stops and see what it there. If you only do one trail, the Riverside walk at the end is a good one- fairly level. Stay Springdale.
Day 6 Zion to LV. It is a 3 hr drive, you lose an hour so you can still see the sights, see a show that night. Stay LV (or fly home, not sure how your schedule is)

If you give yourselves a little time to relax and enjoy what you came for I'm sure you'll have a much better impression of the parks.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions -- due to illness in the family we had to replan our whole trip and stay longer in CA -- my husbands uncle got diagnosed with terminal CA -- so did only GCN south rim and some LV -- loved the grand canyon -- next year will do the GCN, BC and ZNP
But still had a gr8 time