Scenic American Road Trips: Arizona to Utah

Planning a trip to the Grand Canyon? Check out our Arizona to Utah road trip planner and enjoy a leisurely tour of the many red-rock wonders throughout the region. On this 874-mile route, you’ll see goblins and hoodoos, arches and holes, grand precipices and stunningly deep valleys. You’ll also visit several Indian reservations, historical sites and quaint western towns. And red isn’t the only color: Depending on the time of day and angle of the sun, the landscape ahead of you will appear orange, yellow, white, purple—and all hues in between.

So, pack the binoculars and extra memory cards, gas up the car, and then head out on the open highway for this spectacular Arizona to Utah road trip.

Start in Northeastern Arizona

The first 200+miles of your trip are in northeastern Arizona, beginning at the Petrified Forest National Park. The trees that populated this region 225 million years ago were regularly buried in volcanic ash that crystalized the log debris over time. Those trees today are rocks. Just don’t pocket any of them—that’s illegal. The park extends into the Painted Desert. This entire area is great for hiking or a colorful, 30-mile cruise.

Next, head to the Grand Canyon. It’s one of the seven natural wonders of the world and a visit you’ll never forget. Peer down the canyon walls to the Colorado River still carving its way through 227 miles of two-billion-year-old rocks. Stay a day or two in the area if you can—there’s so much to see and do. Then, point your ride east to Monument Valley. Here, you’ll take the car off-road for 17 miles for the chance to view rock formations you’ll probably recognize. In fact, a film critic once noted, “its five square miles have defined what decades of moviegoers think of when they imagine the American West.”

On To Utah

Tip your hat at Mexican Hat Rock, a sombrero-shaped, 60-foot-wide outcropping that balances atop a spire-shaped rock formation. Then, roll on to the “bonus” stop: Four Corners Monument, where you can stand in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado simultaneously. Consider one of your best “Twister” game moves for a great photo op.

Canyonlands National Park near Moab is the third destination on this leg of your Arizona to Utah road trip. The landscape, with its deep canyons, mesas and buttes, was created by the enduring power of the Colorado and Green rivers. In Moab, you’ll enjoy the slow stroll of a western town mixed with hiking and cycling adventurers who, like you, want to experience the desert and red-rock lands surrounding you. More than 50 movies have been filmed here, too.

Don’t miss Moab’s other nearby gem, Arches National Park, where more than 2,000 sandstone arches, spires and sandstone fins will leave you breathless. In fact, don’t exhale too heavily. Even planes are restricted from flying too close because their vibrations could damage these ancient, natural sculptures. Goblin Valley State Park is another 90 minutes down the road. Here’s where the goblins and hoodoos are plentiful. Fear not—that’s what those mysterious rock formations are called.

More Great Utah Sites

The final stretch of this four-wheeled adventure takes you to spectacularly colorful Kodachrome Basin, about four hours south of Goblin Valley. Then, ahead of you are two more awe-inspiring red-rock national parks: Bryce Canyon and Zion. Bryce, at an elevation of 9,000 feet, is less of an actual canyon and more like a series of natural amphitheaters populated by an audience of red, orange and white-striped upright hoodoos. By contrast, Zion National Park is the site of the 15-mile long Zion Canyon. Just 3,600 feet at its highest elevation, you’ll find more plant and animal diversity here than at your previous desert stops.

Ready to travel? Find hotels along your route.