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Are you looking for an epic road trip adventure? If so, then you should consider a Salt Lake City to Las Vegas road trip. This route will take you through some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, and there are plenty of roadside attractions and national parks to keep you entertained along the way. In this blog post, we will provide a detailed itinerary for the perfect Salt Lake City to Las Vegas road trip. So pack your bags and get ready for some fun!

Planning for Your Salt Lake City to Las Vegas Road Trip

If you are planning a road trip from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas, make sure you have an up-to-date national parks pass. This pass provides access to all national parks and usually costs $80 and by following the recommended route, this pass will essentially pay for itself and then any national park you visit after this trip will be “free” for the remainder of the 12 months after you purchased the pass.

Be sure to stock your car with the essentials before heading off on your adventure. Road trips can be fun and exciting if you plan ahead and make sure you don’t forget any important items. Consider packing a first aid kit, snacks, water, a map, sunscreen, changes of clothes in case of emergencies, and whatever other things you think you might need for your journey. Check out these tips if you are looking for how to save money on your road trip.

Salt Lake City to Las Vegas Road Trip Route

If you drive straight from Salt Lake City Las Vegas, the drive will take about 6 hours. If you only have one day to do the drive, then pick one stop from this list to break up your drive and see a new place. However, this itinerary will assume that you have around a week and time to enjoy the recommended stops along the way. Please note, if you are planning to drive in the other direction, check out this post on a Las Vegas to Salt Lake City road trip with slightly different recommendations.

Planning the perfect Salt Lake City to Las Vegas road trip can be an exciting endeavor that requires good research and preparation. Salt Lake City is an excellent starting point for your road trip. With its large international airport and great restaurant and art scene, you could easily spend several days here before setting off on your adventure. If you are visiting in the winter, check out this blog post on things to do in Salt Lake City in the winter.

Bonneville Salt Flats

While this is not technically on the way at all, consider a day trip out to the Salt Flats on the border of Nevada and Utah. In the summer, the salt looks like cracked snow – you can drive on it if they are not wet. This is where the land speed records have been set. In the winter, water forms on the salt flats causing a beautiful reflection.

To get to the Salt Flats, drive west on I-80 for about 90 minutes. There is limited gas or food on the route so be sure to leave with a full tank of gas. There is a rest stop with some information about the salt flats and you can walk on them right from the rest stop. Or you can take the exit immediately following the salt flats and take a right and go out in the middle of the flats. Either way, this makes a great detour from your Salt Lake City to Las Vegas road trip.

Capitol Reef National Park

If you are looking for an unforgettable stopover on your Salt Lake City to Las Vegas road trip, Capitol Reef National Park is the ideal place to experience it. Capitol Reef doesn’t do all of its showing off from the road. Instead this national park is best experienced if you have a little more time available. If you are short on time, you can just do the park’s scenic drive before heading on to Escalante.

With miles of awe-inspiring terrain, from canyons and sandstone walls to cliffs and lush grasslands, this stunning park has something for every nature lover or photographer. It’s the perfect place to admire Mother Nature’s captivating beauty!

If you have extra time and a 4WD, then exploring the Cathedral Valley Loop should be your next exploration destination. Take advantage of the seemingly endless petrified sand dunes by going on an adventurous hike. Enjoy alluring starscapes in the crystal-clear night sky while camping beneath them and soak up some sunrays during day at one of its many secluded spots! Your journey to Capitol Reef National Park is sure to exceed expectations with memories that are hard to forget.

Escalante, Utah

Driving from Capitol Reef to Escalante on Scenic Byway 12 is one of the best scenic drives in Utah. My favorite part is the portion right around Boulder, Utah. This is one you will definitely want to do in the daylight so try to arrange to drive here with a few hours left in the day.

Escalante serves as the entrance to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Here you’ll find some of America’s most undeveloped desert scenery, making it an ideal spot to watch spectacular sunsets over vast horizons–so pull up a chair and enjoy!

Don’t forget to explore all that Escalante’s charming downtown has to offer, from cozy cafes to unique accommodations. Taking time to visit this underestimated little Utah gem will make your Salt Lake City to Las Vegas road trip even more memorable.

Bryce Canyon

Stopping at Bryce Canyon in Utah is an excellent and convenient option for travelers on a Salt Lake City to Las Vegas road trip. This unique national park offers many opportunities for exploration, recreation and sightseeing. Not only will visitors enjoy the natural beauty of the red-rock hoodoos, they can experience activities like wildlife viewing, camping, horseback riding, or hiking.

If you’re simply looking to relax, there is no shortage of activities at this breathtaking destination. From leisurely hiking along the canyon rim or taking a sightseeing tour by car, whether you visit for a couple hours or multiple days, Southern Utah promises an unforgettable experience that won’t soon be forgotten!

As an added bonus, if you are following the full route recommended, make sure to stop at Belly of the Dragon on your way to Zion National Park.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park, a Utah masterpiece of majestic landscapes and magnificent trails for hikers and climbers alike, is the epitome of destinations that you must visit on your Salt Lake City to Las Vegas road trip. It is arguably the best national park in Utah. If time permits only one stop or if your stay is limited, then Zion National Park should be it! Prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience surrounded by stunning natural formations.

With sweeping canyons, monolithic rocks, and an abundance of wildlife, Zion National Park is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who stops by during their Salt Lake City to Las Vegas road trip. Favorite hikes include Angels Landing (this requires a permit, check out this post to see how to get one and what to do in Zion if you don’t have an Angel’s Landing permit), The Narrows, The Subway (also requires a permit), and Canyon Overlook. Check out this post for recommendations of things to do near Zion National Park to make sure you are ready for your trip.

Snow Canyon State Park

Although it is often overshadowed by Zion National Park, stopping at Snow Canyon State Park while on Salt Lake City to Las Vegas road trip is an absolute must. This park, located just outside of St. George, Utah, will take your breath away with its grand canyons, magnificent red rocks and glossy sandstone walls. It offers some of the most remarkable landscapes in Utah and would certainly be a national park if it was located in any other state.

With its indescribably beautiful scenery and stunning geological formations, it’s no surprise that adventurers from far and wide come to experience the wonder of the temperate desert trails.

Valley of Fire State Park

On a Salt Lake City to Las Vegas road trip, stopping at the Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada is a must. Located just a little more than an hour’s drive from Las Vegas, this park provides spectacular views of its rolling orange and red sandstone outcroppings which stand like silent sentinels above the desert terrain. The area also features ancient fossils, petroglyphs left by Native American’s hundreds of years ago, natural caves and arches, and slot canyons.

There are plenty of activities to enjoy such as camping in one of the multiple campsites or hiking along the numerous trails while enjoying the scenic beauty that Valley of Fire State Park has to offer. With its wide range of activities and attractions, it’s no wonder why Valley of Fire State Park is poised to be one of the most desirable destinations on any Salt Lake City to Las Vegas road trip!

Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area

Las Vegas is filled with plenty of exciting opportunities for tourists and one not to be missed is a day spent at the awe-inspiring Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area. Located just outside Las Vegas, it makes an ideal day trip for the end of your Salt Lake City to Las Vegas road trip. This unique natural wonderland offers stunning desert vistas, incredible hiking trails, and thrilling outdoor rock climbing walls amidst the backdrop of dramatic red-hued cliffs.

Even those with limited mobility or disinclined to participate in outdoor activities can appreciate the panoramic views that capture the imagination while standing atop this special place. There is a great scenic loop of the park so you don’t even have to leave the car if you don’t want to. Whether your group is ready to explore, soak up some sun, or savor a picnic lunch amongst breathtaking scenery, Red Rock Canyon provides an opportunity to fully appreciate and admire Las Vegas’s beauty beyond its neon lights.

This is the first spot where you will use your America the Beautiful Annual Parks pass. There also is usually a reservation required to enter the park. Be sure to check the park’s website before heading over. And check out this post if you are looking for other things to do in Las Vegas off the Strip.

Additional Salt Lake City to Las Vegas Road Trip Stops

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

Located right outside Salt Lake City in Draper, Utah, Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is home to over 4,500 animals and 550 species that are displayed across five major exhibits.

Therefore, it is a great place to stop if you want to more about everything from sharks to penguins to local Utah wildlife.

In total, plan on spending between two and two and a half hours here so that you can enjoy exhibits like the Ocean, Journey to South America, Deep Sea, Expedition: Asia, the South Pole, Antarctic Adventure, and Discover Utah.

Thanksgiving Point

Located in Lehi, Utah, Thanksgiving Point is a great place to stop since this incredible museum has a wide variety of activities that visitors will love.

So, highlights of any visit to this indoor/outdoor farm include the Ashton Gardens, Butterfly Biosphere, Farm Country, Mountain America Museum of Ancient Life, Museum of Natural Curiosity, Mammoth Screen Theatre, golf, and more.

Additionally, Thanksgiving Point plays host to a variety of seasonal and special events that include a Tulip Festival, Baby Animal Days, Dinosaur Island, Dinos After Dark, and more.

Therefore, this is a great place to stop during your road trip, especially if you’re traveling with the family.

Local Tip: You can also stop at the Scipio Petting Zoo (a small free petting zoo in Scipio) before grabbing a meal at Cluff’s Carhop Cafe.

After all, it’s an epic, 50’s-style diner that serves up one of the greatest burgers in all of Utah.

Salt Lake City to Las Vegas Road Trip FAQ

How Long is the Road Trip from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas?

The road trip from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas covers around 420 miles and will take around six hours to complete if you drive directly there.

What is there to see Between Salt Lake City and Vegas?

Things to see between Salt Lake City and Vegas include:

• Zion National Park
• Park City
• Boulder City
• St. George
• Cedar City
• Provo
• Zion National Park

Is There a Scenic Route from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas?

The scenic Route between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas is Scenic Byway 12. It is an incredible road that will take you past some of the most fantastic scenery in the country.

What is Halfway Between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City?

Beaver County sits halfway between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. It also sits within a “Golden Circle” of natural areas that stretch out from Utah to Colorado.

Salt Lake City to Las Vegas Road Trip

A Salt Lake City to Las Vegas road trip is an experience like no other, from the open skies of Utah to the neon lights of Las Vegas. It’s the perfect adventure for anyone looking to embark on an epic road trip. Along the way, you can explore historical treasures such as National Parks and iconic landmarks.

You’ll be treated to stunning mountain views and unique wildlife sightings; a Salt Lake City to Las Vegas road trip will take you through small towns and mesmerizing landscapes that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Have you done this road trip? Is it on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments!

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

• Driving the Cathedral Valley Loop
• Arches National Park in One Day
• Best Hikes in Utah
• Epic things to do in Utah
• 21 Places to Visit in Utah that aren’t National Parks
• Visiting the Utah Mighty 5 National Parks

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