Routes - Vegas - Grand Canyon - Palm Desert - Del Mar - Anaheim?

[Muddy Rivers]

Hi all! I posted this on the Disneyland Board but in hind sight, I realized this might be a more appropriate place.

We will be traveling in early June to the following destinations. Wondering if anyone can suggest the best routes we should take and any tips along the way (especially places to stop for a quick bite while driving or what to avoid). Please feel free to comment on any leg of the trip for which you may have tips.

-Las Vegas to Grand Canyon (South Rim) (leaving about 6 am on a Monday)

-Grand Canyon to Del Mar (Tuesday)*

-Grand Canyon to Palm Desert

-Del Mar to Disneyland (leave Thursday morning by 7am?)

*We originally planned on stopping for a night in Palm Springs on our way to Del Mar but if it is not a terrible drive, we would like to drive straight through to Del Mar. Based on recent input, Palm Desert looks like a better plan to stop for a night on our way to Del Mar,

Any suggestions?

 

[Muddy Rivers]

Bump

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hi all! I posted this on the Disneyland Board but in hind sight, I realized this might be a more appropriate place.

We will be traveling in early June to the following destinations. Wondering if anyone can suggest the best routes we should take and any tips along the way (especially places to stop for a quick bite while driving or what to avoid). Please feel free to comment on any leg of the trip for which you may have tips.

-Las Vegas to Grand Canyon (South Rim) (leaving about 6 am on a Monday)

I assume you'll want to stop off at Hoover Dam.

Are you planning on seeing some of Route 66 as well? I preferred the stretch of Route 66 between Kingman and Oatman; but you could check out the stretch east of Kingman and see if it appeals. It will add some time.
In any event, from memory, Kingman is not far off the Interstate and you could stop there to break up the drive. Alternatively see if there is anything at Williams that might appeal for a stop.

-Grand Canyon to Del Mar (Tuesday)*

-Grand Canyon to Palm Desert

-Del Mar to Disneyland (leave Thursday morning by 7am?)

*We originally planned on stopping for a night in Palm Springs on our way to Del Mar but if it is not a terrible drive, we would like to drive straight through to Del Mar. Based on recent input, Palm Desert looks like a better plan to stop for a night on our way to Del Mar,

Any suggestions?

The 89A is a very scenic route to drive. It is a little out of your way; but if you're stopping at Palm Springs, check it out and see if it is worth the extra time.

A lot of people will recommend driving the East Gate either in or out of the Grand Canyon. It is a very scenic drive as well; but that opens up stopping at Sunset Crater and/or Wupatki. And if you decide to drive by the East Gate, the trading post at Cameron is almost a must-stop.



I have an aunt that lives in San Diego so I do drive the I-5 a fair bit whenever I'm in SoCal. Driving from Del Mar to Disneyland along the 5 is painful at peak hour. It could take you 2 hours to get there. If you can leave earlier and build in a time buffer, I would recommend you do so.

 

[Muddy Rivers]

Unfortunately, for this trip we need to take the quickest and most direct routes. We crammed a lot into a small window. Hopefully we will plan a trip back in the future to leisurely see the roadside sites. Right now, limited vacation time doesn't allow for that.

Yes, will take a day trip out of Vegas to see the Hoover Dam but the day we leave Vegas, we will be going straight to the Grand Canyon South Rim. We are staying at El Tovar there and since we only have one day, we need to get there early.

Thank you so much for your help. DIS Board people are always so nice. I always try my best to answer questions for others whenever I can.

Thank you again!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Have a great trip. I know there are a couple of other Dis-sers that have posted their trip reports of Arizona/Grand Canyon on this part of the board.

I stayed 2 nights at Yavapai in September last year. I wrote about what we did in my TR, which is posted on the WDW TR section. If you're interested, the link is here. Head to the second post for the quick links. You'll find the Grand Canyon posts from 20 - 22 September.

 

[Muddy Rivers]

Thank you. I love reading trip reports. We have so much experience with WDW but not so much with the west coast. We have had 2 previous trips to Disneyland. It is so much fun and I learn so much from others.

Thanks again!!

 

[Muddy Rivers]

Thank you for your help!