Vegas-Grand Canyon help needed!!

[Jaimee]

I need help with our upcoming trip to Las Vegas. I'm going with my parents and my DS7 the week of Thanksgiving. They have never seen the Grand Canyon and really wanted to go (I went there when I was 12 and would love to see it again..). The tours run from about $160-$250 per person, so we thought we might rent a car and do a day trip on our own. Is this possible? I'm having a really hard time finding the distance between the two online. If you know please help me out. Everything I type in just comes up with tour packages, and no info on driving yourself.


TIA

Jaimee

 

[LoraJ]

I think the distance depends on which part of the park you want to go to. I think the South Rim is one of the best viewing spots. Not sure how long a drive it would be. Maybe 4 or 5 hours depending on where you go?

I did an 8 hour plane tour where you fly over the Hoover Dam and then go to the South Rim. You get a lunch buffet, tour guilde, etc. It was well worth the money.

If you're going to drive, I would suggest getting a hotel there for the night.

 

[ScoJo15]

We did this on our trip to Vegas back in '97. It is approximately 275 miles from the strip to the Grand Canyon South Rim. Should take you about 4 hours.

The trip worked out great as we only needed around 4 hours at the canyon. You hop on and off continuous shuttles to get to various points on the rim, so we did that...got our fill and then drove back.

The most spectacular thing is on the way back, if you cross the Hoover dam at night...you will come up over a rise after crossing and BAM....you see the entire city of Las Vegas all lit up in the desert valley at night. I swear people were slamming on brakes and pulling off the side of the road. It was one of the most beautiful things we saw during our stay!

It's a long day but well worth it. PM me if you'd like more info!!

 

[ScoJo15]

Oh yeah, don't forget to pack water with you in the event that your car would break down. The drive is on an Interstate but there is absoultely nothing but desert all around you (it is sooo cool!)

 

[Jaimee]

Thank you so much! This is very helpful. I was thinking the South Rim would be better anyhow.