How to Save 5 Hours in the Car on Your Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip (And Avoid a Few “Are We There Yets”)
If you’re planning a Utah Mighty 5 road trip, get ready for some serious jaw-dropping moments. From the towering cliffs of Zion to the iconic arches of, well, Arches, Utah’s five national parks—Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands—are bucket-list stops for any outdoor lover. But here’s a little secret that most people don’t know: there’s a way to save yourself a whopping 5 hours of driving and spend more time hiking, exploring, and just soaking up the views.
Spoiler: It’s all about changing up your route.
Why Most People Take the Long Way
When you Google "Utah Mighty 5 road trip," the most common options for starting points are Las Vegas, Nevada, or Salt Lake City, Utah. Both are great spots to kick off your adventure, but here’s the deal: if you’re doing a round trip (starting and ending in the same city), you’re actually adding hours to your trip that could be better spent, well, not in the car.
Imagine cutting those long drives down by 5 hours. Sounds amazing, right? Especially when it means avoiding those “Are we there yet?” moments and getting more time to explore the epic landscapes.
The Secret Route to Save Time (and Sanity)
Here’s the game-changer: Instead of doing a round trip from Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, start in Las Vegas and end in Grand Junction, Colorado (or flip it and start in Grand Junction and end in Vegas). Most people don’t realize Grand Junction has an airport, and using this as your endpoint can literally save you 5 hours of driving time. That's a big deal when you're trying to pack in all the epic hikes and vistas Utah’s Mighty 5 have to offer.
Why This Route Rocks:
Las Vegas to Grand Junction is a shorter drive compared to looping back to Las Vegas or Salt Lake City.
Grand Junction has a small airport that’s super convenient, meaning you don’t have to double back to your starting point.
You still get to see all five Utah national parks—Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands—but with fewer hours stuck in traffic.
Bonus Adventures: Extend Your Trip Into Colorado or Nevada
Another awesome perk of driving between Las Vegas and Grand Junction is the chance to tack on a few more epic destinations. From Grand Junction, you can easily head into Colorado to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park. Both are often overlooked but totally worth the extra stop.
On the flip side, if you’re starting in Grand Junction and driving toward Las Vegas, why not continue your trip to Death Valley National Park? It’s the hottest, lowest, and driest national park in the U.S., and it’s full of extreme landscapes that are so unique.
A Better Itinerary for the Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip
Let’s be honest: You don’t want to rush through some of the most incredible landscapes in the country. That’s why this route is all about maximizing your time in each park. Here’s a suggested itinerary that gives you the best of each park, with plenty of time to explore without feeling like you’re racing against the clock:
Days 1-3: Kick things off in Las Vegas and head straight to Zion National Park (2.5-hour drive). Spend the next few days hiking Angel’s Landing (if you’re feeling brave), wandering through the Narrows, and enjoying the breathtaking scenery.
Day 4: Hit the road for Bryce Canyon National Park (1.5 hours from Zion). Catch sunrise or sunset over the Bryce Amphitheater, hike the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail, and be ready to take about a million pictures of those hoodoos (they’re magical).
Day 5: Next stop: Capitol Reef National Park (2.5 hours from Bryce Canyon). Take in the unique rock formations, check out the historic orchards, and don’t forget to stop for a pie at the Gifford House!
Days 6-7: Make your way to Arches National Park (2.5 hours from Capitol Reef) and spend two full days here. Hike to Delicate Arch, explore the Devils Garden Loop, and take your time enjoying this natural wonderland.
Day 8: End your Utah adventure with a visit to Canyonlands National Park (just 45 minutes from Arches). Don’t miss the Island in the Sky district for some seriously stunning views. Bonus: Mesa Arch at sunrise is an absolute must-see.
Wrap it up: Finally, drive to Grand Junction, Colorado (2 hours from Canyonlands), where you can either fly home or continue your road trip into Colorado’s national parks. Easy peasy!
Why This Route Is a Game-Changer
By driving between Las Vegas and Grand Junction, not only do you save time, but you also avoid backtracking through the same roads. Plus, the drive between these cities is packed with stunning desert scenery, so even the time you spend in the car feels like part of the adventure. It’s a win-win: more adventure, less time on the road, and way fewer “Are we there yet?” moments.
Make the Most of Your Mighty 5 Road Trip
Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks are the kind of places that stay with you long after you’ve left. By taking this time-saving route, you’ll have more opportunities to explore, hike, and really soak in the beauty of each park. Whether you’re extending your trip into Colorado or Nevada, or just focusing on the Utah parks, you’ll be glad you spent less time in the car and more time adventuring.
So, go ahead and map out your route from Las Vegas to Grand Junction (or the other way around) and get ready for an unforgettable road trip through some of the most iconic national parks in the U.S.
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks to see everywhere we explored on our road trip.
