Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon Road Trip

Route map

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Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon: the drive

The drive from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon National Park covers 260 miles (419 km) and takes about 4 hrs without stops, mostly on I-15 and SR-20.

It's an easy drive that leaves plenty of time to explore along the way. Allow about 5 hr 15 min with breaks.

We found 9 worthwhile stops within about 25 miles of the route, including Seven Magic Mountains, Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire State Park and Snow Canyon State Park.

Best time to go: May to October. At 8,000 to 9,000 feet it is much cooler than Zion, and snow is common in winter.

Best stops between Las Vegas and Bryce Canyon

Before you leave Las Vegas

1. 2

   Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

   1–3 hrs~60 min detour

   A 13-mile one-way scenic loop 25 minutes from the Strip. A timed-entry reservation has been required for most of the year.

   

1. 1

   Seven Magic Mountains

   Mile 020–30 min~90 min round-trip detour

   Seven towers of neon-painted boulders in the desert just off I-15 south of Las Vegas. Free, quick and very photogenic.

   

2. 3

   Hoover Dam

   Mile 161–2 hrs~88 min round-trip detour

   Walk across the 726-foot Art Deco dam, or take the power plant tour. The Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman bridge walkway gives the best view.

   

3. 4

   Valley of Fire State Park

   Mile 402–3 hrs~49 min round-trip detour

   Nevada's oldest state park: fiery red Aztec sandstone, petroglyphs at Atlatl Rock and the short Fire Wave hike. Too hot for hiking at midday in summer.

   

4. 5

   Snow Canyon State Park

   Mile 1201–2 hrs~29 min round-trip detour

   Red and white Navajo sandstone, lava tubes and petrified dunes just outside St. George. A mini-Zion without the crowds.

   

5. 6

   Kolob Canyons (Zion)

   Mile 1511 hrOn the route

   Zion's quiet northwest corner, with a 5-mile scenic drive right off I-15 at exit 40 and no shuttle needed.

6. 7

   Cedar Breaks National Monument

   Mile 1791 hr~46 min round-trip detour

   A 2,000-foot-deep natural amphitheater at 10,000 feet. The rim road is usually closed by snow from November to late May.

   

Near Bryce Canyon

1. 8

   Red Canyon

   30–60 minOn the route

   Bright red hoodoos and rock tunnels on Scenic Byway 12, a free preview of Bryce with a paved bike path.

2. 9

   Kodachrome Basin State Park

   1–2 hrs14 mi from the route

   Tall sandstone chimneys named by National Geographic after the color film, 20 minutes from Bryce.

   

Where to stay in Bryce Canyon City

A high-altitude amphitheater of orange hoodoos, best seen at sunrise from Sunrise and Inspiration Points. Bryce Canyon City is the closest town with lodging. Rooms near national parks sell out in peak season, so book early.

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Renting a car for this trip

Most travelers fly into Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) and pick up a car there. Booking a round trip from the same airport is usually much cheaper than a one-way rental. A mid-size car is fine for all paved roads on this route. You only need an SUV for the optional dirt-road detours.

Trip cost calculator

Estimate gas or charging, hotels and car rental for a round trip from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon:

Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon road trip FAQ

Route calculated from OpenStreetMap data and checked 2026-11-09. Drive times assume normal traffic and no stops.