Epic Las Vegas to Arches National Park Road Trip to take in 2025

Looking for how to get from Las Vegas to Arches National Park? If you’re down for an unforgettable adventure, we 100% recommend doing a road trip from Las Vegas to Arches National Park.

Since there aren’t any large cities near Arches, road-tripping from other cities like Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, or Denver is the most common way to check out this National Park.

We personally have done this road trip and it’s one of the best drives in the entire United States! This article is going to tell you all the best routes to take, what to see along the way, and exactly how long it will take to get there.

So, buckle up and get ready to take a trip that you won’t forget!

How Far Is Arches National Park From Las Vegas?

Arches National Park is approximately 453 miles from Las Vegas. Driving from Las Vegas to Arches National Park will take you around 6.5 hours if you drive straight through. 

Flying into the Las Vegas airport is a great option if you’re looking for one of the cheapest airports near Arches. The drive to Arches National Park from the Las Vegas airport will take around 7 hours.

When visiting Arches National Park most people will stay in the closest town which is Moab. Wondering how far is Las Vegas to Moab, Utah? Las Vegas to Moab is approximately 457 miles which is only a few more miles than Las Vegas to Arches!

You might also be wondering, how far is Moab from Arches National Park? Moab is just 5.2 miles from Arches National Park. 

#1 Thing to Do on This Roadtrip – Stay in a Luxury Yurt Bed & Breakfast!

Best Way To Get To Arches From Las Vegas

Our absolutely favorite way to explore the American Southwest is by RV. We have been RVing for years now and having your own space and saving money on accommodation is unbeatable.

Thankfully nowadays you don’t have to spend a ton of money on your own RV since there are a ton of options for renting one for your road trip!

Our favorite place to rent an RV is Outdoorsy. Nothing beats having the flexibility of having your own camper!

✅ Check Prices & Book Your RV/Campervan Here Now!

The Best Routes From Las Vegas To Arches National Park

If you’re driving from Las Vegas to Arches, you have two options, the Northern Route or the Southern Route (which we’ll get into much more detail below.)

We’ve already mentioned how far Las Vegas to Arches National Park is, so the next step is planning which way to go. Whichever route you choose, we suggest taking it slow and seeing all the amazing things along the way!

The Northern Route

The Northern Route is a 540-mile drive taking just under 10 hours if you drive non-stop. This route goes past Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. 

• Leave Las Vegas on Interstate 15 and head North to Crystal. This passes the beautiful Valley of Fire State Park and if you have time to stop, the Desert National Wildlife Refuge is also nearby.
• You’ll pass into Arizona and then Utah. A great place to stop here is Zion National Park.
• The North Route continues towards the Mt. Carmel Junction where you’ll take the US-89 North. From here you can stop off at Dixie National Forest and Bryce Canyon National Park. 
• Leaving Bryce Canyon, drive through Cannonville and on to Boulder, to visit the nearby Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument or Capitol Reed National Park.
• The last leg of your road trip follows the UT-24, where you could take a short detour to Fish Lake Hightop or continue east to I-70 to the Canyonlands National Park. After stopping here, head south towards Moab before reaching your destination of Arches National Park.

The Southern Route

The Southern Route is the longer of the two and covers a distance of 810 miles. To drive non-stop, it will take just under 13.5 hours. However, this route takes you past Flagstaff and the stunning Grand Canyon.

• Leave Las Vegas on I-11, here you’ll pass Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, and continue to Hoover Dam where you could stop over and explore stunning Lake Mead.
• From here drive south on US-93 to Kingman, then take the interstate east to Flagstaff, eventually driving through Coconino National Forest.
• An option at Flagstaff is to drive to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, through Kaibab National Forest. Alternatively, you can continue north on US-89 and then take a detour to the north rim of the Grand Canyon just before Cameron. Both options you’ll pass Wupatki National Monument.  
• Continue north towards Vermilion Cliffs National Monument at Marble Canyon before following the road towards Page where you will find Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend. You’ll then go past Monument Valley (the place where Forest Gump ran) and onto Canyonlands National Park before reaching Moab and Arches National Park.

Psst! Don’t forget to save some time in your itinerary for actually spending a few days in Arches! There are some pretty amazing Arches sunsets you can’t miss, and if you’re a morning person the Arches sunrises are also incredible.

The Best Tours From Las Vegas To Arches National Park

If you don’t want to drive, then an alternative option is going on one of the Las Vegas to Arches National Park tours. We highly recommend this multi-day tour from Las Vegas to Arizona that takes you to 5 different national parks & has great reviews!  

The tour can be booked either as a private tour or as part of a small group. This one-week tour goes through some of the most popular parks and includes the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Arches, and Canyon Lands amongst a whole load of other places. 

You can read the detailed itinerary here. The great thing about this tour is that not only someone will do the driving, but you’ll also have a knowledgeable guide giving you in-depth information about each place. There are also loads of add-on options such as taking a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon.

✅ Book Your National Park Tour From Las Vegas Here!

The Best Stops Between Las Vegas And Arches National Park

There are so many great stops on the route from Las Vegas to Arches National Park. Below were going to tell you about both the Northern and Southern routes to Arches National Park.

Although some stops are route specific, there are several great things to see on both routes such as the Grand Canyon or Zion National Park.

Las Vegas To Arches Northern Route

If you’re planning on driving the Northern Route, then these are the best stops along the way. They are listed in order from leaving Vegas to Arches. If you’re on your return journey and doing the Moab to Vegas drive, then start at the bottom of this list and work your way up. 

1. Valley Of Fire State Park

The first worthwhile stop is at this beautiful park. It’s filled with bright red rock formations and offers fantastic views of the surrounding area. There are dozens of trails to hike here as well as 2,000-year-old petroglyphs to spot. 

2. Zion National Park

The ever-popular Zion National Park is one of our favorites and we can’t wait to go back again someday! The stunning views, incredible trails, and scenic drives all make this place amazing. Don’t forget to try and hike the Narrows or Angel’s Landing while you’re here.

3. Dixie National Forest

If you prefer to get a whole chunk of driving out of the way early on, then driving from Las Vegas to Dixie National Forest could be a good option. After around 2 hr 45 min, stop off to take in the natural beauty of this two-million-acre nature reserve. It’s filled with lakes, mountains, and fragrant Ponderosa pines making this a great overnight spot to camp. 

4. Bryce Canyon National Park

This is a great stop-off point and pretty much every trail in Bryce Canyon is incredible with stunning lookout points. Bryce Canyon is by far one of our favorite national parks, we would highly recommend making a stop on this road trip!

There’s a ton of stuff to do at Bryce Canyon, and aside from the rock formations, this is a great place to spot wildlife such as deer, elk, and bighorn sheep. If you plan to stay overnight, stargazing is excellent from here.

5. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

If you’re interested in hiking slot canyons and other geological formations, then this vast area is a hiker’s dream. Spend some time exploring the numerous plateaus and discover the mighty Willis Canyon.

6. Drive Scenic Byway 12

If you’re feeling peckish along this drive, then we recommend stopping off for a bite to eat a Burr Trail Grill. The chilled ambiance is scattered with quirky art. They specialize in serving up locally sourced, gourmet burgers, craft beers & pies.

Scenic Byway 12, also known as Highway 12, can be a fun detour on this road trip. It’s ranked as one of the best scenic routes in the US. The route goes into the Dixie National Forest, the Henry Mountains, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and the red rock of Capitol Reef National Park.

7. Spend The Night In Escalante, Boulder, Or Torrey

These are all cute little towns to stop and spend some time exploring. Staying in this area would also allow time to explore the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument at a slower pace. 

An excellent place to stay is at Escalante Yurts, a luxury (but affordable) yurt with a delicious breakfast every morning, great views, and peace and solitude.

✅ Book Your Escalante Yurt Here!

8. Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef is definitely not as popular as some of the other National Parks we’ve mentioned, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth exploring!

If you set out on a hike early in the day, chances are you’ll have the place to yourself. Spend time exploring cliffs, canyons, and hiking trails, there are trails suitable for all abilities. We recommend taking the trail to the panorama point and trying to spot the petroglyphs.

9. Goblin Valley State Park

The park gets its name from the thousands of hoodoos and goblin-like formations created by weathering and erosion over thousands of years. The most popular attraction here is the Goblin Valley, where you’ll find a large area with tall, mushroom-shaped rock formations. 

Best Stops Las Vegas To Arches National Park (Southern Route)

If you’ve opted for the Southern Route, then you’ll find a multitude of fantastic places to stop. You could always opt to do this road trip as a loop, and take the North Route on the way out and then the Southern Route on the way back. 

Like before, we’ve listed the attractions in order as if you were driving from Las Vegas to Arches. If you are doing this as a loop and driving the Southern Route from Arches National park to Las Vegas, then do this list in reverse.  

1. Hoover Dam

The first stop you’ll make when driving from Las Vegas to Moab, Utah will be at the Hoover Dam. This historic concrete dam dates back to the Great Depression. When the dam is full, it’s the largest one of its kind in the whole of the US and falls nothing short of impressive. 

2. Goldstrike Canyon

This slot canyon is situated in the Arizona Strip region of the Grand Canyon. It’s a narrow and winding canyon with colorful sandstone walls, narrow passageways, and towering cliffs. If you’re interested in hiking and photography, then we highly recommend doing the six-mile trail here. 

3. Lake Mead

A stunning reservoir created by the Hoover Dam; Lake Mead is well worth a visit. Despite its water level dropping, you can still enjoy a boat ride, hike or admire the landscape around the reservoir. 

4. Kingman, Arizona

Kingman is a great choice if you’re looking for a diverse and lively city to stop at overnight. This city is located on the famous Route 66. Here you’ll find numerous museums dedicated to the area’s history, as well as stores to pick up any needed supplies. 

5. Havasu Falls

Havasu Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in the Grand Canyon and one of the most popular waterfalls in the whole country. The falls are made up of a series of cascades that drop over 100 feet into a pool of turquoise blue water.

This is a bit of a detour off the Southern Route, but it’s worth it if you have the time. You will have to get a permit to visit Havasu Falls, it’s also worth taking note that getting there is a multi-day overnight backpacking trip. 

6. Flagstaff

This town is known as the gateway to the Grand Canyon and is a great town to base yourself in to explore the area in more depth. You’ll find a great range of restaurants all with the backdrop of stunning mountain views. 

7. Coconino National Forest

If the Las Vegas to Moab drive time is getting tiresome, then take a detour to the pretty region of Sedona. Here you’ll find some beautiful places to camp and even some incredible Sedona waterfalls! You could plan to camp in Sedona for a couple of days and enjoy the Sedona hiking trails before continuing with your road trip. 

 8. Grand Canyon South Rim Or Wupatki National Monument 

You have two great places to stop here. The Grand Canyon South Rim is located on the south side of the canyon, where you’ll find spectacular views of the canyon. You’ll find a whole load of easily accessible viewpoints, such as Mather Point.

Alternatively, you could visit the Wupatki National Monument. This was once home to a thriving Native American community, what remains are the Pueblos and other formations in the landscape.

9. Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend

Although this is a bit of a detour on your Las Vegas to Moab, Utah road trip, it’s 100% doable if you stay overnight close to here, at the Grand Canyon or in Flagstaff.

Antelope Canyon is one of the most visited and photographed slot canyons in Arizona and possibly in all of the world. It features smooth, wavy walls that are made up of colorful rock layers of various hues or reds and oranges.

Choosing between Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon can be difficult, but they are both fantastic so you will definitely enjoy either one. Since you have to take a guided tour to see either canyon, make sure you do some research on the best Antelope Canyon tour options.

If you’re trying to decide when to visit Antelope Canyon but choose to visit in the winter, you might be one of the lucky ones who get to see the canyon without all the crowds, and even possibly with a gorgeous dusting of snow!

Horseshoe Bend is a horseshoe-shaped meander of the Colorado River. The bend in the Colorado River that makes up the horseshoe is at 180°, the river literally double backs on itself in the 270 feet high canyon walls. 

10. Monument Valley

Monument Valley is famous for its panoramic views of towering sandstone buttes and mesas, which are the remains of ancient sand dunes that have been eroded over time.

The region is home to several Native American tribes, including the Navajo and Hopi, who have lived in the area for centuries. Monument Valley is a popular destination on the Southern Route partly because it’s featured in numerous films and television shows.

11. Goosenecks State Park

Another great place to stop at is the Goosenecks State Park. Here you’ll find photogenic views of the meandering San Juan River as well as dramatic canyon walls. The park is also home to several interesting geological features, including hoodoos.

12. Monticello

Monticello is a small town known for its historic center and old buildings located on the Old Spanish Trail. It is also home to the Verde Valley Archaeology Center, which is a great place to learn about the region’s ancient cultures.

It’s a good base for outdoor enthusiasts, with access to hiking and biking trails. The town also has a great selection of restaurants, shops, and amenities. 

13. Canyonlands National Park

Stop off to take in the dramatic landscape of Canyonlands National Park. You’ll find towering rock pinnacles and remote canyons. This is a great spot if you enjoy mountain biking, or simply hiking amongst the impressive formations. 

Canyonlands is very close to Arches which is great because that means you only need to book one place to stay in Moab and you can visit both parks.

Overall Best Route From Las Vegas To Arches National Park

It’s a tough call choosing which route is the overall best route for the Las Vegas to Moab road trip. They’re both outstanding. 

The biggest benefit of the Northern Route is that it’s the shorter route, at 540 miles compared to the 810 miles it takes to drive the Southern Route. If you’re worried about the cost of gas or just not great at driving long distances then the Northern Route will probably be the better route for you. 

If you’re not phased by the distance and driving time then the Southern Route does give you more opportunities to see other National Parks and monuments. If you have some decent vacation time, then this is the better option for slow travel, stopping off at each park to explore. 

It really comes down to a personal choice of what you want to see and how much you’re willing to drive. They are both outstanding, so whichever road trip you choose, you won’t be disappointed.

Of course, don’t forget to save some time for exploring and hiking all the Arches National Park trails once you get there!

Best Time For A Road Trip From Las Vegas To Arches National Park

You can potentially do your Las Vegas Arches National Park all year round. The main factor you’ll want to consider is the temperature and crowds. 

In the summer months temperatures in this part of Utah can be quite intense. On occasions, it reaches over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The summer is also when most crowds flock to the area. Flash flooding can also occur at this time of year. 

The winters attract fewer crowds, and temperatures range between 30 and 50 degrees, which might be more comfortable for hiking. The problem at this time of year is that the low temperatures may bring snow making the trails dangerous or possible (but unlikely) road closures along the way. 

We suggest doing your road trip during the shoulder season to make the most of more moderate temperatures. To avoid the crowds during the spring and fall, set out early in the day, or late in the afternoon. This is also a great time to see the spring blossoms and colorful fall foliage. 

What Is The Fastest Way To Get From Las Vegas To Arches National Park?

If the distance from Las Vegas to Arches National Park feels a little daunting, then you could get here by flying. The closest airport is Canyonlands Field (CNY) which is just 11 miles from the park entrance. Alternatively, Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) is 109 miles away. You could rent a car, and drive from there. 

If you do want to drive, then the Northern Route is the shorter of the two. You’d be able to do this drive over two days of driving, and just stop off at one of the parks or monuments along the way. Although you won’t see as much, it will make the journey from Las Vegas to Moab quicker. 

Things To Do Near Arches National Park

As well as doing the Arches Las Vegas road trip, why not extend your trip a little longer and check out some other great attractions close by? Here are our recommendations:

• Go rafting down the Colorado River
• Hike Mesa Arch Trail in Canyonlands National Park 
• Drive the La Sal Mountain Loop
• Rent ATVs and go on an off-roading adventure
• Hike Fisher Towers Trail near Castle Valley
• Go mountain biking + river rafting on this adventure
• Hike Dead Horse Rim Loop Trail in Dead Horse Point State Park
• Hike Corona Arch Trail

Las Vegas To Arches National Park FAQs

Here are the answers to some of the common questions we get asked about doing this Las Vegas to Moab, Utah road trip.