On leaving Las Vegas, head south on Route 95 to Oatman (2 hrs 15 mins). This is where your Route 66 road trip begins. Travellers too often skip Oatman and start directly in Kingman.
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If you want to start from the “official” beginning you can start your Route 66 journey from either Jackson Boulevard at Michigan Avenue or Jackson Boulevard at Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. These beginning points are just a couple of blocks apart.
Visiting Both Destinations In One DayHoover Dam is located strategically between Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon South and West Rim. Therefore, it is easy to find day tours from Vegas where travelers can do both attractions in one day.
The West Rim is the closest rim to Las Vegas. It is located about 130 miles from the heart of Las Vegas. On average, the drive takes approximately two and a half hours. Both the North Rim and South Rim are located over 270 miles from the Las Vegas Strip.
May and September are considered good months to travel Route 66 if you're not a fan of the intense heat that comes with the summer months - you get the benefits of fair weather and reduced tourism. June, July and August are the peak months in terms of both tourism and temperature.
Although it is no longer possible to drive US 66 uninterrupted all the way from Chicago to Los Angeles, much of the original route and alternate alignments are still drivable with careful planning. Some stretches are quite well preserved, including one between Springfield, Missouri, and Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Distance from Las Vegas to the West RimThe West Rim (also known as the Grand Canyon West) is roughly 130 miles (210 km) from Las Vegas. The drive takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. This route isn't difficult, as long as you're prepared — there aren't many services along the road.
The Grand Canyon North Rim, almost a 5-hour car ride from Las Vegas, is definitely a car ride for the dedicated. But if you can tolerate 268 miles in a car, the more remote North Rim will reward you with smaller crowds and some of the Grand Canyon's best views.
If you're planning to stay in Las Vegas, taking a day trip to the canyon is well worth it and can get you out of the city to indulge in a truly unique outdoor experience.
Route 66 crosses eight states and three time zones. Some of the best-preserved sections include the stretch between Springfield, Missouri and Tulsa, Oklahoma; the road west of Seligman, Arizona; and the Oatman Highway through the Black Hills of Arizona.
Route 66 became a popular route because of the active promotion of the U.S 66 Highway Association, which advertised it as “the shortest, best and most scenic route from Chicago through St. Louis to Los Angeles.”
Driving Route 66 in 1 week will be a bit of a time crunch but if you plan out all your stops ahead of time, you can definitely do it. You'll likely have to take the highway at times but as often as you can, you should follow the original Route 66 route.
For a Day and Go to Grand Canyon West. Did you know the Grand Canyon West Rim is about two hours from Las Vegas, Nevada? You can leave the city that never sleeps, travel to a world wonder and be back in time for dinner.
A Grand Canyon day trip from Las Vegas can be quick and easy or you can book a full day exciting adventure. In just a few short hours, travelers can explore the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, the Mojave Desert, Colorado River, Lake Mead, and more famous landscapes.