If you’ve been craving wide-open spaces, quiet mornings, and the kind of scenery that reminds you how small your problems really are, this road trip is the one. It’s simple, doable, and packed with some of the most beautiful places in America. This is the kind of adventure that resets your soul.
Here’s the exact route I recommend, along with realistic drive times and things to do along the way.
Day 1 — Medford to Crater Lake
Drive: About 75 miles — roughly 1.5 hours
Fly into Medford, pick up your rental car, and make a quick stop at Walmart for a styrofoam cooler and simple groceries.
Then head straight for Crater Lake National Park. The drive is peaceful, full of pines, and gets prettier the closer you get.
Settle in for the night near the park so you can wake up early.
Day 2 — Crater Lake to Crescent City, CA
Drive: About 140 miles — around 3 hours
Start your morning with those deep-blue Crater Lake views. Walk the rim, take pictures, breathe it in.
By early afternoon, hit the road toward Crescent City. This drive is gorgeous—mountains, forest, and that feeling of crossing into the Redwood region where everything suddenly feels ancient and enormous.
Day 3 — Explore the Redwoods, then Crescent City to Eureka
Drive: Around 85 miles — about 2 hours
Me enjoying the California Redwoods
Spend your morning among the Redwoods. You can easily stop for:
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A short nature walk among the giants
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A scenic pull-off for photos
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A quiet picnic under the trees
Continue south to Eureka for the night. This stretch isn’t long, so take your time and enjoy the coastal views.
Day 4 — Eureka to Yosemite Valley
Drive: This is your long-haul day — roughly 350–400 miles, about 7–8 hours
Leave early and settle into the drive. This is a day of changing scenery: ocean, farmland, foothills, mountains.
Arrive in Yosemite Valley for the night—welcome to one of the most breathtaking places in the country.
Day 5 — Yosemite National Park
A full day to soak it in.
You can choose from:
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A valley walk to see El Capitan and Bridalveil Falls
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Tunnel View for sunrise or sunset
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A calm riverside picnic
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Biking or a gentle hike if you want more activity
Watch the sunset while looking east, yes I said east, at Glacier Point
This day will fill your camera and your heart.
Day 6 — Yosemite to Lee Vining, Mono Lake, then Death Valley, ending near Las Vegas
Drive: Yosemite Valley to Lee Vining is about 80 miles (2 hours depending on Tioga Pass conditions).
Lake Mono
Lee Vining to Death Valley is roughly 150–180 miles (3.5–4.5 hours).
Death Valley to Las Vegas area is around 140 miles (2.5 hours).
Make the short drive over to Lee Vining and stop at Mono Lake—an otherworldly place worth stretching your legs and snapping a few pictures.
Then continue south toward Death Valley National Park. By evening, stay near the Las Vegas area so you’re rested for the next day.
Day 7 — Vegas to Grand Canyon (South Rim), stopping at Hoover Dam
Drive: About 275 miles — roughly 4.5–5 hours
Leave Las Vegas and stop at Hoover Dam—it's a quick visit but worth seeing, even if just for some photos.
Then continue to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Settle in for your first Canyon sunset.
Day 8 — Grand Canyon
Slow down. Take it in.
Walk the Rim Trail, sit at an overlook, or ride the shuttle to viewpoints.
There’s no rush here.
Day 9 — Another Day at the Grand Canyon
Use this day for whatever your heart needs:
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A gentle hike
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A sunrise moment
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A slow day reading or journaling by the canyon
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Or simply more wandering and exploring
Two days here feels perfect.
Day 10 — Grand Canyon to Flagstaff and Fly Home
Drive: About 80 miles — roughly 1.5 hours
Take one last look at the canyon before making the short drive to Flagstaff to catch your flight home.
Want This Planned Out Perfectly for You?
If you want help picking the right hotels, knowing exactly where to stop, choosing the best trails, or planning daily activities, I’d love to put together a customized road trip plan for you.
Glacier Point view of Half Dome
I charge a small planning fee only for my road trip services because these itineraries take time to map out—but this is the only time I charge a fee. Once you’re booked, everything else I do for you is completely free.
If you want a trip like this (or any route across the U.S.), I’d love to help you plan it from start to finish.
mspanostravels@gmail.com
Reach out and let's start planning your National parks Road trip,
Michelle Spanos
Travel Agent and lover of the outdoors.
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| Outdoors Mt Washington, NH |