55 Southwest USA Road Trip Ideas
Are you planning a Southwest USA road trip? This list of road trip itineraries for visiting the American Southwest will come in handy!
There are so many US Southwest vacation ideas that include national parks, state parks, scenic byways, roadside attractions and more to see and photograph!

We’ve collaborated with fellow travelers to provide this list of the best ideas to plan your US Southwest road trip vacation.
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Southwest USA Road Trip Ideas
American Southwest Road Trip Guide: 8 Day Itinerary
An 8-Day Southwest road trip loop starting and ending in New Mexico, with stops in Arizona, Utah and Colorado. Detailed itinerary of things to see, places to stay, where to eat and more!
The Perfect American Southwest Road Trip Itinerary in 10 Days
Here’s my version of a “perfect” 10-day road trip itinerary for the American Southwest, based on a road trip I took in April. (But you can totally do this same trip any time of year – the Southwest in winter is actually pretty great!)
The Best 12-Day American Southwest Road Trip Itinerary
An epic American Southwest road trip should be on everyone’s bucket list. Here’s the perfect southwest itinerary to see the best of what this amazing region has to offer in 12 days.
40+ US Southwest National Parks Guides, Tips, and Packing Lists
We have created a list of US Southwest National Parks guides, tips, and packing checklists to help you plan your trip.
Ultimate American Southwest Road Trip – USA Itinerary through National Parks
How to make the most of your stay in the USA? Use this awesome 2-week American Southwest road trip itinerary then have an amazing time exploring the area!
Take the path less traveled on your Southwest US road trip!
Five day itinerary for a Los Angeles to Denver road trip. Here’s all you need to know about the route, stops and what I’d do differently.
Small Loop Road Trip to the Grand Canyon and the Southwest Parks
An eight day road trip itinerary to the Grand Canyon that covers the Small Loop from Las Vegas and features Zion National Park as well as Bryce Canyon National Park.
Our Epic 2 Week Utah Arizona Road Trip: Top 10 Stops You Cannot Miss!
Visiting National Parks in Utah was high on my bucket list. But I wanted more than just a southern Utah road trip…I wanted to see so many places in Arizona too! The top 10 CANNOT miss things to do on an Arizona Utah road trip.
Things to Do in Arizona
13 Best Stops on a Northern Arizona Road Trip
This itinerary is flexible, short enough for a weekend trip, or a week-long vacation.
An Adventure-Packed Arizona Road Trip
This itinerary focuses on central and northern Arizona and takes about 5 days.
Planning a Trip to the Breathtaking Antelope Canyon
A visit here is a bucket list destination for many people, but planning a visit to Antelope Canyon can be daunting. This is Navajo tribal land and can only be accessed with a Navajo guide.
Roadtrip: One Day in Page Arizona – Visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon
My experience visiting Horseshoe Bend, a must-see when in Page, Arizona.
Highlights of Page, Arizona
Tips and things to do when visiting Page, Arizona!
Amazing 7 Day Arizona Itinerary
7 day road trip through Arizona including the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and so much more.
36 Hour Itinerary – What to Do in Tucson, Arizona (+ where to eat, drink, and stay!
Fun Tucson activities include hiking in the wilderness, horseback riding, mountain biking, golfing, scenic drives, snow skiing, exploring fascinating museums and missions, and eating possibly the best Mexican food north of the border to feed your soul.
Pack Field Trip to the Most Dog-Friendly Winery in Southern Arizona
Well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome visitors at Rancho Rossa Vineyards unless they are hosting an event that day.
The Most Awesome Things to do in Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Lake Havasu City boasts an eclectic history, a thriving Main Street, and a busy waterfront area.
Gun Smoke and Gambling – Your Complete Guide to a Great Day at Old Tucson Studios
Old Tucson, the movie set turned theme park, was once the second-most visited destination in Arizona after the Grand Canyon. Here’s everything you need to know before you visit.
Must See Arizona Attractions
There’s never a shortage of spectacular scenery or memorable things to do in Arizona. It encompasses a beautiful, diverse range of climate, geography, and Arizona attractions.
Things to Do in California
12 Of The BEST Things To Do In California
California is a state that spans 900 miles along the Pacific. As such, there are a lot of things to do in California, with each city and town having its own unique flare.
2 Days in San Diego: A Los Angeles to San Diego Road Trip
If you’re looking for some ideas for your San Diego itinerary I’ve put together some of my favorite things to do to help you start planning your San Diego getaway!
5 Fun Southern California Road Trip Stops To Make On Your Way Up The Coast
A Day in Joshua Tree National Park
Here is the best way to spend one day in Joshua Tree National Park.
Tour Keys Ranch in Joshua Tree National Park
If you’re planning a trip to this incredible desert park, you’ve got to put a tour of Keys Ranch in Joshua Tree on your itinerary!
The Perfect 2-Day Joshua Tree Itinerary
If you are planning a fun weekend getaway to Joshua Tree, keep reading on for the perfect 2-3 day Joshua Tree itinerary.
21 Fun Things To Do In Death Valley National Park
Awesome guide about 21 fun things to do in Death Valley National Park.
Best Salvation Mountain, Palm Springs, Pioneer Town SoCal Photo Spots — Katherine Mendieta Photography & Films
One of my favorite places in the Southern California Desert is the colorful oasis of Salvation Mountain. This one of a kind man made ‘mountain’ was created by artist Leonard Knight.
Los Angeles in 2 Days for the Outdoor Adventurer
This is my advice on how to enjoy the great outdoors in Los Angeles.
14 Things to do in Channel Islands National Park
Here are 14 things not to miss on your first visit to Channel Islands National Park.
Things to Do in New Mexico
10 Fun Things to Do When You Visit White Sands National Park
From sledding down the sand dunes to taking a ranger-led hike, here are ten fun things to do when you visit White Sands National Park.
New Mexico Backroads Adventure
Here’s a New Mexico backroads trip that’s one of our favorites. It includes national monuments and out-of-the-way destinations with plenty of history.
10 EPIC things to do in New Mexico with kids
From the food to the architecture, there is a uniqueness to New Mexico that many other states simply lack. And for those visiting New Mexico with kids, you’ll find no shortage of interesting things to do.
Road Trips in New Mexico: 17 Great Destinations
The very best road trips in New Mexico include a mix of historical sites, natural wonders, quirky attractions, majestic scenery and plenty of red and green chile.
New Mexico: Bisti Badlands, Ice Cave & Bandera Volcano, Las Cruces
Bisti is known for its alien mesas, buttes, and jenga-esque spires that appear precariously unbalanced, like drip-castles you make at the beach.
Alien Everything: Welcome to Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell is a fun stop on your way to or from Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
A Guide to the Las Cruces Water Tank Murals in New Mexico (Map Included)
The Las Cruces water tank murals use a modern day canvas to share the area's culture and history. See all of them in less than an hour using this guide. Map included!
Albuquerque From Above: A Hot Air Balloon Adventure On A New Mexico Road Trip
Learn all about one of the best things to do in Albuquerque!
Things to Do in Texas
Things to do in West Texas: A West Texas Road Trip
With its stunning desert landscapes, the quirkiness of its small towns, and staggeringly beautiful national parks, it’s impossible not to love this hard-to-reach corner of the world.
Your ultimate West Texas road trip – 12 fun stops
Tips for planning the perfect West Texas road trip.
The River Road: The Most Scenic Drive in Texas
Tips to plan your next trip down the West Texas Camino del Rio down the Rio Grande.
Cadillac Ranch: A Cadillac Graveyard on Route 66 In Amarillo, Texas
This is a great quick stop to break up a long drive, especially if you like weird, quirky roadside attractions.
Things to Do in Utah
Utah National Park Road Trip Itinerary
The perfect Utah National Park road trip itinerary that will cover all 5 parks in this amazing state!
13 Fantastic Zion National Park Hikes -
Zion National Park hikes are some of the best in the entire world. This guide details 13 of the best easy, moderate and strenuous hikes at Zion!
Tips For Visiting Zion National Park for Two Days
Here are our tips for visiting Zion National Park for two days as well as some family-friendly hikes.
Best Bryce Canyon Views and Photo Spots
People come from around the world to see the amazing Bryce Canyon views and capture the beauty with photos. We share information and photo tips for each viewpoint so you can take the most amazing pictures at Bryce Canyon.
An Expert's Guide to Arches National Park Photography
Arches National Park photo tips, a list of best photo spots and the camera gear you’ll need to take pictures at Arches!
Weekend Getaway Guide to South Utah
Details to plan the perfect weekend getaway to Southern Utah!
Definitely bookmarking this post. We’re hoping to do an epic road trip through Arizona and Utah later this year. These articles and itineraries are really helpful. I’m already zigging and zagging our route. Thank you for including our dog-friendly trip idea to a SW winery. Bernie and Lizzie send Doodle kisses.
It’s so nice to get ‘real life’ experiences of visiting a place so thank you for sharing yours!
This is an awesome collection and so helpful with all the best Southwest road trip products! Thanks for including me and sharing!
We appreciate your contribution to help others plan an awesome Southwest USA road trip!