Best Trip Route to drive to Grand Canyon from Wisconsin in 2 days

[rmay635703]

Just curious, I am thinking I will be stuck flying but is there a way to get down there without encountering chain laws, snow drifts and other BS.

Normal route would be I70 through Colorado but it appears going far south then over is a better idea?

Or maybe not probably too early even on main throughoufares ?

Looks like historic route 66 might be a better bet since its much further south

Any ideas?

[acparker]

If you want to avoid winter weather, timing is the most important thing. Not having control of your departure time, the best option is driving south to I-40. A winter storm will still get you, especially on the higher passes, late into spring and even early summer.

I think I-40 is probably the most direct route to the South Rim. I-70 is certainly more picturesque, once you pass Denver, but you have to travel equally picturesque but slower speed highways to get to the South Rim, with plenty of attractions to distract you as you pass by.

To get the trip done in 2 days, getting west as soon as you can helps, as the interstate speed limits are higher (80 in most of rural Utah, for example).

The Grand Canyon at the South Rim is at 7,000 feet and the North Rim is over 8,000 feet, so snow and cold can linger well into summer.

I assume you would be flying to Las Vegas. It is still about a four hour drive to the South Rim or North Rim and you will be at higher elevations the last hour or so.

Again, it is all about timing and luck. Looks like nice weather at the South Rim for the next few weeks, getting downright warm by May.

[California98Civic]

I second a southern route. And I would recommending considering going through Taos NM. There, you could visit a 1000 year old continuously occupied Pueblo. And the place from which Pope (pronounced Poh-pay) conceived of his 1680 anticolonial rebellion against the Spanish. From there go through the Navaho and Hopi reservations. All of this on secondary highways most of the time. You could grab US 183 off I-80 just west of Kearney NB to start to secondary route.

[redpoint5]

https://binged.it/2Hy80Ul

[rmay635703]

I have 9 days of vacation and it looks like it’s going to be a road trip along Route 66 (i40)

I don’t need to make the trip in a specific duration but was indicating my departure is tomorrow.

I like to fly by the seat of my pants so we will see what distractions get me, I hope to basically just drive out there then take my time on the way out.

I may make it to the Canyon or may not , may make it up to Monument valley but I question that I will have the time, probably not but never know,

If the weather is crappy on out I will probably make great time

[redpoint5]

My link was to Zion, which is at least 10x better than the Grand Canyon. Now is probably a good time to go.