six days . five parks . four states . 1,600 miles
2022 Solo Southwest Road Trip
Thursday, March 17 to Tuesday, March 22, 2022
03.17.22 . Day 1 – Joshua Tree National Park
03.18.22 . Day 2 – Grand Canyon National Park, Horseshoe Bend
03.19.22 . Day 3 – Day 1 in Zion National Park, Hike Angel’s Landing
03.20.22 . Day 4 – Day 2 in Zion National Park, Hike The Narrows and Watchman Trail
03.21.22 . Day 5 – Valley of Fire State Park, Las Vegas
03.22.22 . Day 6 – Death Valley National Park
When and with whom
While visiting my Grandpa in Palm Springs, California, I took the opportunity to borrow his extra vehicle and take it on a solo road trip loop through the southwest. My Grandpa’s extra vehicle is Corvette that is hardly ever driven and ended up having electrical problems which truly had an impact on this trip. Between visiting auto shops and getting jump starts at gas stations, I had to make sure I traveled during daylight hours. This vehicle also has no ground clearance which meant I had to stay on blacktop roads. With all of that said, the car got fixed on Day 5 and ended up being just another part of this adventure.
Had I had a regular, reliable vehicle I would have had more time at the Grand Canyon, been able to make a tour of Antelope Canyon, and added in some dirt-road destinations like Grand Escalante National Forest and The Wave (if I would have been granted a permit). Regardless, I hope this itinerary inspires or helps string together your own southwest road trip.
