Driving from south Rim to Page

Question

Hi,

We are planning on going to Page tomorrow and thinking of driving out of the East entrance after visiting the watch tower on desert drive. Google maps is giving it a shorter time.. anything that we need to be aware of as it seems to be not as popular route?

Answer

Driving from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to Page via the East Entrance (Desert View Drive) is a viable option and can save some time compared to going back to the main South Rim exit toward US-89. However, there are a few things to keep in mind for this route.

Route Overview:

From Grand Canyon Village, take Desert View Drive east, stopping at the Watchtower if desired.
Exit the park via the Desert View Entrance onto AZ-64 East, which connects to US-89 North toward Page.
The total driving distance from Desert View Entrance to Page is roughly 140–150 miles and takes about 2.5 to 3 hours without stops.

Considerations:

Desert View Drive is scenic with several overlooks, so allow extra time if you want to stop.
There are fewer services along this route than the main highway, so fuel up in the village or Tusayan before heading out.
The road is well-paved but can be winding in sections and may have wildlife, especially at dawn or dusk.
In winter months, check for snow or icy patches on the road, particularly in shaded areas along the rim.

Benefits:

Less traffic than the main route back through Tusayan and US-180.
Beautiful views of the eastern Grand Canyon and Little Colorado River gorge.
Direct connection to US-89 North toward Page, making it convenient for your next destination.

Overall, this is a safe and scenic route and is commonly used by visitors heading toward Page and Lake Powell. Just make sure your vehicle is fueled, allow extra time for stops, and drive cautiously on any curves or shaded areas.

Driving from south Rim to Page

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