Roadtrip from SF to Page (AZ)

Question

Hi, We are a family of 4 travelling from Australia to the US next week!

Before anyone states it, I will say that I know we are trying to cover a lot in our 3 weeks. We land in SF and are only there for 1 night before we hire a car to Yosemite. 3 nights in Mariposa and then plan to drive to Vegas via Death Valley (overnight stay in Ridgecrest). Vegas is just a night stop before we travel to Grand Canyon South Rim for 2 nights, then further up to Page for 2 nights before travelling back to Vegas for a night and flying out to NYC for the last 10 days of our trip. All accommodation is booked and mostly paid for. I guess there will be around 5-6 hours of driving every couple of day - this is fine as we have done this with our kids in another road trip we undertook.

Now for some specific Questions

1. Do you think we will need snow chains to visit Yosemite (1-3 May)? If yes, then we will need to rework our itinerary to use YARTS.

2. Driving to Death Valley, what is a must have in our car?

3. Best place to buy supplies for the journey? Big towns or is the price pretty much similar along the way?

4. We have booked Canyon X tours at the time/date we wanted via Page but apart from that, everything else is fluid. Is there anything you recommend we should book before the day?

5. Lastly, any words of advice for fellow travellers or residents?

Thankyou in advance :-)

Answer

Your road trip plan sounds ambitious but very doable with proper preparation. Here are detailed answers and advice for each of your questions.

1. Snow chains for Yosemite (1–3 May):

Early May can still have snow at higher elevations, especially around Tioga Pass and some parts of Yosemite Valley. However, Yosemite Valley itself is usually snow-free by May. It’s unlikely you’ll need chains for standard roads in Yosemite Valley, but it’s wise to check the official Yosemite road conditions online a few days before your trip.
If any snow is present at higher elevations, chain requirements will be posted at the park entrances. Carrying chains is a safe precaution, especially if you plan to explore higher elevations.

2. Driving to Death Valley – must-haves for the car:

Extra water (at least 1 gallon per person per day) and snacks. Dehydration is a real risk in the desert.
Spare tires and a tire repair kit; tire blowouts are common in hot desert conditions.
Coolant and engine fluids checked and topped off; engine overheating can happen quickly.
Sun protection: hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, and light clothing.
Paper maps or offline navigation: cell coverage is spotty in remote areas.
Emergency kit with first aid, flashlight, blankets, and basic tools.
Fuel: fill up in major towns before entering Death Valley. Gas stations inside the park are limited and expensive.

3. Best places to buy supplies:

Stock up in larger towns like Mariposa, Fresno, or Las Vegas before entering remote stretches. Prices are generally higher in small towns like Ridgecrest or within national parks.
Major grocery chains (Safeway, Walmart, Trader Joe’s) in big towns offer wider selections and lower prices. Specialty items or snacks can be bought in smaller towns if needed.

4. Tours and bookings:

Since you have Canyon X tours booked, that’s great. Consider booking Grand Canyon helicopter tours, sunset viewpoints, or river raft tours in advance if those interest you—they sell out fast.
For popular viewpoints at the South Rim, reservations aren’t required, but arriving early avoids crowds.
If you plan on visiting Antelope Canyon or Horseshoe Bend during peak hours, you’ve done well with Canyon X. Otherwise, book timed-entry tickets for other popular tours ahead of time.

5. General advice for fellow travelers:

Start drives early in the day to avoid afternoon heat in deserts and to maximize sightseeing time.
Check weather forecasts daily, especially in desert areas where flash floods and heat advisories can occur.
Plan fuel stops carefully. Some stretches, especially between Ridgecrest and Death Valley or Page, have long distances with few services.
Carry cash for small park fees or tolls, though most accept cards.
Pack layered clothing: nights can be chilly in desert areas, while daytime can be very hot.
Take frequent breaks during long drives to rest and hydrate.

With careful planning and early starts, your itinerary is quite feasible and will allow you to see some amazing sights across California, Nevada, and Arizona.

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