Does this route sound reasonable?

Question

I would be grateful for any suggestions/criticisms for the following route.

We are leaving in 10 days time. Heading to LV for 4 days then having to make our way to Texas to visit friends. We are trying to do this in 4/5 days but taking in the sights as we do. We have our two children aged 19 & 21 with us.

Friday: Leave LV to Willow Beach - half day kayaking early start. Then head to Mather Point via Kingman and Peach Springs. Stay night in lodgings close to Mather Point.

Saturday: Head to Flagstaff. Either stay over night in Flagstaff or head further south close to Sedona ? Want to visit Oak Creek Canyon.

Sunday : Head to Tucson - either from Flagstaff or Sedona depending on where we stayed the night before

Monday: Tucson to El Paso (Texas)

Tuesday: El Paso to Fredericksburg

What do you think? Are there any places on route that you would recommend? Is it better staying at Flagstaff or Sedona on the Saturday night?

Never been to the West Coast of America. Any advice gratefully received.

Answer

Your proposed route from Las Vegas to Texas over 4–5 days is ambitious but doable if you are comfortable with long driving stretches. With two adult children, you have flexibility, but planning your stops and overnight stays carefully will make it more enjoyable.

Here’s a day-by-day assessment and recommendations:

Friday – LV to Willow Beach & Grand Canyon (Mather Point): Starting with a half-day kayak at Willow Beach is a good idea if you leave early. The drive from LV to Willow Beach is about 1.5 hours, then allow 2–3 hours for kayaking. From Willow Beach to Mather Point via Kingman and Peach Springs is roughly 4–5 hours driving. You’ll arrive mid-to-late afternoon, giving you enough time for sunset at Mather Point. Staying near the South Rim (Tusayan) is convenient for exploring the Grand Canyon the next morning.
Saturday – Grand Canyon to Flagstaff or Sedona: If you want to explore Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona’s red rocks, staying near Sedona is more logical. Flagstaff is about 1.5 hours from the South Rim; Sedona adds another 45 minutes but places you closer to the canyon views for Sunday morning. Spending the night in Sedona also lets you enjoy evening dining and sunset over the red rocks.
Sunday – Sedona/Flagstaff to Tucson: Driving from Sedona to Tucson is about 4.5–5 hours, from Flagstaff about 5–5.5 hours. If you leave Sedona early, you could take a short detour through Montezuma Castle National Monument or Jerome for some unique stops.
Monday – Tucson to El Paso: This leg is about 4.5–5 hours. Consider leaving early to have time for lunch stops or minor sightseeing along the way (e.g., White Sands detour is ambitious but beautiful if time allows).
Tuesday – El Paso to Fredericksburg: This is the longest stretch, around 8–9 hours driving. Leaving very early is advised, or consider splitting into two shorter drives with a midway stop in Sonora or Junction, TX.

Additional recommendations:

Staying in Sedona on Saturday night is preferable if you want to enjoy Oak Creek Canyon and Red Rock scenery; Flagstaff is more practical if you prefer less driving and a more central northern Arizona base.
Ensure you book accommodations early, especially near the Grand Canyon and Sedona, as these areas fill quickly.
Check road conditions in Oak Creek Canyon; some scenic roads are narrow and winding.
Bring snacks and water for the long driving stretches, especially through remote Arizona desert areas.
Optional detours include: Hoover Dam near LV (if time allows on Friday morning), Montezuma Castle National Monument near Camp Verde, and Jerome for historic mining town charm.

Overall, the route is reasonable but quite tight. Prioritize key stops (Grand Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon) and be flexible with optional sightseeing along the way. Planning early departures and limiting too many detours will help keep the trip enjoyable and not overly exhausting.

Does this route sound reasonable?

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