Summary

• Route & duration: This 974-mile scenic drive takes approximately 15.5 hours from Grand Canyon National Park to Rocky Butte in Portland, Oregon, with no major tolls on primary highways.
• 12 natural landmarks: The journey passes through iconic destinations including Bryce Canyon, Zion, Valley of Fire, Death Valley, Yosemite, and Crater Lake National Parks.
• Best time and car rentals: September offers ideal weather and fewer crowds; book a Hertz rental at regional airports (Flagstaff, Saint George, or Fresno), with SUVs recommended for remote conservation areas.

The drive from Arizona to Oregon

The drive from the Grand Canyon National Park in Nevada to Rocky Butte in Portland, Oregon, takes around 15.5 hours in a 974-mile journey. The key highways involved are US-95 North, US-26 West, I-15 North, US-93 North and I-84 West. There are no major tolls on these routes.

Starting point: Stop 1: Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon in Arizona is one of the greatest and most spectacular valleys in the world – a fitting start to this amazing tour of American landscapes. The famous canyon stretches 277 miles along the Colorado River, is up to 18 miles wide and up to a mile deep, and is officially designated a U.S. National Park.

Join the awe-struck visitors gazing at the sensational views along the twists of the canyon from look-out points on both the North and South Rim. And don’t miss the spine-tingling Grand Canyon Skywalk – a glass viewing platform 2,000ft above the river.

Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) is the closest Hertz location to the Grand Canyon, with Nissans proving popular car rentals there.

Stop 2: Bryce Canyon National Park

‘Forests’ of orange stone pillars create a series of surreal amphitheaters along Bryce Canyon, also a National Park in southwestern Utah.

Thousands of these rock pinnacles huddle around the landscape and are the result of unusual erosion – one of the most famous being Bryce Canyon’s Thor’s Hammer – standing at 150 feet tall. The pillars, known as ‘hoodoos’, create an exotic landscape that’s as memorable for summer hiking or biking tours as it is for cross-country skiing or sleigh rides in winter.

Local experts say that the best time to visit it is any time of year, but the best time of day to catch the rocks is under the warm light of a sunrise or sunset. Saint George Regional Airport (sgu) is the nearest Hertz pick-up point.

Stop 3: Zion National Park

The drive from Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park takes around one hour and 20 minutes, on a journey across approximately 72 miles of mesmerizing natural beauty. Discover a world of sheer cliffs, deep canyons and high jagged mountains in the remote south-west corner of Utah. See powerful natural panoramas from a series of memorable driving routes through the heart of the national park, or stop to hike some of America’s best trails.

Zion is loved by serious wildlife spotters, walkers and climbers, but even the least energetic visitors can find plenty of family-friendly campsites and easy beginners’ courses in outdoor activities. Saint George Regional Airport is also within good reach of Zion National Park. Pique your wanderlust with more ideas for road trips in Utah.

Stop 4: Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area

In Utah’s dry scrubland that borders the neighboring states of Arizona and Nevada, visitors can discover this vast specially protected area. There’s one road, Highway 91, and one waterway, the Virgin River. Apart from that, it’s a large tract of wild country that’s perfect for exploring the American outback. While wandering, watch out for rare desert tortoises and bighorn sheep among the Joshua trees, juniper and blackbrush bushes.

Saint George Regional Airport is around 45 miles and a one-hour drive away from Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area. Harry Reid International Airport is around 110 miles, taking 1.5 to two hours to drive. SUVs and pickup trucks may be good vehicles to rent for this road trip, as they offer both powerful performance and size, great for driving the long country roads. Find out more ideas for road trips in Arizona.

Stop 5: Valley of Fire State Park

Deep in the Mojave Desert is Valley of Fire State Park. Nevada’s oldest and biggest state park is still one of its natural highlights, having opened in 1934 . It’s a scenic drive right across the park on the ‘Valley of Fire Road’ and prepare to be amazed by red rock formations of weird and wonderful shapes, like delicate arches or striped ‘beehives’.

Explore further to find prehistoric rock art, spectacular geological sights, rare wildlife and the locations of many films, including Star Trek, Transformers and The Professionals. North Las Vegas - E. Craig Road is the closest Hertz branch – a 40-minute, 45-mile drive along the I-15 North, with Fords being popular rental cars here.

Stop 6: Red Rock Canyon

Just 17 miles from the glittering lights of the Las Vegas Strip, find yourself in another world at Red Rock Canyon – a protected open-space desert area state park of huge red sandstone peaks and cliffs.

When you drive the 13-mile, one-way scenic road through the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, it’s easy to see rock walls 3,000ft high, and distinctive Mojave Desert plants. It’s a popular spot for outdoor activities like climbing, hiking and biking, but don’t miss the interesting visitor center and bookshop.

The Las Vegas - West Sahara Avenue Hertz is a stone’s throw away, 15 miles and 20 minutes’ drive, with Teslas popular with renters. Explore other Nevada road trip suggestions here.

Stop 7: Death Valley National Park

Eastern California’s famous Death Valley National Park is the lowest, hottest and driest place in the U.S. These extremes make it a must-visit sight for any adventurous traveller. Among the 3,000 square miles of national park, highlights include Badwater Basin, which is 282ft below sea level, and Furnace Creek, which holds the world record for the highest air temperature: 57°C. Look out for the Mesquite Flat’s 100ft sand dunes, Mosaic Canyon’s twisting striped marble walls and the wooden boardwalk through the strange ponds and weeds of Salt Creek.

The Harry Reid International Airport, NV (East Approach) Hertz is approximately 120 miles and two hours away on the eastern side of the park.

Stop 8: Yosemite National Park

Spread around one of the world’s most scenic valleys, the thousand square miles of Yosemite National Park in California offer a fabulous range of mountains, waterfalls, giant sequoia forests, ancient bristlecone pines, sparkling clear lakes and high ice glaciers.

The scenic highlights include the Yosemite Valley outlook known as Tunnel View, the sheer El Capitan cliff-face and the jagged Cathedral Peak. And try to spot the highest point at the heart of the park, the 13,120ft, snow-capped Mount Lyell.

The Hertz location at Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is the closest to the park, taking around one hour and 15 minutes to drive.

Stop 9: Fly Geyser

On the edge of the Black Rock Desert, discover the alien-looking Fly Geyser in Nevada – a geological phenomenon pumping out a fountain of scalding hot water spurting up from deep underground.

From the road, you can see the geyser that was created accidentally by drilling down and hitting a geothermal water supply. The oddly shaped mineral deposit lumps around its spout are brightly colored red and green by algae. And look out for other smaller geysers in the same area that are growing and spreading.

The Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is 127 miles away, taking just over two hours to drive in your Hertz car rental. Discover more California road trip ideas from Hertz.

Stop 10: Crater Lake National Park

Visit Crater Lake National Park in Oregon – America’s deepest lake in the flooded crater of an enormous collapsed volcano. From the Rim Drive road, Crater Lake looks as dramatic as it sounds, with steep wooded cliffs surrounding a vast circle of water, and the remains of the former volcano cone poking up as an island in the middle. Thanks to a total absence of pollution, the water here is said to be some of the purest in the world.

Just 63 miles away is the Hertz location at Medford Rogue Valley International Airport, with Nissans quite popular here. While you’re in the area, check out some more Oregon road trip suggestions.

Stop 11: Cape Perpetua (Thor’s Well)

It’s not a valley, but Cape Perpetua is a fantastic scenic geographic area that is definitely worth a detour. It’s a heavily forested headland that extends into the Pacific from the Oregon shore along Route 101.

The Cape rises more than 800ft from the sea, giving distant views in all directions. The shore itself is full of features, like ‘Thor’s Well’, a seawater fountain caused by the tide and rock faults, and the ‘Devil’s Churn’, a violent stretch of water caused by a huge crack in the rocks.

The Newport Municipal Airport (onp) Hertz location is the closest to here, just 29 miles/40 minutes’ drive, with Fords frequently rented here.

Finish point: Rocky Butte

Bring your trip to a glorious end by looking back over the hazy Oregon landscape at the stunning viewpoint Rocky Butte in Portland. Head to Joseph Wood Hill Park for the best view, where you’ll be able to gaze out over the Rose City and beyond in every direction possible.

Park up and enjoy views of the West Hills of Portland and the show-stopping Mount Hood volcano to the east. On a clear day, you might catch a glimpse of Mount Jefferson too. Time it perfectly to watch the sun go down as you reach the top for a truly memorable way to end your trip.

You’ve got a few options to pick up a car rental here, including Portland International Airport (PDX) and Portland Marriott Downtown.

Into the Valleys road trip, let’s go!

If you’re traversing the valleys in Oregon or California, or enjoying one of the best scenic drives in Arizona – Hertz is a steady road trip companion, making road trips fun and easy to enjoy.

Now it’s time you took your own road trip. With a vast fleet of the latest vehicles, a smooth reservation process, and full support throughout – you can rely on Hertz rentals to get you there.

Book a Hertz rental for your road trip