Denver To Grand Canyon (Possible Google Earth Mistake?) (Durango, Colorado City: hotel, shop)

[Coloradohh]

Me and the fam are planning a trip out to Nevada again this year... On the way there we will be stopping in Denver for about 2-3 days, after denver we thought, hey lets hit up the grand canyon while were at it... well after typing in my route = denver to grand canyon <---------- Just like that, I found that google earth was routing me through Colorado (which is just fine by me) and then into Utah, (done this before, great views) but then all of a sudden Google Earth says, get off I-15 and take exit 17 Black Rock Rd... This is no Joke! this is literally a dirt road... after zooming in down to ground level, and adding my filters I did not see any gas stations around for miles! you would literally run out of Gas! There are no towns and no service areas! has anyone taken this road before? This is definatley out of the question for me but i am just curious...According to google earth you will be going through some serious back roads to then end right at the edge of a cliff. This is a nasty round trip ticket with no gas stations for miles! pack your gas... Go ahead google it and see for yourself.. best way to view this is through google earth...

[sterlinggirl]

That's only about 60 miles off the interstate, so running out of gas shouldn't be an issue. It looks like a fun drive.

[Coloradohh]

I just did a quick plot and from St. George Ut its 107miles one way to the edge of the cliff... so technically yes you can do this without stopping for gas round trip, but you better be in a honda civic or ford escort... try doing that in a minivan... either way it looks like a fun drive but thats flat tire country for sure! rocks and dirt and unpaved road = Flat tire.... good luck changing a tire out there.. I think google earth is wrong on this one... I actually canceled the Denver to Grand Canyon trip because i did not want to drive sound to NM and then West... I wanted to go through Colorado...

[dynimagelv]

You failed to specify "North or South Rim" it makes a differance of a LOTTA miles [it's a BIGGGG canyon]
From St George to the North rim there are several gas stations [Hilldale/Colorado City, Kanab, Fredonia, Jacob Lake] so it's not like you're goin thru Indian country in a covered wagon.

[treedonkey]

I just tried - using both google earth and google maps - it and got the same results. That's probably not what you want unless you're looking to get there in a very backroadsy way. The reason is that the Grand Canyon is a really big place and there are several access roads to different spots along the rim. By entering just 'Grand Canyon', google is just picking an access pont for you (it probably chooses that one because it's nearest the mouth of the canyon.

Most people visit GC via Highway 180 (state route 64) from the south because it's a better road and that's the quickest way there for anyone crossing the country along I40. From the north (which is where you'd be coming from after traversing CO and Utah), you might want to go to the North Rim via Hwy 89 to SR 64. Of course, gas stations are scarce and expensive anywhere in or near a nat'l Park, so it's good to make a habit of filling up whenever you're on half a tank.

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by dynimagelv

You failed to specify "North or South Rim" it makes a differance of a LOTTA miles [it's a BIGGGG canyon]
From St George to the North rim there are several gas stations [Hilldale/Colorado City, Kanab, Fredonia, Jacob Lake] so it's not like you're goin thru Indian country in a covered wagon.

Do you really wanna stop in Hilldale or Colorado City? Those 2 places aren't exactly on most people's top 10 list of out-of-the-way places they'd like to visit.

[dynimagelv]

I've stopped there on several occassions......as long as you dont stare and ask too many questions it's ok.......they will sell you gas but they prefer that you dont STOP to put it in lol.....along those line, the original name selected for the "Three Merry Wives" Coffee shop was to be the "The Three Little Plygs"

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by Coloradohh

I just did a quick plot and from St. George Ut its 107miles one way to the edge of the cliff... so technically yes you can do this without stopping for gas round trip, but you better be in a honda civic or ford escort... try doing that in a minivan... either way it looks like a fun drive but thats flat tire country for sure! rocks and dirt and unpaved road = Flat tire.... good luck changing a tire out there.. I think google earth is wrong on this one... I actually canceled the Denver to Grand Canyon trip because i did not want to drive sound to NM and then West... I wanted to go through Colorado...

You can drive down through Durango and thence to the South rim without driving I-40 across NM. For me in COLO SPGS, the Durango path is 100 miles shorter than via Albuquerue / I-40. And it's 100% good paved roads.

[vegaspilgrim]

And when you do make it to the Grand Canyon, north or south rim, especially in the summer, better show up really early... because there is a maximum quota of cars allowed through any one park entrance at a time, you could end up waiting for hours (or be turned around) just to get in.

If you're on your way to Las Vegas and plan on doing the North Rim as a side detour, take US-89 instead of I-15. It's a lot more scenic and mountain-y route. You can even do Bryce Canyon too. Then go through Kanab, Utah on your way to the Grand Canyon. When you come back you can drive through Zion National Park, too. Every national park is worth seeing.

[Mike from back east]

For crowded times, I'd suggest staying in Williams, AZ and taking the Grand Canyon RR to the South Rim. Yes, it goes TO the rim (okay, less than 100 yards from the rim). The RR also runs a fine hotel in Williams, AZ or you can stay at the rim. Buses run around the area, so if you do take the train you aren't stranded. Some of the BEST food I had on a recent road trip was at the Pine Country Inn in Williams, AZ, who bake at least 25 kinds of pie every day, they are beyond belief, one slice will feed four kids or two adults.