Why the Grand Circle is the easiest EV road trip in America
Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Page, Grand Canyon, back to Vegas. Seven days, about 950 miles, five national parks.
It works on electric better than almost any other loop in the country, for a boring reason: the parks are 80 to 175 miles apart. That is one charge, or less. You are never making a range decision, you are just driving between things you came to see.
There is exactly one leg where that stops being true, and it catches people every year. It is day 4.
Day 1: Las Vegas to Zion
170 miles. One Supercharger stop in St. George, about 25 minutes.
You leave the Strip and ninety minutes later you are in red rock. The transition is abrupt and it is the moment most people realize the trip has started.
Camp: Watchman Campground, which you needed to reserve six months ago. If you did not, BLM land next to the park is free and legal, and the boondocking rules explain how to do it without a ranger knocking.
Day 2: Zion
No driving day. Charge overnight and hike.
Angels Landing is 5 miles, strenuous, and requires a permit by lottery. People still show up expecting to walk on. The Narrows needs water shoes you probably do not have, and both are worth planning around rather than improvising.
Day 3: Zion to Bryce
84 miles. The destination charger at Bryce is enough.
Short driving day, and Bryce sits at 8,000 feet so the temperature drops hard after dark even in July. The Navajo Loop plus Queen's Garden combo is 2.5 miles and moderate, and it is the one to do if you only do one.
Camp: North Campground in the park, or Red Canyon 15 minutes west, which is free and rarely full.
Day 4: the leg that catches people
124 miles, and no Superchargers on it. Start full.
This is the one. Highway 12 over Hogsback Ridge is one of the most beautiful roads in the country, a ridgeline with 1,000 foot drops on both sides, and there is nothing out there. Leave Bryce at 90% or better.
Capitol Reef at the end of it is the least visited park on the Circle and my favorite for that reason. Petroglyphs, pioneer orchards you can pick from in season, Capitol Gorge. Fruita Campground has 12 sites, first come.
Charging: Level 2 in Torrey. Slow, but you are sleeping anyway, and it is enough for the next leg.
Day 5: Capitol Reef to Page
162 miles. Supercharger in Page.
You come out of the quiet part and into Lake Powell. Antelope Canyon is here and it is Navajo land, so it is guided access only, booked ahead. Horseshoe Bend is a 1.5 mile round trip walk from the parking lot with no shade.
Day 6: Page to the Grand Canyon South Rim
130 miles. Destination charger at Maswik Lodge.
Mather Point is two minutes from the visitor center and it is where everyone gets their first look. The Rim Trail is 13 flat miles and every section of it is worth walking. Bright Angel goes down, and unless you are fit and carrying real water, turn around after two miles. The canyon is unforgiving about this specifically.
Camp: Mather in the park, reserved six months out, or Ten-X twenty minutes south which often has space.
Day 7: back to Las Vegas
275 miles. Charge in Kingman, then Vegas.
The longest driving day, mostly I-40 and US-93. Kingman is lunch and electrons. You are back mid to late afternoon.
The charging summary
| Leg | Charging | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Vegas → Zion | Supercharger, St. George | 25 min |
| Zion → Bryce | Destination charger | Overnight |
| Bryce → Capitol Reef | None | Leave at 90%+ |
| Capitol Reef → Page | Level 2, Torrey | Overnight |
| Page → Grand Canyon | Destination, Maswik | Overnight |
| Grand Canyon → Vegas | Supercharger, Kingman | Lunch stop |
One long gap in seven days. That is the whole charging problem on this route.
When to go
September and October. 60 to 82°F, cool nights, and the crowds have gone home.
June through August works if you accept the Grand Canyon over 100°F. Bryce stays pleasant because of elevation. Winter is beautiful and half the campgrounds are closed.
What to bring that people forget
- SPF 50, a hat, real sunglasses. The desert does not forgive pale.
- 3 liters of water per person per hiking day. Not a suggestion.
- A warm layer. Bryce at 8,000 feet is cold at night in August.
- Permits sorted in advance. Angels Landing and Antelope Canyon both refuse walk-ups.
Pick up at the Las Vegas hub, a few minutes from the airport. Tesla, gear, insurance, Supercharging and the route app included. Rates on the pricing page.
The Grand Circle is the trip I recommend to people who have never camped from a car. Five parks, short drives, and one day where you need to pay attention.