Our 14-Day Southwest Road Trip: The Big Picture

After months of planning, countless Google Maps pins, and probably way too many tabs open on my computer, it was finally time to pack the car and head west!

Our goal for this trip was simple: see as much as we could, experience new places, and make memories as a family. And while there is no way to fit everything the Southwest has to offer into one trip, we packed in as many unforgettable stops as we could.

Over 14 days, we drove through 12 states, visited seven National Parks, explored ancient ruins, stood on famous overlooks, chased quirky roadside attractions, and checked off places that had been on our bucket list for years.

There were long driving days, unexpected stops, lots of snacks, a few “are we there yet?” moments, and more than a few times where we looked around and said, “Can you believe we are actually here?”

This post is just the big-picture look at our adventure. I’ll be breaking down each day in separate posts with all the details—the places we visited, what we loved, what we would do differently, and the tips I learned along the way.

Our Trip at a Glance

Day 1
📍 Tupelo, Mississippi

Day 2

• Hot Springs National Park
• Explored downtown Hot Springs
• Bricktown in Oklahoma City

Day 3

• Long drive to Alamosa, Colorado

Day 4

• Great Sand Dunes National Park
• Mesa Verde National Park

Day 5

• Four Corners Monument
• Monument Valley
• Sand Cave
• Lake Powell
• Horseshoe Bend

Day 6

• Belly of the Dragon
• Bryce Canyon National Park

Day 7

• Zion National Park

Days 8–9

• Las Vegas
• A little rest, a little exploring, and a break from hiking!

Day 10

• Hoover Dam
• Historic Route 66
• Williams, Arizona

Day 11

• Grand Canyon National Park

Day 12

• Hiked into the Grand Canyon
• Standin’ on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona
• Petrified Forest National Park

Day 13

• Cadillac Ranch
• Fort Worth, Texas

Day 14

• Heading home

There is so much to share from this trip, and I can’t wait to relive it while writing each post.

So grab a snack, buckle up, and come along for the ride! 🚗

I’ll be sharing the highlights, the hidden gems, the funny moments, and all the little details that made this trip one we’ll never forget.

Wishing you safe travels and happy memory making!!

Kayla