Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon and the National Parks by Rental Car 2026
Updated October 30, 2026 · By Yaniv Segal, RentCarUSA
In short: The Grand Canyon (South Rim) is about 490 miles from Los Angeles, about 7–8 hours of driving. Zion is about 430 miles away, Yosemite about 300, Death Valley about 275 and Joshua Tree only about 130. Since January 1, 2026, visitors aged 16 and over who are not US residents pay an extra $100 per person at 11 popular parks, including the Grand Canyon, Zion and Yosemite, in addition to the vehicle entry fee.
How far is each park from Los Angeles, and how much does entry cost?
The distances in the table are measured from central Los Angeles, and the driving times are without stops and without traffic. If you leave on a Friday afternoon, add one hour or one and a half hours just to get out of the city.
| Park | Distance from LA (approx.) | Driving time | Vehicle entry (7 days) | $100 visitor fee? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Tree | 130 miles (210 km) | 2–2.5 hours | $30 | No |
| Sequoia | 200 miles (320 km) | 3.5–4 hours | $35 | Yes |
| Death Valley (Furnace Creek) | 275 miles (440 km) | about 5 hours | $30 | No |
| Yosemite (the Valley) | 300 miles (480 km) | 5.5–6 hours | $35 | Yes |
| Zion | 430 miles (690 km) | 6–6.5 hours | $35 | Yes |
| Grand Canyon (South Rim) | 490 miles (790 km) | 7–8 hours | $35 | Yes |
The vehicle entry fee is usually valid for seven consecutive days and covers all passengers in a private vehicle. The prices are correct for 2026 and may change, so check the park website (nps.gov) before you leave.
What is the $100 visitor fee, and when is the annual pass worth it?
Since the start of 2026, the National Park Service charges a "non-resident fee" of $100 for each visitor aged 16 and over who is not a US resident. The fee applies at 11 parks: Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion. At the entrance they check ID, and a foreign passport means the non-resident rate.
The calculation for a family of two adults and a 17-year-old entering the Grand Canyon: $35 for the vehicle plus $300 in fees, so $335 for one park. If you plan to visit more than one park from the list, consider the annual pass for non-residents (America the Beautiful) for $250. According to the National Park Service, the pass covers the entry fees and the non-resident fees for the pass holder and the passengers in their vehicle, for a full year. So if you visit Zion and the Grand Canyon on the same trip, it is usually already cheaper. Joshua Tree and Death Valley are not on the list, and the pass is valid there too.
How do you plan a one-week loop of the Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce?
The classic loop starts and ends in Los Angeles and passes through three states. Here is a plan that works for families:
- Day 1: Los Angeles → Las Vegas (about 270 miles). Leave in the morning, stop for lunch in Barstow and arrive in Vegas in the afternoon. There is a detailed guide for this part in Los Angeles to Las Vegas by rental car.
- Days 2–3: Vegas → Zion (about 160 miles). In most months of the year (about March to November), the scenic road in Zion Canyon is open only to the park shuttle, so you leave the car in the parking lot at the visitor center or in the town of Springdale.
- Day 4: Zion → Bryce Canyon (about 85 miles) through the Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel.
- Day 5: Bryce → Page (about 150 miles) to visit Horseshoe Bend. You can enter Antelope Canyon only on a guided tour that you book in advance.
- Day 6: Page → the Grand Canyon (about 135 miles). Enter from the Desert View side and drive along the South Rim to Grand Canyon Village.
- Day 7: The Grand Canyon → Los Angeles (about 490 miles) through Williams and Kingman on I-40. This is a long driving day, and it is a good idea to change drivers.
In total this is about 1,300 miles in one week, more than most of our customers drive in a full month in the city. This is why the unlimited miles included with us are especially important on a trip like this. You can read about daily distances in the city in How many miles do you drive a month in Los Angeles.
Pay attention to the clock: Utah is always one hour ahead of California. Arizona does not change to daylight saving time, so in winter it is one hour ahead of California, and in summer it has the same time. This matters when you book a tour or a shuttle for a specific time.
Shorter trips: Joshua Tree, Death Valley and Yosemite
You do not need a full week. Joshua Tree is good for one day or for one night in the desert: leave early, enter through the west entrance near the town of Joshua Tree, and at sunset drive back or sleep in Twentynine Palms. Death Valley is good for a weekend, preferably between November and March. In summer the temperatures often go above 45°C (113°F), and gas stations in the park are few and expensive, so fill the tank before you enter.
To reach Yosemite, drive about three and a half hours on I-5 and Highway 99 to Fresno, then take Highway 41 north. According to the park's announcement, in 2026 there is no requirement to book vehicle entry in advance, but on summer weekends the lines at the entrances are long. Tioga Road, which crosses the park to the east, is usually closed in winter until late spring. Sequoia can be combined with Yosemite on a 3–4 day trip.
Which car is right for a trip to the parks?
You do not need a 4x4. All roads to the main viewpoints are paved, and in US rental contracts driving on dirt roads is usually not allowed anyway. The real question is space and comfort for long hours:
- A couple: a family sedan (Kia K4 or similar), economical on fuel and comfortable on the freeway, $33 per day for 26 days.
- A family with 2–3 children: a midsize SUV (Nissan Rogue or similar) with trunk space for suitcases and a cooler, $37 per day.
- Six or seven people: a minivan (Chrysler Pacifica) for $44 per day or a 7-seat SUV for $46 per day. If you cannot decide between them, see the comparison in Minivan or SUV for a family.
In winter the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (at about 2,100 meters / 7,000 feet) and Bryce Canyon get snow. Check road conditions on the park website one day before, and do not plan to drive in the dark on mountain sections. Driving to Mexico is not allowed with our cars, so if your trip includes leaving California, mention the route when you ask for a quote.
For the full picture of a long rental in the city, see the guide to monthly car rental in Los Angeles.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit the Grand Canyon from Los Angeles in one day?
It is possible, but it is about 15 hours of driving there and back, and almost no time is left in the park. It is better to spend at least one night in Tusayan, in Williams or inside the park.
Does the $100 fee also apply to children?
No. According to the National Park Service, the fee applies only to visitors aged 16 and over who are not US residents. Children under 16 do not pay it.
How much does fuel cost for a one-week trip to the parks?
It depends on the car and on fuel prices that week. On a loop of about 1,300 miles, an economical sedan will use roughly half as much fuel as a 7-seat SUV. Fuel prices in Nevada and Arizona are usually lower than in California, so it is a good idea to fill up there.
Do I need to return the car with a full tank?
You receive the car with a full tank and you return it full. On long desert roads, we recommend filling up every time the tank goes down to half.
Planning a trip to the parks? Send your dates and Get a quote, or use Which car fits you? to find the right car for several days on the road.