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How Far is Las Vegas to Grand Canyon?

Last Update on May 18, 2022
by Sunny Samaroo
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The Grand Canyon is a massive wonder of the world, stretching across more than 270 miles (445 km) and reaching elevations of up to 8,800 feet (2,680 m). Throughout this vast natural attraction, there are many spots from which to view just how majestic it is

One of the best jumping-off points to the Grand Canyon is Las Vegas. The journey is absolutely worth it but is also known to be quite long, so exactly how far is Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon?

Short Answer: The distance from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon is 130 miles (210 km) at its shortest.

Long Answer: There are three different rims to visit in the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas. All have different ways to get there and distances ranging from 130 to 275 miles (210 to 440 km).

A beautiful aerial view of the Grand Canyon
Unsurprisingly, the Grand Canyon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The 3 Different Rims of the Grand Canyon

When planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, the first thing to know is that there are 3 different areas, called rims, to choose from. They are the West Rim, South Rim, and North Rim. Each has its own merits and attractions, as well as different routes and distances from Las Vegas.

You may hear or read about an "East Rim," but this usually refers to an area to the east of the Grand Canyon, including Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. It doesn’t actually have any views of the Grand Canyon, go figure.

Let’s break down each rim and its distance from Sin City to fully answer the question, "how far is Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon?"

A view of the Grand Canyon from the Grand Canyon Village
This is one of the many views from Grand Canyon Village at the South Rim.

How Far Is Las Vegas to the South Rim?

With its ample amenities and abundant activities, the South Rim is the most popular of the three Grand Canyon rims. That's not to mention the awesome views — when you see a photo of the canyon, chances are it was taken from the South Rim!

It is, however, the furthest rim from Las Vegas. If traveling by road, the distance from Las Vegas to the South Rim is roughly 275 miles (440 km). The drive usually takes between 4 and 4.5 hours.

That's the shortest route but there are a couple of others. You can take a route through Flagstaff, AZ at a distance of roughly 330 miles (530 km), or Page, AZ at roughly 390 miles (630 km).

If traveling directly by air, Las Vegas to the South Rim is 167 miles (270km). There are no commercial flights to the South Rim but there are private airplane and helicopter tours that will fly you out.

Once you get out to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, there are many other world-class attractions to visit with a 150-mile (240-km) radius, including Antelope Canyon, Sedona, and Monument Valley.

Las Vegas to the South Rim via Flagstaff

Did you know that you can take a flight to Flagstaff to cut down your travel time? The Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) is the closest airport to the Grand Canyon and is approximately 85 miles (135 km) from the landmark’s South Rim.

The flight takes just about an hour, then the rest of the journey by road to the South Rim is a 1.5-hour drive. You could then take a shuttle to the South Rim or take a short detour by…

Taking a Train to the South Rim

There is a fun, old train that goes to the Grand Canyon South Rim. It departs from Wiliams, AZ, and takes you to the Grand Canyon Village at the South Rim.

The train trip measures 65 miles (105 km). When getting off the train, you can transfer to the Grand Canyon National Park shuttle system to get around to the different viewpoints. 

The trip from Las Vegas to Williams measures 220 miles (355 km). Alternatively, if you decide to fly to Flagstaff, the distance from Flagstaff to Williams is only 35 miles (55 km). Whichever city you get there from, jump on the train and enjoy the view!

A woman sitting on a rock edge at the Grand Canyon South Rim
The Grand Canyon South Rim has many hiking trails where you can get photos like this!

How Far Is Las Vegas to the West Rim?

Though not as popular as the superstar South Rim, the West Rim welcomes over a million visitors each year! 

Also known as the Grand Canyon West, the main attraction here is the Glass Skywalk, a breathtaking experience where you can "walk on air" above the gorgeous canyon. It definitely makes up for the lack of hiking opportunities compared to the other two rims.

The Grand Canyon West Rim is the closest one to Las Vegas — if traveling by road, you'll traverse roughly 130 miles (210 km). The drive takes about 2 hours, making it a great option for a day trip from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon.

Note, however, that the road leading to the West Rim is fairly barren without many services, so make sure to bring water and food (and fill your fuel tank!). 

You could also leave the planning and transportation to trusty guides by taking a guided tour to the West Rim, including stops at the Hoover Dam and Seven Magic Mountains.

If traveling by air, it's 75 miles (120 km) from Las Vegas to the West Rim. As with the South Rim, the only way to get there by air is with a private flight tour.

A group of people standing on the Grand Canyon West Glass Skywalk
The Skywalk at the Grand Canyon West juts out 70 feet over the canyon!

How Far Is Las Vegas to the North Rim?

The North Rim is the least frequented of the three Grand Canyon rims. This is largely due to it being less accessible, with the rim and the road leading to it being closed for half the year due to heavy snowfall.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't consider visiting it if you have the chance, though! The North Rim is very serene and offers unique views that are vastly different from the other two rims.

The North Rim is around the same distance from Las Vegas as the South Rim. If traveling by car from Las Vegas to the North Rim, you'll cover approximately 260 miles (420 km) over the course of 4 to 4.5 hours.

There isn’t an airport but, if you take a private flight from Las Vegas to the North Rim, you'll be traveling for 165 miles (265 km)

Related Reading: Best Time To Visit Grand Canyon

An aerial view of the Grand Canyon covered by snow
The Grand Canyon is uniquely beautiful when it's covered with snow.

The Bottom Line

Depending on which rim you decide to visit, the distance from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon will vary.

  • The South Rim is the most popular of the three rims but also the furthest from Las Vegas — 275 miles (440 km) away. It takes close to 4.5 hours to get there.
  • The West Rim is the closest to Las Vegas, at just 130 miles (210 km). It's a roughly 2-hour drive from Las Vegas, though there's not really any hiking there and the views are better at the other two rims.
  • The North Rim is the most peaceful but also least accessible of the three and is 260 miles (420 km) away from Las Vegas, which you can get to over a 4.5-hour drive.

If you are short on time, a quick day trip to the West Rim is going to be your best bet. If you are looking for more adventure and have more time, making the long drive to the South Rim or the North Rim is a fantastic idea. 

Regardless of how much time you have, if you're in Las Vegas, you should definitely try to visit at least one of the Grand Canyon rims!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sunny Samaroo

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