Our Christmas-New Year’s Road Trip from Los Angeles to Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon & Route 66

This year, we split our vacation between palm trees and pine forests and planned a Christmas to New Year’s road trip from Los Angeles, California to Flagstaff, Arizona. What started as a simple winter getaway turned into one of our favorite holiday trips. We based ourselves in Flagstaff and took day trips to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, then rang in New Year’s Eve in the mountains before cruising back to Los Angeles along historic Route 66, with a fun stop in Oatman. If you’re looking for a scenic Southwest winter road trip itinerary, this one checks all the boxes: snow-dusted landscapes, iconic views, and classic Americana.

Growing up in central California (Yosemite was my backyard !) my childhood was filled with camping in our countries national parks BUT I’d never been to the Grand Canyon! It is BREATHTAKING . I was stunned and full of emotion seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time . The sheer size of the canyon alone is something to marvel at but I couldn’t get over the beautiful orange – red to light pink colors that the canyon illuminated . We went in December so the sun wasn’t as bright ( OR WARM!!) but when it did shine the deep red orange hue of the canyon was spectacular . Our road trip was a total of 4 days . I’ll share where we stayed , where we ate , and some fun highlights from our trip below . For your trip planning I have some useful tips and information !

Driving Details – Lodging

Driving from Los Angeles, California to Flagstaff, Arizona is a straightforward and scenic road trip of about 7–8 hours, depending on traffic and stops. From Los Angeles, take Interstate 10 East briefly, then merge onto Interstate 15 North toward Las Vegas. Stay on I-15 through the Mojave Desert, passing wide open landscapes and mountain views, then connect to Interstate 40 East near Barstow. Barstow is usually our one pitstop since it’s got a lot of food options ,(In&out burger !) and is brightly lit so I feel safe here. There’s an outlet mall, hotels , and a lot of petrol stations . From there, it’s a direct drive along historic Route 66 territory all the way into Flagstaff. The route is well maintained and easy to navigate, but if you’re traveling in winter (December–January), check weather conditions as Flagstaff sits at a high elevation and can experience snow.

We stayed at Little America Flagstaff Hotel, which was the perfect mountain retreat after a long drive. We arrived at 2 am and the pine trees were glowing with red green and blue Christmas lights. So festive and pretty! Surrounded by tall pines, the property has a cozy lodge atmosphere with spacious, comfortable rooms, an inviting lobby with fireplaces, and peaceful walking paths around the grounds. It’s quiet, scenic, and still conveniently located near town for dining and essentials. From the hotel, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is about a 1.5-hour drive north via Highway 180 or US-64. The route is incredibly scenic, especially as you approach the national park entrance.

Once inside, you can stop at multiple iconic viewpoints such as Mather Point, Yavapai Point, and Desert View Watchtower for breathtaking panoramic views. One of the highlights of our trip was taking a helicopter tour with Maverick Helicopters over the Grand Canyon. Seeing the canyon from above gives you a completely different perspective—the scale, the depth, and the winding Colorado River are even more dramatic from the air. The first thing our pilot said was “yea once you see the Grand Canyon from the sky , you’re kind of ruined ” ! He’s not wrong!! We got in the helicopter , took off and then that “drop ” as you leave the pine forest and then the Grand Canyon comes into view will forever leave me breathless. I’ve seen a lot of remarkable places in my travels and the Grand Canyon will always be at the top… If you visit in winter, dress very warm in layers, including a heavy coat, gloves, and a hat ( I had all of this and STILL FROZE) temperatures can drop below freezing, especially in the mornings and evenings. We drove to each viewpoint I mentioned above and my mouth and face froze after ten minutes so I’m so grateful and happy to have seen the canyon from the helicopter. It’s a splurge but worth it !

Eating in Flagstaff

While in Flagstaff, we found two breakfast spots that are absolutely worth adding to your itinerary. We started one morning at MartAnne’s Mexican Restaurant, a local favorite known for its bold Southwestern flavors and hearty portions. Think flavorful breakfast plates with a little spice and a lot of wait time BUT worth it! New Years Day we slowed things down at Petit Marché, a charming European-style café perfect for coffee and a lighter breakfast.  It’s a small cozy atmosphere, quality espresso, and fresh pastries . The ideal spot to ease into the day before heading out to explore the local artisan shops. Together, these two spots gave us the perfect mix of vibrant local flavor and relaxed café culture in the heart of Flagstaff.

For dinner,  Josephine’s Modern American Bistro offered a warm, intimate atmosphere with elevated comfort food and a thoughtfully curated wine list. We were frozen solid after a day at the Grand Canyon, didn’t make dinner reservations but it was early about 6 pm and the hostess seated us at the bar where we were enjoying red wine and delicious appetizers promptly ! The staff was so kind and the bartender made an INCREDIBLE spicy jalapeno margarita for me . That was the warm up I needed …  Set inside a charming historic cottage, it felt cozy yet refined—perfect for a relaxed, memorable evening after a day of exploring. We also loved Fat Olives, a lively Italian restaurant known for its wood-fired pizzas and fresh, handmade pasta.  Both restaurants delivered incredible flavors and rounded out our Flagstaff experience beautifully.

Antelope Valley Canyon

One of the most unforgettable day trips from Flagstaff was visiting Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. From Flagstaff, it’s about a 2–2.5 hour drive north via US-89, a scenic and easy route that takes you through wide desert landscapes before arriving near the town of Page. To explore Antelope Canyon, you must book a guided tour in advance, as it sits on Navajo land and access is only permitted with an authorized Navajo guide. The hike itself is relatively easy and manageable, with sandy pathways and gentle walking through the narrow slot canyon. The towering sandstone walls curve and twist in the most magical way, glowing in shades of orange, red, and gold as sunlight filters down from above. Our Navajo guide Herman was wonderful—knowledgeable, and passionate about sharing the history and cultural significance of the land. After our canyon tour, we visited the breathtaking overlook at Horseshoe Bend, where the Colorado River dramatically curves through the canyon below. We also made a stop to see Hermit Dam, adding another scenic pause to our day. Before heading back, we grabbed a quick lunch in nearby Page,  which was the perfect refuel before the relaxing drive back to Flagstaff.

Route 66 back to Los Angeles – Oatman Stop

Leaving Little America Hotel Flagstaff was bittersweet— the four days and three nights we spent here were so comfortable and we loved our stay . From Flagstaff, we began the drive back toward Los Angeles by taking I-40 West before reconnecting with stretches of historic Route 66, eventually heading toward the tiny desert town of Oatman. The weather shifted dramatically that day—foggy and rainy, with the landscape turning unexpectedly lush and green compared to the dry desert tones we’d seen earlier in the trip. As we navigated the winding mountain roads, especially ascending Sitgreaves Pass, make sure to use extra caution since the curves can be steep and slick in the rain. Along the way, I was DELIGHTED to encounter wild donkeys casually roaming the roads—friendly, curious, and completely unbothered by passing cars!

We stopped for lunch at the historic Oatman Hotel & Restaurant, where I satisfied a craving for a classic grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup—comfort food much needed on a rainy roadtrip day. Inside, the famous bar is lined wall-to-wall with dollar bills signed by visitors from around the world, creating a quirky and unforgettable atmosphere. Metal blasting from the bar (where we ate instead of the main dining room )for the win!! Oatman itself is just a short, charming stroll down its main street, filled with old-west style shops and, of course, more roaming donkeys weaving between tourists. It was the perfect nostalgic and slightly whimsical stop before continuing our scenic drive back to Los Angeles.

I’m so happy that after all these years I FINALLY made the trip to the Grand Canyon! Our usual Christmas to New Years trip to Los Angeles was even more spectacular with this addition . I’d love to return in the spring early summer to experience the warmer temperatures and see the northern rim of the canyon . Maybe even hike . Have you visited the Grand Canyon , Flagstaff or Antelope valley ? If you’ve got tips and suggestions for this fantastic trip I’d love to know yours! Let me know below ! XO Tera

See more of our trip on our youtube