My Favorite Drives After 3 Years Living on the Road
When it comes to wide-open skies, red rock canyons, cacti-studded deserts, and those sunsets that turn the whole world gold and purple — nothing beats the American Southwest.
After living out of my car full-time for the last three years, the Southwest has easily become one of my absolute favorite regions to road trip. The land feels wild, ancient, and full of freedom — the perfect backdrop for van life.
Here are my top 10 scenic roads for anyone who wants to soak up the magic of the Southwest from the driver's seat.
🏜 1. Highway 163 Through Monument Valley (UT/AZ)
Distance: About 45 miles
Why I love it: Iconic sandstone buttes, cinematic landscapes
If you’ve ever seen a photo of Monument Valley — you know. Driving through this stretch feels like being inside a painting. I always try to hit it at sunrise or sunset for the most incredible colors. Plus, there are pullouts along the highway where you can snap those classic shots (and sometimes even sleep if you’re discreet).
🏞 2. Scenic Byway 12 (Utah’s Red Rock Country)
Distance: 122 miles
Why I love it: Canyons, cliffs, national parks galore
I could spend a whole year just exploring Byway 12. It connects Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and Capitol Reef. The landscapes are otherworldly, the hiking is endless, and there are so many free BLM campsites it's almost overwhelming. This route is pure vanlife heaven.
🌄 3. Route 66 (Arizona Section)
Distance: Varies (especially Kingman to Seligman)
Why I love it: Vintage Americana vibes, quirky desert stops
I love a good nostalgia trip, and Route 66 delivers with neon signs, old diners, kitschy gift shops, and tiny desert towns. Plus, you can find random BLM patches and truck stops to sleep at without much hassle.
🏖 4. Apache Trail Scenic Drive (AZ-88, Arizona)
Distance: 40 miles (dirt road section warning!)
Why I love it: Desert mountains, canyons, reservoirs
This road near Phoenix winds through the Superstition Mountains and offers jaw-dropping views of the desert landscape. Parts of it are unpaved and rough, but if your setup can handle it, it’s 100% worth the adventure. I’ve boondocked nearby with crazy beautiful sunset views over the water.
🌵 5. Ajo Mountain Drive (Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ)
Distance: 21 miles (loop)
Why I love it: Giant cacti, wild desert solitude
Talk about feeling tiny in the middle of nowhere — in the best way possible. This loop road shows off towering organ pipe cacti you can't find many other places. Plus, camping inside Organ Pipe is peaceful, remote, and honestly one of the best night skies I've ever seen.
🏜 6. Valley of Fire Road (NV)
Distance: About 10 miles through the park, plus side routes
Why I love it: Red rock canyons, slot canyons, colorful layers
This drive just outside Las Vegas surprised me. The rock formations are bright, firey red — it really feels like another planet. I loved pulling over to hike the Fire Wave Trail and finding random rock alcoves to chill in. I usually camp outside the park on nearby BLM land for free.
🏞 7. US-89 from Page, AZ to Kanab, UT
Distance: About 75 miles
Why I love it: Epic desert landscapes, Lake Powell, access to hidden gems
This stretch is packed with good stuff — you pass Horseshoe Bend, slot canyons, Lake Powell, and endless BLM land for boondocking. It’s a pretty chill drive but surrounded by some of the best adventure spots in the Southwest.
⛰ 8. Sky Island Scenic Byway (Mt. Lemmon Highway, AZ)
Distance: 27 miles
Why I love it: Desert to alpine forest in under an hour
This drive climbs from the cactus-filled desert outside Tucson up into pine forests at over 9,000 feet. It’s wild how fast the landscape changes. I usually pack a hoodie because the temps drop fast too! There’s camping near the summit, and the views back over the desert are insane.
🏜 9. Zion-Mount Carmel Highway (UT-9, Zion National Park)
Distance: 25 miles
Why I love it: Sandstone cliffs, tunnels, canyon views
Driving into Zion from the east side is a total jaw-dropper. The Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel and those sweeping canyon walls will make you want to stop every five minutes for photos. I usually find a spot to camp outside the park boundaries on BLM land and drive in early to beat the crowds.
🌵 10. Big Bend Scenic Loop (TX-170, River Road)
Distance: 50 miles
Why I love it: Remote desert, Rio Grande views, ultimate solitude
Technically Texas, but it feels full Southwest spirit. The River Road from Presidio to Terlingua hugs the Rio Grande and offers huge open spaces with hardly any traffic. I've found epic wild camping here and some of the best desert sunrises of my life.
Final Thoughts
The Southwestern U.S. feels like it was made for van life: endless BLM land, surreal scenery around every corner, and enough freedom to just exist out in nature.
These drives gave me some of my favorite memories — whether I was chasing sunsets across the desert or parking under cliffs taller than skyscrapers. If you’re planning a trip through the Southwest, don’t skip these roads.
Need help planning your Southwestern van life route? Want my list of favorite free campsites near these scenic drives?
Drop a comment or DM me—I'm happy to share my maps, hacks, and road-tested tips!
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Would you also like a custom Southwest Vanlife Route Map or a road trip ch
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