Driving from Dallas to the Grand Canyon

After you pick up your rental car, hop on I-35 and head west. If you have two qualified drivers in the car, you can punch out the trip to the Grand Canyon in a single day.

Before you head out, be sure to do some sightseeing in Dallas. There are plenty of places to choose from. Some popular spots include the Dallas Museum of Art and the Dallas World Aquarium. If you want to spend some time outdoors, head to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. All of these attractions are highly rated by visitors and residents alike. 

Make a stop in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, where you'll find the Blue Hole. This natural spring is 81 feet deep and provides opportunities for year-round scuba diving. You'll also enjoy the town's historic vibe and its Route 66 flavor. If you're a fan of John Steinbeck, you'll recognize the name of the nearby Pecos River from the book "Grapes of Wrath." There are plenty of comfortable and convenient hotels in Santa Rosa where you can crash for the night.

There are three routes between Santa Rosa and the Grand Canyon. The northernmost route will take you near Utah. The southernmost route is the shortest and will take you near Flagstaff, Arizona.

All the routes are scenic, but if you want to see more civilization along the way — and, thus, more opportunities for bathroom breaks and snack stops — take I-40, which is the southernmost route. This part of your journey should last just over seven hours if you don't run into heavy traffic. You'll arrive at the Grand Canyon with enough time to grab a nice dinner or find a nice place to view the majesty of the canyon.

This is your time to explore the Grand Canyon. Get acquainted with the area by driving along the South Rim. Pull off at all the lookouts along the way, take some selfies, practice your fine photography skills, and do some walking.

Then, take your pick of the other activities at the Grand Canyon. You can go for a hike; they range from moderate difficulty to those that are only for seasoned experts. For a unique perspective of the canyon, take a mule ride or a helicopter ride. You could even go river rafting. There are tons of great places to eat in the area, too. Try Plaza Bonita in nearby Tusayan for a Mexican meal you're not likely to forget.

Head back to Dallas, and stop at any places along the way that caught your eye on the drive up. Perhaps you should take an extended break in Albuquerque, where you can ride on the Sandia Peak Tramway, explore Old Town, or pay a visit to Petroglyph National Monument. For a true thrill, take a hot-air balloon ride over the Rio Grande Valley.

No matter where you're driving from, you'll have a blast on your road trip to the Grand Canyon. Pack lots of snacks for the ride, and be sure to have a playlist ready that encourages exploration. The journey should be just as amazing as your destination, so plan stops along your route that will let you stretch your legs, enjoy good food, and feast your eyes on beautiful sights. Make this the best road trip ever!