Flagstaff to Grand Canyon?

Question

I will travel with a 1 year old toddler, so I guess it's the best to drive to GC. About how long does it take? Is there plenty parking in the West rim where the sky walk is? When is the best time to start driving from Flagstaff?

Answer 1

Those are some bad directions. I know, I use to live in the park. The "West Rim" area is west of the park, and a few hours from Flagstaff. I think you would have a better time going to the park itself. You don't say where you are coming from (east, west, or south) to get to Flagstaff. So, I'm going to give you lots of directions.
If you are coming from the south or the east you can go 2 ways. The first is to take I40 west to Williams and then take the 1st exit (I believe it is # 165) to highway 64 and turn right (there will be a sign) to go north. It will take you straight to the park gate. Be careful when you get to the town called Valle (said Valley). Slow down, DPS loves to stop people and give speeding tickets here. There is also a gas station (don't buy gas there, you are better off getting gas in Flagstaff it is much cheaper) that has clean bathrooms. They also have a gift shop; it is mostly the same stuff you will see in the park. The other way to go is Highway 180. This is a "mountain" road that skirts the San Francisco Peaks. It is curvy, but it's not a bad road. It is also a very pretty drive with lots of pine trees and some great views of the peaks at Kendrick Flat (about 20 miles out of town) you can't miss it. It's where the White Buffalo are. Highway 180 dead ends into Highway 64 in Valle right next to the gas station. Turn right and go north. Whichever way you go, it will take you about 1 1/2 hours.
If you are coming from the west, there is not need to go through Flagstaff. It will just add one hour to your trip. Just take the 3rd William exit off of I40 and make a left to go north.
Some other information to make your trip more enjoyable while traveling with a small child: 1) Bring a stroller, you will be doing a lot of walking. 2) Park your car by the Post Office/Yavapi Lodge and take the free shuttle everywhere. Parking at the rim is a nightmare on the best day. and 3) Drink plenty of water. It is very dry and you loose more water than you think.
OH, and a side note. Going north on 89 and then west on 64 is a neat way to go, there are some cool monuments and things along the way, but it will take you 2 hours if you don't stop. I'm not sure you want to be in and out of the car with a one-year-old anyway, I know what a pain that can be.

Answer 2

Theres no such place as the West Rim of Grand Canyon it's all a huge marketting scam.Do not make the long trip or spend all that money
My favorite way to GCNP from Flagstaff is go to the east side of town -
Find US89 N take that to the jct of SR 64 at Cameron AZ -if you need clean bathrooms
go 200 yards beyond the turnoff and stop in the Cameron Trading Post .
Check out their great collection of Pendleton blankets
Get gas in Cameron
Uphill on SR 64 -exactly six miles from US 89 there is a scenic overlook and a large assemblage of plywood stands that sells Native American products,
All prices on negotiable but know you are on the Rez and the culture is not one that rushes converstions.You will get to where you're going via a circuitous route,
"Ya- ah -teh " means hello in Navajo
When the sign says
Kaibab National Forest ,and you see the white cliffs of the Kaibab Limestone that forms the Rim of the Canyon pull over and look behind you.the view acroos the Navajo and Hopi nations is literally over 100 miles
When you enter the Park at Desert View it's simply a matter of of following SR 64 into The NPS Visitors Center and Grand Canyon Village proper taking the time to pulll over and check out anything that says" Point" especially Lipan and Grandview Points,
I'll finish this later
Edit
Zaleona 1
My thinking is that as long as she is going to be doing Flagstaff >Valle > GCN > Desert View anyway rather then back track it just makes more sense to do it in one continous direction .The mileage is about the same
As we both know Desert View/ Lipan Point is a great place to see the Canyon for the first time bc the River just dominates the landscape unlike many other places where the River is barely visible.
Another reason for the Cameron to Desert View routing is that I don't know what her 3 -dimensional driving skills are and for a newbie SR 64 is much easier driving uphilll then downhill.

Answer 3

60 miles along the interstate I-40 west of Flagstaff main entery...norht of wlliams Az. stop there for breakfast!