Palm Springs to Page: Desert Drive Through Monument Valley

The drive from Palm Springs to Page covers 450 miles of a once-inland sea. You traverse the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, then climb onto the Colorado Plateau. The route crosses the San Andreas Fault, and near Amboy you can see a dry lakebed that was a prehistoric lake.

The road follows Interstate 10 east to Interstate 40, then north on US-89. Total driving time is around 7 hours without stops. This article answers the question 'is it worth driving Palm Springs to Page?' and highlights the best stops Palm Springs to Page.

Summer temperatures exceed 110°F. Pack water, sunscreen, and an emergency kit. Carry extra coolant for your vehicle. The route has long stretches with no cell reception. Download offline maps.

• Rest zones: KOA at Joshua Tree, Kingman RV Park, Flagstaff KOA
• Family stops: Raging Waters in San Dimas, Bearizona in Williams, petrified forest in Holbrook
• Pet-friendly: Grand Canyon allows pets on trails above the rim, Antelope Canyon tours are not pet-friendly

Fatigue management: Take a break every 2 hours. Consider overnighting in Flagstaff. This splits the drive into two days. Flagstaff elevation 7,000 feet offers cooler temps.

• Hidden off-route spot: Oatman, Arizona - wild burros and old west shootouts
• Alternate: Meteor Crater near Winslow, exit 233

Local commerce and culture: Tuba City has a Navajo museum and trading post. Page's downtown has shops selling Navajo rugs, turquoise jewelry, and kachina dolls. The Page Public Library offers a free visitor guide.

Fuel stations are sparse along I-10 and I-40. Fill up in Palm Springs, Indio, or Needles. On US-89 from Flagstaff to Page, there is a 60-mile stretch without services between Cameron and Page.

• Gas in Page: current price ~$4.50/gal
• Recommended stops: Joe's Gas in Needles, Shell in Flagstaff
• Rest areas: I-10 has several but I-40 between Kingman and Flagstaff has fewer

Road quality is good. I-10 is wide and well-paved. I-40 is also good but watch for truck traffic. US-89 is two-lane with frequent passing lanes. For the best stops Palm Springs to Page, consider using our guide to how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Culinary infrastructure: Indio has a date shake stop at Shields Date Garden. Needles offers roadside diners like Wagon Wheel. Flagstaff has a craft beer scene with breweries like Mother Road Brewing. Page has casual Navajo-owned restaurants for fry bread.

Joshua Tree National Park lies south of I-10 between Desert Hot Springs and Indio. It features the Mojave and Colorado Desert ecosystems. The park is famous for its namesake Joshua trees and rock formations. Entry fee $30 per vehicle.

• Best photo spot: Cholla Cactus Garden at sunrise
• Hike: Hidden Valley Nature Trail, 1 mile loop
• Hidden gem: Cottonwood Spring oasis

Further east, Route 66 passes through Amboy, California. Amboy has a 1930s-era Roy's Motel and Cafe, a classic neon sign. Between Kingman and Seligman, Arizona, the old highway runs parallel to I-40. Seligman is the birthplace of the historic Route 66 movement.

• Don't miss: Hackberry General Store in Arizona
• Detour: Loop 66 from Kingman to Seligman
• UNESCO note: Grand Canyon National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, accessible by a 1-hour detour via US-180 or Desert View Drive

Page, Arizona lies south of Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The geology is layered Navajo Sandstone. Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon accessible by guided tour. Horseshoe Bend is a free viewpoint 10-minute walk from US-89.