RV, camper and motorhome trip planning toolbox – The best ever created
Embarking on a motorhome road trip from Salt Lake City unveils an unforgettable adventure filled with diverse landscapes. This extended loop is the ultimate way to experience the American West at a pace that allows for true immersion.
| Total Days | 22 Days |
| Total Distance | 2,523 mi |
| Start / End | Salt Lake City, Utah (Roundtrip) |
| States Explored | Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming |
| Perfect For | Families, stargazers, and slow travelers |
| Best Season | Spring or Autumn (ideal for desert and mountain climates) |
A roundtrip from Salt Lake City is one of the most efficient ways to explore the West in a motorhome. By starting and ending in the same major hub, travelers eliminate one-way drop fees while gaining access to an incredibly diverse 2,523 mi loop that touches Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming. This itinerary is designed for slow travel, allowing you to transition from high-altitude mountain resorts to the deep red rock canyons of Southern Utah without feeling rushed. The route perfectly balances educational heritage stops with world-class natural wonders, making it highly engaging for family adventures.
Rather than a hurried point-to-point drive, this 22-day journey is best experienced in distinct regional stages. Here is how the pacing flows across the trip:
The journey begins with a gentle departure from Salt Lake City, heading south into the heart of Utah's rich history. This stage focuses on educational and cultural immersion, highlighted by the Fremont Indian State Park and Museum where you can delve into the region's Native American cultures. The driving is relaxed, allowing for leisurely afternoons renting bikes and enjoying the picturesque surroundings of the Big Rock Candy Mountain Resort.
As you transition onto the scenic US Route 89, the landscape shifts dramatically. This leg is all about unique geological formations and cosmic wonders. Basecamp near the Bryce Canyon National Park Visitor Center to explore the iconic hoodoos. The pacing here slows down significantly to allow for family-friendly excursions like Ruby's Horseback Adventures and unforgettable evening stargazing sessions with Dark Ranger Telescope Tours.
Moving deeper into Southern Utah, the route brings you to the towering sandstone cliffs of Zion National Park. The Zion National Park Visitor Center serves as your gateway for multi-day hiking and exploration. This stage balances high-energy outdoor activities with heartwarming, slower-paced visits to nearby attractions like the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
The final stage of the trip encompasses the broader, sweeping drives that define the American West. Leaving the dense concentration of Utah's parks, the route stretches outward to touch the borders of Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho. This leg involves more substantial driving days, providing panoramic views from the motorhome window as you complete the grand loop back to Salt Lake City.
This expansive route offers a staggering variety of points of interest. While the full day-by-day stops are detailed inside RV PLANET, here are the core themes you will encounter:
This extended itinerary is specifically designed for 22 days. Covering 2,523 mi across five states requires time to ensure you aren't spending your entire vacation behind the wheel. Three weeks provides the perfect rhythm for a slow, immersive travel experience.
Absolutely. It combines some of the most famous national parks in the world with lesser-known, highly engaging stops like Native American heritage sites and dark sky telescope tours. The sheer variety of landscapes—from mountains to deserts—makes it a premier North American road trip.
This route is ideal for families, nature enthusiasts, and travelers who appreciate a mix of active days (hiking, horseback riding) and educational experiences (museums, stargazing). The pacing is family-friendly, with plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs.
Spring and Autumn are the optimal seasons. The weather in Southern Utah's red rock country is mild and pleasant during these times, avoiding the extreme heat of mid-summer and the snow-heavy conditions of winter in the higher elevations of Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho.
When planning a 22-day adventure covering 2,523 mi, selecting the right motorhome is crucial. Families will often find a Class C motorhome provides the best balance of living space and maneuverability for national park campgrounds. Because this is a roundtrip starting and ending in Salt Lake City, you will entirely avoid costly one-way drop fees. However, pay close attention to mileage packages when booking. A standard rental often includes 100 miles per day; for a 2,523 mi trip, you will need to pre-purchase additional mileage or look for unlimited mileage options to ensure the most cost-effective journey. For exact campground permit requirements and seasonal booking windows, always consult the specific park guidelines.
Ready to secure your motorhome and unlock the full, detailed daily itinerary? View the complete 22-day Salt Lake City roundtrip on RV PLANET and start planning your ultimate family adventure today.
See the full polyline, drag stops to customize, and get live pricing in one click.
Open this route in RV PLAN →| Nearby RV rental stations | Native Campervans-24 E (Salt Lake City (SLC area)), Cruise America- 26-E (Salt Lake City (SLC area)), El Monte-2026-E (Salt Lake City (SLC area)), Indie Campers USA - 26 E (Salt Lake City (SLC area)) |
|---|---|
| Sample RV cost — 4 travelers (Class A / B / C) | {{BANDANA_PRICING_TABLE}} |
| Estimated fuel cost (total) | $850–$1,100 |
| Estimated campground cost (total) | $900–$1,500 |
| Estimated attractions & entrance fees — family of 4 | $300–$600 |
| Estimated groceries / self-catered food — family of 4 | $800–$1,200 |
| Live availability & pricing | Check live availability & pricing on Rent Motorhome → |
Estimate assumptions: Estimates assume 10 MPG for a standard Class C motorhome, an average of $60/night for mixed campground stays, and current national fuel averages. All figures are estimates — verify on Rent Motorhome and RV PLAN for your travel dates.
A high-level look at how the route flows in stages. The exact daily stops, overnight picks, and detour options are built for you inside RV PLAN — open the route to see the full plan.
Gentle pacing southward from Salt Lake City into rich Native American history and scenic mountain resorts.
Immersive exploration of hoodoos, horseback trails, and dark sky astronomy with minimal driving between basecamps.
A multi-day deep dive into towering sandstone cliffs and heartwarming wildlife sanctuaries.
A wider sweeping journey through the borders of Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho before concluding in Salt Lake City.
Total cost for this 22-day itinerary depends on the rig you pick, the pickup season, mileage add-ons, and any one-way drop-off fee across the 2,523 mi route. Check live availability and a real quote for the Salt Lake City → Salt Lake City pickup window on Rent Motorhome.
Live availability & pricing for this exact route
Prices update daily. See the full breakdown — nightly rate, taxes, one-way fee, mileage package — for your travel dates.
These are real vehicles in our Salt Lake City pickup fleet that fit a multi-week western U.S. itinerary. Configure dates on rvplan.net to see live availability and the total trip cost for the exact rig you want.
| Motorhome | Class | Sleeps | Length | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort Space Select Indie Campers USA - 26 E |
Class A - Integrated | 8 | 29.2 ft | Auto Transmission |
| Comfort Family Select Indie Campers USA - 26 E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 30.0 ft | Auto Transmission |
| Family Sleeper (FS) El Monte-2026-E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 31.8 ft | Auto Transmission |
| C-30 Cruise America- 26-E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 29.9 ft | Auto Transmission |
| Comfort Standard Select Indie Campers USA - 26 E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 24.1 ft | Auto Transmission |
Pick your dates below and we'll open the live RV PLANET booking flow for the Salt Lake City → Salt Lake City route.
Picking up in Salt Lake City but want a shorter loop or a different destination? Compare these RV PLANET itineraries that depart from the same depot: