I dont see you driving in the evening based on your itinerary.

From North Rim to Bryce will be about 4 hr drive plus you will lose an hr with time change entering Utah.

You will gain an hr when you go to North Rim from Zion.

for cars you would be fine with an standard/intermediate.

Gas stations are separated.

You will be fine along I-15 from LV to st george to Zion.

from Zion...Kanab/Fredona has gas stations and Kanab has a supermarket right on 89 where the split is with 89 and 89A at the light.

Kanab to North Rim there is one station when you turn of 89A to the north rim and then there is one at least at the north rim. Fil up in Kanab.

Going back you go back through Kanab. Along 89 to Bryce you will pass through some towns and there are gas stations and outside of the towns at a main route turnoff there is a gas station. At Bryce at Best Western Ruby and across the street are two gas stations to get gas in.

What I suggest you try to do....get to Bryce Canyon about 2 hrs before sunset and go to sunset point for pics.

When you leave Bryce to drive back there are two ways to go....

A. You go south on 89 to UT 14 and then cross the mountains over toward Cedar City. A short distance of this is cedar breaks national monument which is similar to Bryce. Last year there was construction on Ut 14 near Cedar City thus the road was closed. I dont know the current status of this. You can check UT highway website that says construction areas et all.

B. GPS way--you go US 89 north through Pangultch to UT 20 over the mountains to I-15. This road is the main truck pass over the mountains. Try to do this while its still daylight. After that on I-15 it will be easy to drive at night/dark.

I am assuming you arent going to try and hike into the Grand Canyon.

Zion---you dont need hiking boots. the trails in the valley are flat and well maintained.

There is a part of Zion--the Narrows where you can wade in the water and explore the canyon. Here waterproof shoes or open sandles that can be wet would be good to bring if you want to do this.

North rim---You have the rim trail and then there are view points you can walk to that are formed of rock. I am an average hiker. I can do this with sneakers. If you have weaker ankles then use hiking boots.

Bryce---the way its set up is that you drive to pull off view points. that are rim views into the canyon. At some of these points you can take trails intot he canyon. This is not at all difficult.

The common place to do this is at sunset point. you go down into the canyon on switchbacks. One part is called the Wall which is a bunch of short switch backs through this narrow part.

i did this in sneakers...The hills you are going down is wide and well maintained. You should be fine just in sneakers.

When you are at the canyon floor the walk is flat.

At the time you are traveling it will still be summer. Remember to have water.

What I usually do is stop at a store and get one of those 24 pack of water bottles for the two of you.

Something to remember....

altitude sickness.

Vegas is around 2,000 ft
Zion floor 4300 ft
North rim 8500 ft
Bryce 8500-9500 feet
Cedar breaks 10,400 ft

When you are at north rim just be careful. once you get above 8,000 feet you can feel the altitude. Its usually headaches and possibly light headed ness. you need to take time to adjust and drink fluids.


When does your flight get into Vegas?

It will be about 2:30 hrs to get to the hotel plus an hr time change entering Utah. If you leave at 5:00pm you get there at 8:30pm.

My concern if you have delays and cant make it to your hotel on day 1. plus I dont know how you will adjust with your body clocks to the local time.

As for driving West.....the only time you would be is when you go from Bryce to Las Vegas. If you leave early enough the sun wont be much of an issue.

Part of your drive the sun will be blocked because of the mountains. The issue will be the short part from the mountains to I-15. Down I-15 the sun will be to your side so it wont be an issue.