Now I am jealous. Talking to my wife about getting back.
My favorite "great circle" was:
Landing in Las Vegas. Driving to GC South Rim. Up to Monument Valley. Back through Bryce Canyon and Zion NP then Las Vegas.
Another trip we made it to Arches NP and Islands in the Sky.
A 3rd trip we went NW from Vegas: Death Valley, Yosemite, Sequoia.
Its all extraordinary. The sprawl we have in DC/MD vs the vast beauty and open spaces out there.