driving from LV to Tucson - and back

DH and I are planning a trip to Tucson at the end of February for his aunt's 90th birthday. We are flying in to LV, spending a couple of days, then driving to Tucson for a couple of days, then driving back for another five days. So, a couple of questions about the drive there and back. First - what kind of weather are we apt to encounter? We are from the Buffalo area, so snow isn't a huge concern for us, but we understand that other areas may not be as well equipped for snow as our area is. Second, is there anything interesting to see/do along the way? We will most likely drive straight through on the way there, but will have the luxury of taking our time on the way back. Anything you can suggest as far as an interesting diversion along the way, or should we expect a long, boring drive? We aren't really interested in anything like hiking, but any scenic drive or historic sites would be great to break the monotony. Thanks in advance for your help.

It is a really easy drive from Vegas to Tucson. It is unlikely you will hit any bad weather on that trip. If you have nver been, there is plenty to see around Phoenix and Scottsdale.

I've driven that route many times. I've run into a little snow a couple of times but it was never a problem.

You could take 95 to Laughlin if you've never been there. More casinos but not much else. Probably only adds about 20 miles to the trip. A longer detour would be the Grand Canyon. I'd guess it would add 150 miles to the 400 mile trip.

Assuming you take 93 you could stop at the Boulder Dam if you've never been there and have an interest.

I've never stopped in Phoenix myself so I can't help you there. If you want to avoid many traffic lights there's a cut-off south of Wickenburg (hwy 72 I believe) that cuts over to I-17. However, it's been several years since I took that route so maybe there's a better way now.

I drive from Phoenix to Vegas all the time and the most boring part of the drive is the hour or so between Hoover Dam and Kingman. Gas is less expensive in Kingman. The Chevron station on the other side of I 40 next to Carls Jr. has immaculate restrooms. Take I 40 east from Kingman to AZ 93. Look for the signs that say Wickenburg/Phoenix and take that exit. It's about 17 miles east of Kingman. After you drive thru Wickenburg, take AZ 74 also known as the Carefree Highway to I 17. You can stay on I 17 until it ends or merges with I 10. Continue on 10 to Tucson.

It takes about 4.5 hours to drive from Green Valley Ranch to the 101 and 51 in Phoenix. The most direct route driving through Phoenix is staying on I 17. However, taking the 101 E to the 51 south is more scenic and less congested. The 51 south merges with I 10. You would then continue on I 10 to Tucson. Whatever you do, do not speed in Wikiup or Wickenburg.

If you have more time, tour Hoover Dam, visit Sedona and Flagstaff, or spend a night at the Grand Canyon. The Desert Sonoran Museum is a must do in Tucson.

If you want specific info on Phoenix, send me a PM. I'll be happy to answer.

OK, . . . so if DonDiego were in Tucson and likely not going to ever be back, . . . he'd be sure to visit Tombstone and Bisbee. There is an outstanding mine tour in Bisbee. But they are in the wrong direction for heading back to Las Vegas, so he shall say no more.

However, nearer to Tucson there are 2 very worthwhile attractions:
Kartchner Caverns offers a superb tour of a wet cave. If poor old DonDiego remembers correctly reservations are recommended because visitation is quite limited in an effort to preserve the nature of the cave.
The Arizona-Sonore Desert Museum just west of town is an excellent zoo and "museum" explaining everything Sura83 could possibly want to know about the Desert. The short drive to the attraction is through some of the densest Saguaro Cactus forests. It really is a one-of-a-kind experience.

The shortest route from Las Vegas to Tucson is to exit I-40 onto Rt 93 to Phoenix. This is somewhat scenic if one hasn't seen undeveloped Arizona, but does become "a long, boring drive" as one approaches Phoenix. So DonDiego suggests the return trip to I-40 should be via I-17 right up through the center of the State.

And along the way DonDiego recommends a day-trip-or-longer to include Sedona and Jerome.
Sedona is simply one of the most beautiful areas on the planet. That's why dozens of Hollywood westerns were filmed in the area. It's become a bit artsy-fartsy and ritzy and touristy-kitchy for DonDiego's taste, but the natural beauty of the red rocks persists. Even if Sura83 is not into hiking a small hike is really worthwhile.
The nearby ghost-town of Jerome high on the side of a mountain is another great ½-day or even full-day side-trip. It's got lots of history and tourist-junk too. And The Asylum restaurant offers a fine meal with a view of the Verde Valley in a former, . . . umm, . . . historic, . . . umm, . . . "hospital", yeah, that's the word a hospital.
And between Jerome and Sedona in the little town of Clarkdale lies the Verde Canyon Railroad offering a great trip along the Verde River where one is likely to see Eagles nesting and lots of Indian ruins among the gorgeous scenery. True West magazine just ranked this attraction as the Best Western Railroad of 2011.

DonDiego says: "Enjoy !"

For the OP, Tombstone and the Chiricahuas are a whole day trip in themselves. Geronimo was a Chiricahua Apache, but he often wintered near the place now called Truth or Consequences, NM.

Hwy 93 doesn't take you anywhere near Sedona nor Grand Canyon, it's the rifle shot to Tucson. About 50 miles down 93, there's a side trip to Prescott, the territorial capital, by leaving 93 and following Hwy 97 through Skull Valley. This is a beautiful drive through beautiful country, often enjoyed by motorcyclists, including Bruce Springsteen.

Mrmarcus12LVA queries whether DonDiego has visited Sycamore Canyon, over the ridge from Sedona. There is an approach from Jerome, up Perkinsville Rd., and another after exiting I-40 west of Flagstaff. Mrmarcus12LVA also queries how DonDiego would rate Southern Utah, Monument Valley, Yellowstone, and Jackson Hole/Grand Teton. Depends upon one's preferences in Senators and movie stars, possibly?

As usual I knew I could count on a number of considerate, well thought-out answers and suggestions. Every reply and observation is appreciated, right down to which restroom to patronize! Thanks again for all the great info.

Unfortunately DonDiego failed to visit Sycamore Canyon. When he resided in Prescott, DonDiego was outstanding at planning day-trips, . . . he planned to drive the Perkinsville Road for years in his 4-wheel drive Subaru, . . . but dilatory in carrying out his plans.

Re: Southern Utah
DonDiego visited much of south-western Utah.
The most-descriptive word for Zion is "massive" as opposed to beautiful.
One of the most pleasant days which DonDiego has ever experienced was in Bryce Canyon. He passed through the unoccupied Entrance Ranger Station before dawn; it was unoccupied so he got in for free! DonDiego experienced dawn over the Amphitheater, . . . truly an uplifting pleasure. And he spent the day driving through the Park stopping at almost every "attraction". At the southern end of the park he walked the trail among the bristle-cone pines; he touched trees which have probably been alive for over a thousand years. He spoke to them but they didn't answer. By the time he exited the park, it was dark, . . . no one at the Ranger Station. Whoopie!
DonDiego never got over to Moab and the Canyonlands; see Sycamore Canyon as to why.

Re: Monument Valley
Alas, as with other attractions above, the closest DonDiego ever got to Monument Valley was Kayenta, AZ. He could see the tops of some monuments over the hill north of the road, but he was busy, . . . had to get to blackjack tournaments in Towaoc, CO.

Re:Yellowstone
Yellowstone is "unique" and beautiful and varied. All-in-all a great place to spend the better part of a week, as DonDiego once did. Probably a great place to spend more time, . . . and every year.
On one of his first small hikes he observed a Bald Eagle swoop down and catch a fish from a lake, . . . and drop it; it was nice to see a fish win for a change.
The caldera features are impressive. When he first observed Old Faithful erupt, he was communing among a group of middle-aged Harley bikers; they are only intimidating when they are silent, . . . once they get to talking they're just like anybody else, . . . except with bigger knives.
He observed bison close-up and personal. He observed wolves in the early morning from far away, and heard them calling each other.
As with many National Parks one need only get, say, 100 yards from the roads to escape 95% of one's fellow tourists. Walking along the heights above a river, the name of which he does not recall, DonDiego traveled some distance, . . . turning around only upon finding a large scat on the trail, the origin of which he did not know; there's grizzly bears in these parts.

Re: Jackson Hole/Grand Tetons
Much as DonDiego likes to think of himself as something other than a common tourist, after 5 days in Yellowstone he did as most folks just drive past the Grand Tetons [translation: "big succulent titties"] stopping along the road pretty often to snap some photos. These peaks typify "grandeur".
Spending a night in Jackson Hole was sufficient to demonstrate that it has become a playground for the rich; he preferred the company of his Yellowstone bikers.

I never said the 93 takes you anywhere near Sedona or the Grand Canyon. The OP mentioned they would have more time on the way back to explore and these are two places worth exploring.