Bay Area, to SLC, then Sante Fe and back. Tips requested.

Hi Southwest posse! I've been wanting to check out Sante Fe for awhile, and so I rented an airbnb and am going to stay out there for the week of the 15th. I'm heading from the Bay to SLC straight through on Friday afternoon the 12th, then leaving SLC on Sunday morning the 14th. Staying in Sante Fe until Friday morning the 19th. Petrified Forest and Grand Canyon the 19th. From there I have 2 full days to get back to the Bay and I'm looking for some suggestions.

• On Sunday the 14th on my way to Sante Fe from SLC, should I go to Moab or Monument Valley? It's an additional 2 hours if I do the Monument Valley route, but it looks amazing. I will only have a couple hours of time to kill at either place.
• Saturday we are waking up in Flagstaff, and I have 2 days to get back to the Bay. What route should I take? Where should I stay Saturday night? Vegas? Mammoth? Joshua Tree?

Also I recognize it will be a 'bit on the warm side'. I am bringing an extra 5 gallons of water, extra coolant, 4 gallons of gas, and a cooler of block ice. If any of you have any superpro desert driving tips that aren't obvious, they'll be appreciated.

Thanks for your advice and suggestions. I am pumped about this trip.

 

bring tools for repairs. sounds like you're going alone so check out this thread if going offroad
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/going-alone-single-vehicle-wheeling-safety.454083/

 

also sounds like i replied a few days late hahaah enjoy your trip