I have a one day opportunity to do this – has anyone done the same thing, and have any advice on what to do and what to avoid? I know it’s a ridiculously short time, but it’s stuck on a work trip 🙁

It’s doable but will be a long day and an early start to get there with enough time to at least start to appreciate the sight. About a 4 hour drive each way up the 17 to Flagstaff then west on 40 (old 66) and right towards the Canyon. I stayed over night in Tusayan as I had a helicopter flight booked.
Have done Sedona (about 2/3’s the distance) and back in one day.

If it’s your only chance to get to see the Canyon, go for it. It is quite something to behold.

not sure about the possibility of one day but it is really at it’s best at sunrise & sunset, you really get the 3d effect when the shadows kick in. It’s still the only sight that has left me speechless. Still awesome even in full light though.

I did it with work but we went half way, the got in a little plane and flew the rest of the way. It was awesome.

No idea how much it cost, as work paid, but maybe an option if time is tight?

Maybe I can set out the afternoon/evening before and stay somewhere en route. Would you recommend anywhere?

close, but not quite.
drove from El Paso to Flagstaff via Tucson and Phoenix one day, then Flagstaff to Las Vegas via Lake Powell, the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam the next.
It was a bit of a tick-list tour of the US.

Overnighter in Flagstaff?

I remember Flagstaff being nice.

Overnight in Sedona, another must do sight with the red rocks. Also a bike friendly area. Then take the scenic route through the Slide Rock park to rejoin the 17 north to add to the tour.

We stayed in one of the xanterra lodges at the south rim. Not very expensive, and worth it for basically just strolling across the road at sunrise. Might be worth doing if you’re only 4 hours drive away.
Worth noting- we went around mid October, and it was snowing and settling on the road on the drive in.

I wasn’t that enamored with the Grand Canyon. I think you probably need to fly over it rather than just standing in a car park on a precipice staring into a massive hole… Lake Powell, Monument Valley, Painted Desert, Hoover Dam were a lot more interesting and accessible.