Road trip from Orange County California to Grand Canyon

OK, well this is my first post on Reddit, I’m a single mom planning a trip with my teenage and older children , to the Grand Canyon. , We want to do a road trip (currently living in Orange County..) has anybody ever done this road trip with teenagers? what are some good side road attractions on the way there or on the way back, and did your teenagers enjoy it, should I rent an Airbnb away from the park, or does anyone recommend staying in the park hotels ?