Salt Lake to Phoenix will be a long stretch and you could easily stop in Vegas on the way down too.
I did the exact same trip 2 years ago. We stopped at Zion National Park in Southern Utah. Wonderful place - better than the Grand Canyon, IMO. Even better if you have time to get out and explore a little. You don't need to invest days into a hike as many trails are 1-3 hours. We also went off the beaten track a little and stopped in Colorado City, Arizona. Polygamist hotbed and the base for the book "Under the Banner of Heaven." Interesting, to say the least... don't stay too long though.
In Phoenix - Scottsdale is nice, but for me, very uncomfortable. Lots of popped collars and people trying to appear better than they are. Tempe is more of a college feel with ASU being so close. I can't really comment too much more. To stay (hotels) Scottsdale has the most and nicest.
The drive from Salt Lake to Vegas (or vice versa) allows you to check out the Hoover Dam on Hwy 93. They were building a super overpass that spanned the canyon when I was going through so traffic still had to proceed across the actual dam. Pretty cool. I'm sure you can still elect to drive this way, subject to search for bombs. We didn't stop for the tour, so I can't comment.
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