The 25 Best Road Trips From Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the best starting point for Southwest road trips in the country.
Nine national parks within a day's drive, three of the most dramatic canyon landscapes in North America within three hours, and some of the best-engineered desert highways you'll find anywhere. Most people fly in for the Strip and leave without seeing the good stuff.
Death Valley is just 2 hours out of Vegas. The snowy peaks of the Rockies are 8 hours northeast. The beaches of LA are 4 hours away.
Choosing between Zion, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Sedona, and San Francisco is not easy - you're spoiled for choice, so browse the routes below and the individual trip itineraries to see which one you like most!
Read this before driving out of Las Vegas
🌡️ The Summer Furnace
July and August in the Mojave are no joke - Death Valley hits 120°F regularly. Hot pavement blows tires, AC failures get serious within minutes, and even a short hike can become dangerous fast.
If you can travel October to April, do it. The roads are empty and the scenery is at its best.
🏜️ The Fuel Gap
Once you leave the Las Vegas metro, gas stations become rare. The route to Death Valley and stretches toward the Grand Canyon have genuine "last gas for 100 miles" warnings.
Top up at every opportunity. The premium price in small desert towns is far better than running empty in the Mojave.
🚶 Don't Drive on the Strip
If you're staying on the Strip, leave the car parked until you head out of town. Most things are within 30 minutes' walk, the Monorail covers the longer stretches, and seeing the sun and feeling a breeze is a genuine relief after hours in dark casinos.
Driving the Strip is slow, parking is expensive, and finding your car in a casino garage often takes longer than walking.
Top Road Trip Destinations From Las Vegas
🚗 280 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 40 minutes
The most iconic national park in the country, and the drive from Vegas takes you through some of the most underrated scenery in the Southwest - the route via Hoover Dam and Kingman crosses the high desert into the pine forests of the Kaibab Plateau before dropping you at the South Rim. The drive itself is a big part of the trip - allow time to stop at viewpoints rather than racing to the canyon.
💡 Get the Right Grand Canyon: Searching "Grand Canyon from Vegas" often surfaces Grand Canyon West (with the Skywalk, on Hualapai tribal land) instead of the actual national park. They're fundamentally different - the Skywalk is a 2.5-hour drive to a glass platform; the South Rim is a 4-hour drive to the real canyon and the iconic viewpoints. Make sure your GPS is pointing to "Grand Canyon Village, AZ" if you want the actual national park.
🚗 170 miles ⏱️ 3 hours
The most visually dramatic national park drive in the Southwest. The approach through I-15 and Highway 9 is unremarkable until you enter the park - the road climbs through a mile-long tunnel carved straight into the rock and drops you into Zion Canyon with sheer 2,000-foot sandstone walls on both sides. The main canyon road is closed to private cars from late February through late November, so you'll be using the park shuttle, which runs every few minutes.
💡 The Mount Carmel Tunnel Trap: If you're driving an RV, larger camper, or any vehicle over 11'4" tall or 7'10" wide, the tunnel on Highway 9 requires a $15 escort permit because oversized vehicles need to drive down the center of the tunnel. Escorts only run during daylight hours. Show up at night in a tall vehicle and you're sleeping outside the park until morning.
🚗 130 miles ⏱️ 2 hours
The closest national park to Las Vegas is also one of the most extreme landscapes on the continent. Salt flats 282 feet below sea level, sand dunes, slot canyons, and mountain passes over 5,000 feet - all within a 2-hour drive.
💡 Don't Just Day-Trip It: Most people day-trip Death Valley from Vegas - drive to Badwater and Zabriskie Point, then head back and miss most of the park. The salt flats, slot canyons, sand dunes, painted rocks, and high-altitude viewpoints are spread across 90+ miles, and each needs time, not a drive-by. An overnight at Furnace Creek gets you sunrise at the dunes, the salt flats before they bake, and the Milky Way visible to the naked eye.
🚗 190 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 40 minutes
See the quirky Joshua trees and rugged rock formations at Joshua Tree. Explore the park's unique desert landscape, hike among towering Joshua trees, and marvel at the stunning rock formations and star-filled night skies.
We also recommend checking out Mojave National Preserve and Mojave Trails National Monument on your way to Joshua Tree National Park.
Los Angeles
🚗 270 miles ⏱️ 4 hours
The drive from Vegas to LA on I-15 is one of the most-traveled interstate routes in the country, and most people just plow through it as fast as possible. The route deserves better — you cross the Mojave Desert, pass the surreal Calico Ghost Town, and drop down through Cajon Pass into the LA basin. The drive itself becomes part of the trip if you give it half a day and stop at more places than just In-N-Out Burger.
💡 Avoid the weekend gamblers: The gambling crowds from LA are doing the reverse route, heading up to Vegas for the weekend on Friday afternoon and coming back on Sunday - a 4-hour drive can easily turn into 7. Avoid overlapping with them and you'll get a clear run.
🚗 260 miles ⏱️ 4 hours
Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for the rugged beauty of its iconic hoodoos and rock formations. You will find scenic viewpoints and hike along trails in this beautiful national park.
On your way, you can also pay Zion National Park a visit or even extend your drive to make a detour to Dixie National Forest.
🚗 370 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 20 minutes
Yosemite National Park is a nature lover's dream and a photography haven with its giant sequoias, towering waterfalls, and iconic granite cliffs. Hiking and rock climbing here are top-notch.
Some incredible places you can visit en route to Yosemite are Death Valley National Park and beautiful Mammoth Lakes.
🚗 580 miles ⏱️ 8 hours, 40 minutes
San Francisco is full of iconic sights like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Explore its diverse neighborhoods, enjoy the cultural diversity, and sample the fantastic farm-to-fork food.
On your way to San Francisco, you can also have some urban fun at Bakersfield and Fresno and can detour to Sequoia National Park.
Sedona
🚗 390 miles ⏱️ 7 hours, 50 minutes
Sedona has the perfect mixture of outdoor adventure and cultural experiences. Explore red rock formations, hike scenic trails, and enjoy breathtaking views of Oak Creek Canyon and the surrounding desert landscape.
You can also visit the majestic Hoover Dam and then spend some time or have a meal at the cute town of Prescott en route.
Lake Tahoe
🚗 480 miles ⏱️ 8 hours
Lake Tahoe's crystal-clear waters and stunning mountain scenery make it a top destination for outdoor fun. Explore pristine alpine lakes, hike scenic trails, and enjoy world-class skiing and snowboarding in winter.
This epic drive will take you past some amazing landmarks you shouldn't miss, such as Death Valley and Yosemite National Parks.
Monument Valley
🚗 395 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 20 minutes
You might recognize the imposing landscape of Monument Valley because it has been featured in so many movies. Here, you can have your own adventure and admire the red rock formations and visit these filming locations.
This scenic drive will take you past the rugged rock landscapes of Zion National Park and Pipe Spring National Monument on the way.
🚗 380 miles ⏱️ 6 hours
Walk among the giants at Sequoia National Park and marvel at the majestic giant sequoias, towering mountains, and pristine wilderness of the Sierra Nevada. Explore hiking trails and visit scenic overlooks.
On the way to Sequoia National Park, you can also check out Bakersfield and Visalia if you have extra time.
San Diego
🚗 360 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 15 minutes
If you are looking to spend some time at the beach, then San Diego is an amazing place to visit with the perfect weather of Southern California. Don't forget to visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo and the buzzing downtown.
For a scenic drive, you can opt to travel through Mojave National Preserve and make a short detour to Joshua Tree National Park.
Salt Lake City
🚗 420 miles ⏱️ 6 hours
With a stunning mountain backdrop and historic Temple Square, Salt Lake City is great for outdoor adventures of Utah and exploring its history. Take some time to explore the Great Salt Lake and hike in the Wasatch Mountains.
If you have a little more time, we recommend making detours to the stunning Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks en route.
Phoenix
🚗 305 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 45 minutes
Leave the neon lights behind and head to the stunning desert landscapes of Phoenix. If you are looking to spend your time outdoors, you can explore desert trails and soak up the sunshine in the Valley of the Sun.
As you make your way to Phoenix, you can also visit the engineering marvel of Hoover Dam and Kingman, a popular Route 66 stop.
🚗 540 miles ⏱️ 9 hours, 50 minutes
Discover Utah's red rock country. With over 2,000 natural stone arches, Arches National Park is a wonderland of breathtaking views and fantastic hikes. Make sure to add visiting the famous Delicate Arch to your itinerary.
This road trip wouldn't be complete without also visiting Zion National Park, Dixie National Forest and Bryce Canyon National Park.
Napa Valley
🚗 645 miles ⏱️ 11 hours, 30 minutes
This road trip is a foodie's dream come true, where you can explore the world-class wineries and culinary offerings of California's premier wine region. Discover vineyards, enjoy wine tastings, and savor farm-to-table cuisine.
This drive is one for the books with the stunning Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe located directly en route.
🚗 70 miles ⏱️ 1 hour
Escape to the Mojave National Preserve for some peace and quiet. You can explore sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones, and Joshua tree forests in this desert gem.
If you are a popular history or movie fan, you can visit the famous Bonnie and Clyde's Death Car in Primm en route.
Lake Havasu City
🚗 155 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 30 minutes
Looking for fun on the water? Lake Havasu is your spot! This desert oasis is known for the London Bridge, and it's a great destination for boating, fishing, and simply relaxing by the lake.
If you are not in a hurry to reach Lake Havasu, you can also visit the Dead Mountains Wilderness Area and Havasu National Wildlife Refuge.
🚗 215 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 20 minutes
With stunning geological formations and slot canyons, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is a paradise for hikers and photographers. You will discover slot canyons, arches, and towering mesas here.
Make sure to add the incredible Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks to your itinerary on this road trip.
Tucson
🚗 415 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 20 minutes
Tucson's mix of gorgeous desert landscapes and cultural attractions make it the perfect place to visit if you are looking for laid-back urban vibes surrounded by beautiful scenery.
This sunny drive will take you through the urban cityscape of Phoenix and past Saguaro National Park before Tucson.
🚗 465 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 30 minutes
Canyonlands' dramatic desert landscape, carved by the Colorado River, is ideal for hiking, camping, and off-road adventures. Enjoy the towering rock formations and colorful canyons.
On the way, you can make stops at Zion National Park, Moab and Arches National Park among many other amazing places to discover.
🚗 740 miles ⏱️ 10 hours, 30 minutes
Yellowstone National Park is a truly magical place with beautiful geothermal pools, hot springs, majestic geysers and fascinating wildlife.
Denver
🚗 750 miles ⏱️ 11 hours
Colorado's capital city is surrounded by stunning Rocky Mountains with tons of outdoor adventures, and is home to many museums and art galleries.
Santa Fe
🚗 750 miles ⏱️ 11 hours, 40 minutes
Santa Fe is an amazing destination to admire historic adobe architecture, visit art galleries, and savor authentic Southwestern cuisine.
Cross-Country & Long-Haul Routes
If spending a few days away is not what you're looking for, then maybe a 4-week trip across the country is more your thing.
If you want a seriously long drive, check out my special guide for the best cross-country road trips from Las Vegas, covering longer routes to places like Vancouver, New York and Miami.
Sasha Yanshin – Founder & Lead Driver
Sasha Yanshin has spent the last 15+ years mapping and driving thousands of miles across Europe and the US. As the Founder and Lead Driver of Lazytrips, he brings an analytical approach to road-tripping, sharing meticulously tested routes, realistic drive times, and the hard-earned logistical reality of the open road.
Read full bio