Road Trip from Houston to San Diego
A road trip from Houston to San Diego will take you from the Gulf Of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean. This varied and scenic trip is the perfect way to explore this border region and the melting pot of cultures that have shaped it over time.
A 1580-mile road trip from Houston to San Diego takes over 23 hours to complete, passing through San Antonio, El Paso, Tucson, Phoenix and Palm Springs, as well as Joshua Tree National Park and Franklin Mountains State Park.
Read on to discover what awaits you on this incredible adventure across deserts and mountains, which crosses four states and three time zones.
How far is San Diego from Houston and how long will it take to get there?
The most direct road trip from Houston to San Diego is 1470-miles and will take roughly 21 and a half hours of solid driving. If you have time, we'd recommend adding to the mileage slightly to let this route take you through Phoenix and Joshua Tree National Park as well. This will take around 23 hours.
Doing this trip without stops is something we wouldn't advise. With such a wide variety of culture and history to be discovered, you're going to want to take your time to experience some of the fantastic locations along this route.
We would recommend breaking the trip up over 5 days, or longer if you want to spend time in some of the cities you'll pass.
With a little over 5 hours driving per day, this itinerary gives you enough time in the car to feel like a serious road trip, but also plenty of breaks to make it as enjoyable and informative as possible.
Best road trip route from Houston to San Diego
The route for our road trip from Houston to San Diego is fairly long but also relatively straightforward.
Set out on the I-10 going west and keep going for 1124 miles. The I-10 will take you past San Antonio, El Paso and Tucson: all cities that are worth spending more than a few hours in.
At Arizola, just south of Phoenix, switch the I-8, and continue going west for another 338 miles, to Grossmont, California.
Then, with the bulk of your journey behind you, leave the Interstate and take State Route 125 a short way south before changing to State Route 94, which will take you to your destination, San Diego.
The Phoenix detour
If you want to extend your trip, stay on the I-10 past Arizola. This will take you into Phoenix and then on to Joshua Tree National Park, which is a spectacular place for hiking. From there, continue on the I-10 past Palm Springs and San Bernardino National Forest.
Join Route 60 just after Beaumont and follow it until you reach Sycamore Canyon Park. You can stop to explore Sycamore Canyon, or join the I-215 heading south. At Murrieta the I-215 merges with the I-15 which takes you into San Diego.
Best places to stop between Houston and San Diego
With a road trip from Houston to San Diego taking you so close to the US-Mexico border, it's the perfect opportunity to soak up some of the culture and history of the relationship between these two great nations.
The cities on this route offer exactly that, as well as being vibrant and entertaining places to spend a day or two.
The first stop for an independent Texas
The second largest city in Texas, San Antonio has something for everyone to enjoy, from museums and galleries to bars and restaurants. The famous River Walk city park connects many of the sights, as well as being a great place to enjoy the local cuisine.
The Alamo, the legendary mission where Davy Crockett made his final stand, lies at the heart of modern-day San Antonio. Here you can learn about one of the most famous battles in Texas's fight for independence from Mexico.
When it comes to accommodation, the beautiful Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk has you covered. A beautiful, historic building located just 100 yards from the Alamo, this hotel puts you right in the city's culinary heart. It's just a short walk from all of San Antonio's top attractions, so you can focus on enjoying your stay at your own pace.
A Grande city where two nations meet
Right on the international border, El Paso sits directly across the Rio Grande from the Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez.
As you might expect from its location, Mexican and American cultures come together here. From the architecture and local businesses to the people and the legendary cuisine, Hispanic culture dominates El Paso.
You can learn more about the history and culture of this border region if you visit one of the city's museums, or visit over Labor Day weekend to immerse yourself in the colourful Fiesta de las Flores.
A perfect way to enjoy your trip here is with a stay at The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park. With its traditional architecture and an on-site restaurant serving the food the city is famed for, this hotel allows you to make your accommodation an extension of the city itself and really live El Paso while you're in town.
Roll on to Tucson
The second largest city in Arizona, Tucson changed hands between the US and Mexico several times before the Gadsden Purchase of 1853 eventually designated it a part of the United States.
The Arizona History Museum is a great place to learn about the city's frontier history, or get to know some of the region's varied plant life at the excellent Tucson Botanical Gardens.
Alternatively, if you want to strike out further you can use the city as a base to explore the iconic landscapes of Saguaro National Park or Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway.
We would suggest staying in Tucson's oldest neighbourhood to really soak up the history of this fabulous city. The DoubleTree by Hilton Tucson-Reid Park is a beautiful hotel with lush grounds, swimming pools and a fabulous restaurant serving local cuisine. This is the perfect choice to make your stay in Tucson one to remember, for all the right reasons.
Things to see on a road trip from Houston to San Diego
Although a road trip from Houston to San Diego can take up to 23 hours, there are plenty of things along the way to keep it interesting.With historic sites and national parks to explore, this varied route has something to offer every traveler.
- Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge - Home to a protected flock of the unique, yet critically endangered, Attwater Prairie Chicken.
- San Antonio - The second most populous city in the state of Texas, located an hour south of the state capital.
- The Alamo - 18th century mission located at the heart of modern-day San Antonio, which was the site for one of Texas's most important and famous battles.
- Fort Stockton - A town built on the site of the civil war fort of the same name, the remains of which can still be seen today.
- El Paso, Texas - The only major Texan city located in the mountain time zone, in the far west of the state on the Mexico and New Mexico borders.
- Las Cruces, New Mexico - The second most populous city in the state of New Mexico, behind only Albuquerque.
- White Sands National Park - The newest national park in America, famed for its almost 230 square-miles of white sand dunes, located in southern New Mexico.
- Tombstone, Arizona - The oldest wild west town still in existence anywhere in the United States.
- Tucson, Arizona - The second most populous city in Arizona and home to the legendary film studio and theme park.
- Saguaro National Park - A national park in southern Arizona, made up of over 140 square miles of desert, filled with rare cacti, birds and animals.
- Coconino National Forest - A day trip out of Phoenix, be sure to visit the red sandstone rocks at Sedona.
- Yuma, Arizona - The 11th most populous city in the state of Arizona but the 3rd largest outside of those included in the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas.
- Jacumba Hot Springs, California - A hot spring and town, located right on the US-Mexico border in southern California.
- Cuyamaca Rancho State Park - 70 square mile state park in southern California, with forests, meadows and streams, full of a wide variety of animals and birds.
- Joshua Tree National Park - With impressive rock formations, stunning views and great hiking, this large national park is the perfect place to stretch your legs.
- Palm Springs - A glitzy last stop on this trip offers a contrast to previous stops, a great place for people watching and relaxing before you reach the end of your trip.
Best time to go on a road trip from Houston to San Diego
Being located in a part of the country that generally sees great weather throughout the year, there isn't really a specific time to make this trip, as you should have a fantastic time whenever you choose to go.Although this route will take you down long, quiet stretches of the I-10, expect congestion around major cities. This route passes through the highly populated Arizona Sun Corridor, around Tucson and Phoenix, and traffic might be busier in these areas around popular travel periods.
Winters are generally mild so you can still enjoy many of the activities we've recommended, and you will find prices and crowding at lower levels, too.
Temperatures are highest from June to August - not so much that they'll stop you enjoying this trip, but make sure you're ready for some long, hot drives. In dry weather conditions wildfires can occur, so keep an eye out for local information when you make your trip.
