This summer, I was lucky enough to find a way to bring a road trip to my own doorstep. I had been planning a road trip for months, but I kept putting it off until the final weeks of summer. So, I managed to get my parents to drive from Las Vegas to Los Angeles to meet me in the city. The trip was a long one, but we had a lot of fun along the way. The first leg of the trip took us to Las Vegas, where my family and I stayed at the Venetian Hotel, and then we headed off into the Nevada desert.
So, here we are, a day late for our California road trip. After our first day of road tripping, we arrived at LAX, and then checked into our hotel. After managing to get a few hours of sleep, we went out to see Hollywood. We saw the Walk of Fame, which we had been told was a bit of a tourist trap, but we didn’t mind. We also saw the Kodak Theatre, which we had been told was much more of a tourist trap, but we didn’t mind. Then we went to the de Young Museum, which we had been told was a beautiful and interesting place, but we didn’t mind.
I know, I know… when I was younger I would have never imagined myself doing a road trip from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Actually, I was not even born when the Beatles made the first such trip, but the group became a massive inspiration for many people. In their time they inspired many similar road trips, which then inspired me since my youth.
If you’ve been pounding the slots in Nevada and want to add a fresh taste of urban to your week, a road trip from Las Vegas to Los Angeles is a must. The adventurous route will take you across the Mojave Desert and through some of Southern California’s most beautiful locations.
It takes 15 minutes 4 hours 15 minutes to travel 270 miles from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Death Valley, Mojave National Preserve, and Joshua Tree National Park, as well as the towns of Palm Springs, Riverside, and Temecula, are all important landmarks.
Don’t be misled by the small distance – this is one of the most beautiful short journeys in the United States, so keep reading to find out more.
What is the distance between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and how long will the journey take?
Routes from Las Vegas to Los Angeles that are the most efficient
| Route | Distance | Time to Drive |
|---|---|---|
| The Shortest Way (via Interstate 15) | 270 miles | 4 hours 15 minutes |
| Route that is scenic (via Mojave National Preserve) | 320 miles | 30 minutes 5 hours 30 minutes |
The road journey from Las Vegas to Los Angeles takes 4 hours 15 minutes and covers 270 miles if you choose the shortest route. If you’re primarily going to visit Los Angeles, you may leave at almost any time and arrive the same day.
The problem with taking this route is that there isn’t much reason to stop along the way – unless you’re planning on spending a lot of time in Death Valley, the few vistas unique to this route are unlikely to prolong your journey beyond two days.
Temecula is known for two things: hot air ballooning and wine sampling.
Janayia/Shutterstock.com
Consider driving straight through Mojave National Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park, then stopping in Palm Springs for the night – not only is there more to see, but it also adds another major city to your itinerary.
This route takes longer to travel since you won’t get to drive on an interstate until you’ve passed through Palm Springs. The faster route, on the other hand, never leaves the highway and never passes through any large cities that might slow you down.
The best route from Las Vegas to Los Angeles for a road trip
If you have the time, the best route from Las Vegas to Los Angeles is simple to figure out – the trip via Mojave National Preserve offers more sights to see. However, if you want to see Death Valley, that may be incentive enough to take the shorter way.
The quickest path (via I-15)
Just beyond Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, take Interstate 15 south out of Las Vegas. Continue on the highway via Baker, passing through the Mojave National Preserve, then take a diversion to Death Valley if you want to.
Otherwise, continue through Barstow (checking out Calico on the way) before driving through Victorville and between Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests. Right after that, take State Route & Interstate 210, then Interstate 10 to Los Angeles.
The path is beautiful (via Mojave National Preserve and Palm Springs)
Return to Las Vegas on Interstate 15, but instead of driving around the Mojave National Preserve, cut through it via Nipton, Ivanpah, Morning Star Mine, and Kelso Cima Roads, stopping at Kelso. Take Kelbaker Road and the National Trans Highway to Amboy from there.
Before arriving in Palm Springs, take Amboy Road to State Route 62 and travel through Joshua Tree National Park. Spend as much time as you can here, then continue on to the Mt. San Jacinto and San Bernardino National Forests. Follow Interstate 10 west all the way to LA from Beaumont.
Between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, the best locations to stop are
The road journey from Las Vegas to Los Angeles passes through some of California’s finest resorts. Although there are many of hotels to choose from, if you can, reserve a stay at one of the following:
In Death Valley, you may live the Hollywood lifestyle.
To get the most out of Death Valley, you should go while the weather is moderate, but if that isn’t possible, the park is a must-see. The magnificent Inn at Death Valley is one of California’s greatest resorts, famous for being a favorite among Hollywood’s finest stars.
It’s easy to understand why the wealthy and famous frequent this location – from the lush vegetation in the midst of an otherwise dry desert to the magnificent and inviting interior, calling it an oasis would be an understatement.
Zabriskie Point is a must-see attraction for anybody visiting Death Valley.
Shutterstock.com/Doug Lemke
After soaking up the sun by the big pool and sipping a drink by the outdoor fireplace, take a stroll about the property to take in the lush vegetation, rest in the spa with a relaxing massage, or go to the neighboring golf course.
Despite the fact that this is a pricey resort, it is not as pricey as you would imagine it to be. Imagine Martin Sheen driving up to your hotel and immediately reserving the room next door!
Palm Springs is known for its stunning beauty.
If you’re taking the longer way, you’ll want to stop at Palm Springs, which, like Death Valley, is frequented by the world’s most famous people. La Serena Villas is by far the finest resort in town, with its excellent downtown location and exquisite Mediterranean flair.
The presentation of La Serena is unlike that of any other resort in the region; the lovely accommodations will make you feel as if the sea and beach are only around the corner. Stepping outdoors, you may relax in the lovely pool or sunbathe against a stunning mountain background.
You’ll undoubtedly return for more next holiday season after spending a weekend in Palm Springs.
Shutterstock.com/Nick Fox
After that, you may warm up by the outdoor fireplace, have a Spanish or Mediterranean lunch, visit the spa and health center, or relax in the private hot tub in your room. If you want to see all Palm Springs has to offer, leave your vehicle at home and hire one of the hotel’s bicycles instead.
The only drawback is the expensive cost, but Palm Springs’ pride and joy is one of the finest resorts along either road, so it’s well worth the money.
On a road journey from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, there are many sights to view.
Given the short distance between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, you can compile a rather comprehensive list of sights to visit. You should certainly plan on staying for a week or two to get the most out of your vacation by seeing all of the following locations:
- Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area — the area’s most noteworthy features include Native American petroglyphs and many hiking routes.
- The harsh Mojave Desert is highlighted by the Mojave National Preserve, which has magnificent landscape and the abandoned town of Kelso.
- Death Valley National Park — the park’s often-astronomic temperatures obscure exactly how beautiful it is.
- Calico, formerly a bustling mining town, is now a well-preserved ghost town and popular tourist destination.
- Angeles & San Bernardino National Forests – a gorgeous duo of forests that feature epic mountains and stunning old and new growth
- Riverside is a lovely city that is constantly alive and teeming with activity, since it is home to the University of California and some of the state’s most stunning structures.
- Glen Ivy Hot Springs is a fantastic location to eat nutritious cuisine and unwind with a spa treatment.
- Temecula is renowned for its award-winning vineyards and the beautiful Old Town Temecula.
- The Salton Sea is a huge salty lake with excellent scenery and bird-watching opportunities.
- Topanga State Park is the biggest within-city park in the United States, featuring some spectacular vegetation and the Backbone Trail System.
- Palm Springs — with its stunning mid-century architecture and plenty of activities, this beautiful city has become a popular holiday destination for the wealthy and famous.
- Cabazon Dinosaurs — made famous by Pee-Big wee’s Adventure, these colossal dinosaurs have long been a popular roadside attraction for visitors to Palm Springs.
- Mt San Jacinto State Park is known for its magnificent natural views and is home to the eponymous San Jacinto Mountain.
- Joshua Tree National Park is a one-of-a-kind park at the crossroads of two deserts, known for its distinctive Joshua trees.
If you have the time, you should go off-road to explore some of the route’s hidden treasures, as wonderful as these sites are. Alternatively, you may travel down the coast from LA and stop in at some of the more beautiful beach towns like Huntington Beach or Malibu.
The attractions of Mojave National Preserve include the Kelso Dunes and its eponymous ghost town.
Shutterstock.com/John Dvorak
When is the best time to go from Las Vegas to Los Angeles?
There’s a lot to think about when choosing whether to take the road journey from Las Vegas to Los Angeles — like any big city, the variety of seasonal events attracts visitors all year, and the weather may make or break your vacation.
In the summer, driving across the Mojave Desert (especially in July, when temperatures in the desert’s heart average about 95 degrees) may be challenging. Death Valley is also off-limits due to the high temperatures, which may reach over 100 degrees.
Although a summer visit may be appealing because of many epic events such as the huge July 4th celebrations and different film festivals, temperatures average in the mid-80s, and it’s not unusual for it to grow hotter.
Although it’s difficult to choose a winner, the finest view in Los Angeles at night has to be the downtown area.
Chones/Shutterstock.com
Another problem during this time is pollution; you might try to avoid it by staying closer to the beach (say, around Santa Monica), but chances are that you’ll be competing with a slew of other visitors.
Spring is the rainiest season in Los Angeles, which is why, save during spring break, it attracts the fewest tourists. Winter is, unsurprisingly, when the city’s temperatures are at their lowest, and February is when rain showers begin to become more common.
Consider doing this road trip in the autumn, ideally around October — temps are a little more bearable, and while hotel rates in June and August vary from expensive to ridiculous, you can expect to discover some great bargains in the fall.
How do you get from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, the distance between the two cities? The answer is simple: you drive. In fact, the quickest way from Sin City to the City of Angels is to drive. The question is, how far is too far?. Read more about las vegas to california road trip distance and let us know what you think.
There are many things to see between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. You can visit the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Death Valley, Yosemite National Park, and more."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How long is a drive from Vegas to Los Angeles?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" A drive from Las Vegas to Los Angeles is approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes."}}]}
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I stop between Las Vegas and Los Angeles?
The best place to stop is in San Diego.
What is there to see between Las Vegas and Los Angeles?
There are many things to see between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. You can visit the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Death Valley, Yosemite National Park, and more.
How long is a drive from Vegas to Los Angeles?
A drive from Las Vegas to Los Angeles is approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes.
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