Best Road Trips From Las Vegas

With breathtaking landscapes like Yosemite National Park, urban playgrounds like LA, and crystal-clear waters like Lake Tahoe, there are countless adventures awaiting just a drive away from Las Vegas.

Top Road Trip Destinations From Las Vegas

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Our rankings are based only on editorial opinion, not any commercial consideration.
Racetrack Playa, Death Valley National Park, USA with a sunset view of The Racetrack, a dry lake feature stone in the foreground and badlands in the distance.

🚗 130 miles ⏱️ 2 hours

Brave the extremes at Death Valley. Known for its scorching temperatures and unique landscapes of salt flats and rugged mountains, it's perfect for exploring Badwater Basin, Dante's View and stargazing at night.

This is a relatively short drive, so you can extend your trip by detouring to Desert National Wildlife Refuge or Spring Mountains National Recreation Area.

Beautiful shot overlooking sandy beach and crystal waters of 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.

Zion National Park, Utah, USA at Canyon Overlook on a sunny day.

🚗 170 miles ⏱️ 3 hours

Zion's dramatic cliffs and canyons offer some of the best hiking adventures around. Whether you prefer easy walks or challenging climbs, the scenery is unbeatable with sandstone cliffs, explore narrow slot canyons.

On your way to Zion, we also recommend making stops at Bloomington Petroglyph Park and Sand Hollow State Park.

Hoover Dam on the Colorado River straddling Nevada and Arizona at dawn from above.

🚗 40 miles ⏱️ 50 minutes

This short trip to the iconic Hoover Dam and Lake Mead will let you marvel at the engineering marvel of the dam, take a guided tour, and enjoy stunning views of the Colorado River and the surrounding desert landscape.

This drive is perfect for a day trip and will take you past Clark County Wetlands Park and Boulder City before you reach Hoover Dam.

Beach in Malibu seen through the palm trees, with sea in the background and golden clouds at sunset

🚗 320 miles ⏱️ 5 hours, 30 minutes

Enjoy the glam of Los Angeles and the stunning beaches of Malibu. From Hollywood attractions to relaxing by the ocean and enjoying the laid-back California lifestyle, there's something for everyone.

As you drive towards the coast, you can also spend some at Mojave National Preserve, Joshua Tree National Park and Palm Springs.

Hiking early in the morning at Joshua Tree National Park

🚗 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.

Toroweap point at sunrise, Grand Canyon National Park.

🚗 280 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 40 minutes

The Grand Canyon National Park is a bucket list-worthy destination, even if it is your second or tenth time being there. With its awe-inspiring views and epic hiking trails, this natural wonder will leave you speechless.

On this drive, you can also stop at Kingman to learn about this charming town's Route 66 heritage and visit Williams.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, USA at sunset.

🚗 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.

Red Rock Country near Sedona, Arizona
9.

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.

Giant Sequoias Forest. Sequoia National Park in California Sierra Nevada Mountains, USA.

🚗 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.

Downtown San Diego skyline in California, USA at sunset
11.

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.

Early morning at Yosemite Valley, view of the Three Brothers and their silhouette is mirrored on Merced River

🚗 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.

Downtown Salt Lake City skyline Utah in USA

🚗 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.

Sunset in the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix, Arizona

🚗 305 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 45 minutes

Leave the neon lights behind and head to the stunning desert landscapes of Phoenix and nearby Scottsdale. 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.

Monument Valley, USA with a scenic road leading to Monument Valley against a blue sky.

🚗 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.

Panoramic view of the red rocks of Delicate Arch in Arches National Park in Moab, Utah

🚗 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.

Beautiful views across Pyramid Lake. Nevada

🚗 440 miles ⏱️ 7 hours

Pyramid Lake is really a hidden gem with unique tufa formations and peaceful beauty far from the crowds, which make it a great spot for fishing, kayaking, and relaxing by the water at your own pace.

On the way, we recommend taking some time to visit the mining town of Goldfield and the scenic landscape of Walker Lake.

Boise, Idaho, USA taken with trees in the foreground in fall, the downtown city in the background and taken on a sunny day.
18.

Boise

🚗 630 miles ⏱️ 9 hours, 40 minutes

For a city with the heart of a charming small town, Boise is the ideal destination to visit from Las Vegas. The Gem State's capital is surrounded by beautiful scenery, which will make it all the alluring to spend the entire day outside!

If you'd like, you can also spend some time visiting Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge and Twin Falls on this drive.

Red rock formations in the distance on a sunny day

🚗 125 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 50 minutes

Another hidden gem in Southern Utah, Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, is dotted with gorgeous red rock landscapes, scenic trails of all levels, and fascinating petroglyphs. You can even go mountain biking here.

There are so many amazing detours you can do on this drive including Valley of Fire State Park and Bloomington Petroglyph Park.

Beautiful Sunset Sky in Napa Valley Wine Country on Spring Vineyards , Mountains.

🚗 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.

Mojave National Preserve, California, USA with Joshua trees and spring wildflowers on a sunny day.

🚗 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.

London Bridge in Lake Havasu City, Arizona at sunrise, with boats moored at the jetty

🚗 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.

Strange sandstone rock formation with a high canyon in the middle

🚗 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.

Bryce Canyon Panorama -Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA.

🚗 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.

Ornate facade of the San Xavier Del Bac Mission in Tucson, Arizona on a clear sunny day
25.

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.

Canyonlands National Park

🚗 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.

Colorful historic Route 66 Store in Seligman, Arizona, on a sunny day with a vintage police car parked outside
27.

Seligman

🚗 200 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 10 minutes

This is an amazing getaway to learn more about the history of the legendary Route 66. Step in the nostalgia of the "Mother Road" in Seligman and enjoy this quirky town that offers fun stops and a slice of Americana.

To make justice to this Route 66-themed road trip, we recommend also visiting another popular stop on Mother Road, Kingman.

Historic metal marker on composite rock base monument for the National Pony Express Centennial

🚗 430 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 40 minutes

Don your best cowboy outfit and explore the Wild West in Virginia City. With the town's historic buildings and old mines, and lively events, you will feel like you have stepped back in time to the gold rush era.

There are many cute towns and intriguing locales you can visit on this drive, including the mining town of Goldfield and Tonopah.

Abandoned wooden store with "Rhyolite Mercantile" written on the front in Rhyolite Ghost Town, Nevada on a blue-sky day

🚗 120 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 50 minutes

If you are a history buff or love quirky adventures, you should visit the historic mining town of Rhyolite and the nearby ghost town of Beatty. Discover abandoned buildings, art installations, and remnants of the area's mining history.

To make the best of this road trip, you can make a detour to Spring Mountains National Recreation Area.

Close up shot of the Welcome to Minden Nevada road sign located on Highway 395, pictured on a sunny day

🚗 430 miles ⏱️ 7 hours

For a quiet getaway from the hustle and bustle of Sin City, head to the beautiful small towns of Minden and Gardnerville. Located in Nevada's Carson Valley, you can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and stunning mountain scenery.

Some of the places you can also visit en route include Goldfield, Tonopah and Walker Lake.

The Historic Railroad Station in Caliente, Nevada with hills in the background and and iron fence at the front

🚗 150 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 30 minutes

If you are looking for a day trip or a short drive, this road trip to the pretty towns of Alamo and Caliente is the perfect adventure. You will find fabulous hot springs, pristine wilderness and an amazing time in the great outdoors.

If you love quirky things and roadside attractions, we recommend checking out ET Highway Rest Area and Alien Research Center en route.

Wooden-fronted Brown-Parker Auto Co Garage, an historic building in Goldfield, Nevada
32.

Goldfield

🚗 185 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 45 minutes

Goldfield is an amazing place to explore for history buffs and curious travelers. This historic mining town has an interesting past and rustic charm. Here, you will find abandoned buildings, historic sites, and remnants of the area's mining history.

On your way to Goldfield, you can also pay Beatty and Ghost Town of Rhyolite a visit.

Longer road trips from Las Vegas

San Miguel Chapel Mission - an adobe church building in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

🚗 750 miles ⏱️ 11 hours, 40 minutes

Santa Fe is a fantastic destination to admire historic adobe architecture, visit art galleries, and savor authentic Southwestern cuisine.

Colorful pool in the national park with smoke rising above it

🚗 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.

The Statue of Liberty free of tourists and New York City Downtown on sunny early morning

🚗 2,600 miles ⏱️ 39 hours

There's always something exciting happening in New York, with iconic landmarks like Times Square and the Statue of Liberty waiting for you to explore.

Airborne view of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

🚗 1,330 miles ⏱️ 22 hours, 30 minutes

A road trip to Canada's West Coast gem will let you enjoy the perfect mix of urban fun and scenic outings, such as an afternoon in Stanley Park.

Seattle skyline panorama at sunset as seen from Kerry Park, Seattle, WA

🚗 1,175 miles ⏱️ 19 hours, 25 minutes

Take an epic drive to the Emerald City and explore Pike Place Market, visit the Space Needle, and enjoy panoramic views of the Puget Sound.

Denver, Colorado, USA  taken as a panorama of Denver skyline long exposure at twilight.

🚗 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.

Lifeguard Tower in South Beach, Miami Beach, Florida

🚗 2,765 miles ⏱️ 40 hours

For the ultimate beach getaway, head to Miami and work on your tan in South Beach or simply enjoy people-watching and its amazing nightlife.