Where is the Las Vegas Sign Located?
Millions of visitors flock Las Vegas every year to experience the bright lights of the Entertainment Capital of the World. Greeting you when you arrive in the city is the neon-lit Las Vegas sign, which dates back to the 1950s.
The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign is located on Las Vegas Boulevard on the southern side of the city, around 1 mile south of the main strip. You can drive right up to the sign to see it up close and park nearby for this unique photo opportunity.
The Las Vegas Sign is a must-see whether you're visiting Sin City to try your luck at the casinos, to see an iconic performer live on stage, or to tour unique landmarks like the Bellagio Fountains. Keep on reading to find out how to reach the sign from downtown Las Vegas or from outside Nevada.
Where is the Las Vegas Sign located?
The Las Vegas Sign a bold and colorful sight that's appeared in films, TV shows and music videos - a true cultural icon. In fact, it's such a notable part of the city that in 2009 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
As you might expect, you'll find the 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas' Sign on one of the main routes into the city. It sits on the median (central reservation) of Las Vegas Boulevard on the southern side of the city.
If you're starting out in the city, it's around 1 mile south of the Mandalay Bay Hotel, with parking located just a few feet beyond the sign. You can also walk along the sidewalk from the Strip to the Las Vegas Sign, as there's a pedestrian crossing right by the sign.
How to drive up to the Las Vegas Sign
| Route | Distance | Driving Time |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 270 miles | 4 hours |
| Phoenix | 300 miles | 4 hours 45 minutes |
| San Diego | 330 miles | 5 hours |
| Tucson | 415 miles | 6 hours |
| Salt Lake City | 430 miles | 6 hours |
| San Francisco | 565 miles | 8 hours 30 minutes |
*If you'd like to learn more about the road trips from the above cities to Las Vegas, please click the links provided in the table.
You'll probably have pictured your arrival into Las Vegas, cruising past the famous sign as you enter the city. The great news is that it's fairly straightforward to reach, but there are a few things to keep in mind before setting out.
Heading towards the city, you'll drive past the sign if you leave I-15 at exit 33 then turn left onto Las Vegas Boulevard. However, if you want to stop to see the sign up close and take some photos, you'll have to turn back on yourself to access the parking lot.
It's actually easier to drive to the Las Vegas sign if you follow Las Vegas Boulevard south past Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Then simply keep left and pull over when you reach the parking lot, which you'll find on the median.
Once you reach the parking lot, you can walk to the sign and spend as long as you like enjoying this cultural icon.
Keep reading to learn more about how to find the famous Las Vegas Sign if you're traveling on some of the most popular routes into the city.
Driving up to the Las Vegas Sign from Los Angeles
It's a relatively short road trip from Los Angeles to neighboring Nevada, where Las Vegas is located. It's around 270 miles by road and takes 4 hours to drive in good traffic. Simply head east out of LA to pick up I-15, which then takes you all the way to Las Vegas.
The most direct way to drive up to the Las Vegas Sign is to leave I-15 at Exit 35 then take a right onto W Russell Road. Here you'll see Mandalay Bay Convention Center on your left.
Next, turn right at the traffic lights opposite the Pinball Hall of Fame. The sign will soon come into view as you make your way south along Las Vegas Boulevard. Stay in the left lane to pull into the parking lot immediately after the sign.
If you want to drive past the sign before stopping to take a picture, then there's an alternative way to reach the sign. Leave I-15 at Exit 33 then join Las Vegas Boulevard heading north.
Once you've driven past the Las Vegas Sign, go past the next traffic lights with the Harley Davidson Dealership on your right. You can't do a U-turn at these lights, but stay in the left lane here and just a few meters further along the road you'll be able to turn onto Las Vegas Boulevard heading south.
Reaching the Las Vegas Sign from Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City is northeast of Las Vegas. To reach Sin City from here, you'll travel southwest through Utah, a 430-mile journey by road which will take around 6 hours to drive.
Interstate 15 connects Salt Lake City with Las Vegas. Once you reach Vegas, leave I-15 at exit 36 for Russell Road then turn right at the traffic lights beside the Mandalay Convention Center.
Stay left as you drive south along Las Vegas Boulevard. You'll see the back of the Las Vegas Sign first, then immediately pull over into the parking lot.
If you're heading back into the city, take the next U-turn to head back in the direction of Mandalay Bay.
Drive to the Las Vegas Sign from Phoenix
The 300-mile drive through the cactus-lined desert landscapes of Arizona makes for a great road trip from Phoenix to Las Vegas.
To begin the 4-hour 45 minute-drive, head northeast out of Phoenix on US-60 then join US-93 at Wickenburg. After a short stretch following I-40 west, you're back on US-93 which becomes I-11 once you arrive in Nevada, right after crossing the Colorado River near the Hoover Dam.
Follow I-11 through Boulder City and Henderson before joining I-293, which takes you around the southern edge of Las Vegas. You'll then follow I-15 north for around a quarter of a mile, following signs for Russell Road and Frank Sinatra Drive.
Exit the interstate onto Russell Road then turn right opposite the Pinball Hall of Fame to find the sign. Make a u–turn at a safe place and head north towards The Strip if staying there.
The best viewing spot for the Las Vegas Sign
As you've already read, it's easiest to stop to see the Las Vegas Sign by driving south on Las Vegas Boulevard.
If you're heading south from the Strip, you'll actually see the back of the famous sign from the road. It's on the way out of the city, so rather than welcoming you to the city you'll see "Drive Carefully. Come Back Soon" as you drive past.
Don't worry though - you'll get the chance to see both sides of the sign once you've pulled up in the parking lot. This is the best place to stop and see the Las Vegas Sign as you can walk right up to it and take photos without three lanes of traffic in the foreground.
It's easy, safe and free to take a photo at the Las Vegas Sign. In fact, the biggest issue you'll face here is the crowds. You can expect to wait in line for around 10 minutes on weekdays if you go in the afternoon, or even longer at weekends.
Can you park near the Las Vegas Sign?
There's a free parking lot in the median which is the simplest place to park if you want to see the Las Vegas Sign.
However, the Las Vegas Sign is a popular visitor attraction and parking spaces here often fill up. The best time to come is 7am on a weekday - many visitors in Vegas won't be up that early after a late night!
Remember, the parking lot is open 24/7, as is the sign. So if you want to take a photo at night or return when it's quieter, it's no problem. At night, the sign is also illuminated with neon lights, another great photo opportunity.
Things you need to know about driving up to the Las Vegas Sign:
- It's a relatively straightforward drive to see the Las Vegas Sign, however the busy three-lane road might feel intimidating if you're not used to it. Traffic can also be slow moving, so arriving during rush hour is likely to be frustrating.
- There are seldom bad weather conditions to cause problems when you visit the Las Vegas Sign, but be aware of the extreme heat in the summer months.
- Temperatures regularly exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit in June, July and August, and seeing as you might be waiting 10 minutes or longer to take a picture, make sure you take precautions to stay safe in the sun.
- Photographers hang around the sign and ask to take your photo. These aren't official photographers and aren't employed by the city. Show caution as they'll want a tip for their services.
- Likewise, as a tourist hotspot, you may find people dressed as characters such as Marylyn Monroe or Elvis offering to pose with you. This is common in Vegas as a whole. Remember that these will want payment, so be careful and ask how much before having your photo taken with them.
If you're feeling active, you can also walk to the Las Vegas Sign from the Strip. This means you won't have to worry about heavy traffic or parking delays, but be prepared for the intense Vegas heat, especially in summer.
You also have the option of taking the Deuce. This local, 24-hour bus service will drop you off right by the sign.
Things to see once you reach the Las Vegas Sign
It's safe to say that, in Las Vegas, you should expect the unexpected! It's not unheard of to encounter a whole wedding photo shoot when you reach the sign.
If you're spending a little longer in the city, you'll have plenty of entertainment options to keep you busy.
- The Las Vegas Strip - The Strip is the epicenter of the action. Along this one street, you'll discover luxurious hotels, vibrant casinos, and world-class entertainment venues.
- Bellagio Fountains - Marvel at the mesmerizing water spectacle that's become one of the iconic Vegas sights. Just in front of the hotel, the choreographed water show dances to music and lights with spurts reaching heights of 460 feet.
- Fremont Street - There's more to Las Vegas than the Strip. Fremont Street is home to a number of popular casinos and hotels so you'll still find some of the city's vibrant nightlife here. You can even zipline above the street.
- High Roller Observation Wheel - The second-tallest observation wheel in the world. Find it at The LINQ where you can take in the Las Vegas skyline and surrounding desert landscape.
- Las Vegas Neon Museum - Once you've checked out the famous Las Vegas sign, why not head to this unique outdoor museum that showcases other iconic vintage neon signs.
With so much to see and do, a trip to Las Vegas can be a rollercoaster ride, but be sure to make some time to see the iconic Las Vegas Sign before you leave town.
