You can take a direct route when driving from Los Angeles to Las Vegas–but where’s the fun in that? The best Los Angeles to Las Vegas Road trip isn’t a straight line; it winds through historical sites like The Mojave National Preserve, quaint local restaurants like Peggy Sue’s ‘50s Diner, and art installations like Seven Magic Mountains. As they say, it isn’t about the destination; it’s about the journey!
Before you set off on your journey, be aware that the route from Las Vegas to Los Angeles is a popular one, frequented by locals who utilize it for weekend adventures (which can mean traffic along the way).
To make the hours of driving through the desert (and sitting in traffic) a bit more bearable, make pit stops in locations that work best for you. Whether you are traveling in your RV or car, here’s the best road trip itinerary from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.
The Best Los Angeles to Las Vegas Itinerary
A road trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas is a great excuse to visit attractions like Victorville, Route 66 Museum, and the Mojave National Preserve. Here’s a brief overview of our favorite Los Angeles to Las Vegas route.
Depending on traffic, hitting each of these stops should equate to about 6.5 to 8 hours of driving. If you know you are going to travel from Los Angeles to Las Vegas often, don’t feel the need to stop at each place on your first trip.
- Los Angeles to Victorville Route 66 Museum: 85 miles
- Victorville Route 66 Museum to Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch: 30 miles
- Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch to Calico Ghost Town: 50 miles
- Calico Ghost Town to Mojave National Preserve: 60 miles
- Mojave National Preserve to Alien Jerky, Baker, CA: 70 miles
- Alien Jerky to Seven Magic Mountains: 90 miles
- Seven Magic Mountains to Pioneer Saloon, Goodsprings, NV: 15 miles
- Pioneer Saloon to Las Vegas, NV: 40 miles
Embarking on the Classic LA to Las Vegas Drive
The journey, which spans approximately 422 miles, can be completed in a day or spread out across several days. It all depends on how many pitstops you’re prepared to make. From the historic end of Route 66 in LA to the glitz of the Las Vegas Strip, the trip isn’t the monotonous desert drive people assume it is.
Planning Your Route: LA to Las Vegas
The key to an enjoyable road trip lies in smart planning. This particular trip has a lot to offer, but you’ll want to avoid traffic and other setbacks.
To avoid traffic congestion, try to leave Los Angeles for Las Vegas between 6 and 7 a.m. You can leave earlier, but you may enjoy fewer attractions along the way because they may not be open yet for normal business hours.
Locals tend to travel from LA to Vegas on the weekends, so you’ll want to time your departure time right and leave before they do on a Friday morning. Be aware, though, that an average of roughly 35,650 people cross the California/Nevada state line daily at the I-15 Primm exit, potentially impacting traffic flow.
Under normal traffic conditions (and with no detours for attractions), the drive from LA to Vegas via I-15 N should take approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes.
Departing Los Angeles
As you depart Los Angeles at the very start of your journey, there’s plenty to see. On your way out of town, you should catch a glimpse of Mountain San Antonio, also known as Mount Baldy. The mountains set against the desert scenery are something straight out of a watercolor painting. However, the scenery will change quickly as you venture out of the Los Angeles area. In other words, enjoy the mountains while you are there!
First Stop: The Desert’s Hidden Gems
The desert isn’t just about barren landscapes. Along the way, you’ll find the Mojave Desert Lava Tube, Route 66, and even the Pioneers Saloon.
The Nostalgia at Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch
One of the first stops on Route 66 is Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch, a unique open-air art exhibition of bottle trees. Here, you’ll want to take some pictures and let the art enthusiasts you’re traveling with appreciate all that Bottle Tree Ranch has to offer.
The ranch showcases Elmer’s creative use of discarded bottles, repurposing them as gas tanks (and so much more)! It’s not something you’ll see every day, especially when trekking across the desert on a road trip.
This stop doesn’t take long, but it’s a good opportunity to stretch your legs and see how trash can be turned into treasure.
Mojave National Preserve’s Natural Wonders
Mojave National Preserve sheds light on the otherwise mysterious world of desert ecosystems. Road-trippers agree that the most interesting display is the Kelso Dunes.
While at the Mojave National Preserve, you can encounter a diverse range of desert wildlife, including the Mojave Fringe-toed lizard, kit foxes, and desert tortoises. This is a must-see stop on your road trip for nature lovers and anyone who appreciates geological history.
If you can time it during sunset, you’ll be glad you did!
Alien Jerky
Located in Baker, California, Alien Jerky is a quirky store offering various flavors of homemade beef jerky. Whether you enjoy Honey Teriyaki or the Roadkill Original, the Alien Jerky store is a good spot to stop for a snack along the way. Here, you’ll find hot sauces, stuffed olives, assorted nuts, and alien-themed merchandise.
Alien Jerky is also a great place to grab a souvenir for yourself or a gift for anyone who didn’t tag along on your LA to Los Vegas road trip.
Historical Pit Stops Along the Way
It’s no secret that California and Nevada have quite a rich history. From California’s silver mining history at Calico Ghost Town to the legacy of America’s famed Route 66 at the museum in Victorville, these historical pit stops are perfect for anyone who enjoys learning a bit more about America. (It’s also a great way to break up your drive).
Calico Ghost Town (The Wild West)
Calico Ghost Town offers a glimpse into California’s silver mining history through a Wild West atmosphere. While the town’s success dwindled after silver prices crashed in the 1890s, today, it’s a hotspot for tourists and travelers like yourself!
Today, several of Calico’s original buildings have been restored to recreate the Wild West atmosphere. Visitors can experience mine tours and gunfight reenactments–bringing the town’s history to life.
Children can ride the Calico Odessa Railroad and explore the old schoolhouse. Ghost tours are available, but you’ll want to call ahead of time. If you are hungry when you visit, the Calico House Restaurant serves classic American cuisine.
Pioneer Saloon
Pioneer Saloon, built in 1913 by George Fayle, is the oldest working saloon in Nevada. It attracts Nevada residents and tourists alike. The saloon retains its historical charm by preserving the original brass detailing and bullet holes in the walls, telling tales of its storied past.
Clark Gable, a famous patron, added to the bar’s lore as he awaited news of his wife Carole Lombard’s plane crash at the saloon. The combination of historical value, the celebrity element, and the supernatural tales have all cemented Pioneer Saloon’s reputation as a legendary venue on your journey to Vegas.
Even though it’s technically a Saloon, the Pioneer Saloon welcomes all ages and is known for its burgers and BBQ.
Art Installations to Hit Before Reaching Vegas
As you near Vegas, you’ll notice a colorful landmark in the desert – the Seven Magic Mountains.
This outdoor art exhibit consists of seven thirty-two-foot towers of multi-colored balanced boulders. Part of the Land Art continuum, Seven Magic Mountains draws a connection between nature and human creativity and is positioned between Nevada’s desert and Interstate 15.
Created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, Seven Magic Mountains adds an international flair to the Nevada desert setting, and it’s become a popular photo spot and social media landmark.
Pit Stops: Places to Eat on Your Journey
A road trip is incomplete without delicious eats. From classic American fast-food dishes at Peggy Sue’s ‘50s Diner to unique bites at The Mad Greek Cafe, you may want to be hungry on your journey from LA to Vegas!
Lola’s Kitchen is open from 4 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. for those early risers (and late eaters), serving dishes such as huevos rancheros. If you’re craving alternatives to traditional fast food, there’s Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Maria’s Mexican Restaurant, and Mr. Kabob.
Happy Road-Tripping!
If you’re traveling by RV, you’ll need a place to store it when the trip is over. While storing a car in the garage or driveway may be easy, for an RV, that’s not always the case. With HOA restrictions and garage height limitations, you may be stuck with nowhere to store the RV.
If you are looking for covered or enclosed RV storage in your area, Neighbor has you covered. Neighbor, a peer-to-peer RV storage marketplace, offers RV storage that’s up to 50% cheaper right in your town. You’ll find a variety of listings from pre-screened hosts and be able to pick a location that makes your next LA to Las Vegas Road trip incredibly easy to plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Is the Road Trip From Los Angeles to Las Vegas?
The Los Angeles to Las Vegas road trip is about 420 miles and should take about 5 hours to 7 hours to complete (without pit stops).
Where Should I Stop, Between Las Vegas and Los Angeles?
When traveling between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, be sure to visit the Mojave National Preserve and Calico Ghost Town.
How Long Does It Take To Drive From Las Vegas to LAX?
If you take a direct route from Las Vegas to LAX, it should take about 4 hours and 15 minutes, as long as there is no considerable traffic.
Is It Easy to Drive From LA to Las Vegas?
The ride from LA to Las Vegas is pretty direct. You can take I-15 south the entire way.
