How Far From Here To Las Vegas

At first glance, a road trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas might non accept much entreatment. A map will show the route is surrounded past not much other than barren land.

But opposite to popular belief, there are many unique places to end at during the drive from LA to Vegas!

From the second-largest meteorite in the United States to the globe'south tallest thermometer, these are only a couple of incredibly fascinating sights yous can come across during your road trip from LA to Vegas.

Considering the area of Los Angeles, this road trip starts at the midway point betwixt 50.A.'s westside and downtown: Fundamental L.A.

Then depending on where you depart from, the estimated travel time provided may vary. I recommend leaving before rather than later—peculiarly on weekdays so you can avoid the morning rush hour.

Exist sure to too exit with a total tank of gas considering there aren't many gas stations along the way!

The 4-hour drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas doesn't have to be dull. It's time to jazz upwardly your road trip with some unique sightseeing, fun history, and amazing spots to grab some grub!

Renting a Automobile in LA

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An empty desert road leading to a vanishing pointing the mountains n a sunny day driving towards Death Valley from Los Angeles

If you already have your own machine, skip alee to the adjacent section!

If y'all demand to rent a machine, I suggest picking up your auto from Los Angeles International Airdrome for the best prices on your rental.

When booking rental cars in California, I e'er use RentalCars.com to expect for the best price on my rental — they accept the all-time search functionality and inventory in the U.S. by far.

Check prices on machine rentals online hither!

LA to Vegas Road Trip Itinerary

Finish 1: Mormon Rocks (Phelan, CA)

Driving Time from Los Angeles: i hour 10 minutes

At your first cease en route to Vegas you will gander in astonishment at the peculiar sandstone formations, Mormon Rocks.

Pull over to enjoy the views from distant or add some run a risk to your terminate and hike the easy, 1-mile Mormon Rocks Interpretive Trail to proceeds an up-shut look of the unique character of the rocks that are permeated with holes and caves.

Wildlife unique to California is prevalent here, so go along an eye out for birds like the California thrasher and reptiles similar coast horned lizards.

What improve manner to first your road trip to Vegas than with sights of Earth's natural phenomena?

Mormon rocks in Phelan, California: geological formations and a meadow beneath a blue sky on the road trip from Los Angeles to Vegas

Stop ii: Elmer'south Bottle Tree Ranch (Oro Grande, CA)

Driving Time from Los Angeles: 1 hour 30 minutes

In less than 15 minutes off of Interstate xv (I-15), you lot'll arrive at the 1 and merely forest unique to this region of the desert throughout your unabridged road trip—Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch.

At that place are hundreds of "trees" with thousands of colored glass bottles representing the tree branches that make for an unusual but eye-catching display that attracts visitors to this roadside stop twelvemonth-circular.

Created by the late Elmer Long in 2000, the bottle tree ranch depicts Long's childhood and his efforts with his male parent to scavenge for what one would otherwise deem every bit trash as treasure. Thus, the enormous bottle collection was born into a one-of-a-kind desert forest.

Art installation with collected beer bottles and other glass bottles at Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch, San Bernardino, California, between Los Angeles and Vegas.

Terminate iii: Road 66 "Mother Road" Museum (Barstow, CA)

Driving Time from Los Angeles: 1 60 minutes 50 minutes

Located in the pocket-sized desert town of Barstow is the Road 66 "Female parent Route" Museum.

Writer John Steinbeck writes about Route 66 in his 1939 classic novel, The Grapes of Wrath, describing the highway as "the principal migrant route," "the route of flight," and "the female parent road."

This moving story is based on the impacts of the 1930's Grit Bowl—a period of astringent grit storms—that damaged the Southern Plains and exacerbated the economic impacts of the Great Low, which forced farming families to migrate and rebuild their lives.

The novel shares the journey of a family and their struggle to relocate from Oklahoma to California as they travel along Route 66.

Non only does Road 66 possess great value but it also bears significant history. This museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing memorabilia and the cars that were driven along this route during this era.

Y'all're already traveling along a unique part of American history, so why not stop past to learn more most its by? Plus, access is free!

Road sign painted on the side of the highway lane which reads "Route 66" at sunset with a sunburst as the sun dips below the horizon. Road is empty.

Stop 4: Western America Railroad Museum (Barstow, CA)

Driving Time from Los Angeles: 1 hour l minutes

Located next door to the Route 66 "Mother Road" Museum is the Western America Railroad Museum.

Accept a few moments to see the old trains and collection of railroad artifacts that represent the railroad history in the Pacific Southwest. Railroads brought tremendous modify to the economic, political, and geographic landscape of America, and continues to play an important role in the U.Southward. economy today.

Once over again, admission is free—and it's not often you'll become to run into real railroad cars up close!

Aerial view of the railroad at Barstow, California, a waypoint on the Los Angeles to Las Vegas drive.

Terminate 5: Big Burn down Helmet (Barstow, CA)

Driving Time from Los Angeles: one 60 minutes 50 minutes

Head south downward Barstow Road from the Desert Discovery Middle and the Large Fire Helmet will instantly grab your eye. Y'all don't need to cease here unless y'all want to have photos, just it's a valuable sight to run into while you lot're in the area.

The giant fire helmet was created to pay tribute to the firefighters who died during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The "343" on the forepart of the helmet represents the number of firefighters from the NYC Burn down Department that lost their lives on this mean solar day.

Feel gratis to have a few moments to pay respects to the firefighters for their bravery and sacrifice.

End 6: Desert Discovery Heart (Barstow, CA)

Driving Time from Los Angeles: 1 60 minutes fifty minutes

Merely 5 minutes due south of the Western America Railroad Museum is the Desert Discovery Heart.

Through its various exhibits, this big facility is dedicated to informing the public about the civilization of the local customs and the natural history of the Mojave Desert—the desert land that Barstow resides.

Explore the trail outside the museum and don't exit until you lot cheque out the display of the 2d largest meteorite found in 1975 in the U.s.—the "Old Adult female Meteorite."

This meteorite originally weighed a whopping 6,070 pounds before a segment of the mass was removed and sent to a lab for scientific report. Like the terminal two museums, the center is free to visit.

View of the Old Woman Meteorite: silver-gray and large and rocky chunk of space rock

Cease 7: Mojave River Valley Museum (Barstow, CA)

Driving Time from Los Angeles: i hour 50 minutes

Hopefully you can acknowledge by now that you don't have to be a history buff to capeesh and relish a former fourth dimension in history!

Continue your exploration of the past and head right around the corner to the Mojave River Valley Museum. Founded in 1964, the museum promotes and educates visitors on a little bit of everything.

Yous can spend a off-white bit of fourth dimension hither absorbing every exhibit and learning nigh the mining history, Native American history, and more of the history of the Mojave Desert. And terminal only not least, it'south complimentary access again!

Terminate viii: Barstow Station (Barstow, CA)

Driving Time from Los Angeles: 2 hours

Your last stop in Barstow is the unique Barstow Station.

A real coach station exists here, only the station is primarily frequented by drivers looking for a restroom intermission, a place to stop and stretch, and snacks to stock up on for the road.

It's not your typical pitstop either—in that location are souvenir shops and restaurants besides. The near interesting office of this road cease betwixt LA and Vegas is that you can eat McDonalds within a passenger railroad train car!

A view of a quiet railway station in good condition but with no one around to use it in the desert in Barstow California on the way between Los Angeles and Vegas

Finish ix: Liberty Sculpture Park (Yermo, CA)

Driving Time from Los Angeles: 2 hours 30 minutes

Freedom Sculpture Park is a must-finish during your road trip. Yous can't miss thesizeable monuments standing proudly on empty, desert state.

Chinese artist and sculptor Chen Weiming created this park to promote freedom and democracy and commemorate the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Foursquare Massacre in Beijing, China.

Stop 10: Calico Ghost Town (Yermo, CA)

Driving Time from Los Angeles: 2 hours 30 minutes

If you've never visited a "ghost boondocks," this is your chance! Once an one-time mining town, Calico had prospered since its establishment in 1881 due to its production of silverish ore.

The town was later abandoned in the mid-1890's when silver lost its value. In the 1950's, Calico was restored and had maintained the advent of its original buildings.

Today, Calico Ghost Town serves as an allure and historical site for visitors. Yous tin can find more information on its various attractions here.

A wooden old-timey building that says "Town Hall" in the abandoned mining town of Calico, California, a road trip stop between Los Angeles and Las Vegas

Cease 11: Zzyzx Road (Zzyzx, CA)

Driving Time from Los Angeles: 3 hours 15 minutes

The unusually named road, Zzyzx Road, is not your typical road finish! In fact, it's rather unusual, to say the least. But that's what makes information technology even more interesting.

Despite the road being dry and desolate, y'all can see a fairly large lake lined with palm trees. As you venture downwardly the road, you might see some wildlife like a pack of bighorn sheep.

At the finish of the route, you'll encounter a inquiry center. Information technology'southward a repose expanse that appears abandoned and will either requite you the creeps or pique your interest fifty-fifty more than. Learn about the consummate history of Zzyzx Road here.

A green street sign with white letters which reads "Exit 23 Zxyxx Road" with some other cars on the highway out in the desert.

Terminate 12: The World'south Tallest Thermometer (Bakery, CA)

Driving Time from Los Angeles: 3 hours 20 minutes

At 76,812 pounds and 134 anxiety tall, you're looking at the globe'due south tallest thermometer.

In 1913, it recorded the globe's hottest temperature at 134 degrees Fahrenheit (56.67 degrees Celsius).

Yous won't see anything like this anywhere else on Globe, literally!

A really tall thermometer which reads "Baker CA Gateway to Death Valley" with an American flag flying in the background.

Stop 13: Alien Fresh Jerky (Baker, CA)

Driving Time from Los Angeles: 3 hours 20 minutes

Alien Fresh Jerky began as a small-scale shop selling healthier snack alternatives for road trips and after evolved into a booming business selling unconventional but tasty beef jerky with flavors like carne asada and mango habanero.

Fifty-fifty if you're non a fan of beef jerky, it's all the same a absurd spot to check out equally you lot can purchase other types of snacks and beverages, including alien-themed souvenirs.

The store's exterior is congenital to await similar an alien spaceship, so have your camera ready!

Finish xiv: Death Valley National Park (Death Valley, CA)

Driving Fourth dimension from Los Angeles: 5 hours 10 minutes

At this signal of your route trip, you're nearly three quarters of the style to Vegas! Venture up Death Valley Route to—you guessed information technology—Death Valley National Park.

From the turning bespeak off of I-15 at Bakery, the bulldoze into the park is another 1 hour and 40 minutes.

If your road trip from LA to Vegas is part of your adventure and y'all're not pressed for fourth dimension, you tin simply savour a scenic drive through the park and visit spots like Badwater Basin or Devils Golf Course to meet the out-of-this-world yet natural desert landscape.

Because this is a longer detour, I propose planning a split up trip and an overnight or weekend stay to make your visit here worth information technology. I take a ii-day itinerary for Death Valley here and you lot can too cheque my consummate listing of the all-time things to do in Death Valley.

Planning to stay the night in Death Valley? I also gathered the best Death Valley Airbnbs near the park.

You can also skip this stop and head straight to Vegas if y'all're in a blitz.

View of white salt flats in the middle of the valley floor of Death Valley's lowest point, seen from above, with red, purple, and brown rocky landscape in the desert.

Stop xv: Mojave National Preserve (Kelso, CA)

Driving Fourth dimension from Los Angeles: 4 hours 30 minutes

Like Expiry Valley National Park, the Mojave National Preserve is where you tin go for a breathtaking drive through isolated but spectacular desert grounds.

Since the turning bespeak into the preserve from Baker volition tack on another hour to your drive, y'all may want to consider visiting when you can stay overnight at a nearby location.

A few noteworthy spots in the Mojave are the Kelso Dunes, the Mitchell Caverns, and Soda Lake.

There'due south no lodging, restaurants, or grocery stores in the Mojave National Preserve, so if you decide to visit, come prepared with enough nutrient and water… remembering that this is a desert, then h2o is essential!

Pale yellow-brown sand dunes against a pale, cloudy sky with desert brush and flora.

Stop xvi: 7 Magic Mountains (Southward of Las Vegas, NV)

Driving Time from Los Angeles: 3 hours 45 minutes

It'southward your terminal route trip cease! Take in the sights of the Seven Magic Mountains, a special 35-foot loftier art installation that displays brightly colored boulders stacked upon each other to depict the mountains of the desert.

This outdoor showroom is a pop spot for photographers or those who simply want to capture the Instagram-worthy shot. Note: Vii Magic Mountains volition remain open through to the end of 2021.

Seven colorful painted stacked rocks in the middle of a desert landscape outside of Las Vegas, a popular road trip stop between LA and Vegas.

Stop 17: Las Vegas

Driving Fourth dimension from Los Angeles: 4 hours

Finally, you've arrived in Vegas, infant! Accept your photograph with the famous "Welcome to Fabled Las Vegas Sign" to outset the Las Vegas portion of this trip.

From there, in that location so much to do in Vegas, from helicopter flights over the Strip (or even to the K Coulee) to checking out the casinos and sights forth the Vegas Strip to checking out Fremont Street for an alternate side to Vegas.

And of form, you could optionally continue onwards to the Valley of Fire State Park, which is another 45 minute drive and well worth the extra push button!

The sign that reads "Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas" lit up in neon and shown at night against palm trees and Vegas skyline.

Places to Eat During your Route Trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas

There'due south a likelihood that you lot'll get hungry at some point during the 4+ hour drive, and then here's a handful of options for places to grab a seize with teeth to swallow or to take out with you lot for the ride!

Outpost Buffet—Highly-rated, American comfort food with hearty servings. Offers breakfast, dejeuner, and dinner.
Accost: 8685 US-395, Oak Hills, CA 92344.

Del Taco—A Mexican fast-nutrient eating house. Information technology'due south too the original Del Taco. Many rave that it's the best Del Taco ever. (Grace and Frankie fans volition love this!)
Address: 401 N 1st Ave, Barstow, CA 92311

In-N-Out Burger—If y'all're a fellow Californian, and so this is likely an obvious choice for you! Y'all really can't go wrong with their burger and chips.
Accost: 2821 Lenwood Rd, Barstow, CA 92311

The Mad Greek—Popular for its gyros and other Greek dishes.
Accost: 72112 Baker Blvd, Baker, CA 92309
(Notation: The eating house is temporarily closed for renovation, so keep an eye out for their reopening appointment.)

Peggy Sue's 50's Diner—A 1950'south-way diner serving American classics like chicken fried steaks and water ice cream sundaes. It also has its very own pizza parlor that serves calzones, wings, and breadsticks.
Address: 35654 Yermo Rd, Yermo, CA 92398

Pin This Guide to a Los Angeles to Las Vegas Road Trip

Lianne quit her ix-v chore in 2018 and moved to the bustling city of LA for a change of step. Having lived in a quiet, secluded role of the East Coast most of her life, her life on the West Coast has since pushed her outside her comfort zone and inspired her to always take "the road less traveled." Travel has played a key part in her personal development, and she believes everyone can reap the extraordinary benefits of exploring life beyond borders.

Source: https://californiacrossroads.com/los-angeles-to-las-vegas-road-trip/