Los Angeles to Houston road trip

Joshua Tree is one of the most rewarding early stops on this LA to Houston road trip because it immediately resets your pace. The meeting point of the Mojave and Colorado deserts creates a sculptural landscape with twisted Joshua trees, smooth granite boulders, and wide basins that glow at sunrise and sunset.

For a first visit, drive in via the West Entrance and take time with the park’s short, low-commitment walks. Hidden Valley is ideal for stretching your legs among massive rock formations, while Barker Dam offers a surprisingly green loop with reflections after rain. If you’re curious about the climbing culture here, stop at Intersection Rock – even if you don’t climb, watching climbers move across the stone gives the landscape a sense of scale.

Local tip: Joshua Tree shines at the edges of the day. Aim to enter the park early morning or late afternoon, then leave the midday heat behind. After dark, the park’s minimal light pollution makes it one of Southern California’s best stargazing spots – even from the campground.

Black Rock Campground is a great base for exploring the park’s western side, with paved access and spacious sites.

Kingman sits squarely in classic Route 66 road trip territory and works best as a relaxed overnight rather than a rushed stop. The town’s appeal lies in its nostalgia – vintage signage, wide streets, and diners that feel frozen in time.

Spend an hour at the Arizona Route 66 Museum to understand why this stretch of road mattered so much to cross-country travel, then wander downtown to ogle old motels and murals. Dinner is best kept simple here: burgers, milkshakes, and neon-lit storefronts suit the mood.

Most of all, don’t overplan Kingman. Its charm is subtle and works best when you lean into the slower pace – a short walk after dinner and an early night sets you up well for the drive ahead.

Park up for a comfortable overnight stop at Kingman KOA Journey, with easy access from I-40.

The elevation rises as you approach Flagstaff, bringing cooler air and pine forest scenery. It’s a good place to refuel, restock, or enjoy a relaxed breakfast before continuing on your road trip east.

From here, detour into Petrified Forest National Park, where ancient fossilized logs lie scattered across painted desert badlands. The park unfolds as a series of short stops along a paved road – walk among crystallized logs at Crystal Forest, take in the color bands at Blue Mesa, and pause at overlooks across the Painted Desert.

Exiting the park’s southern end places you just minutes from Holbrook, a classic Route 66 town that works perfectly as an overnight stop. Try Holbrook / Petrified Forest KOA Journey – you could even tack on a day trip to the Grand Canyon (2.5 hrs) from here, if you wanted to.

Albuquerque introduces a distinct cultural shift in your road trip itinerary. Set along the Rio Grande and framed by the Sandia Mountains, the city blends Native American, Hispanic, and Southwestern influences.

Focus your time on Old Town Albuquerque, where galleries, shaded plazas, and historic buildings cluster within a compact area. If you’re after a bigger perspective, the Sandia Peak Tramway offers sweeping views across the Rio Grande valley and desert beyond – especially striking near sunset.

For a great campground nearby, check out Enchanted Trails RV Park & Trading Post which has plenty of vintage charm.

Crossing into Texas, the scale opens dramatically. Just outside Amarillo, a quick stop at Cadillac Ranch adds a dose of playful Americana – a row of spray-painted Cadillacs planted nose-first in the ground beside the highway. It’s a brief, easy stop that works well as a leg stretch rather than a destination in itself.

Amarillo itself has found renewed cultural relevance in recent years as a filming location for the TV series Yellowstone but the real highlight lies just south: Palo Duro Canyon State Park.

Often called the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” Palo Duro surprises with its depth, color, and sense of isolation. Even a short walk along the canyon floor or a viewpoint stop reveals layered rock walls and wide skies that feel far removed from the surrounding plains.

Hot tip: Visit the canyon late afternoon when shadows deepen and colors intensify and book ahead for a site at Palo Duro Canyon Campground to overnight with dramatic canyon scenery.

Lubbock sits deep in the Texas High Plains, surrounded by cotton fields and wide-open skies, and works well as a natural pause after Palo Duro Canyon.

While it’s not a traditional tourist town, music fans will want to stop at the Buddy Holly Center, which tells the story of one of rock ’n’ roll’s most influential early figures. Downtown, the area around Buddy Holly Avenue has a handful of galleries, bars, and casual restaurants that make for an easy evening wander without needing too much of a plan.

From a road trip perspective, Lubbock is about pacing. It allows you to leave Palo Duro Canyon without rushing, enjoy a relaxed evening somewhere like Lubbock KOA Journey, and sets you up for a more manageable drive south toward Austin the following day.

This is one of the longer driving days, but the payoff is significant. Austin brings music, food, and a lively creative energy that feels distinctly Texan. Break up the drive if needed, then enjoy time exploring South Congress, swimming at Barton Springs, or simply enjoying the live music capital of the world.

Nearby Texas Hill Country adds a softer landscape of rolling hills, rivers, and oak trees – a contrast to the plains you’ve just crossed. Some great wineries, too!

If possible, arrive mid-afternoon and stay two nights. With so many legendary barbecue and Tex Mex food options, you’ll want to enjoy at least a few meals here.

When it comes to campgrounds, try McKinney Falls State Park for a peaceful setting with natural swimming holes about 20 minutes’ drive from downtown Austin.

Houston marks the final chapter of the journey. Large, diverse, and culturally rich, the city offers everything from world-class museums to expansive green spaces like Buffalo Bayou Park. The Museum District is particularly worthwhile, even with limited time.

If you’re extending your trip, the Gulf Coast – including Galveston – is an easy add-on for coastal scenery and seafood before returning your campervan.

Park up for the night at Lakeview RV Resort which gives resort vibes to end your road trip on a high note.

1. Plan for long distances
West Texas and eastern New Mexico involve long, uninterrupted drives. Start early and plan fuel stops ahead of time.

2. Watch the weather
Desert heat, mountain storms, and Gulf humidity can all appear on this route. Check forecasts daily.

3. Fuel up outside cities
Fill the tank when you can – especially before long interstate stretches.

4. Stay on sealed roads
Stick to paved highways and campground access roads; many desert tracks are unsealed and unsuitable for campervans.

5. Pace the journey
This is not a trip to rush. Build in rest days or shorter drives where possible to avoid fatigue.

A long-distance journey like Los Angeles to Houston is best experienced with the freedom to set your own pace. Campervan hire from Los Angeles includes unlimited miles, allowing you to embrace scenic detours, spontaneous stops, and overnight stays that turn the drive itself into the highlight.

From desert landscapes to Gulf-coast city life, this road trip showcases just how much the scenery – and atmosphere – can change when you travel by road.

Looking for more Los Angeles road trips? Here are some other itineraries you should check out:

• Los Angeles to Dallas Drive – Road Trip Itinerary
• LA to Sacramento Road Trip
• Los Angeles National Park Road Trip – Best Drive Itinerary
• Los Angeles to Palm Springs – Best Drive Itinerary

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