Las Vegas To Dallas Road Trip: A 5-day Itinerary For Budget Travellers

The bawdy sights and neon lights of Las Vegas disappear in the rear-view mirror as you head out of the city limits and into the Nevada desert. Before you continue onto Williams today, make the stop at the iconic Hoover Dam. At just 35 miles from the city on the Nevada-Arizona border, this hydroelectric power plant is an extraordinary example of engineering on a grand scale. This vast concrete expanse wedged into canyon walls holds back the waters of Lake Mead above the Colorado River. It’s free to walk across the pedestrian walkway on top of the dam that spans 1,244 feet, otherwise, go deeper with a self-guided tour for $15. Just remember, the dam gets busy, so aim to arrive early.

From Hoover Dam, you’re around three hours’ drive from Williams in Arizona. This city is the gateway to the Grand Canyon, and makes a great spot to park it for the night ahead of adventures into the canyon tomorrow. Spend the evening stretching your legs along historic Route 66 in Williams downtown, which runs through the heart of town and is lined with diners, neon signs, and independent shops. It’s a slice of old time Americana with loads of small town warmth.

Be up early today for the hour-or-so drive to the Grand Canyon and maximize your time in this truly jaw-dropping natural wonder. Your first stop will likely be Mather Point, which is a viewing area accessible from the visitor center carpark. Here, you’ll take in the full force of this captivating icon. Mather Point sits 7120 feet above sea level and plunges 4500 feet to the Colorado River below, offering 180-degree panoramic views of the inner canyon.

Once you’ve processed the scale of the canyon, hop back in the car for the 23-mile Desert View Drive along the south rim from Grand Canyon Village. Along the way you’ll be treated to six viewpoints, picnic areas and the Tusayan Pueblo Archaeology Site.

Keep in mind, the Grand Canyon National Park charges a vehicle entry fee. A standard vehicle pass costs $35 and covers all passengers. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80 for US residents) covers entry and is worth buying if you’re visiting multiple national parks on this trip. It provides access to more than 2000 federal recreation sites for 12 months from the month of purchase.

From Williams today, continue 148 miles onward to the Petrified Forest National Park. While the Grand Canyon gets all the headlines, this incredible national park certainly compares in beauty to its more famous sibling. Striations of striking colors paint the landscape hues of rich reds and copper and the area is littered with ancient animal fossils and petrified trees. The Painted Desert is part of park and features colorful badlands, mesas, and buttes created by layers of volcanic ash and clay. Its vivid hues change dramatically with the light of day.

Begin at the Visitor Center to take in the exhibits and orient yourself. If you have allocated time for the day here, you can wander one of the trails – such as the one-mile Blue Mesa trail – or if not, you can take a drive through the national park. The roads through the park are all sealed and stretch for 28 miles with spurs and viewpoints along the way.

You’re another three hours to three-and-a-half hours from the New Mexico city of Albuquerque. This high-desert city is rich with Hispanic and Native American culture and is touted as the hot air balloon capital of the world on account of its clear skies, desert climate and lofty altitude.

Don’t be too hasty to leave Albuquerque today. Before you travel onwards to Texas, head to Old Town, which is the original heart of the city, established in 1706. It’s still the cultural center of New Mexico’s largest city and has a charmingly authentic vibe with the colorful adobe houses and narrow streets.

If you’re curious about those colorful balloons ascending above the desert, take a wander around the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum that traces the history of the balloon from invention to modern day.

Next stop today is the sculptural curiosity of the Cadillac Ranch. This open-air art installation is a leg-stretch and a photo-op just off the highway. After you pull up, it’s a 200-yard walk to the 10 graffiti decorated cars planted nose-first into the earth. It’s open 24 hours and is completely free.

After your selfie, you are only 10 miles from Amarillo. The ‘Yellow City’ is the largest in the Texas panhandle and is a major gateway to Palo Duro Canyon State Park, around 25 miles from the city center. While you’re in town, the Route 66 Sixth Street Historic District is well-worth a visit with 13 blocks of cafes, antique shops, boutiques, nightspots and restaurants in the San Jacinto Heights area west of downtown.

If you’re hankering for a steak, the Big Texan Steak Ranch has been an institution for carnivores since 1960 and is home to the legendary 72-ounce steak challenge, which must be completed in one-hour and includes sides and a shrimp cocktail.

Today is a long stretch of five-to-six hours to Dallas. Before you depart Amarillo, though, try to squeeze in a visit to the Palo Duro Canyon. Often referred to as the Grand Canyon of Texas, this is an unexpected delight on the road trip and is a justifiable delay in getting to your destination.

But the exclamation point in your journey comes as you arrive in Dallas. A city full of swagger, cowboy culture, thriving arts and championship sports, the country’s ninth-most-populous city does not disappoint.

It’s time to raise a glass to a road trip completed at Reunion Tower, where you can ascend to the 470-feet-high Geo Deck for a full 360-degree snapshot of the city sprawled below.

At the end of a day exploring the expansive desert landscapes and vibrant hubs of this road trip, your home-on-the-road is always with you. Traveling in a campervan gives you the freedom to create your perfect journey with plenty of dispersed camping and campgrounds. One of the great things about this route is that it follows major roads, mainly I-40, through the Southwest, meaning there are well-serviced towns at regular intervals.

While you can drive to Dallas from Las Vegas all year, shoulder seasons, such as spring and fall, offer the most moderate temperatures and avoid the chance of icy driving conditions at high-elevation areas in New Mexico and Arizona.

Rent a campervan
This is one of the best ways to save money on a Las Vegas to Dallas road trip, because you don’t need to worry about costly accommodation. Instead, spend the night in affordable campgrounds or dispersed camping sites, particularly in Arizona and New Mexico. With Travellers Autobarn, every rental comes with free unlimited miles, so you never need to worry about following where the road takes you.

Fuel up in large towns
Gas is your biggest expense on a road trip, but you can be strategic about where you fill up. Usually, larger towns offer cheaper fuels, so fill up when you stop in places such as Amarillo. Apps such as GasBuddy can help find the cheapest stations along the way.

Stop at free attractions
There’s plenty to see along the way that won’t cost a dime. Along Route 66 there are roadside attractions, such as historic signs, murals, scenery and diners, that cost nothing to enjoy. In Amarillo, the Cadillac Ranch is completely free.

Stock the camper with food and snacks
To avoid paying for diner and restaurant meals on the road, be sure to stock up at grocery stores in Las Vegas and large towns along the way, so you can cook for yourself.

Make your Las Vegas to Dallas, Texas drive through four states effortless and affordable with campervan rentals in Las Vegas. Every rental comes with free unlimited miles, giving you the freedom to pull over whenever you like, wherever you love and take your time out there on the open road.

If this is just the tip of your road-tripping iceberg, be sure to take a look at some of these iconic Las Vegas itineraries:

• Las Vegas to Zion National Park Road Trip
• Las Vegas to San Diego Road Trip
• Las Vegas To Rocky Mountains National Park Road Trip
• Las Vegas to Los Angeles Road Trip – Best Drive Itinerary

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