Las Vegas to Salt Lake City – Road Trip Itinerary

Before you head out on the open road, it’s worth taking some time to explore the glittering madness of Las Vegas itself. Spend a few hours wandering The Strip and its themed hotels, while enjoying the street performances you’ll find on nearly every corner. There are also plenty of casinos to try your luck at, but don’t worry if you’re not into gambling, as there’s still plenty to enjoy, like the world-famous Cirque du Soleil show and the dancing fountains at the Bellagio.

Once you’re done with the Strip, head to the Arts District, where you’ll find cool galleries and boutiques, as well as some excellent dining options. You can also head to Downtown Vegas and, particularly, Fremont Street, for a look at vintage Vegas’ old-school casinos and nightly light shows under the Viva Vision canopy. And if you’re a nature lover itching to escape the buzz of the city, Red Rock Canyon is just 25 minutes away and makes for a fantastic pre-road trip warm-up with short hikes and drives through desert cliffs.

If you’d like to spend a night or two in Las Vegas before starting your road trip, the Las Vegas KOA Journey at Sam’s Town is a good choice. It’s only 10 minutes from Downtown Vegas, and has full hookups and several facilities, including a 24-hour laundry, camp store, community BBQ and picnic areas, and a pool and hot tub. It’s dog-friendly, too, which is ideal if you’ve bought your canine companion along for the adventure.

Just 81 miles northeast of Las Vegas (and under an hour and fifteen minutes on the road), you’ll reach Mesquite, which is right up against the Arizona border. Most travelers use this as a simple pit stop, but it actually makes a great overnight stop, and there are plenty of surprises to uncover. For instance, if you’re into golf, there are a handful of well-kept courses surrounded by desert views, most notably Wolf Creek Golf Club, which is only 5 minutes from town.

Not keen on golf? For something a bit different, take a 5-minute walk from town to the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum to get a feel for the early settler history of the area. Or, for more of a nature-based experience, there are several walking trails in the area that take you along the Virgin River, including the namesake Virgin River Trail that is completely paved and even has streetlights, so it can be enjoyed as a peaceful stroll at dusk.

For your camping options, one of the best places to pull up overnight is Solstice Motorcoach Resort, just 10 minutes from town. You’ll find full hookups here, along with amenities such as restrooms with hot showers, laundry facilities, WiFi, picnic areas, and a games room complete with pool and ping pong tables. It’s also in quite a remote area, giving you the chance to escape the busyness of the city, while still being easily accessible in an RV.

As you cross into Utah, you’ll find yourself in St George. This city sits at the convergence of red rock deserts and mountain ranges, providing you with a fantastic mix of natural spaces to explore and some places that offer more in terms of creature comforts. The downtown area is particularly popular with outdoor lovers, and not only is it a great spot to grab a coffee and a bite to eat, but The Red Hills Desert Garden and Pioneer Park are both within a 10 minute drive and give you a taste of the landscape without needing to head out on a full-on hiking expedition.

While you’re here, you should definitely carve out some time to visit the St. George Dinosaur Discover Site, which is 5 minutes from town and is a particularly good option if you’re traveling with kids (or just love dinosaurs yourself), as you’ll get the chance to see real dino tracks embedded in ancient rock. And if you’re in the mood for a not-too-strenuous walk, the paved trails at St George Narrows are well worth your time and less than 10 minutes from the downtown area.

When you’re ready to rest up, McArthur’s Temple View RV Resort is a good choice and is conveniently located just 5 minutes from town. The sites here are easy access and pull-thru, and you’ll benefit from some fantastic amenities, including a pool and jacuzzi, laundry facilities, and even a fitness center.

Your next stop is Cedar City, which is just under an hour from St George and is often referred to as the “Gateway to the National Parks”. Now, since we’re keeping things on a relatively straight track between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, you won’t actually be heading to any National Parks, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do here. To start, Cedar City is home to Southern Utah University and it has a creative energy that shines through in its shops, murals, and cultural events. In fact, if you’re visiting during the summer, the annual Utah Shakespeare Festival is a pretty big deal here, drawing in crowds from all over the country.

Even if you’re not here for the theatre, there’s still lots to explore. The Cedar Breaks National Monument is a 30-minute drive away and is like a mini Bryce Canyon, with hoodoos, wildflowers, and views on offer that stretch for miles. Or, if you’re not keen on a slight detour, stay in town and check out the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum or take a stroll through the university’s sculpture garden.

Camping-wise, the Cedar City RV Resort is a solid choice and is less than 5 minutes from downtown. You’ll have access to full hookups here and, despite being so close to town, it has a quiet and relaxed atmosphere that feels completely removed from the hustle and bustle. You’ll also be able to take advantage of some excellent amenities, including showers, laundry facilities, a swimming pool, fire pits, and a designated dog park for your four-legged travel buddies to sniff and explore safely in.

You’ll now travel your longest stretch of road so far, and after around 90 minutes, you’ll arrive at Fillmore. This is another underrated town that many people making their way to Salt Lake City simply breeze through, but trust us when we say it’s well worth stopping and exploring, especially if you’re a bit of a history buff. This is because Fillmore was once intended to be the state capital of Utah, and it has a real sense of heritage, which is particularly apparent in the Territorial Statehouse Park Museum, which incidentally also happens to be housed in the oldest surviving government building in Utah.

It’s also a fantastic place if you’re into geology (or simply want to stretch your legs after the drive), with the lava tubes at Meadow Hot Springs just waiting for you, just 20 minutes from town. Don’t feel like detouring? Simply take a relaxing stroll through town and treat yourself to something sweet at Sweet Stop Hawaiian Shaved Ice.

Whatever you decide to do here, one of the best spots to rest up after a day of exploring is Fillmore KOA Journey. It’s less than 10 minutes from town and is easy to find, and it has some of the best amenities in the area. These include full hookups, a hot tub, a sauna, a playground, bike rentals, laundry facilities, and a games room. All you need for a comfortable and memorable stay before hitting the road and heading to your next destination! When you hire a campervan with Travellers Autobarn, you can also score yourself 10% off at KOA campgrounds keeping more money in your pocket.

Your penultimate stop before reaching Salt Lake City is Nephi, just under an hour north of Fillmore. This is the place to go if you want that classic Utah town atmosphere, and while it might not have much in terms of flashy attractions, it does give you a nice balance of scenery and simplicity. This is a great spot to unwind and grab a bite to eat, and if you’re looking to stretch your legs a bit, the Mount Nebo Scenic Byway is just 10 minutes away and offers you some fantastic views.

Also, if you’re up for a 35-minute detour, Nephi is the gateway to Yuba Lake State Park, where you’ve got opportunities to spend the day swimming or simply relaxing by the water’s edge. Otherwise, stay closer to town and use your visit to Nephi to restock on supplies and enjoy a slower pace at your campground for a couple of days before heading out on the final stretch of road.

And when it comes to choosing your campground, you can’t go wrong with Jones High Country RV Camp, which is pretty much in town, making it really easily accessible. There are 60 sites on offer here, and the amenities include restrooms with hot showers, laundry facilities, and free WiFi. Also, this campground prides itself on offering some of the cheapest rates in Utah, so it’s a great shout if you’re trying to stick to a smaller budget.

Finally, the road takes you to Salt Lake City, and after days of small towns and desert scenery, the city skyline will feel like a fresh contrast. There’s a lot to do here, from wandering through the paths of Liberty Park to exploring Temple Square’s grand architecture. It’s also a foodie’s heaven, with plenty of artisan coffee shops, vegan bakeries, steak houses, and breweries all waiting for you to find your new culinary obsession!

If you’re planning on spending a couple of days here, it’s also worth making a plan to head over to Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake. It’s about 90 minutes away from downtown Salt Lake City, but it’s well worth the day trip for the chance to see wild bison roaming the landscape and to take in the mirror-like reflections on the water at sunset.

For your final campground on this adventure, Salt Lake City KOA is pretty hard to beat. It’s just 10 minutes from downtown and has everything from full hookups to a hot tub and sauna on offer. It even offers a shuttle service to some of the city’s major attractions, so you can leave your RV safely parked in place while you explore.

Ready to hit the road? Lock in your adventure with affordable campervan rental in Las Vegas that includes free unlimited miles, so you can focus on the journey and not the odometer.

Looking for some other road trips out of Las Vegas? Here are some other articles you might enjoy:

• Las Vegas to San Diego Road Trip
• Las Vegas to Rocky Mountains National Park Road Trip
• Las Vegas to Phoenix Road Trip
• Las Vegas to Reno Road Trip

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