Los Angeles to Las Vegas Road Trip – Best Drive Itinerary

You’re undoubtedly keen to get going, but before setting off on the drive to Las Vegas, take some time to explore some of Los Angeles’ famous landmarks. If you want some of the best views across the city, head up to Mulholland Drive Scenic Overlook, a winding road in the Hollywood Hills with several lookout points from Downtown LA to the Pacific Ocean. Or, if you’d rather explore outside of your RV, head to the Runyon Canyon Hiking Trail for even more amazing views.

If you’ve got the time, it’s also worth visiting The Getty Centre while you’re in LA. This is a hilltop museum with an impressive collection of art, including works by Van Gogh and Rembrandt. And, if you’re looking for a good book to chill out with at some of the campgrounds you’ll find along the road, The Last Bookstore has something for every kind of reader.

With so much to explore before you even hit the road, it might be worth spending a night or two close to Los Angeles to explore it to the fullest. For a great place to camp, head to Hollywood RV Park in Van Nuys, where you’ll find full hookups along with basic amenities and a gym. And, when you’re ready to head to your next destination, you’ve got easy access to the freeway, so you won’t need to worry too much about getting stuck in that famous LA traffic!

After around 90 minutes on the road from Los Angeles, you’ll arrive at Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch. This is one of the most famous roadside attractions on the route and is an installation made up of hundreds of metal trees adorned with colorful glass bottles that catch the sunlight in different ways throughout the day. Now, while this is a showstopper itself, it’s not the only reason to stop, as there’s more to explore in Oro Grande and the surrounding area.

For instance, if you’re interested in history and in need of something to eat, a 10-minute drive will take you to Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Cafe. This is a historic diner that has been serving Route 66 travelers since 1947 and is famous for its thick milkshakes and “Brian Burger”, alongside a touch of classic roadside diner nostalgia. Or, if you’re looking to escape into the great outdoors for a bit, the Mojave River Forks Regional Park is only 40 minutes away and has plenty of hiking trails and picnic areas to explore and relax on.

When it comes to finding a place to set up camp for the night, Desert Willow RV Park has everything you need for a comfortable stay just 25 minutes from Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch. This includes full hookups, restooms with private showers, laundry facilities, barbecues, and picnic tables. There’s even a seasonally heated swimming pool and an indoor spa, giving you the ideal way to relax before you set off on the next leg of your adventure.

Your next stop on the road from Los Angeles to Las Vegas is Calico Ghost Town. Once a booming silver mining town in the 1880s, this place gives you a chance to step back in time and experience the Old West, with eerie abandoned buildings and mining equipment turned into a historical park.

One of the most popular things to do here is visit Maggie Mine, an easy self-guided tour that takes you through a real mining tunnel, so you can see the conditions the miners here had to endure. The Calico Mystery Shack is another must-do, especially if you’re traveling with kids who will love exploring the optical illusions.

You won’t need to venture too far to find a great place to camp nearby, as you can pull up in the ghost town itself at Calico Ghost Town Campground. There is a mix of partial and full hookups available here, along with restrooms, hot showers, picnic tables, and a dump station. Best of all, though, you get a truly unique camping experience, and with 265 sites on offer, there’s usually plenty of space available, which is ideal if you’re having so much fun you decide to stay on a whim.

The next morning, take a 5 mile drive and head to Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner. This place is the epitome of retro and is packed with 1950s nostalgic items like life-sized cardboard cutouts of Elvis and Marilyn Monroe, neon signs, and a jukebox. There are also some awesome attractions on the grounds, including a dinosaur park with fibreglass dinosaurs and a pond filled with koi fish and turtles.

The menu here is classic American comfort food, with favorites like chicken-friend steak, meatloaf, and hand-spun milkshakes on offer.

And, when you’re done eating, head to the on-site candy shop and gift store to pick up a few souvenirs from your trip.

You won’t really need to camp here as you’re so close to Calico Ghost Town Campground and only 60 miles from your next destination. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t options, especially if you’ve not been able to grab a space at Calico. For instance, Oasis RV Park and Lodge is only 15 minutes away and is a great stopover with full hookups that will give you a comfortable place to spend the night before hitting the road again.

After driving for about 60 miles from Peggy Sue’s, you’ll arrive in Baker, which is home to one of the most famous roadside attractions in the Southwest – The World’s Tallest Thermometer. Standing at 134 feet tall, this landmark is more than just a quirky stop, it also holds some historical significance as it was made to commemorate the highest temperate ever recorded on Earth when the mercury rose to 134ºF in nearby Death Valley.

Once you’ve taken the obligatory photos with the thermometer, you can turn your sights to the great places Baker has to dine at. A local favorite is The Mad Greek Cafe, which, as its name suggests, serves delicious Greek dishes like gyros, souvlaki, and homemade baklava. Or, if you’re in the mood for something a bit more off-beat, visit Alien Fresh Jerky, a UFO-themed store selling all kinds of extraterrestrial-themed snacks and alien memorabilia.

There aren’t too many options when it comes to camping nearby, but you will find no-frills RV parking at Clark’s Mobile Home & RV Park, just off Death Valley Road. The lack of amenities here means it’s really only suitable for a one-night stay, but it’s budget-friendly and a convenient option for getting back on the road the next day.

You really don’t have to travel far for your next stop, as Mojave National Preserve is less than a mile along the road. This is the perfect spot for exploring the desert and there are some awesome attractions like the Cinder Cone Lava Beds on Kelbaker Road and forests filled with Joshua trees. One of the best things to do here is hike to the top of Kelso Dunes, where you’ll be able to hear the sand “singing” as it shifts beneath your feet.

After that, take the 45-minute drive to the Hole-in-the-Wall Rings Trail, where you’ll get the chance to hike through ancient volcanic rock and climb metal rings that take you through narrow canyons. Or, for something less challenging, a 25-minute drive will take you to the Kelso Depot, where you can learn more about the region’s railroad history and explore a visitor center packed with interesting exhibits about the Mojave Desert’s ecology and wildlife.

45 minutes away, you’ll find a great camping option at the Hole-in-the-Wall Campground. It seems pretty basic here at first, given its desert surroundings, but it’s actually got some great amenities you’re welcome to use, including picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, and drinking water access. And, while it may not be as luxurious as some of the more developed campgrounds you’ve stayed at throughout this road trip, it’s ideal if you’re looking to spend a couple of nights off-grid.

You’re now crossing into Nevada, and your penultimate stop on this road trip is the Seven Magic Mountains. You can’t miss these even if you tried, as the brightly colored stacks of rock rise high into the air and stand out against the desert backdrop. This is an amazing photo opportunity, but it’s not the only thing to do while you’re in the area.

You can also head to the Pioneer Saloon, which is 15 minutes away in the nearby town of Goodsprings, to see an old-time bar with a fascinating history, including bullet holes in the walls from past bar fights! Luckily, the atmosphere is a lot calmer here now, and you can grab a drink while enjoying live music and BBQ food in an authentic old-west setting.

When it’s time to settle down for the evening, Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort is just 20 minutes away and is the perfect place to spend some time in luxury before your road trip comes to an end. Here, you’ll have access to full hookups and the usual amenities you’d expect to find at an RV park, but it really goes the extra mile with a pool, 18-hole grass-putting course, marketplace, cafe and bar, and fitness suite.

You’ve reached your final destination! But, before fully immersing yourself in the pure energy of Las Vegas, you can’t miss the opportunity to take a commemorative photo at the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign”. After that, buckle up and brace yourself for a truly amazing time.

The first place you should consider visiting is Town Square Las Vegas, an outdoor shopping and dining complex, where you can fuel up before diving into the hustle and bustle of The Strip. You should also make a visit to The Pinball Hall of Fame, a massive arcade filled with vintage pinball machines and classic arcade games.

There’s almost too much to explore and experience in Las Vegas, so you’ll want somewhere to spend a few nights in your RV. One of the best, which is also conveniently located just 20 minutes from The Strip, is Las Vegas RV Resort. You’ll have access to full hookups here, as well as some stellar amenities like a swimming pool, spa, and fitness center, along with restrooms with hot showers and a general store. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay a little further from The Strip check out the best camping & campground sites near Las Vegas.

Planning a road trip? Whether it’s a quick weekend escape or a long-haul adventure, securing an affordable campervan rental is a game-changer. With a budget-friendly campervan rental in Las Vegas, you can explore the open road without overspending. Reserve yours today and get ready for an unforgettable journey!

Feel like heading somewhere else after your Las Vegas road trip? There are plenty of other awesome Los Angeles road trips to choose from, including:

• Check Out LA to Sacramento Road Trip
• Check Out LA to Phoenix Road Trip
• Check Out Los Angeles to Palm Springs Road Trip
• Check Out Los Angeles to Chicago Route 66 Road Trip
• See all Los Angeles road trips

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