Las Vegas is a great destination for road trippers, from 1-hour drives to 3-day excursions. Depending on your location, you’ll want to take a few things into consideration for your Las Vegas road trip itinerary. Hours spent driving, pit stops, where to stay if stopping overnight, driving responsibilities, on-the-road entertainment, and more should all factor into your drive. See why you should take a road trip to Vegas, what to consider while planning, and some of the best starting points to begin your journey!
To ensure the most enjoyable experience, it is important to consider the total driving time and distance for your journey ahead of time. Taking into account pit stops or overnight stays, the total driving distance and time from point A to point B can have quite the range. Factors such as traffic and weather conditions can really impact your estimated drive time. It’s always a good idea to plan for several extra hours when predicting how long your trip will take you on the road so that you don’t end up feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
Planning how to avoid traffic is key when taking a road trip to Vegas. Ideally, you’ll want to drive during non-peak hours – usually in the early morning before 9:00 am and after 5:00 pm. Also, keep an eye out for big events and public holidays as these can add extra congestion on roads due to travelers making the most of their break. If your timeline allows, waiting until the day after a public holiday could save you some serious travel time. No matter the time, you will likely experience more congestion driving through bigger cities, so expect that, too.
Planning out a few pit stops along the way to Vegas can make all the difference, not just in terms of driver exhaustion but also when it comes to exploring some of the more interesting places that you might pass by. Researching the highways and back roads between your starting point and Vegas can give you better insight into those small towns that look like they have a lot of local character and even roadside attractions you can’t find anywhere else. Don’t forget about practical considerations too, like planning for where to get food on the road!
When you’re deciding who will take on the driving responsibilities for a road trip to Vegas, there are lots of things to consider. If you have multiple people in the car, it’s important to make sure everyone is taking turns and no one person is doing all the driving. Assigning driver and co-driver roles can help make sure everyone gets a break and you reach your destination safely. Taking turns with specific rest stop breaks and spending some time planning out where to sleep if you plan to stay overnight will be essential for keeping everyone energized on the road.
When planning a road trip to Vegas, consider where you will stay the night if the drive requires it. Hotels can be found at amazing prices along the way depending on your destination and budget. To keep costs low, you could even consider camping out, provided that your route allows for it – just be sure to check first before committing! You might be able to find some day-of availability at hotels if you’re just winging it, but it’s recommended you plan hotel stays ahead of time to avoid “no vacancy” signs or very high rates.
When planning a road trip to Vegas, make sure you have things lined up to keep entertained on the drive. Whether it be playing a game, listening to music, or downloading movies that you can watch on a laptop or tablet, having entertainment to pass the time makes for a much more enjoyable experience. Driving for long distances can be boring, so have your favorite entertainment on hand and research ahead of time for attractions to explore. That way, you will all have some great stories from each stop and along the drive!
There are so many places to start when planning your road trip to Las Vegas! Even if you live across the country, taking a Las Vegas road trip can be an exciting multi-day adventure. Based on the recommendation to drive no more than 9 hours a day, with a 45-minute break every 4.5 hours, you can estimate how many days you’ll be on the road. That being said, a 26-hour drive could be done in 3 days, but feel free to make it into a 5-day excursion so you can stop at more places along the way!
We’ve put together a list of Vegas road trip guides for cities across the country, including some of the best pit stops along the way to help keep things interesting.
Planning a road trip to Las Vegas can be an exciting addition to your trip. If you’re planning your next trip to Vegas, consider hitting the road and making an adventure out of it. While you’re planning all your Las Vegas road trip, book your room at Golden Gate Hotel & Casino to have a place to call home after your drive. On top of comfortable rooms and suites (or penthouses for added luxury), you’ll be in the heart of Downtown Las Vegas to walk around town and stretch your legs after your drive. Drive safely, and see you soon!
