When taking a road trip to Vegas, the drive is part of the fun. If your journey starts in Salt Lake City, driving to Las Vegas is a great way to experience the beauty of Utah before arriving in the city of neon lights, all while making memories with your friends and family. A Salt Lake City to Las Vegas road trip is a trip that everyone should experience.
Pack your bags, rally the troops, and fill the tank, because we have all the road trip recommendations to embark on the best Salt Lake City to Las Vegas drive.
Taking a Salt Lake City to Las Vegas road trip can easily be done in a day with plenty of time to spare once you get in to Vegas – unless you take your time at each of the road trip stops and enjoy all the sights and activities your drive has to offer! The I-15 S is the main road you’ll be driving on, taking you 420 miles mostly through Utah, a touch of Arizona, and part of Southern Nevada. With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately 6 hours to complete.
If possible, avoid starting the SLC to Las Vegas drive on Thursday through Sunday, the most popular driving days. Instead, leave on less-popular driving days such as Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday when traffic tends to be lighter than the hustle and bustle of weekend driving. Allow for longer drive times if you plan on traveling to the city for Las Vegas events or during the holidays. No matter where you’re driving from or which day of the week, the traffic is sure to pick up closer to the city.
Just outside of Salt Lake City, you’ll find an aquatic wonderland filled with a wide range of animals and education opportunities. From sharks to penguins to native Utah wildlife, this aquarium is a must-see for any nature lover.
You don’t have to wait for November to enjoy Thanksgiving! This area in Lehi, UT is not short on activities. Make a stop on your SLC to Las Vegas drive to enjoy their butterfly biosphere, gardens, museums, movies, dining, and more.
We bet you’ve never been to a truck stop that doubles as a petting zoo before. In Scipio, UT, stretch your legs and pet some animals at the Scipio Petting Zoo. What’s better than a Las Vegas road trip send off from camels and alpacas?
As many reviewers have said, Cluff’s provides one of the best burgers in Utah. If you’re starting to get hungry, stop by this 50s-themed restaurant for a burger, fries, and a shake to tide you over for the rest of your Salt Lake to Las Vegas drive.
Learn a bit of Utah history at this $2 pit stop – Utah’s oldest existing governmental building. The Territorial Statehouse used to be Utah’s territorial capitol, and today is a museum educating visitors on the history of Utah as a territory.
The past meets the present at this Salt Lake City to Las Vegas road trip stop. Cottontown Village is filled with modern shops, restaurants, and venues all hosted in traditional Pioneer-Western design for a one-of-a-kind experience.
Mormon settler Brigham Young was a key component to the survival of St. George, Utah by establishing the settlement’s tabernacle, courthouse and Mormon temple. This now-museum of St. George history was his previous winter home.
Get a little wild on your SLC to Las Vegas drive by making a stop at the Rosenbruch World Wildlife Museum. When visiting, you will find dioramas from every continent depictive of over 300 animals, along with a fun gift shop.
While Bloomington Petroglyph Park is more south than the museum above, this park requires a short drive west, adding to mileage. This quick stop will only take 15 minutes to enjoy, but is worth the visit for ancient petroglyphs with no hike.
With less than 100 miles to go before reaching Vegas, stretch your legs at this museum dedicated to educating visitors on the pioneer history of Southern Nevada. Mob history is exciting, but pioneer history is the true root of Nevada.
Some say life isn’t only about the destination, it’s about the journey. If you’re planning your next trip to Las Vegas, consider hitting the road and making an adventure out of it.
