It takes about 3 hours to fly from San Antonio to Las Vegas, but what’s the fun in that? If you’re planning a trip to Vegas from San Antonio, make your next vacation out a road trip to enjoy the experience in a whole new way. While this trip is a long one, it allows you to explore two additional states while on the journey. If you’ve ever road-tripped through Texas before, you know it can be an endless horizon of sand, but we promise that the sights you’ll see in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and finally in Nevada are worth it!
Pack your bags, rally the troops, and fill the tank, because we have all the road trip recommendations to have the best San Antonio to Las Vegas drive.
The drive to Las Vegas from San Antonio is a long one, most likely requiring you to take an overnight stay or two about halfway in New Mexico and potentially in Arizona. You will mainly drive on the I-10 W and US-93 N to get to Vegas from Texas. This road trip to Vegas will take you 1,283 miles through the Southwest, and takes approximately 18.5 hours to complete if factors like traffic and weather are ideal. Keep in mind that stops, traffic, and overnight stays easily turn this into a 3-day road trip. Be prepared for long stretches of desert scenery on this drive – it is a long and direct shot through the mountains, canyons, and sand.
If possible, leave on less-popular driving days like Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday to avoid heavy traffic getting into Las Vegas. Because weekends are the most popular for road trips, factor in extra drive time for situations such as traffic jams. Allow for longer drive times if you plan on traveling during the holidays or when there are big Las Vegas events. No matter where you’re driving from or which day of the week, the traffic is sure to pick up closer to the city.
Located on the Concho River, San Angelo is one of the largest cities in West Texas. This city is a great way to break up your drive through Texas and has some fun places to visit like the Fort Concho Museum and Concho River Walk.
Since the last San Antonio to Vegas road trip stop was nearly 400 miles away, treat yourself to some delicious food. La Posta is famed for serving incredible Mexican food and steaks since 1939, and it’s clear they know their stuff.
It doesn’t quite feel like a road trip to Vegas without an aerospace museum! Pima Air & Space Museum is one of the world’s largest non-government-funded aerospace museums and features over 400 iconic aircraft.
This stop is not only a natural history museum, it is also a zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden. Stop by to see some nature and learn more about the Southwest ecosystem. There are also plenty of dining options if you’re hungry.
Ostriches, stingrays, and goats, oh my! Rooster Cogburn’s ranch offers an up-close-and-personal experience with some pretty fun animals. Stop by to pet and feed the critters to make for a truly adorable pit stop.
Phoenix may seem like a desert city, but the Japanese Friendship Garden brings a stunningly lush landscape to the area. If you’re feeling tense from driving, stop here to unwind and feel tranquil before your last stretch of driving.
Another San Antonio to Las Vegas road trip stop that includes a visit to see animals! With an aquarium, zoo, safari park, and even some low-key rides, this zoo will get you some fresh air and an opportunity to stretch your legs.
A Nothing, AZ town sign reads, “The staunch citizens of Nothing are full of Hope, Faith, and Believe in the work ethic. Thru-the-years-these dedicated people had faith in Nothing, hoped for Nothing, worked at Nothing, for Nothing.”
In 1966, fine arts student Roy Purcell took a break from school to become a miner. During this time, he painted 2000 square feet of murals called “The Journey”, a beautiful artistic break from the monotonous desert drive.
Right before you pull into Vegas, get in a road trip thrill that will excite you for the rest of your vacation. You may have just seen a lot of the desert driving, but ziplining over it is a way better view.
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.
