It takes about 3.5 hours to fly from St. Louis to Las Vegas, you can make travel even more fun by hopping in your car. If you’re planning a trip to Vegas from St. Louis, make your next vacation out a road trip to enjoy the experience in a whole new way. While this trip to Las Vegas is a long one, it allows you to explore even more states while on the journey. If you’ve ever road-tripped through the Midwest before, you know it can be a bunch of farmland and fields, but we promise that the sights you’ll see in Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, 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 St. Louis to Las Vegas drive.
The drive to Las Vegas from St. Louis is a long one, most likely requiring you to take a few overnight stays in Kansas, Colorado, or Utah. You will mainly drive on the I-70 W to get to Vegas from Missouri. This road trip to Vegas will take you 1,596 miles through the midwest and southwest, and takes approximately 24 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 4-day road trip. Be prepared for long stretches of farmland, mountains, and desert scenery on this drive – it is a long and direct shot right through the center of the country.
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.
You probably didn’t expect to learn about steamboats on your road trip to Vegas, but the Arabia Steamboat Museum is the largest collection of pre-Civil War artifacts in the world and is well worth the pit stop.
If you’re feeling a bit wild before getting wild in Vegas, a stop at the Rolling Hills Zoo in Salina, Kansas is necessary. From big cats and primates to their wildlife museum, there’s a lot to explore and enjoy at this zoo.
While a smaller museum, the Fick Fossil & History Museum features large dinosaur fossils from Kansas, old tools, mineral specimens, and folk art. With not much more in the area, this is a great road trip stop to check out!
Kansas is known as the Sunflower State, and Goodland, Kansas is proud to show off their beautiful flowers. The steel easel stands 80 feet tall, and features a 32×24-foot representation of one of Van Gogh’s “Sunflower” paintings.
Between 1885-1930s, there were nearly 2500 wood-carved carousels in America. The Kit Carson County Carousel is one of the remaining carousels and one of the best maintained. It is still fully operational and has the original paint.
The Molly Brown House Museum was the home of American philanthropist, activist, and socialite Margaret Brown. Brown was known as “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” because she survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic.
You’ve been driving quite a bit, so why don’t you treat your muscles to a relaxing soak before hours of driving? The Glenwood Hot Springs Resort is a world famous hot spring pool which offers many therapeutic qualities.
You’re sure to have seen these natural wonders on social media. If you haven’t been yet, it’s time to visit the Arches National Park to see over 2,000 natural stone arches. Try visiting near sunset, when the red rocks are truly glowing.
If you’re up for a hike while nearing the end of your St. Louis to Las Vegas drive, visit the Red Cliffs Recreation Area. This area has amazing hikes that bring you to awesome dinosaur tracks and the Red Cliffs Anasazi Site.
With less than 100 miles to go before 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. While you’re planning all your Las Vegas road trip pit stops, be sure to book your room at Golden Gate Las Vegas 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 St. Louis to Las Vegas drive. Drive safely, and see you soon!
