Day Trips from Las Vegas
Everything within a comfortable drive of the Strip. Each destination lists distance and driving time so you can tell a half-day from a full one before committing.
25 pages in this section.
- Barstow, CA155 miles · 2.5 hoursI-15 south to Barstow — Route 66 stop, Calico Ghost Town nearby, frequent Vegas-LA driver pit stop.
- Boulder City, NV30 miles · 30-45 minUS-95 south to Boulder City — historic dam-worker town, Hoover Dam visitor center, Lake Mead access. Easy half-day from Strip.
- Bryce Canyon, UT260 miles · 4-4.5 hoursI-15 north to UT-20 east, then US-89 south to Bryce. Often combined with Zion as a 2-3 day Utah loop.
- Death Valley, CA120-150 miles · 2-2.5 hoursUS-95 north to Beatty, NV, then west into Death Valley — Stovepipe Wells/Furnace Creek entry. Closest national park to Vegas.
- Grand Canyon South Rim, AZ275 miles · 4.5 hoursUS-93 south, I-40 east to Williams, AZ, then north to South Rim. The deeper, more famous side of the Grand Canyon. Long day or overnight.
- Grand Canyon West Rim, AZ120 miles · 2.5 hoursUS-93 south to AZ-261 east to Hualapai land — Skywalk glass bridge, Eagle Point, Guano Point. Closest Grand Canyon access to Vegas.
- Joshua Tree National Park, CA200 miles · 3.5 hoursI-15 south then I-10 east to Joshua Tree — iconic Mojave/Colorado-desert transition, climbing, photography. Long for a single day; better as a 2-night trip.
- Kingman, AZ100 miles · 1.5 hoursUS-93 south on the way to Phoenix — Route 66 town, often a stop on Grand Canyon West Rim trips.
- Lake Havasu City, AZ150 miles · 2.5 hoursUS-93 south through Hoover Dam to Lake Havasu — the relocated London Bridge, boating, party-lake culture.
- Lake Mead, NV/AZ30 miles · 45 minUS-93 south or NV-167 east to Lake Mead — boating, kayaking, fishing, Hoover Dam access. Largest reservoir by volume in the US.
- Los Angeles, CA270 miles · 4-5 hoursI-15 west to Los Angeles — the most-driven Vegas day-trip route. Plan an overnight in LA or Santa Monica; same-day round trip is technically possible but gruelling.
- Mojave National Preserve, CA70 miles · 1.5 hoursVast California desert preserve southwest of Vegas — Kelso Dunes, Joshua trees, Cima volcanic field. Free entry, less-visited alternative to Death Valley.
- Mt. Charleston, NV35 miles · 45 minUS-95 north then NV-156 west — 11,918-ft peak, Lee Canyon ski area, hiking trails 30°F cooler than the valley floor in summer.
- Nipton, CA65 miles · 1 hourTiny restored desert town in Mojave National Preserve, just over the California border on I-15. Coffee shop, hot springs, ghost-town vibes.
- Page, AZ275 miles · 4.5-5 hoursLong drive northeast through Hurricane, UT and Kanab to Page — Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell. 2-day minimum trip.
- Phoenix, AZ300 miles · 5 hoursUS-93 south through Hoover Dam, Kingman, and Wickenburg to Phoenix. Often combined with a Hoover Dam stop on the way.
- Primm, NV45 miles · 45 minI-15 south on the California border — outlet mall, three small casinos (Buffalo Bill's, Whiskey Pete's, Primm Valley), Bonnie & Clyde death car.
- Rachel, NV (Area 51 Edge)150 miles · 2.5 hoursUS-93 north to NV-375 (Extraterrestrial Highway) to Rachel — Little A'Le'Inn, Black Mailbox, Area 51 perimeter. UFO tourism only; you cannot see the base.
- Salt Lake City, UT420 miles · 6-7 hoursI-15 north through St. George and Provo to Salt Lake City. Often combined with Zion or Bryce stops along the way.
- San Diego, CA330 miles · 5-6 hoursI-15 south through Barstow to San Diego — coastal escape from Vegas heat. Plan 2 nights minimum to make the drive worthwhile.
- Sedona, AZ275 miles · 4.5 hoursUS-93 south then I-40 east through Flagstaff to Sedona — red-rock formations, vortex tours, upscale resorts. Plan 2-3 nights.
- St. George, UT120 miles · 2 hoursI-15 north to St. George, UT — gateway to Zion, retiree population, growing food scene, easy overnight from Vegas.
- Tecopa, CA85 miles · 1.5 hoursI-15 south to NV-178 west — hot springs, China Ranch Date Farm, gateway to Death Valley's southeast entrance.
- Valley of Fire State Park, NV55 miles · 1 hourI-15 northeast to Valley of Fire — red Aztec sandstone, petroglyphs, Fire Wave hike. Nevada's oldest state park.
- Zion National Park, UT160 miles · 2.5-3 hoursI-15 north to Hurricane, UT, then UT-9 east to Zion. The closest major national park to Vegas — easy weekend trip.