The 16 Best Road Trips From Los Angeles (2024 Guide) (2024)

Hoping to explore the best destinations in California and around? Check out these amazing road trips from Los Angeles!

There are so many amazing places to check out on road trips from Los Angeles.

Head north to check out the charming city of San Francisco, the scenic cliffs of Big Sur, or the majestic peaks of Yosemite.

Or head south or west to explore San Diego, hike in the remote deserts of Joshua Tree National Park, or check out Palm Springs.

You can even take on longer road trips and explore the highlights of Utah and Arizona, both of which are home to some incredible national parks.

Road trips around Los Angeles are one of the best ways to appreciate the wonders of western USA. You can stick to the LA area and drive through famous beach towns like Santa Monica and Laguna Beach on your way up or down the coast. Or you can take on a week-long expedition and drive a few hundred miles to otherworldly deserts, forests, and mountains.

There are so many options! So if you’re hoping to explore more of western USA, consider some of these amazing road trips!

16 Best Road Trips From Los Angeles, California

Here are some of the top road trips from Los Angeles! Whether you want a quick road trip that is 2 hours or less, or you want an ambitious weekend road trip into another state, you have plenty of options.

On this list, the longest road trips are still under 8 hours. So any of these can be done on a weekend road trip. Some can easily be day trips from Los Angeles as well.

The distances and driving times listed represent a straight shot from LA to the destination. If you want to have a more leisurely road trip and stop at some locations along the way, the distances and driving times will be greater. You can also choose a more scenic route that may take longer, but will be worth the drive.

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars, which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

Lake Tahoe

• Distance from Los Angeles: 442 miles
• Driving time: 7 hours and 15 minutes

Lake Tahoe is pretty far from Los Angeles, but it’s one of the best weekend getaways! This stunning lake straddles the border between California and Nevada and is the largest alpine lake in North America.

Visitors flock here year round for outdoor adventures. You can go hiking and boating in the summer or skiing and snowboarding in the winter.

South Lake Tahoe is a particularly popular spot because it is home to Emerald Bay State Park. This is one of the most beautiful places in Lake Tahoe, complete with crystal-clear waters and lush forests. A boat tour around South Lake Tahoe is one of the best ways to soak in the natural beauty of the area.

In winter, travelers head up to the snowy mountains on the north shore of Lake Tahoe where you can ski and snowboard at the various resorts. In summer the north shore of Lake Tahoe is also amazing for kayaking or paddleboarding.

San Diego

• Distance from Los Angeles: 120 miles
• Driving time: 2.5 hours

Just 2.5 hours south of Los Angeles lies the fabulous city of San Diego. If you’re looking for a quick and easy road trip from Los Angeles, the drive from Los Angeles to San Diego is a lovely one!

Go the coastal route to check out all the best beaches and towns in Southern California.

As you head south out of LA, visit Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, or Laguna Beach for some sunshine and surfing.

Once you arrive in San Diego, it’s worth spending at least a few days here as there are so many things to do. This sunny city is often referred to as “America’s Finest City” and boasts an array of attractions that suit all travelers!

You can explore the walking trails and museums of Balboa Park, or go kayaking or snorkeling in La Jolla Cove. You can go bar-hopping in the trendy Gaslamp Quarter, or take on some incredible coastal walks in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

San Diego is also home to fun and charming coastal neighborhoods like Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach. If you’re looking for an epic weekend in Southern California, San Diego is the place to be!

Find more ideas nearby with these day trips from San Diego.

Joshua Tree National Park

• Distance from Los Angeles: 131 miles
• Driving time: 2 hours and 15 minutes

Another one of the best road trips from Los Angeles is Joshua Tree National Park. It’s only a couple of hours from the city, so it’s a convenient day trip or weekend trip.

Joshua Tree is one of California’s most famous national parks, and it’s an amazing place to spend a day or weekend of hiking, camping, backpacking, and stargazing.

Spanning over 790,000 acres, Joshua Tree National Park encompasses two distinct desert ecosystems: the Mojave Desert, where the iconic Joshua trees thrive, and the Colorado Desert, characterized by lower elevations and a different array of desert flora.

Visitors are drawn to the park’s surreal scenery, which includes vast desert plains, rugged mountains, and intriguing geological formations like Skull Rock and Arch Rock. You can also find the distinctive Joshua tree in the park, hence the name. These unique trees star in the most famous photos of Joshua Tree National Park and are a standout feature of the landscape.

Beyond its natural beauty, Joshua Tree National Park is a place of cultural and historical significance, with lots of Native American art and artifacts scattered around the park.

The striking nature and fascinating history make this one of the most visited national parks in Southern California.

Las Vegas

• Distance from Los Angeles: 275 miles
• Driving time: 5 hours

Los Angeles is only a 5 hour drive from another one of the USA’s most iconic cities: Las Vegas!

Las Vegas, or Sin City, makes an easy weekend road trip from LA. The route between the two cities takes you through Mojave National Preserve, a vast desert landscape known for its diverse ecosystems, towering sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones, Joshua tree forests, and historic sites.

Once you arrive in Las Vegas, there are so many fun things to do!

Las Vegas is famous for its iconic Strip, a 4.2-mile stretch lined with opulent hotels, bustling casinos, and dazzling neon lights.

Visitors can explore a wide array of themed resorts, from the opulent Bellagio with its mesmerizing fountain shows to the Venetian, which offers gondola rides along recreated Venetian canals.

The city’s entertainment options are endless, featuring top-tier performances by globally acclaimed artists, Broadway-style shows, and a variety of nightlife venues ranging from chic nightclubs to intimate lounges.

For those seeking a break from the craziness, the nature around Las Vegas is great for exploring. You can check out Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire State Park, and the famous Hoover Dam.

Santa Barbara

• Distance from Los Angeles: 94 miles
• Driving time: 2 hours

Santa Barbara is an absolute gem of the California coast that is just 2 hours from the heart of downtown Los Angeles. It’s a popular day trip destination or weekend getaway from the city.

The city is often called the “American Riviera,” thanks to its Mediterranean climate, stunning beaches, and Spanish colonial architecture.

The city’s beautiful coastline, with pristine sandy shores like East Beach and Butterfly Beach, offers plenty of opportunities for water activities such as surfing, sailing, and sunbathing.

Stearns Wharf is a popular spot in Santa Barbara where you can find ocean views and lots of options for dining, shopping, and entertainment.

The city is also home to numerous museums and cultural institutions, including the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, and the iconic Old Mission Santa Barbara, known as the “Queen of the Missions.”

Wine lovers can also check out the nearby Santa Ynez Valley wine country and its exquisite wine tasting rooms. This resort town is the perfect place to spend a weekend in California!

Find more amazing things to do in Santa Barbara!

Death Valley National Park

• Distance from Los Angeles: 220 miles
• Driving time: 3 hours and 15 minutes

Nature lovers looking for cool road trips in California should consider a trip to Death Valley National Park.

As the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the United States, it features a diverse array of environments, from the salt flats of Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level, to the towering sand dunes of Mesquite Flat.

The park’s dramatic scenery includes the colorful Artist’s Palette, the rugged canyons of Golden Canyon and Mosaic Canyon, and the panoramic vistas from Dante’s View and Zabriskie Point. These landscapes showcase the raw, untamed beauty of the desert.

Despite its harsh environment, Death Valley is home to a surprising variety of life. Cool plants such as creosote bushes, cacti, and wildflowers bloom in the spring after rare rainfalls. Wildlife, including bighorn sheep, coyotes, and a variety of birds and reptiles, thrive in Death Valley as well.

A road trip to Death Valley is best completed in spring, autumn, or winter, as the summer temperatures can be scorching!

The Grand Canyon

• Distance from Los Angeles: 496 miles
• Driving time: 7.5 hours

One of the longer road trips from Los Angeles is Grand Canyon National Park, but you can easily complete the drive in a day. Then spend a few days taking on the hiking trails and admiring the scenic viewpoints of this natural wonder!

The Grand Canyon is definitely one of the most incredible destinations in North America. Located in northern Arizona, the canyon stretches 277 miles in length, up to 18 miles in width, and plunges over a mile deep.

Carved by the Colorado River, the unique natural shapes and colors of the Grand Canyon are simply jaw-dropping. Helicopter tours are the best way to see all the sights of the vast canyon, as are off-road jeep tours.

The South Rim offers numerous viewpoints, trails, and visitor centers, making it the most popular area for visitors in the Grand Canyon. The less-visited North Rim, open seasonally, offers a more secluded experience with equally spectacular views and rugged beauty.

Wherever you choose to spend your time, a visit to the Grand Canyon is always worth it!

Palm Springs

• Distance from Los Angeles: 107 miles
• Driving time: 1 hour and 50 minutes

Palm Springs, nestled in the Coachella Valley of Southern California, is a desert resort city renowned for its luxurious spas, hot springs, and mid-century modern architecture.

The city is dotted with iconic palm-lined streets, upscale boutiques, and art galleries, creating a sophisticated and relaxed atmosphere.

The greater Palm Springs area is full of natural beauty as well. The nearby San Jacinto Mountains are great for hiking, horseback riding, and rock climbing, and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway offers breathtaking views as it ascends over the mountains.

Golf enthusiasts will find world-class courses in Palm Springs, each with lovely backdrops of desert vistas. Those interested in history and culture can learn about Native American history at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum.

From hot springs, to golf, to hiking and more, Palm Springs is an easy getaway from LA and has something for everyone.

San Francisco

• Distance from Los Angeles: 393 miles
• Driving time: 5.5 hours

Embark on a road trip up through central California and check out San Francisco, another one of the most iconic cities on the West Coast.

You can drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco direct in just 5.5 hours. Or you can take a scenic route along the Central Coast and see the wonders of the Pacific Coast Highway.

Either way, there is so much to do in San Francisco and it’s definitely worth spending a few days here.

The city’s most recognizable symbol is the Golden Gate Bridge, which is a must-see. Nearby, visitors can explore Golden Gate Park, a sprawling urban oasis featuring gardens, museums like the California Academy of Sciences, and the serene Japanese Tea Garden.

San Francisco is also known for its culture, cuisine, and diversity. Highlights of the city include the bustling Fisherman’s Wharf, the sea lion colony at Pier 39, the historic landmarks at Alcatraz Island, and the authentic food in Chinatown.

See more of the city’s vibrant arts scene at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, or in the vibrant Mission District. From its steep streets lined with historic cable cars to its panoramic views from Twin Peaks and Alamo Square, San Francisco has so much to offer travelers!

Extend your drive with this San Francisco To Seattle Road Trip!

Yosemite National Park

• Distance from Los Angeles: 281 miles
• Driving time: 4.5 hours

Not far from San Francisco lies one of North America’s most breathtaking national parks: Yosemite. You can road trip here from LA and spend a weekend camping, hiking, and exploring in this oasis of natural beauty.

Yosemite National Park showcases the towering granite cliffs, majestic waterfalls, ancient giant sequoias, and diverse ecosystems of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

The granite monoliths of El Capitan and Half Dome are world-famous for their challenging rock-climbing routes and stunning vistas.

Yosemite Valley, carved by glaciers and framed by sheer granite walls, is the heart of the park and home to iconic landmarks like Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite Falls, and the tranquil Merced River.

The park has endless trails, ranging from easy walks to strenuous backcountry treks, showcasing the park’s natural wonders and diverse flora and fauna. Visitors can enjoy activities such as camping, fishing, birdwatching, and photography amidst the park’s pristine wilderness.

Bryce Canyon National Park

• Distance from Los Angeles: 533 miles
• Driving time: 7 hours and 45 minutes

Another ambitious national park expedition from Los Angeles is Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. Road trips into Utah are full of unique natural landmarks and sights. Those looking for impressive desert landscapes could dedicate a full weekend or longer to exploring the wonders of Utah on a road trip from Los Angeles.

Bryce Canyon is located in southern Utah, making it one of the closest Utah parks to Los Angeles. Zion National Park is also nearby, so you could easily combine Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks into one road trip.

Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its intricate rock formations called hoodoos. The Bryce Amphitheater features many of these tall, spire-like formations which you can view from scenic viewpoints like Bryce Point and Inspiration Point.

If you visit Zion National Park on the way to Bryce Canyon, you can check out towering sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons like the famous Zion Narrows, and the verdant Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.

Visitors can hike along picturesque trails such as Angels Landing and the Emerald Pools, or embark on adventurous activities like canyoneering and rock climbing.

Big Bear Lake

• Distance from Los Angeles: 96 miles
• Driving time: 1 hour and 55 minutes

A popular road trip for Californians hoping to escape the heat is Big Bear Lake. Just under 2 hours from LA, Big Bear Lake is perfect for fishing, boating, and water sports during the warmer months.

Surrounding the lake, the San Bernardino National Forest provides miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.

In the winter, Big Bear transforms into a snowy wonderland, attracting visitors for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing at the nearby Snow Summit and Bear Mountain resorts.

The town of Big Bear Lake offers a charming mountain retreat with a variety of accommodations, restaurants, and shops catering to visitors throughout the year.

The village area, known for its Bavarian-style architecture and cozy atmosphere, has adorable boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants serving everything from hearty mountain fare to gourmet cuisine. It’s a beloved holiday destination in California!

Read next: 20 Best Places To Visit In California

Kings Canyon National Park

• Distance from Los Angeles: 242 miles
• Driving time: 3 hours and 50 minutes

Hoping to admire California’s iconic forests without heading all the way up to the Redwoods of Northern California? It’s under 4 hours from Los Angeles to Kings Canyon National Park and the nearby Sequoia National Park in Central California.

Kings Canyon National Park is a pristine wilderness area known for its deep granite canyons, towering peaks, and ancient giant sequoias. The park is adjacent to Sequoia National Park and together they form a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Kings Canyon features one of the deepest canyons in North America, plunging more than a mile from its rim to the valley floor. The impressive Kings River flows through the canyon, creating gorgeous waterfalls like Roaring River Falls and Grizzly Falls.

Visitors to Kings Canyon National Park can explore a variety of ecosystems, from the lush forests of giant sequoias in the Grant Grove area to the alpine meadows and rugged peaks of the high Sierra. This is one of the best road trips for nature lovers!

Big Sur

• Distance from Los Angeles: 347 miles
• Driving time: 5.5 hours

One of the USA’s most iconic road trips is Big Sur, a gem of California’s central coast and a notable stop along the Pacific Coast Highway.

From Los Angeles, head north up the Pacific Coast Highway and pass fabulous destinations like Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Malibu, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo.

Once you arrive in Big Sur, you’ll be blown away by the dramatic coastal scenery here. Snap some photos of the famous Bixby Creek Bridge, hike to the secluded McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and soak in the sun at Pfeiffer Beach or Sand Dollar Beach.

Big Sur is a dazzling part of California and there are lots of cozy campgrounds and lodges for those who want to extend their road trip.

You could also combine Big Sur with your road trip up to San Francisco, or extend the adventure even further and drive the entire Pacific Coast Highway up to Washington!

Check out these 15 Day Trips From San Francisco for more places to explore in the area.

Phoenix

• Distance from Los Angeles: 372 miles
• Driving time: 5.5 hours

Phoenix, the capital city of Arizona, makes an epic weekend road trip from LA. Surrounded by the mystical beauty of the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix is a haven for outdoor fun.

Those hoping to hike can climb the nearby Camelback Mountain and South Mountain Park, and Phoenix is also known for its world-class golf courses. Go paddling on Canyon Lake or take on a trek in the nearby Tonto National Forest.

Those looking for more cultural attractions in the city can check out the various restaurants, markets, museums, and shops around Phoenix.

The city’s downtown area features the Roosevelt Row Arts District, home to galleries, boutiques, and vibrant street art, as well as the Heard Museum, which exhibits Native American art and culture.

With its blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and recreational opportunities, Phoenix is full of fun things to do!

Napa Valley

• Distance from Los Angeles: 413 miles
• Driving time: 6 hours

Wine lovers looking to sample some of the USA’s best wines should consider a road trip to Napa Valley!

Located in Northern California’s wine country, Napa Valley is renowned worldwide for its picturesque vineyards, fine wines, and gourmet cuisine. This fertile region is home to over 400 wineries, ranging from small family-owned estates to large, well-established vineyards.

Visitors to Napa Valley can enjoy wine tastings and tours at world-class wine-tasting rooms, where they can sample a variety of wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Merlot.

Napa Valley also has amazing restaurants, adorable shops, and scenic walks in the area’s charming towns like Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga.

Combine wine tasting with sightseeing on the iconic Napa Valley Wine Train, or choose wine tasting tours that combine Napa with the nearby Sonoma Valley wineries for a well-rounded wine experience.

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