15 Best Day Trips from Las Vegas with Expert Traveler’s Tips

Whenever people find out about Las Vegas, most people think only of the nightlife, but the important part is that there is so much to explore through road trips from Las Vegas.

Vegas is an awesome city to start the trip. That’s why Vegas always ready to give you experiences during the journey. This city famous for its casinos and clubs but beyond city limits there is natural and manmade attractions that have amazed the travelers worldwide. 

There are so many places you can explore while Las Vegas road trips, but it all depends on you and your plans and also depends on how much time you have to enjoy this beautiful city.

List Of Best Places For Las Vegas Road Trips

So ready to plan your route? These are some best Las Vegas road trips locations you can hit like a roadie.

1.The Hoover Dam, NV

It is Built-in the 1930s and the dam towers of the Colorado River offering spectacular views from the hight of 900 feet. The Hoover Dam is considered one of the greatest engineering creation in human history. That’s why this dam still attracts thousands of tourists a day.

Pro-Tip

Before reaching the Hoover dam, all the visitors will pass through security checkpoints, and guests are not allowed to bring firearms or any other weapons into the Hoover Dam, Las Vegas. 

Travel Facts For Road Trips

Distance from Las Vegas: 35miles(45-minute drive)

2. Lake Mead, NV

It is a manmade lake that is created by controlling the Colorado River. Lake Mead is the best place to enjoy swimming, boating and jet skiing. This place has many things to explore and experience the beauty of this place, which makes it one of the best things near Las Vegas.

Pro-Tip

The Lake Mead Visitor Centre is opened from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM every day, except Christmas and new year. Some beaches and areas are just opened for day use.

Travel Facts For Road Trips

Distance from Las Vegas: 31 miles east(51-minute drive)

3. Death Valley, CA

It is a desert valley located in Eastern California, and one of those places that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. This place is famous for its geographical history, like the oldest rock in Death Valley is 1.4 billion old, but Death Valley as we see today is comparatively young. 

Pro-Tip

The temperature regularly hit 120-degree Fahrenheit in the summer month, so the best time to visit is January – April.

Travel Facts For Road Trips

Distance from Las Vegas: 123 miles west(2.5-hour drive)

4. Grand Canyon, AZ

It is one of the most famous and great natural attractions. That’s why the Grand Canyon has been a road-tripping destination for generations. This fabulous location excites you to enjoy hiking, donkey rides, and white water rafting. The views from eagle point and Guano point are amazing.

Pro-Tip

Remember to check weather conditions before visiting there, and the south rim is open year-round but the north rim is only open from 15 October to 15 May of each year. 

Travel Facts For Road Trips

Distance from Las Vegas: 271 miles(4.14-hour drive)

5. Los Angeles, CA

This place famous for its ethnic diversity, Hollywood and entertainment industry. If you are looking for a road trip that changes your imagination about the world, so start driving towards Los Angeles. In this place, there are so many famous beaches, where you can enjoy your vacation.

Pro-Tips

This place is always sunny and sometimes hot so pack your bag accordingly. You can also use the train to travel easily. 

Travel Facts For Road Trips

Distance from Las Vegas: 262 miles(4.15-hour drive)

6. Pahrump, NV

This place is the heart of the desert and the perfect place to enjoy southern Nevada. Here you can enjoy a couple of impressive golf courses, and spring mountain motorsports ranch, where you can learn how to race a Corvette. This place easy to reach and hard to forget.

Pro-Tip

Pahrump is home to big events, so be prepared for so much fun and outdoor experience.

Travel Facts For Road Trip

Distance from Las Vegas: 65 miles west(1.25-hour drive)

7. Valley of Fire State Park, NV

Driving towards the Valley of Fire is the easiest way to enjoy the beautiful view. On a sunny day, these rocks look like they are on fire so that’s why the park named the Valley of Fire. Several movies also filmed there like Recall, Startrek generations, and The Professional. This place is the most attractive destination in the cold months.

Pro-Tip

Keep your eyes on petroglyph, which are drawing on stones by ancient civilizations.

Travel Facts For Road Trips

Distance from Las Vegas: 50 miles northeast(56-minute drive)

8. Laughlin, NV

This place is known as “mini Las Vegas”, and the place offers you so many things, such as a relaxed river walk, and the Laughlin river run, a massive annual motorcycle event. These small-town attractions truly give visitors the best of all kinds of adventure in the world, that’s why this place makes it on our list.

Pro-Tip

This place is famous for its gambling and water activities so just try to focus on water sports rather than gambling.

Travel Facts For Road Trips

Distance from Las Vegas: 98 miles southeast(1.5-hour drive)

9. Eldorado Canyon & Gold Mines, NV

It is the oldest and most famous gold mine in Southern Nevada. You can explore this historical Eldorado Canyon & Gold Mines, on an ATV and UTV from Las Vegas, and enjoy the off-road experience. The crossroads of Eldorado Canyon is one of the greatest wild west places of all times. 

Pro-Tip

Just go with the professional camera, not just a cellphone because this is the best place is known as one of the best spots for a photography session.

Travel Facts For Road Trips

Distance from Las Vegas: 46 miles southeast(50-minute drive)

10. Zion National Park, UT

Zion is the most popular and visited National Park in Utah, and you can say it is heaven on earth. There you will find walking among trees, waterfalls, rocks and 19 different types of bat species. There are also so many attractions like The Narrows and Angels Landing. This park has more beautiful Flowers than anywhere else in Utah. 

Pro-Tip

The infamous Angels Landing is a 2.5mile hike with steep and narrow pathways. That’s why there is a warning signboard with the number of peoples who have died.

Travel Facts For Road Trips

Distance from Las Vegas: 161 miles northeast(2.5-hour drive)

11. Route 66

Driving towards this location you can feel like you are in the 1950-something era. There are so many attractions such as picturesque stations, curio shops, and twisty mountain. Route 66 is the historic place so don’t miss the chance to explore this route. This place also inspired the movie cars, and you will see this when you get there.

Pro-Tip

Just don’t forget to get ice cream from Delgadillo Snow Cap, then you can choose I-40 and US-93, for a shorter route back to Vegas.

Travel Facts For Road Trips

Distance from Las Vegas: 847miles via I-40 E(12.4-hour drive)

12. Mojave National Preserve

It is not considered as a national park, but still, Mojave National Preserve is the third largest site ran by the National Park service in the United States. It is located between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Here are so many popular activities you can enjoy like, camping, off-roading, wildlife spotting, horseback riding, hunting, and hiking.

Pro-Tip

There is no gas station in the park so plan accordingly, and also there is no restaurant in the park, Kelso Depot used to have a restaurant but doesn’t anymore.

Travel Facts For Road Trips

Distance from Las Vegas: 58.6miles(58 minutes drive)

13. Willow Beach

It is located in the black canyon region of the Colorado River. This beautiful recreational area provides boaters and swimmers a great experience with refreshing water of Lake Mead. Willow Beach also features a restaurant, gift shops, and a small convenience store. Due to its natural vibe it in on our list of best places for Las Vegas road trips.

Pro-Tip

For overnight visitors, there are tent camping sites also.

Travel Facts Facts For Trips

 Distance from Las Vegas: 55.1 miles(1-hour drive)

14. Fish Lake National Forest

This is home to some incredible natural beauty. Its heart is the Lake, which also contains rainbow trout, tiger muskie, and yellow perch. Another famous thing about this fish lake area is Pando Aspen Tree, which is believed to be the world’s largest organism.

Pro-tip

There are six well-developed campsites situated along the edges of fish lake as well as several cabins that are available for rent. 

Travel Facts For Road Trips

Distance from Las Vegas: 256.8 miles(4-hour drive)

15. Pilot Peak

This is a popular mountain gateway between wells and Wendover, Nevada. Pilot Peak is the most famous peak in Elko County and the fourth most famous peak in all of Nevada. It is easily one of the most beautiful mountains in the whole region. There you can go climbing, camping or just capturing a moment in your camera. Due to its adventurous vibe it in on our list of best places for Las Vegas road trips.

Pro-Tip

Pilot Peak is not considered as an easy climb, because slippery slope guard the peak, so plan your trip accordingly.

Travel Facts For Road Trips

Distance from Las Vegas: 33 miles(4-hour drive)

Conclusion

So these are places from Las Vegas Road Trips where you can go like roadies and enjoy the vacations. You just need to pack your bags to enjoy some of the amazing locations around Las Vegas. So I hope this blog will help you to find the best places around Las Vegas so stop thinking and start planning your road trip. Don’t forget to share your experiences with us, Thankyou.