10 Fun Stops On The Drive From Los Angeles To Las Vegas

Instead of flying, why not drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Make it a road trip and take the scenic route through the Mojave Desert, you won’t be disappointed.

I was coming from Long Beach California, which is about 30 minutes past Los Angeles. If you drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas without stopping it’s about 4 and a half hours. But to break it up, here are a few places to stop on the way to Vegas.

Even if you don’t want to make any stops, the drive to Las Vegas is pretty incredible. You’ll get to travel through the vast desert terrain, with its beautiful mountainous backdrop, and along the infamous Route 66. These are the top things you’ll want to see on a road trip to Vegas!

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

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Drive To Las Vegas Tips

Although the drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas is only 4 and half hours, you have to plan your road trip itinerary accordingly. You might think you have a lot of extra time during the day to see everything but every stop adds up.

There’s surprisingly a lot of places to stop on the way to Vegas that we had to skip some of them at the end of the day because we didn’t have enough time.

We didn’t realize how much time you have to add for each stop. It takes time getting off the highway, figuring out where to go, and then actually seeing the attraction and taking your pictures. Even if you think it’ll only add 5 minutes, it’ll probably add closer to 30 minutes.

I’d recommend choosing the top things to see on a drive to Las Vegas that most interests you beforehand so you can prioritize those stops.

P.S. Travelling with kids? Print out my road trip eye spy to keep them entertained for throughout the drive!

The las vegas strip at night. A roman statue is tall in the right side of the picture, the full moon is glowing right above his head. He's pointing a finger to the rest of the vegas strip where you see buildings, the Eiffel tower, street signs, and hotels all lit up under the dark navy night sky.

Places To Stop On The Way To Vegas

1. California Route 66 Museum

The California Route 66 Museum turned out to be my favourite stop on the drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. It’s a volunteer run museum all about Route 66 in Victorville.

The California Route 66 Museum is made up of three rooms filled with donated Route 66 paraphernalia, more than you could even imagine. There are props you can take pictures with, choose a song to play on the jukebox, and learn a little bit about life in the 60s.

The staff was also super friendly and helpful, you can tell they really care about what they do. Ask them anything about the 60s and Route 66 and I assure you they’ll have an answer. Be sure to ask them for other suggestions for other things to see driving to Vegas along route 66.

As if this stop could get even better, it’s also completely free. All they ask is that you give a small donation or buy a souvenir from the gift shop to support them.

paraphenilia of the 60s in the California Route 66 Museum. A man and a woman sit in a decked out love bug volkswagon. There are cartoon flowers on the front and a cartoon drawn LOVE. The woman is "driving" her hand is on the steering wheel and her other hand is out the window. They both are wearing their sunglasses and have a very serious look on their face. Around them is the rest of the museum with posters, and sayings, and different items from the 60s, like an old radio. The car though is the brightest item there, with pinks, purples, and blues, the rest of the museum is all beige, green and brown

2. Lunch Break @ Emma Jean’s Diner

Emma Jean’s diner was a recommendation from the volunteers at the California Route 66 Museum and it was the perfect place to stop for lunch.

If you’re in the mood for a classic 50s dive, this is it!

Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Café is right off Route 66 in an adorable aqua painted house.

There are only a handful of tables, but we didn’t have to wait too long for one to open up. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a seat at the bar where you have a direct view of the chefs at work.

The outside of Emma Jeans Diner. It's a one story building, painted a mint green with a white overhanging roof. There's a large painted sign that says: Emma Jeans Holland Burger Cafe. On the side of the building you can also see a California Route 66 Sign painted on the wall. There's one parking spot with a grey car parked in it.

With such good prices, we couldn’t believe the portion sizes we got. And unless you really want to try two different meals, I recommend sharing.

Emma Jean’s Diner is known for their Brian burger – it’s like a giant burger grill cheese. It’s even been featured on several shows on the Food Network.

As fun and delicious as the experience was, I did feel out of place there. It’s a very local joint so as two pasty white Canadians, we definitely did not blend in. But the food is still worth it!

the brian burger from Emma Jeans diner on the drive to las vegas. It looks more like a sandwich than a burger. Two peices of thick toasted (or grilled) bread with cheese and a large burger inside. The sandwich is cut in half. Behind the sandwich is a pile of fries. You can see the rest of the table, it looks like a 60s diner with a classic white coffee mug behind the plate. The plate is also looks like it's been washed too many times, the pink and nave stripe around the rim has rubbed off in certain areas.

3. Repurposed Railway Station

If Emma Jean’s was full, or you’re travelling with some picky eaters, you can go to the next stop for lunch at the old repurposed railway station.

Today this old railway station is home to several fast food chains and shops.

But other than that, there’s isn’t much there. It’s a good bathroom stop, or to refill your water.

P.S. Plan the ultimate California and Nevada vacation with my travel planner template.

4. Bottle Tree Ranch

A bit farther down along Route 66 is Bottle Tree Ranch. This is another free thing to do your road trip to Vegas!

The Bottle Tree Ranch is a free art installation made from, you guessed it, bottles.

It’s on the other side of the road so it’s easy to miss! But once you spot it, carefully pull over on the side of the road to park. Just be careful when you cross the road, it’s still a highway and cars can come out of nowhere.

Once inside, get lost in the forest of recycled beer, soda, wine bottles and more! Find anything from local to international bottles, and even random trinkets.

Make sure to bring a bottle of water with you. You are in the middle of the desert at this point so it’s important to stay hydrated (and wear sunscreen). The bottle trees also don’t offer much for shade, so we weren’t able to last long outside here, it’s HOT!

P.S. Looking for a reliable water bottle to keep you hydrated the entire drive to Las Vegas with cold water? I love my 1.2L Thermoflasks I don’t travel without them anymore!

5. Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner

If Emma Jeans didn’t tickle your fancy, and you wanted something a tad more unique than fast food, stop at Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner.

It feels a lot more gimmicky than Emma Jean’s, but it’s no less authentic as it’s from 1954. Peggy Sue’s Diner feels a lot more family friendly, and very photogenic. You’re transported back to a classic 50s diner here.

Even if you don’t want lunch here, they have a great shop for different 50’s themed knick knacks and souvenirs.

the outside view of Peggy Sue's 50's Diner is iconic and colourful. IT looks like a giant clay jukebox that you walk into. The outside is a deep red, but there are four lines around the front, purple, blue, green and pink.

6. EddieWorld Top Places To Stop On The Way To Vegas

In Yermo California, you have to stop at EddieWorld gas station on your drive to Las Vegas. Not only is this a good stop if you need gas, but it’s so much more than you could possibly imagine!

This is quite possibly the best gas station I’ve ever stopped at, and we didn’t even end up filling up with gas here.

From the highway you’ll start to see the top of an ice cream sundae… that’s when you know you’ve made it to EddieWorld!

a giant ice cream sundae sits on the side of the road... in the middle of the dessert. Although the surroundings lack vegetation, there's a hazy rocky mountain in the distance, the sundae is bright pink and white with a red cherry on top and coloured sprinkles, in a blue cup. It definitely livens up the image.

Walking inside EddieWorld, it’s like all my childhood dreams coming true, isles are filled with candy, snacks, and toys GALORE.

I opted to try their homemade ice cream (I had to know if it warranted the giant sundae out in front). The verdict was unanimously YES! I tried the English toffee, and my partner went for Oreo…I don’t think ice cream has ever tasted this good.

The only thing that would have made this SoCal road trip stop better would be if you could actually go inside the giant sundae. But hey, there always needs to be room for improvement!

inside eddie world is less exciting than the outside giant ice cream sundae, but all kids would still love this. The isles are filled with bags of candy, and on top are each filled with stuffed animals, of all different sizes. The closest isle has lions sitting on top, behind it are several wolves. There are columns throughout the store, each one is painted navy blue with a fun different colour in the middle, from green, to blue, orange, and red.

7. Calico Ghost Town

After you’ve picked up your favourite snacks and ice cream form EddieWorld, visit the Calico Ghost Town.

Calico is an abandoned mining town from the late 1800s. There are no shortage of activities here, from actually touring the old silver mine to riding the railroad. There are also shops for souvenirs and not to mention all the unique photo ops of you in the old west! You can even camp over night here if you wanted to.

Although keep in mind you’re in the middle of the desert at this point, there’s no shade and it’s HOT. I was overheating at this point on the drive and could barely walk outside, let alone tour an entire old mining town.

a large brown almost red mountain in against the blue sky with cloud whips. In the mountain, it's written CALICO in white capital letter.

8. The World’s Tallest Thermometer

In Baker California (close to Death Valley), you can see the world’s tallest thermometer.

This is not only a sight to see, but it’s also a really fun photo-op and souvenir (or proof) of how hot California was when you were there!

The thermometer was put up to commemorate the day Death Valley hit a whopping 134°F (57°C) in 1913. That’s why it actually stands 134 feet tall (one foot per degree). When I drove by it was only a whopping 110°F (43°C)…

P.S. if you’re strapped for time, you don’t have to actually get off the highway to see the tallest thermometer. You’ll be able to see if from the highway, rising high above the rest of town.

the giant thermometer from the road towering above the mountain in the background on the drive to Vegas from los Angeles

9. Bonnie & Clyde’s Death Car At Primm Valley

I really wanted to stop at this one, but we didn’t have enough time either (we may have spent a bit too long at EddieWorld). It’s an odd spot for a piece of history, but it’s definitely real.

45 minutes outside of Vegas, at Whiskey Pete’s Casino, you’ll find the real Bonnie and Clyde death car. And yes, this is the real one with 168 real bullet holes in it. It still amazes me that a casino in the middle of nowhere ended up with it.

While you’re there, you can also see Clyde’s ripped and bloodstained shirt.

And it’s also one of the completely free things to see driving to Vegas!

an exhibit behind glass is a mannequin of a woman leaning against an old car from the 50s. IT's a dark green, looks dusty and rusy, with cracked windshield. This is the Bonnie and Clyde Death Car in Primm Valley — *Photography by Wayne Hsieh on Flickr.com*

10. Seven Magic Mountains

The Seven Magic Mountains is an outdoor art exhibit and one of the last places to stop before getting to Vegas.

It was actually set up in 2016 as a temporary exhibit, but it never ended up being taken down. In fact it become a very popular place for the ultimate Instagram shot just outside Las Vegas.

I was so upset, because it was closed for restoration when I visited. But we were still able to see it from the highway (you can actually see people working on it if you zoom in!).

driving by the seven magic mountains driving to vegas. There are seven tall rock formations in the distance that don't fit in to their surroundings. They are brightly coloured yellow, green ,white, red and blue which contrasts their dull surroundings of dessert green and brown.

P.S. Need A Place To Stay In Las Vegas?

We booked the MGM Grand for our stay in Las Vegas (view rates & availability on Booking.com), but there’s no shortage of hotels in Vegas! Here are some alternative accommodation options I’d also recommend.

For a truly unique stay, book a room at the Venetian Las Vegas Resort. Why not pretend like your in Venice for a few days!? See room rates & availability on Booking.com.

If you want to be truly pampered during your stay, book a room at the Four Seasons Las Vegas. Every room features either a mountain or strip view so you won’t be disappointed! See room rates & availability on Booking.com.

If you’re looking for a hotel just off the Strip but not too far, book the Home2 Suites by Hilton Las Vegas City Center. Perfect for longer stays with a kitchenette, and breakfast is always included! See room rates & availability on Booking.com.

See more accommodation options in Las Vegas on Booking.com.

An outsode look at the Las Vegas hotels behind a parking lot and strip of palm trees. It looks like the new york skyline, but it's just the New York New York hotel in Vegas. You know that because next to the sky rise buildings is a tall sign for the MGM. Also the palm trees give it away!

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Mick

Saturday 1st of October 2022

Yhanks for your insight on the route 66 drive . Booked to do it in sept 23

Meghan

Tuesday 4th of October 2022

Awesome! Hope you have a great time!

Fiona

Friday 22nd of July 2022

We are planning a Vegas to LA road trip in January whilst visiting from Australia and your itinerary looks so fantastic we are planning on just doing the reverse. Thanks for sharing.

Tuesday 26th of July 2022

Amazing! I hope you like it :D :D

Nardia

Wednesday 15th of June 2022

This is so helpful, thank you! Is this all on Route 66? We are coming from New Zealand in September and are driving to Las Vegas so want to drive Route 66 from LA to Vegas :)

Thursday 16th of June 2022

Hi Nardia, So exciting! The first portion is definitely Route 66 of the drive (around the Route 66 museum, Emma Jeans Diner, and the Bottle Tree Ranch). But then if I remember correctly you're on the regular highway to Vegas.

I can't remember if we turned off of Route 66 because it was a faster route to Vegas, or because the condition of Route 66 is no longer drivable there.

frank

Sunday 29th of May 2022

is this a one-day trip from LA to vegas?

thanks.

Monday 30th of May 2022

Hi Frank,

We stayed in Vegas once we arrived, not so much a day trip from LA - I think it might be a bit far to do in one day and go back to LA for the night.

How to Plan your Los Angeles Vacation | Afternoon Tea Reads

Friday 7th of August 2020

[…] Interested in visiting Las Vegas? You can easily drive there from Los Angeles, it’s about a 5 hour drive but there’s loads to see along the way, see all the fun stops along the way! […]