Even though I’ve done this drive from LA to Vegas countless times, I realized I’ve never written about it! I’m super excited to be partially partnering with Toyota today to share this road trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas itinerary in hopes that it helps you enjoy the journey and not just the destination. Here are a few worthwhile stops to make between Los Angeles and Vegas! Click here for my Vegas experience during COVID.
UPDATE (January 2023): Hello there! This itinerary is still up to date, but wanted to share a few new Vegas-related posts:
4 Best Vegas Buffets (and 2 Worst!)
5 Best Steakhouses in Vegas
Hello Kitty Cafe Vegas
Eataly Las Vegas
Vdara Hotel Panoramic Suite Review
Starting Point: Downtown Los Angeles
Since I live in downtown Los Angeles, this is where we’ll start the road trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. You’ll find the approximate travel time between the stops for a rough idea! Please note that the times are listed assuming there’s no traffic.
Barstow Station – Barstow, California
Travel Time: Downtown Los Angeles to Barstow Station: 1 hour 41 minutes
Usually my goal during my drive to Vegas is to first and foremost, get out of the city and suburbs and on the road. Between Los Angeles and past San Bernardino County is where you’ll most likely encounter traffic, so it’s just best to get through it. Plus, trust me when I say there’s no worthy stop between downtown Los Angeles and Barstow!
So with that said, the first stop to make is the Barstow Station in Barstow, California. By this point, you’ll probably need to use the restroom and good news, there’s bathrooms, gas and food at this stop! Quite literally right off the freeway, you’ll see a cute little faux train station. Inside, you’ll find a McDonald’s, Subway, Panda Express, Popeye’s Chicken and a few other random shops. There’s plenty of bathrooms throughout the building, too!
Peggy Sue’s Diner – Yermo, California
Travel Time: Barstow Station to Peggy Sue’s Diner: 10 minutes
Want an actual sit-down meal and a fun experience (and a fun bathroom stop!) for the whole family? Stop by the super charming and famous diner, Peggy Sue’s Diner in Yermo, California.
There’s ample parking and currently with outdoor dining or takeout (if you’re reading this during COVID times). Peggy Sue’s is definitely a classic, American diner with quirky, fun interior design. The pies and milkshakes are a must-try! They have a huge variety of both and you can’t go wrong with any of them.
If you have kids, it’s a great stop since they’ll be fully entertained by all the decor and a random dinosaur statues in their outdoor space.
Abandoned Waterpark – Newberry Springs, California
Travel Time: Peggy Sue’s Diner to Abandoned Waterpark: 15 minutes
I bet you’ve seen this before if you’ve ever done the drive from LA to Vegas. Everyone always sees this but chances are, you’ve never make it a point to stop by. This mysterious lot was once the Lake Dolores Waterpark but now completely abandoned. It’s filled with spray paint nowadays but the basic structure still stands – both a little creepy and exciting!
You can park on the street and walk in since there aren’t any fences. Rumor has it, an old man rides his bicycle around the property yelling at people that it’s his private property but according to the city of Newberry Springs, nobody actually owns the property.
It’s a really cool and unique place to stop by and stretch your legs! You can check out more details on my blog post here.
Primm Valley – Primm, Nevada
Travel Time: Abandoned Waterpark to Primm: 1 hour 25 minutes
To some people, Primm is actually a destination! It’s the first place you’ll see as you cross the California/Nevada border. In one convenient exit, you’ll find several gas stations, restaurants, casinos and the Primm Premium Outlets.
While the exciting casino scene may be enticing, just know that the casino hotels there are very, very old. If you enjoy the ‘old Vegas’ vibe though, you may actually like it!
While I prefer the Las Vegas Premium Outlets North (South isn’t that great, FYI) for outlet shopping, the Primm Premium Outlet Mall isn’t too bad either. I especially love visiting the Williams Sonoma Outlet Store since there aren’t many of those around!
Seven Magic Mountains – Las Vegas, Nevada
Travel Time: Primm Premium Outlets to Seven Magic Mountains: 21 minutes
You’ve probably seen the Seven Magic Mountains all over Instagram, including mine! Originally this sculpture exhibit was supposed to end after 2 years but due to the overwhelming popularity, it still stands several years later!
It’s good to note that the Seven Magic Mountains isn’t close to a freeway exit, so make sure you keep an eye out for the freeway signs and to not miss one of two exits. From each exit, it’ll take you up to 25 minutes down gravel roads to get there. They have a small parking lot for your convenience.
Pro-tip: Weekends/holidays are packed and hard to get photos so if you have the option, highly recommend going on a weekday for optimal photos!
Destination: Las Vegas, Nevada
Travel Time: Seven Magic Mountains to Las Vegas Strip: 22 minutes
Yay! You’ve arrived in Sin City, all the way from Los Angeles!
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I’m a frequent visitor of Vegas. Here are a few posts you might enjoy while at your destination:
- The Aria Buffet (IMO, the best buffet on the Strip)
- The Neon Museum
- Checking In at The Bellagio
- What’s it like in Vegas during COVID
About the Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2020
As I mentioned in the beginning, I had the opportunity to partner with Toyota for a #HighlanderRoadTrip and experience the brand new, Highlander Hybrid! I have been such a proud #ToyotaPartner for years now personally own a Toyota.
Here’s a few highlights that I personally loved about the Highlander Hybrid!
- The panoramic moonroof to enjoy sunlight in the car, or even for star-gazing!
- Comfortable and super spacious 7 seater.
- The hybrid techology made it so we could drive from Los Angeles all the way to Las Vegas (that’s 265 miles!) without stopping for gas. Isn’t that incredible?
- One of my random but favorite things about the Toyota Highlander Hybrid were all the nooks throughout the vehicle for storage. No need to use the cup holders to place your keys, sunglasses or hand sanitizers since there’s plenty of room for all those things and drinks!
- The driving experience felt incredibly smooth and safe. Absolutely loved all the safety features, especially the multiple cameras (front, back and birds-eye!)
- The seats were so comfortable; usually I feel some back discomfort after driving for longer than 2 hours straight but I’m being completely honest when I say I felt no discomfort after 4 hours in the Highlander. The husband agrees, too!
Pin this for later when you road trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas!
A part of this post is in partnership with @ToyotaUSA as a proud #ToyotaPartner. All opinions are as always, my own. Thank you for your continued support!
