So, you have decided to hit the road on a road trip through California. Now, this ain’t no trip for the faint of heart. You’ve got to get there, back, and have enough money left to get to the next state. For this reason, you have decided to hire a driver to get you from Las Vegas to San Diego.
You can find all of the information you need to plan your road trip to San Diego from Las Vegas here. We’ve outlined the best places to eat, sleep, and play for the most memorable trip ever. If you’re a bit of a road trip junkie, you’ll appreciate all the fun activities and attractions we’ve listed, but it’s our extensive road trip itinerary that really sets this itinerary apart from others.
Did you ever want to take a road trip, but you’ve never experienced it? Maybe you used to try to make road trips out of the trip to the local grocery store, but the miles of driving always seemed to make you want to scream. Well, that’s all changed now with the many thousands of wonderful road trips available to you. …
Consider taking a road trip from Las Vegas to San Diego, which combines harsh deserts with some of the country’s most opulent cities. Apart from the destination, the journey will leave you with long-lasting memories of gorgeous South California.
The road journey from Las Vegas to San Diego is 360 miles long and takes around 6 hours to complete via the beautiful route. Mojave National Preserve, Palm Springs, and Los Angeles are all worth visiting, as are Joshua Tree National Park and Cleveland National Forest.
Continue reading to acquaint yourself with the itinerary as the journey becomes more beautiful.
List of What You Read
What is the distance between San Diego and Las Vegas, and how long will the journey take?
Routes from Las Vegas to San Francisco that are the most efficient
| Route | Distance | Time to Drive |
|---|---|---|
| The Shortest Way (via Interstate 15) | 330 miles | 30 minutes 5 hours 30 minutes |
| Route that is scenic (via Mojave National Preserve) | 360 miles | 15 minutes 6 hours 15 minutes |
The road journey from Las Vegas to San Diego is approximately 330 miles long and takes about 5 hours 30 minutes without stops if you take the interstate route. If you’re in a rush, you could easily travel to San Diego in one morning and accomplish something there the same day.
However, the faster route is much less beautiful — taking Interstate 15 all the way to San Diego makes for an easy, but monotonous drive over less-than-exciting scenery all the way to the Los Angeles region.
At Mojave National Preserve, a stunning dawn above Castle Peaks.
Sierralara/Shutterstock.com
However, by adding an hour to the trip, you can make it considerably more beautiful, going through the Mojave National Preserve and Palm Springs, as well as passing through a number of other fascinating locations.
You don’t have to go into Los Angeles on either route unless you want to, but you can anticipate a lot of traffic in the city suburbs on both routes, particularly if you’re going on the weekend.
The best way to go from Las Vegas to San Diego is via car.
Finally, the ideal road trip route from Las Vegas to San Diego is determined by your objectives. The shorter route will take you all the way to San Diego on the highway, ensuring a pleasant trip. Then there’s the alternative, which includes a slew of other excellent destinations, including a mandatory stay in gorgeous Palm Springs.
The quickest path (via I-15)
Exit Las Vegas via Interstate 15, passing through Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area and the Mojave National Preserve. If you wish, take a detour into Death Valley from Baker, or continue on via Barstow and Victorville before passing through the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests.
Detour towards Los Angeles or take Interstate 215 via San Bernardino and Moreno Valley before rejoining I-15 at Temecula. It won’t be long until you reach San Diego, passing through Cleveland National Forest and Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.
The path is beautiful (via Mojave National Preserve)
Take Interstate 15 south until you reach Mojave National Preserve, where you may enter through Nipton Road and cut straight through (driving right through the town of Kelso). Follow Kelbaker Road to the Amboy village after you’ve exited.
Follow Amboy Road all the way to State Route 62, which runs directly next to Joshua Tree National Park. Follow the state road to Palm Springs, then travel through the Mt. San Jacinto and San Bernardino National Forests until you reach Moreno Valley, where the two routes meet.
Between Las Vegas to San Diego, the best locations to stop are
Although you won’t find luxury accommodations until you’re far into California between Las Vegas and San Diego, you’ll be in for a treat once you reach the main cities. You’ll want to reserve a stay at one of the following hotels:
In Palm Springs, take in the architecture.
Palm Springs serves as a much-needed gateway to the greener areas of California after a torturous desert journey. Any city dubbed the “Playground of the Stars” is going to have some spectacular hotels, and La Serena Villas is one of the finest.
La Serena Villas is one of the classic California experiences, with a contemporary and appealing design that puts most 5-star hotels to shame. This resort will calm you like few others, whether you’re resting in your beautiful accommodation or having a drink at the bar.
When you step out into the lovely pool area, you’ll notice the ideal mix of desert browns and meadow greens while you relax by the outdoor fireplace or dine at the on-site restaurant.
On a bright day, few cities are as appealing as Palm Springs.
Shutterstock.com/Nick Fox
Certain rooms have a private jacuzzi, and there’s also the wonderful Whispers Spa to help you relax after a long day of sightseeing. You’ll be less than a mile from the center on that note!
While this is an expensive resort, there is some wiggle space in terms of pricing since there are so many different accommodations to select from.
Los Angeles has a vibrant nightlife.
On your way to San Diego, you could skip Los Angeles entirely, yet no other city better embodies what California is all about. The Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles is the fanciest and best-located hotel in the city.
The exquisite bedrooms provide stunning views of Los Angeles, with the night views being especially spectacular. Look no farther than the very opulent lounge area, which has beautiful chandeliers and a grand piano to give you a sense of what you’re in for.
Hollywood Boulevard is one of the most well-known thoroughfares in the United States.
Shutterstock.com/Sean Pavone
California Plaza and Perishing Square Station are both within walking distance, thus the hotel is not only luxury but also conveniently located. After a day of sightseeing in Los Angeles, relax in the magnificent on-site bar or Italian restaurant, or swim in the large indoor pool.
The hotel is an absolute steal for the level of service you receive — you’d be hard-pressed to find another resort of this caliber in Los Angeles for such a low price.
On a road journey from Las Vegas to San Diego, there are many sights to view.
There’s a lot to see on your road journey from Las Vegas to San Diego, particularly if you choose the scenic way. Here’s a very thorough list of everything to keep a look out for:
- Sloan Canyon National Conservation Park — a well-known petroglyph site located outside of Las Vegas, this area was created with hiking and outdoor activities in mind.
- The Mojave National Preserve is home to a plethora of Joshua trees as well as the ghost town of Kelso, which is a must-see for anybody traveling through.
- Death Valley National Park — If you’re traveling during the summer, you must visit this famous park.
- Calico – this abandoned mining town is now a tourist attraction with most of its original architecture intact thanks to excellent upkeep.
- Angeles & San Bernardino National Forests –two incredibly scenic forests that act as the northern “entrance” to the Los Angeles area
- Glen Ivy Hot Springs is one of the most soothing stops along the route, with top-of-the-line spa services and close to 20 pools.
- Los Angeles – the City of Angels, with its unmatched beauty and amazing nightlife, need no introduction.
- Temecula – this lovely city will take you to some of the finest vineyards you’ll ever see.
- Cleveland National Forest – this beautiful forest’s mostly shrubby landscape is ideal for camping and picnics.
- La Jolla Shores Park is a stretch of coastland in San Diego that is home to some of the city’s most beautiful beaches.
- Joshua Tree National Park is most renowned for its profusion of Joshua trees, which are found near the confluence of the Mojave and Colorado deserts.
- The Salton Sea, California’s own “inland sea,” is really the biggest lake in the state.
- Palm Springs — As one of the most gorgeous destinations on our road trip, it’s no wonder that celebrities like it.
- Mt San Jacinto State Park – home to the eponymous Mt San Jacinto, one of the country’s highest peaks, this park has some of California’s most spectacular scenery.
Hiking in Joshua Tree National Park is a great way to get your day started.
Shutterstock.com/Mike Ver Sprill
When is the best time to go from Las Vegas to San Diego?
When it comes to the city itself, there is no bad time to take a road trip from Las Vegas to San Diego. However, there are a few climate-related considerations to consider while making travel plans.
For starters, until you reach Los Angeles, you’ll be traveling across the Mojave Desert, which means a summer trip may not be comfortable. If you can tough it out, you’ll be rewarded with pleasant temperatures in the 80s throughout the day and little marine fog in June.
Most of the city’s main events take place during the summer, from the San Diego County Fair, which attracts over a million people each year, to Comic-Con, the world’s largest comic book convention. Summers in San Francisco offer something for everyone.
Although the mid-60s temps and blossoming flowers are lovely, if you intend on coming in the spring, you should keep an eye on the weather. Because of the gloomy afternoons and frequent rain showers, May in San Diego is known as “May Gray.”
Although you won’t be able to enjoy the ocean in the winter, daytime temperatures remain around 60 degrees, and if you don’t mind the occasional rain, you can anticipate a peaceful stay with inexpensive lodging.
San Diego’s most famous attraction is undoubtedly Balboa Park.
Shutterstock.com/Jon Bilous
Fall is the ideal time to visit if you want to have the best of both worlds: nice weather and reasonable costs. In September, the crowds start to thin out a bit, temperatures stabilize around 70 degrees, and the city’s magnificent attractions, such as Balboa Park, are at their best.
Fall is also a wonderful time to travel with kids, since Kids Free San Diego and a slew of Halloween-themed activities take place each year.
Las Vegas is a vibrant place, and the only way to experience the city’s nightlife is from the seat of a car. But there is also a lot more to see and do during the day than gambling and socializing. If you are looking to take in the Nevada city’s best attributes from a different perspective, a road trip from Las Vegas to San Diego is a great way to get a taste of Southwestern culture. Here are four of the best ways to experience Las Vegas from the road.. Read more about las vegas to los angeles drive and let us know what you think.
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You should stop in Phoenix, AZ.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What is halfway between Las Vegas and San Diego?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”
Halfway between Las Vegas and San Diego is a city called Yuma.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What is there to see between San Diego and Grand Canyon?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I stop between Las Vegas and San Diego?
You should stop in Phoenix, AZ.
What is halfway between Las Vegas and San Diego?
Halfway between Las Vegas and San Diego is a city called Yuma.
What is there to see between San Diego and Grand Canyon?
There is a lot to see between San Diego and Grand Canyon. For example, you could visit the San Diego Zoo or SeaWorld.
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