RV, camper and motorhome trip planning toolbox – The best ever created
| Start / End | Los Angeles, California / Los Angeles, California |
|---|---|
| Duration | 18 Days (Ideal for slow travel) |
| Total Distance | 1,773 mi |
| States Covered | California, Nevada, Arizona |
| Best Season | Spring and Fall (Shoulder seasons) |
| Who It Fits | Families, nature enthusiasts, and classic Americana road-trippers |
Sparking your ignition in the entertainment capital of the world and setting a sweeping course through the sun-baked deserts, neon-lit cities, and staggering canyons of the American Southwest is the ultimate road trip fantasy. A motorhome is the perfect vessel for this 18-day expedition, offering you a front-row seat to a masterclass in extreme contrasts. You can wake up to the Pacific breezes of the California coast, prepare lunch surrounded by the vastness of the Mojave Desert, and fall asleep under the star-filled skies of the Arizona badlands.
Charting a massive circular path from Los Angeles through California, Nevada, and Arizona allows you to embrace "The Green Road." RV travel encourages you to practice responsible tourism, ensuring that these fragile desert ecosystems and national treasures remain unspoiled. With your accommodation and kitchen traveling with you, you have the ultimate flexibility to witness sunrise over the jaw-dropping depths of the Grand Canyon and trace the nostalgic asphalt of Route 66 at your own unhurried pace.
Covering 1,773 mi over 18 days yields an incredibly comfortable pace, averaging just under 100 miles per day. This allows for immersive, slow travel rather than rushed highway driving. The rhythm of this loop transitions beautifully from coastal urban energy to profound natural silence.
For the complete, day-by-day itinerary detailing exact campgrounds and driving times, check the full route guide on rvplan.net.
This massive loop offers a diverse menu of experiences. Based on the region's highlights, here is what you can expect to discover:
The transition from the California coast to the Southwest interior is breathtaking. You will encounter pristine beaches, expansive hiking areas, and awe-inspiring natural features. The Grand Canyon and the Arizona badlands offer world-class vistas, while the Mojave Desert provides a stark, beautiful contrast. Remember that the desert is a land of extremes; respect the fragile ecosystems you pass through.
Starting and ending in the entertainment capital means access to top-tier amusement parks, aquariums, interactive city museums, and zoos. These stops are fantastic year-round and provide excellent breaks for children traveling in the motorhome, balancing the quiet nature days with high-energy family activities.
For the active traveler, this route offers extreme activities and opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and rafting in the region's rivers and canyons. History buffs will love the historical sites dotted along Route 66 and various points of interest that celebrate the rich pioneer and Native American history of the Southwest.
While your RV kitchen is perfect for family meals, the route passes through major cultural hubs offering traditional restaurants and fine dining. You can also book specialized day tours to learn about local ecology or night tours to experience the neon-lit cities of Nevada after dark.
This itinerary is perfectly designed for 18 days. Attempting to drive 1,773 mi in less time will force you to rush through the Grand Canyon and skip the nuanced history of Route 66. Eighteen days provides the ideal balance of driving and exploring.
Absolutely. It is a masterclass in contrasts. Very few routes in the world allow you to experience Pacific beaches, immense desert valleys, neon entertainment capitals, and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World in a single, cohesive loop.
This journey is incredibly versatile. It is perfect for families wanting a mix of amusement parks and national parks, couples seeking the romance of the open road on Route 66, and outdoor enthusiasts eager to hike the Arizona badlands.
The temperate shoulder seasons (Spring and Fall) are the most spectacular times for this trip. The dynamic climate of the Southwest requires careful planning. Traversing the Mojave Desert and Arizona badlands during the peak of summer brings blistering, dangerous heat. Conversely, winter can bring unexpected snow and freezing temperatures to the high elevations of the Grand Canyon and Flagstaff. Always check weather advisories before departing.
Planning the financials for an 18-day motorhome holiday requires looking at a few key categories. The greatest advantage of this specific route is that it is a Los Angeles round trip. Because you pick up and drop off the vehicle in the same city, you will completely avoid costly one-way rental fees!
When selecting your RV on RV PLANET, pay close attention to mileage packages. Covering 1,773 mi means you will need an adequate mileage allowance. Many rentals include a base amount of daily miles, but for a trip of this length, purchasing an unlimited mileage package or a pre-paid block of miles is often the most cost-effective strategy.
Your other primary expenses will be fuel, campground fees, and attraction tickets. Mixing state park campgrounds with private RV resorts can help manage nightly costs while ensuring you have the amenities you need. For groceries, utilizing your campervan's kitchen for breakfasts and dinners is a fantastic way to balance the budget, saving your dining funds for a few memorable traditional restaurants along the way.
From the neon lights of Nevada to the ancient depths of the Grand Canyon, this 18-day expedition is the quintessential American road trip. To secure the perfect vehicle for your journey, review live availability, and access the full day-by-day itinerary, visit the official route page at RV PLANET.
See the full polyline, drag stops to customize, and get live pricing in one click.
Open this route in RV PLAN →| Nearby RV rental stations | Indie Campers USA - 26 E (Los Angeles (LAX area)), Travellers Autobarn USA-26 E (Los Angeles (LAX area)), Native Campervans-24 E (Los Angeles (LAX area)), El Monte-2026-E (Los Angeles (LAX area)), Cruise America- 26-E (Los Angeles (LAX area)) |
|---|---|
| Sample RV cost — 4 travelers (Class A / B / C) | {{BANDANA_PRICING_TABLE}} |
| Estimated fuel cost (total) | $650–$850 |
| Estimated campground cost (total) | $750–$1,450 |
| Estimated attractions & entrance fees — family of 4 | $400–$800 |
| Estimated groceries / self-catered food — family of 4 | $900–$1,400 |
| Live availability & pricing | Check live availability & pricing on Rent Motorhome → |
Estimate assumptions: Estimates based on 1,773 mi at 10 mpg, $4.00/gallon fuel, a mix of state and private campgrounds for 17 nights, and family-of-four travel during shoulder season. All figures are estimates — verify on Rent Motorhome and RV PLAN for your travel dates.
A high-level look at how the route flows in stages. The exact daily stops, overnight picks, and detour options are built for you inside RV PLAN — open the route to see the full plan.
Leaving the Los Angeles basin to explore coastal breezes, family attractions, and vibrant cityscapes before heading inland.
Transitioning into the arid extremes of the desert, navigating vast open highways toward Nevada's bustling entertainment hubs.
Climbing into higher elevations to witness the staggering depths of the Grand Canyon and the rugged Arizona badlands.
Tracing the nostalgic asphalt of classic Americana highways back toward the California coast to complete the grand loop.
Total cost for this 18-day itinerary depends on the rig you pick, the pickup season, mileage add-ons, and any one-way drop-off fee across the 1,773 mi route. Check live availability and a real quote for the Los Angeles → Los Angeles pickup window on Rent Motorhome.
Live availability & pricing for this exact route
Prices update daily. See the full breakdown — nightly rate, taxes, one-way fee, mileage package — for your travel dates.
These are real vehicles in our Los Angeles pickup fleet that fit a multi-week western U.S. itinerary. Configure dates on rvplan.net to see live availability and the total trip cost for the exact rig you want.
| Motorhome | Class | Sleeps | Length | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort Space Select Indie Campers USA - 26 E |
Class A - Integrated | 8 | 29.2 ft | Auto Transmission |
| R 29-31 Road Bear RV-26 E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 30.8 ft | Auto Transmission |
| Comfort Standard Select Indie Campers USA - 26 E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 24.1 ft | Auto Transmission |
| C-30 Cruise America- 26-E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 29.9 ft | Auto Transmission |
| Comfort Family Select Indie Campers USA - 26 E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 30.0 ft | Auto Transmission |
Pick your dates below and we'll open the live RV PLANET booking flow for the Los Angeles → Los Angeles route.
Picking up in Los Angeles but want a shorter loop or a different destination? Compare these RV PLANET itineraries that depart from the same depot: