
Days 1-2 — Southern California Thrills & Desert Gateway
~150–200 mi across this legTransition from the excitement of world-class amusement parks in the Los Angeles area to the peaceful, rugged beauty of the California desert.
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| Start / End | Los Angeles, CA to Las Vegas, NV |
| Duration | 9 Days |
| Total Distance | 1,035 mi |
| States Crossed | California, Arizona, Nevada |
| Best For | Families, nature lovers, and classic road-trippers |
| Optimal Seasons | Spring and Autumn |
Connecting the sunny shores of Southern California to the glittering lights of Nevada, this 9-day itinerary is a masterclass in diverse landscapes. By taking an RV across this 1,035 mi route, you gain the freedom to seamlessly transition from world-class urban amusement parks to quiet desert trails, towering red rocks, and one of the world's most famous natural wonders. RV travel allows you to embrace slow travel, waking up near trailheads and enjoying family meals right in your motorhome after a long day of exploration. It perfectly balances high-energy attractions with the serene beauty of the American Southwest.
To truly appreciate the transition from coast to canyon to neon city, we recommend breaking this 9-day journey into four distinct stages. This approach ensures you spend less time rushing and more time soaking in the environments.
For the complete, day-by-day breakdown including specific routing and campground recommendations, log into your account on rvplan.net.
This route offers an incredible variety of experiences. Here is a look at the types of stops you will encounter along the way.
Kick off your vacation with unforgettable family memories. The Los Angeles area is famous for its entertainment, and spending a day at Disneyland Park is the perfect way to build excitement before heading into the wilderness.
Once you leave the city, the natural features of the Southwest take center stage. You will find excellent hiking areas like the Cottonwood Visitor Center and the Split Rock Loop Trail, which offer fantastic opportunities to explore unique desert flora and rock formations. Further along, the Arch Rock Nature Trail provides a highly rewarding, scenic walk. When it is time to cool off, swimming at Slide Rock State Park is a highlight, offering natural water chutes carved right into the red rock.
Educational and unique stops dot this route. At the Yavapai Geology Museum, you can study a fascinating topographic relief model of the Grand Canyon to truly understand the scale of what you are about to see. Animal lovers will enjoy a stop at Raptor Ranch for wildlife watching, while those looking for subterranean adventure can take a guided tour deep underground at Grand Canyon Caverns.
No Southwest road trip is complete without a nod to Route 66. Grab a meal at the classic Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner to experience a slice of Americana. As you approach Nevada, the Hoover Dam Parking Garage and Visitors Center offers stunning views of this engineering masterpiece. Finally, you will cruise onto the dazzling Las Vegas Strip, where you can park the RV and enjoy deluxe accommodations or fine dining at iconic spots like the Bellagio Hotel and Casino.
While you could drive between Los Angeles and Las Vegas in a single day, this specific routing via the Grand Canyon requires at least 9 days. This allows for full days at major attractions like Disneyland and the Grand Canyon, plus ample time for hiking and slow travel through the desert.
Absolutely. It is one of the most popular RV routes in the world because it offers an unmatched variety of experiences—from coastal city vibes and historic Route 66 to the majesty of the Grand Canyon and the entertainment of Las Vegas, all in a very manageable 1,035 mi drive.
This itinerary is tailor-made for families, first-time RV renters, and international travelers wanting to check off multiple bucket-list American destinations in a single vacation.
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are the optimal seasons. The weather is pleasant for hiking in the desert and exploring the Grand Canyon. Summer can bring extreme heat to the desert portions of the drive, requiring careful planning for RV cooling and hydration.
When planning your finances for this trip, consider the core components of RV travel: the daily rental rate, mileage, one-way fees, fuel, and campground costs. Because this is a one-way journey from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, most rental suppliers will charge a one-way drop fee. You will also need to ensure your mileage package covers the 1,035 mi distance, plus a small buffer for detours to trailheads and diners.
Campground rates will vary depending on your preference for full-hookup private resorts versus more rustic state and national park sites. Booking your RV and campsites well in advance is highly recommended, especially for spots near the Grand Canyon. For exact pricing, vehicle availability, and to secure your motorhome, check the live pricing tool below.
From the magic of Southern California to the awe-inspiring depths of the Grand Canyon and the neon glow of Las Vegas, this 9-day journey is the ultimate American road trip. Head over to RV PLANET to finalize your itinerary, view the full day-by-day plan, and book the perfect motorhome for your family adventure.
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) | $420–$550 |
| Estimated campground cost (total) | $400–$650 |
| Estimated attractions & entrance fees — family of 4 | $800–$1,200 |
| Estimated groceries / self-catered food — family of 4 | $350–$500 |
| Live availability & pricing | Check live availability & pricing on Rent Motorhome → |
Estimate assumptions: Estimates assume 10 mpg fuel efficiency, a mix of state park and private campground rates averaging $60/night, and peak-season travel for a family of four. 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.

Transition from the excitement of world-class amusement parks in the Los Angeles area to the peaceful, rugged beauty of the California desert.

Immerse yourself in striking rock formations, nature trails, and refreshing swimming spots as you cross into Arizona.

Experience the majestic scale of one of the world's great natural wonders, complemented by classic Americana, caverns, and wildlife encounters.

Conclude your journey by witnessing monumental dam architecture before rolling into the dazzling lights and fine dining of the Las Vegas Strip.
Total cost for this 9-day itinerary depends on the rig you pick, the pickup season, mileage add-ons, and any one-way drop-off fee across the 1,035 mi route. Check live availability and a real quote for the Los Angeles → Las Vegas 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 → Las Vegas route.
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