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Embarking on a cross-country journey from the Pacific Coast to the Gulf Coast is a quintessential American adventure. This 18-day route spans 2,620 mi, taking you through some of the most dynamic landscapes in the country. From the arid beauty of the Mojave Desert to the lush, vibrant bayous of the Deep South, this itinerary is designed for travelers who appreciate slow travel and diverse regional cultures.
| Trip Detail | Snapshot |
|---|---|
| Start / End | Los Angeles, CA to New Orleans, LA |
| Duration | 18 Days |
| Total Distance | 2,620 mi |
| States Crossed | Arizona, California, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas |
| Ideal For | Families, couples, and long-haul road trippers |
| Best Season | Spring and Autumn |
This massive 2,620 mi journey is perfectly suited for an RV because it allows you to carry your home with you across drastically changing environments. When traveling from California through Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and finally Louisiana, having an onboard kitchen, restroom, and comfortable bed makes the long stretches of highway enjoyable rather than exhausting.
The 18-day timeline is the sweet spot for this distance. It provides a comfortable driving pace, ensuring you aren't stuck behind the wheel from dawn until dusk. You will have ample time to unhook at a campground, set up your awning, and truly experience the local flavor of each state. Whether you are navigating the wide-open highways of Texas or the winding roads near the Grand Canyon, the infrastructure along this southern corridor is highly accommodating to RVs of all sizes, with plenty of pull-through sites, dump stations, and fuel stops.
A successful cross-country RV trip relies on a well-paced rhythm. Rather than rushing from point A to point B, this route is broken down into distinct regional stages. This allows you to mentally and physically transition through the diverse climates and cultures.
Your journey begins by leaving the bustling metropolitan sprawl of Los Angeles behind. As you head east, the landscape quickly opens up into the vast, sun-drenched expanses of the Mojave Desert. This initial leg is about settling into your RV, getting comfortable with the vehicle's handling, and enjoying the quirky, artistic stops that dot the historic routes of the American West. The driving here is straightforward, giving you time to adjust to the rhythm of the road.
As you cross into Nevada and Arizona, the elevation changes and the scenery becomes dramatically more rugged. This stage is dominated by monumental natural features. The highlight is undoubtedly the Grand Canyon area, where sunset views and off-road safaris provide unforgettable memories. Expect to spend a few days in this region, utilizing local RV parks as basecamps for day tours, wildlife watching, and soaking in the sheer scale of the Southwest.
Leaving the deep canyons behind, the route transitions into the high deserts of New Mexico. This leg slows the pace down, focusing on cultural heritage, botanical beauty, and historical sites. The driving distances remain manageable, allowing for leisurely mornings at the campground and afternoons spent exploring local industries, museums, and desert gardens that showcase the unique survival and ingenuity of the region's inhabitants.
Texas is vast, and this stage covers a significant portion of your total 2,620 mi distance. The horizon seems endless, and the sky stretches on forever. This is where the true cross-country road trip feeling sets in. You will traverse diverse ecosystems, from arid western plains to rolling hills and nature preserves. RV parks are plentiful, and the long driving days are rewarded with stunning sunsets and the opportunity to experience extreme activities and local nature centers.
The final transition brings you into the humid, culturally rich environment of Louisiana. The desert is replaced by swamps, bayous, and ancient oak trees draped in Spanish moss. The pace picks up again as you near New Orleans, a city famous for its traditional markets, fine dining, and vibrant street life. This final stage is a celebration of the journey, ending in a destination that is as unique as the miles it took to get there.
While the detailed day-by-day itinerary is available inside RV PLAN, this route is anchored by several incredible themes and specific points of interest that highlight the diversity of the southern United States.
We highly recommend dedicating a full 18 days to this journey. Covering 2,620 mi is no small feat. Attempting this in fewer days means you will spend the majority of your daylight hours driving, leaving little time to explore the museums, natural features, and traditional markets along the way. An 18-day timeline averages out to a very manageable driving distance per day, factoring in multi-night stays at key destinations like the Grand Canyon.
Absolutely. The contrast between the starting point and the destination is what makes this route spectacular. You are trading the Pacific Ocean for the Gulf of Mexico, crossing vast deserts, towering canyons, and dense bayous in between. It is a masterclass in American geography and culture, offering everything from extreme activities to fine dining.
This route is incredibly versatile. Families will love the amusement parks, aquariums, and wildlife shows. Couples will appreciate the botanical gardens, art galleries, and romantic sunsets over the Grand Canyon. It is also ideal for history buffs and science enthusiasts, given the numerous historical sites and local industry tours available along the southern corridor.
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are the optimal times for this specific route. Summer temperatures in the Mojave Desert, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas can be fiercely hot, putting extra strain on both you and your RV's air conditioning system. Spring offers blooming desert flowers, while autumn provides mild, comfortable temperatures for hiking and outdoor exploration.
Planning a one-way trip from Los Angeles to New Orleans requires some specific logistical considerations. Because you are picking up the RV in one city and dropping it off in another, you will need to account for a one-way drop fee. These fees vary by supplier and season, but they are a standard part of cross-country rentals.
When booking, pay close attention to mileage packages. Your base route is 2,620 mi, but you should always add an extra 10-15% to your mileage estimate to account for detours, trips to the grocery store, and exploring off the main highway. Purchasing a comprehensive mileage package upfront is almost always more economical than paying per-mile overage fees at the end of your trip.
Your campground budget will depend on your travel style. Mixing state and national park campgrounds (which offer beautiful natural settings at a lower cost) with private RV resorts (which offer full hookups, swimming pools, and laundry facilities) is the best way to balance comfort and overall trip costs. For the most accurate, real-time pricing on RV rentals for this exact route, utilize the search tools available on RV PLANET.
The journey from the glitz of Los Angeles to the jazz-filled streets of New Orleans is a bucket-list adventure waiting to be realized. With careful planning, the right RV, and a spirit of exploration, this 18-day, 2,620 mi trip will provide memories that last a lifetime. To view the complete day-by-day itinerary, secure your vehicle, and get live pricing, visit the official route page and book your Los Angeles to New Orleans RV trip on RV PLANET today.
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) | $900–$1,150 |
| Estimated campground cost (total) | $850–$1,350 |
| Estimated attractions & entrance fees — family of 4 | $450–$750 |
| Estimated groceries / self-catered food — family of 4 | $750–$1,050 |
| Live availability & pricing | Check live availability & pricing on Rent Motorhome → |
Estimate assumptions: Estimates assume a Class C RV averaging 10 mpg, a mix of state park and private campground rates, and shoulder-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 bustling Pacific coast into the arid, artistic landscapes of the Mojave Desert at a relaxed pace.
A deep dive into the majestic natural wonders of the Southwest, focusing on breathtaking canyon views and rugged terrain.
Slower travel through historical sites, agricultural heritage, and serene desert botany in the high desert.
Long horizons and diverse nature preserves as you cross the expansive and varied landscapes of the Lone Star State.
Entering the humid, vibrant South for wildlife watching and historic market exploration to conclude your journey.
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 2,620 mi route. Check live availability and a real quote for the Los Angeles → New Orleans 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 → New Orleans route.
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