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| Total Days | 23 Days |
| Total Distance | 2,867 mi |
| Start / End | Nashville, TN to Los Angeles, CA |
| States Crossed | Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California |
| Best Season | Spring (April–May) or Fall (September–October) |
| Ideal For | Families, history buffs, and cross-country explorers |
Note: For live pricing, availability, and specific campground details, check the interactive RV PLANET tools below.
Spanning 2,867 mi across ten states, the journey from Nashville to Los Angeles is the quintessential American cross-country road trip. Covering this vast distance over 23 days is the perfect recipe for slow travel. Instead of rushing down the interstate, this generous timeline allows you to truly immerse yourself in the changing landscapes—from the lush, rolling hills of the South to the expansive plains of the Midwest, and finally into the dramatic deserts and coastlines of the West.
An RV is the ideal vessel for this expedition. It provides your family with a consistent, comfortable home base while navigating diverse climates and regions. You can cook meals after a day of exploring historical monuments, sleep in your own bed after hiking through canyons, and comfortably store souvenirs gathered from Music City to Hollywood.
To help you visualize the pacing, we have broken this 23-day journey into overarching regional stages. For the comprehensive, day-by-day itinerary complete with specific stops and routing, access the full plan on rvplan.net.
Your journey begins in the vibrant heart of Tennessee, moving steadily northward through Kentucky and Illinois before crossing into Missouri. This initial stage is characterized by shorter driving days, allowing plenty of time to explore rich musical heritage, urban parks, and the iconic riverfronts that define the American Midwest.
As you leave the Mississippi River behind, the landscape opens up. Transitioning through Missouri, Kansas, and into the Texas Panhandle, the rhythm shifts to a steady cruise across vast, open skies. This leg leans heavily into pioneer history and family-focused attractions, offering a relaxed pace with straightforward, scenic driving.
Crossing into New Mexico, the elevation rises and the scenery dramatically transforms into the striking colors of the Southwest. This stage invites you to slow down and explore ancient historical parks, natural hot springs, and high-altitude vistas. The driving here is incredibly scenic, weaving through the rich cultural tapestry of the high desert.
Moving through Arizona and into Nevada, the scale of the landscape becomes grand. You will navigate around massive natural features, historic railways, and monumental feats of engineering. The rhythm builds toward the dazzling entertainment capital of the desert, mixing outdoor adventure with vibrant nightlife.
The final push takes you from the arid beauty of the Mojave Desert down into the bustling, palm-lined streets of Southern California. The pacing here transitions back to urban exploration, culminating in the iconic studios and coastlines of Los Angeles to cap off your epic 2,867 mi adventure.
This route is packed with a diverse array of attractions. Here is a taste of what you will discover, grouped by theme:
We strongly recommend the full 23 days for this 2,867 mi journey. This allows you to average just over 120 miles per day, ensuring you have ample time to explore museums, hike national landmarks, and relax at your campsites without feeling rushed.
Absolutely. It is a bucket-list cross-country experience that offers an incredible cross-section of American culture, geography, and history. From the musical roots of the South to the glitz of Hollywood, the diversity of experiences is unmatched.
This itinerary is exceptionally well-suited for families, given the high number of amusement parks, aquariums, and interactive museums. It is also ideal for history enthusiasts and extended travelers looking for a comprehensive coast-to-coast (or near-coast) experience.
Spring (April to May) and Fall (September to October) are the most comfortable times to drive this route. Summer can bring extreme heat to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada, while winter may introduce snow and ice in the higher elevations of the Southwest and Midwest.
When planning a one-way trip of this magnitude, it is important to frame your budget around a few key categories. First, because you are picking up in Nashville and dropping off in Los Angeles, you will likely encounter a one-way drop fee. This fee varies by fleet and season, so be sure to review the live pricing details below.
Additionally, you will need to account for a mileage package. With a base distance of 2,867 mi, plus side trips to attractions like the Grand Canyon Railway or Hoover Dam, you should secure a package that covers at least 3,200 miles to avoid per-mile overage charges. Fuel costs will be a significant portion of your budget, alongside nightly campground fees—which can be optimized by mixing state parks with full-hookup private RV resorts.
For exact figures on rental rates, one-way fees, and mileage packages, utilize the RV PLANET search tools appended to this guide.
Your cross-country adventure from Music City to the City of Angels awaits. To access the complete, day-by-day itinerary, interactive maps, and to secure your motorhome rental, head over to the full route guide at RV PLANET. Start planning today and make your dream American road trip a reality!
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 | Cruise America- 26-E (Nashville), Indie Campers USA - 26 E (Nashville) |
|---|---|
| Sample RV cost — 4 travelers (Class A / B / C) | {{BANDANA_PRICING_TABLE}} |
| Estimated fuel cost (total) | $950–$1,200 |
| Estimated campground cost (total) | $900–$1,500 |
| Estimated attractions & entrance fees — family of 4 | $600–$1,200 |
| Estimated groceries / self-catered food — family of 4 | $1,800–$2,500 |
| Live availability & pricing | Check live availability & pricing on Rent Motorhome → |
Estimate assumptions: Estimates assume 10 mpg fuel efficiency, an average of $55 per night for a mix of public and private campgrounds, and peak season travel rates. 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 vibrant music scene of the South into the historical heartland and river-city culture of the Midwest.
A steady cruise across vast open plains offering family-friendly attractions and deep pioneer history.
Elevate into the striking Southwestern landscapes, where hot springs, ancient historical parks, and high-altitude tramways set the scene.
Experience the grand scale of the American Southwest, transitioning from natural wonders and massive dams to the dazzling lights of the desert.
Descend from the Mojave Desert into the bustling entertainment capital of the world to conclude your cross-country expedition.
Total cost for this 23-day itinerary depends on the rig you pick, the pickup season, mileage add-ons, and any one-way drop-off fee across the 2,867 mi route. Check live availability and a real quote for the Nashville → 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 Nashville 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 |
| C-30 Cruise America- 26-E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 29.9 ft | Auto Transmission |
| Comfort Standard Select Indie Campers USA - 26 E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 24.1 ft | Auto Transmission |
| Comfort Family Select Indie Campers USA - 26 E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 30.0 ft | Auto Transmission |
| Comfort Family 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 Nashville → Los Angeles route.
Picking up in Nashville but want a shorter loop or a different destination? Compare these RV PLANET itineraries that depart from the same depot: