The ultimate Phoenix to Las Vegas road trip takes you between the two biggest desert cities in the United States.
A 290-mile Phoenix to Las Vegas road trip takes you through Arizona and Nevada. As you drive from “The Valley Of The Sun” to “Sin City”, you will pass vibrant cities, historic settlements, ghost towns, unique roadside attractions, stunning natural destinations, and vast desert landscapes as you travel to one of the most iconic cities on Earth, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Keep reading for help planning the ultimate Phoenix to Las Vegas road trip.
A Phoenix To Las Vegas Road Trip: How Far Is It, What Is The Best Route, & How Long Will It Take?
A Phoenix to Las Vegas road trip covers 290 miles and takes 4 hours and 45 minutes to drive. The route for such a road trip is incredibly straightforward. Begin by joining Grand Avenue/US Route 60 in Downtown Phoenix and taking it 54 miles northwest to Wickenburg, Arizona. You then join US Route 93 at its origin and follow it the remaining 236 miles to your destination in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Best Time For The Ultimate Phoenix To Las Vegas Road Trip
The best time for the ultimate Phoenix to Las Vegas road trip is between the start of May and mid-June. This window provides warm, dry weather that isn’t too hot yet throughout your route, while avoiding the region’s wildfire season, which peaks in August and September, and the huge crowds of tourists that descend on Las Vegas at the height of summer. You will also find all of Las Vegas’s attractions open at this time.
Best Place To Stop On The Ultimate Phoenix To Las Vegas Road Trip – Kingman, Arizona
With less than 5 hours of driving time, many people will look to complete a Phoenix to Las Vegas road trip in one day. However, those wanting to make the most of the trip and ensure they have enough time to take in all the sights and attractions will want to slow down and break it into smaller chunks. One place clearly stands out as the best place to stop on the ultimate Phoenix to Las Vegas road trip, and that’s Kingman, Arizona.
Often called the “Heart of Historic Route 66,” Kingman is a classic stop for travellers exploring “The Mother Road”. Nestled in the high desert between Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, it blends small-town hospitality with deep-rooted Americana charm. Visitors can explore the Arizona Route 66 Museum and the historic Powerhouse Visitor Center, which showcase the town’s role in America’s legendary highway history.
The downtown area features vintage diners, retro motels, and murals celebrating the golden age of road travel. Beyond its Route 66 heritage, Kingman attractions such as the Mohave Museum of History and Arts, the Kingman Railroad Museum, and a locomotive park complete with a 1920s steam engine are sure to delight visitors.
Kingman also serves as a gateway to outdoor adventures and scenic drives. The surrounding Cerbat Mountains offer hiking and biking trails. Nearby Hualapai Mountain Park offers cooler forest escapes and wildlife viewing. Wine lovers can visit the local vineyards, and history enthusiasts will enjoy the old steam engines and mining relics.
Best Hotel To Stay At In Kingman, Arizona – La Quinta By Wyndham Kingman
La Quinta by Wyndham Kingman is a 3-star hotel with a welcoming atmosphere, providing contemporary comfort and convenience just off of Interstate 40. It boasts modern rooms equipped with comfortable bedding, flat-screen televisions, air-conditioning, a private bathroom, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Visitors can savour a free hot breakfast each morning and relax in the indoor pool, hot tub, or fitness centre after a day of exploration. A business centre and free parking are available to all guests.
Top Attractions On The Ultimate Phoenix To Las Vegas Road Trip
Glendale, Arizona
Glendale, Arizona, is a vibrant city in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area that merges sports, retail, and entertainment with a hint of historical character. Its downtown region, referred to as Historic Glendale, boasts brick-paved streets filled with antique stores, boutiques, and inviting cafés. Close by, the Glendale Xeriscape Garden and Sahuaro Ranch Park provide tranquil retreats with walking trails, rose gardens, and glimpses into Arizona’s agricultural heritage.
Contemporary Glendale is also a prominent hub for sports and events. The Westgate Entertainment District is alive with numerous culinary options, lively nightlife, and exhilarating live performances. It is centred around State Farm Stadium, which is home to the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals and most of the metro area’s major concerts. Adjacent to it, the Desert Diamond Arena hosts hockey matches and high-calibre entertainment.
Wickenburg, Arizona
Wickenburg, Arizona, is a historic western town recognised for its rich cowboy heritage and Old West allure. Established during the gold rush of the 1860s, it combines history, art, and desert beauty within a laid-back, small-town atmosphere. Visitors can discover the Desert Caballeros Western Museum, wander through a bustling downtown area filled with shops and galleries, or participate in one of the town’s regular festivals that honour its frontier history.
The Jail Tree, where outlaws were once tethered, imparts a sense of genuine Wild West history. Outdoor enthusiasts will love picturesque horseback rides, hiking desert trails, and nearby Vulture Peak’s excellent trails and vistas. The surrounding Sonoran Desert landscape is ideal for off-roading, photography, and birdwatching. Guests can also lodge at one of the region’s historic dude ranches to experience authentic cowboy life.
Santa Claus, Arizona
Santa Claus, Arizona, is an intriguing ghost town and roadside oddity. Established in 1937, it was formerly a festive Christmas-themed settlement that drew tourists and land purchasers with its fanciful ornaments, candy-striped structures, and year-round holiday ambience. Guests could interact with Santa, enjoy meals at the Santa Claus Inn, and dispatch postcards postmarked from "Santa Claus, Arizona."
A cherished stop for festive travellers at its height in the mid-20th century, Santa Claus is now deserted, with merely a handful of worn structures and graffiti-embellished remnants of its once-vibrant decorations left. Although no longer an operational attraction, it appeals to photographers, history buffs, and inquisitive travellers captivated by its haunting yet nostalgic vibe that acts as a quirky reminder of roadside Americana.
Chloride, Arizona
Chloride, Arizona, was established in 1863 as a silver mining settlement, making it the oldest continuously inhabited mining town in the state. Currently home to around 230 residents, it also boasts Arizona’s longest continuously operated post office. Regrettably, much of the original settlement was destroyed in a fire during the 1920s, so it isn't possible to see precisely how it appeared during its peak.
Nevertheless, a variety of mines, structures such as a playhouse, bank, and jail, and murals created from vividly painted boulders still render it a remarkable destination to explore. We even recently ranked it among the best ghost towns in Arizona and California, and it holds its own against what the rest of the country has to offer, too.
Grand Canyon West Skywalk
The Hualapai Indian Reservation’s Grand Canyon West Skywalk is one of the most stunning ways to witness the Grand Canyon. A horseshoe-shaped glass platform protruding 70 feet beyond the canyon's edge, the skywalk permits guests to stand 4,000 feet above the Colorado River with expansive views all around. Personal cameras are prohibited on the bridge for safety reasons, but professional photographers on staff will capture the experience for you.
The site also features displays on the culture and history of the Hualapai Tribe, as well as several other viewpoints and attractions. Eagle Point presents a natural rock formation that resembles an eagle in flight. Guano Point provides stunning 360-degree views of the canyon and hiking paths. Visitors can also enjoy helicopter tours, river rafting, Native cultural performances, and trips to the Hualapai Ranch.
Arizona Last Stop
Arizona Last Stop is a well-known roadside attraction and adventure centre in White Hills, Arizona. Recognised as the last place for gas or snacks in Arizona when heading northwest on US Route 93, it provides a convenient rest area with a café, souvenir shop, and picturesque desert vistas. Visitors can enjoy a meal, take a break, and explore distinctive Route 66-themed memorabilia while appreciating the rugged scenery of the Mojave Desert.
Beyond serving as a travel stop, Arizona Last Stop is particularly famous for the outdoor experiences it offers. Most notable is the Bullets and Burgers activity, where visitors can safely handle a variety of firearms under the tutelage of professionals. The location also provides off-road excursions, helicopter flights to the Grand Canyon, and package deals that merge adventure with sightseeing.
The Hoover Dam
Constructed from 1931 to 1936, the Hoover Dam is a legendary concrete gravity-arch dam 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, on the Nevada-Arizona border. Renowned for its distinctive architecture, building process, and dimensions, it is one of the world’s largest dams, rising 726 feet (221 meters) high and spanning 1,244 feet (379 meters) in length. Set in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, it contains the largest reservoir in the United States, Lake Mead.
The Hoover Dam powers a hydroelectric facility that generates 29% of southern California’s electricity, 23% of Nevada’s, and 19% of Arizona’s. A well-known tourist destination with something for everyone, you will find picturesque views, iconic architecture, guided tours, educational plaques outlining its history, and memorials honouring those who perished during its infamous construction.
Boulder City, Nevada
Boulder City, Nevada, is an appealing desert community recognised for its distinctive history and laid-back vibe, just 30 minutes from Las Vegas. Established in the 1930s to accommodate workers constructing the Hoover Dam, it maintains a small-town atmosphere with historic architecture, tree-shaded streets, and a prohibition on gambling within city boundaries.
In town, guests can visit the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum to learn about the dam’s construction or wander through the charming downtown and its quaint shops, local art galleries, and welcoming cafés. Further from the centre, activities such as kayaking and boating on Lake Mead or hiking and cycling in the desert hills are possible. The Nevada Southern Railway Museum provides scenic train journeys through the Mojave Desert.
Henderson, Nevada
Henderson is the 2nd most populous city in Nevada. Situated about a 15-minute drive southeast from the Las Vegas Strip, it offers a considerably more tranquil experience than the tourist-centric environment of central Las Vegas. You will still find numerous bars, casinos, and restaurants to keep you entertained, along with an expanded selection of shopping malls, movie theatres, and concert venues to enjoy.
Henderson is also home to many of Nevada’s most renowned golf courses, country clubs, resorts, and beauty spots. Lake Las Vegas is a 320-acre reservoir that offers activities such as boating and swimming against a backdrop of luxurious resorts and amenities. The River Mountain Loop Trail features some of the most breathtaking views in the area.
Clark County Wetlands Park and the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve contribute to the preservation of the local wildlife and landscape, and the Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden and Acadia Demonstration Gardens are wonderful places to discover some of southern Nevada’s native flora.
Final Thoughts On The Ultimate Phoenix To Las Vegas Road Trip Itinerary
That concludes our guide to the ultimate Phoenix to Las Vegas road trip. You should now have all the necessary information to complete the journey, including when to go, which route to follow, how long it takes, where to stay, and what to see along the way. We also published helpful guides on the best things to do in Phoenix, where to stay in Las Vegas, the top attractions in Las Vegas, and how to enjoy Las Vegas on a budget.
All that’s left is deciding what to take with you, and then you can start budgeting and booking everything, so you can look forward to enjoying it all for yourself as soon as possible. Anyone seeking to continue driving beyond Las Vegas may enjoy our guides on:
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