Have you always dreamt about a West Coast USA road trip? In just 3,5 weeks, you visit 4 states, 9 National Parks, and 3 awesome cities. This is the perfect road trip itinerary for Southwest USA.
Why should you go on a West Coast USA road trip?
If you want to experience the best of the United States in one single road trip, the USA West Coast is the place to be. The national parks are all completely different and spectacular. The cities are in a league of their own.
In this West Coast USA road trip itinerary, the starting point is Los Angeles, where you will also finish the road trip after 3,5 weeks. You will also visit Las Vegas and San Francisco, so you can also choose to start or end your road trip West Coast USA in these cities.
Itinerary West Coast USA road trip
This itinerary shows you the best parts of West Coast USA in just over three weeks. You’ll be exploring the states of California, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada.
Day 0: arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is the perfect place to start your Southwest USA road trip. LAX, the main airport, is a huge international airport with many connections. Depending on your arrival time, you can pick up your rental car and drive to one of the suburbs of Los Angeles in the western direction.
We stayed in Norwalk, a safe area with lots of affordable hotels. Plenty of Walmarts to buy the stuff you need for a road trip (for example a cooler or a map).
- Distance: 31 kilometers / 20 miles
- Hotel tip: Best Western Norwalk Inn (3⭐) – Basic hotel, but perfect for a first night on the road. This is the place where I stayed, and I found it very convenient because it was really easy to reach (close to the freeway) and the nearest Walmart was only 6 minutes away.
Day 1: Joshua Tree National Park
If you’re from Europe, you’ll probably wake up early (hello jetlag!), so you can leave at the break of dawn. Which is a good thing, because today will be a long drive. The first stop will be your first National Park on this trip: Joshua Tree National Park.
It’s one of the quieter parks in the Southwest, so you won’t see a lot of other people. Since you only have a few hours to explore the park, the easiest way to see the most of it is by driving the Park Boulevard from the town of Joshua Tree to Twentynine Palms.
You’ll have the time to do a short hike (I can recommend the Hidden Valley Trail) and see highlights such as Skull Rock. And of course, don’t forget to take lots of pictures of the awesome Joshua trees.
From Joshua Tree National Park head north so you can visit ghost town Amboy and make your way on Route 66 to the town of Needles.
- Distance: 450 kilometers / 280 miles
- Hotel tip: Hampton Inn Needles (3⭐) – One of the best-rated hotels in Needles with very comfortable rooms.
Day 2: Route 66
Driving Route 66 is probably on your USA bucket list, and today you will! From Needles, you will cross the state border: goodbye California, hello Arizona! Head to the small town of Oatman, which is a perfect place for a stop. The (ghost) town looks like a set of a Wild West movie, and there are a lot of donkeys wandering the streets. So drive carefully!
The part of Route 66 from Oatman to Kingman is beautiful and has some great views. Kingman is a good place for lunch and here you can also visit the Route 66 museum. You can choose to continue to drive on Route 66 until Williams or take the (way faster) US-93 to Williams.
If you’d like another Route 66 stop, Seligman is a nice town with a couple of cool buildings. From Williams, it’s only one more hour before you’ll reach Grand Canyon National Park. Make sure to arrive before sunset.
- Distance to the Grand Canyon: 360 kilometers / 225 miles
- Hotel tip (in the park): Bright Angel Lodge – one of the most affordable places to stay on the South rim of the Grand Canyon. I stayed here once and it was amazing to stay so close to this gorgeous wonder of nature.
- Campground: Mather Campground – large campground but the sites are incredibly spacious. Make sure to book well ahead, reservations usually open 6 months in advance.
- Hotel tip Tusayan: If you can’t find any place to stay within the park, it’s best to book something in the town of Tusayan. From here it’s only a 10-minute drive to the park. The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon (5⭐) is the most beautiful hotel near the Grand Canyon.
Day 3: Grand Canyon & Horseshoe Bend
The Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular sights in the world, so take your time to explore. In the morning, you’ll have plenty of time to see the Grand Canyon from a couple of different viewpoints. The best thing is to drive east on Desert View Drive.
When you’ve seen enough, continue to Page. Make a stop at the Horseshoe Bend (about 7 kilometers / 5 miles) before you reach Page. It’s only a short hike to the viewpoint, but it can be difficult because of loose sand, the heat, and the climb. Make sure to bring water.
The view of Horseshoe Bend is amazing, so take your time to enjoy it. If you still have some time when you arrive in Page, go for a refreshing swim in Lake Powell. You deserve it!
- Distance: 224 kilometers / 140 miles
- Hotel tip: Baymont by Wyndham Page Lake Powell (3⭐) – Good-rated hotel in a great location.
- Campground: Wahweap Campground – Although it’s located a bit outside of Page, it’s a great place to stay thanks to its proximity to Lake Powell. And I can tell you that the skies at night are incredible, as there is no light pollution. I spent half the night staring at the Milky Way!
Read more about Page: 17 Amazing Things to do in Page AZ
Day 4: Page & Monument Valley
Start your day with a tour of Antelope Canyon and enjoy the shapes and colors. There are two different canyons, you can choose between Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon (or visit them both). It’s best to make a reservation beforehand.
After Antelope Canyon you’ll have a long (and lonely) drive in the desert to Monument Valley. Make a stop at the View Hotel, from here you’ll have a great view of the famous ‘buttes’.
Also make a stop at mile marker 13, which is also known as the Forrest Gump point (it’s the place where he decided to stop running). And did you know that you just reached the third state of this road trip? Monument Valley is located on the border of Arizona and Utah.
- Distance (to Moab): 195 kilometers / 121 miles
- Hotel tip: Gouldings Lodge (3⭐) – Epic place to stay in the iconic Monument Valley. Make sure to set the alarm for an unforgettable sunrise.
- Campground: Goulding’s Campground – Not only for RV and tent sites, but there are also a few cabins.
Day 5, 6 & 7: Moab (Arches & Canyonlands National Park
The road from Monument Valley to Moab is one of the most beautiful roads of the trip, so take your time and make a few stops. The landscape is very scenic and changes color numerous times, a beautiful thing to see.
Moab is a nice place to relax and chill for a couple of days. There are plenty of nice restaurants and you can walk everywhere (no car needed!). There are two National Parks to visit from Moab. The closest one is Arches National Park, filled with beautiful stone arches. A great place for hiking, but go as early as possible because it will be very hot and crowded during the day!
The second National Park you can visit from Moab is Canyonlands. This park is less crowded and cooler (altitude of 1830 meters / 6000 feet). The canyons are spectacular and famous because of the movie Thelma & Louise.
- Distance Monument Valley to Moab: 240 kilometers / 150 miles
- Distance to Arches: 8 kilometers / 5 miles
Distance to Canyonlands: 50 kilometers / 32 miles - Hotel tip: Hoodoo Moab (4⭐) – This hotel is one of the most beautiful and highly rated hotels in Moab. The building is beautiful, the rooms are spacious and modern and it has a lovely large swimming pool.
- Campground: Up the Creek campground – this tent only campground is a thru desert oasis.
Day 8: Capitol Reef National Park
From Moab, it’s only a short drive to the next National Park: Capitol Reef. Red rocks and a very green valley, you will love it! In the valley, there are many orchards and you can pick fruit for free. It’s a nice place to do some hiking, or just to relax and enjoy the view.
Tip! During the drive from Moab to Capitol Reef, you’ll pass a fun little state park: Goblin Valley. Here you can admire some gorgeous rock formations.
- Distance: 235 kilometers / 147 miles
- Hotel tip: Skyview Hotel (3⭐) – One of the best hotels in Utah with perfectly designed rooms with amazing views of the desert landscape.
- Campground: Fruita Campground – One of the best campgrounds in Southwest USA. It is very scenic and you pick some fruit in the nearby orchards.
Day 9: Bryce Canyon
From Capitol Reef National Park you can make your way to Bryce Canyon National Park. To get there, you will drive on one of the most beautiful roads in the United States: Scenic Byway 12. Make stops as often as you can, it is truly scenic. It’s only a short drive, so you’ll have plenty of time to see the viewpoints in Bryce Canyon.
When you arrive in Bryce Canyon you should start at the end of the Scenic Drive and make your way back to the beginning because all the viewpoints are on the right-hand side. Don’t forget to explore the trails for a great hike in the canyon.
- Distance: 200 kilometers / 125 miles
- Hotel tip: The Lodge at Bryce Canyon
- Hotel tip Tropic: If you can’t get a room in the national park, it’s smart to find something in the nearby town of Tropic. Bryce Trails Bed and Breakfast (4⭐) is an excellent choice. Every room is different and has amazing views of the surrounding landscape.
- Campground: Sunset campground – A great campground very close to the viewpoints.
Day 10 & 11: Zion National Park
It’s not that far from Bryce to Zion National Park, so if you like, you can start your day with a nice hike into the canyon before heading out.
In the afternoon, make your way to Springdale. This small town is the gateway to Zion and the best place to stay. Leave your car, and take a shuttle bus to the park. Zion is a hiker’s paradise, the trails are awesome. Make sure to check out either the Angels Landing Trail or the Observation Point Trail. They’re both amazing!
- Distance: 140 kilometers / 87 miles
- Hotel tip: Flanigan`s Resort and Spa (3⭐) – Amazing hotel with very comfortable rooms, an outdoor pool, and a jacuzzi. It’s also in a very convenient location, as it’s only a 10-minute walk to the entrance of Zion National Park.
- Campground: South Campground – Great campground and in a very convenient location close to the visitor center.
Day 12, 13 & 14: Las Vegas
After all the National Parks, I bet you’d love to see a big city again. It’s time for Las Vegas! And Las Vegas is one of the best places to visit in the US. It’s a pretty long drive from Springdale to Las Vegas, but there are some nice stops: Grafton ghost town and the Valley Of Fire State Park.
In Las Vegas, you can do whatever you want! There are plenty of fun places to visit and. For example, visit the famous themed hotels, enjoy a show, go shopping, or try some gambling.
Read more: What to do in Las Vegas besides gambling? 25 tips!
- Distance: 270 kilometers / 168 miles
- Hotel tip: Anything on the Las Vegas Strip. I’ve stayed in MGM Grand (4⭐), New York New York (4⭐), Bellagio (5⭐), and the Wynn (5⭐). All of them were great.
Day 15: Death Valley
Fill up your car with water and gas, because today you will visit the hottest place on earth: Death Valley National Park. It’s a two-hour drive from Las Vegas and when you arrive, it will look like you’re on the moon.
There are some amazing places to check out, like Zabriskie Point and Badwater Basin (the lowest point in the United States). Because of the heat, we decided to continue our trip to Bishop, instead of staying the night in Death Valley.
- Distance (to Bishop): 500 kilometers / 311 miles (with a stop at Bathwater Basin)
- Hotel tip: Creekside Inn (3⭐) – Beautifully decorated hotel with an outdoor pool in a great location.
Day 16 & 17: Yosemite National Park
Let’s go to the next must-see on this West Coast USA road trip! You will drive over the highest road in the United States: the Tioga Pass, which is usually open from June to October. It’s a strange feeling to go from the hottest place in the United States one day, to snowcapped mountains the next day.
I would recommend spending at least two days in Yosemite National Park because there are a lot of things to see. Even if you don’t like hiking, there are plenty of viewpoints and waterfalls to visit. And be cautious, you might see a bear!
- Distance: 300 kilometers / 140 miles
- Hotel tip: Yosemite Valley Lodge – Not the best rated, but it’s in a perfect location.
- Camping: One of the Pines Campgrounds. Make sure to be ready as soon as reservations open up for your date. They fill up extremely fast.
- Hotel tip outside of Yosemite Valley – All accommodations within the valley sell out quickly. In that case, it’s smart to find something as close to the park as possible, like the Yosemite View Lodge (3⭐) in El Portal.
Read more: Yosemite National Park tips & the most beautiful sights
Day 18 & 19: San Francisco
Layer up, because your next stop can be chilly. There are many things to see and do, so make sure to stay at least 2 or 3 days in San Francisco. Make sure to visit Alcatraz (you have to make a reservation in advance), Fisherman’s Wharf, and Lombard Street. And don’t forget to take a ride in one of the famous cable cars.
- Distance: 300 kilometers / 187 miles
- Hotel tip: citizenM San Francisco Union Square (4⭐) – Colorful in a modern building. Very centrally located in Union Square.
- Hotel tip (with free parking): The Dylan at SFO – this hotel is located close to the airport and it’s only a 5-minute walk to the station. A train will take you to the city center in 30 minutes.
Pro tip: Get a San Francisco CityPASS and get a great discount for fun activities in San Francisco.
Read more: 33 Fun Activities for your San Francisco Bucket List
Day 20 & 21: Big Sur
You can drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles over slightly boring Highway 5 (it will take about 6 hours) or you can choose to drive the slow but insanely beautiful Highway 1 (a.k.a. the Pacific Coast Highway) for at least two days). I, of course, recommend the incredible Pacific Coast Highway, because there are many beautiful things to see.
For example, visit the pretty town of Santa Cruz, go whale-watching in Monterey, and enjoy the Big Sur, filled with beautiful cliffs, sea lions, and lovely beaches. Make sure to stop in Santa Barbara, one of the most beautiful towns on the West Coast USA. You can easily spend multiple days driving this road because there are many beautiful stops along the Pacific Coast Highway.
- Distance (to San Simeon): 336 kilometers / 208 miles
- Hotel tip: Coast Riders Inn – Nice hotel with spacious rooms in a good location.
- Campground: Kirk Creek Campground – Very small with basic amenities, but can’t beat the location on the cliff.
Day 22, 23 & 24: Los Angeles
It’s almost time for the end of your West Coast USA road trip. Continue Highway 1 to Los Angeles, and make stops at towns like Morro Bay, Santa Barbara, and Malibu. You can do lots of things in Los Angeles, I can highly recommend a Warner Bros Studio Tour and biking from Santa Monica Beach to Venice Beach.
You can also check out Orange County (also known as OC), a little south of the city. There are many great things to do in Orange County, like visiting San Juan Capistrano Old Town and watching the Sunset on Salt Creek Hill.
And if you don’t feel like sightseeing anymore, you can just relax at the beach and think about all the amazing things you’ve seen and done in the past three weeks.
Tip! If you think Venice is too crowded and touristy, Manhattan Beach is a great alternative. There are many fun things to do in Manhattan Beach, like learning how to surf in El Porto or checking out the local beach art scene.
- Distance: 370 kilometers / 230 miles
- Hotel tip: Venice V Hotel (3⭐) – A very nice boutique hotel with unusual rooms on the beach.
Check out this article if you’re interested in more awesome USA road trips: 5 amazing USA road trip itineraries
What’s the best time for this West Coast USA road trip?
You can visit West Coast USA during every season. However, you might run into some problems if you plan to do this road trip in winter. The Tioga Pass might be closed (check the official website before you go) and also the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon can be inaccessible because of snow.
During the summer months, it can get quite hot in some places, especially in Joshua Tree and Death Valley. I would recommend doing this road trip between June and October.
The practical things for a road trip in Southwest USA
This West Coast USA road trip itinerary is perfect for first-timers. Of course, there are a couple of extra things to know before you go.
- This itinerary is based on the months you can reach Yosemite Valley by driving over the scenic Tioga Pass. It’s usually open from June till October. If you want to do this route at other times of the year, you’ll need at least one extra day for a detour.
- You can save a lot of money if you go camping in some places (especially the national parks). But make sure to make some reservations if you know your exact route.
- When you’re not traveling in the hot summer months, I would recommend staying in Death Valley for one night. For us, it was too hot (50 degrees, 120 Fahrenheit), so we drove to Bishop instead, stopping at a couple of viewpoints in Death Valley.
- Drives can be very long in this part of the United States, especially in the mountains. Check Google Maps for the estimated time and add at least 30-45 minutes.
- Always make sure to get some gas and plenty of water before driving a long stretch through the desert.
- Do you have more time to travel to the USA? You might want to add a visit to Hawaii! From Los Angeles, it’s only a 5-hour flight to paradise. Check out this Hawaii itinerary for must-sees.
Book your West Coast USA Road Trip!
Are you excited to explore West Coast USA? These websites can be useful when you’re planning your trip:
✈️ Plane tickets – Find the cheapest flights to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, or San Francisco. with WayAway. This is a flight aggregator that provides travelers with the best rates on airline tickets.
🚘 Rental Car – Having a rental car is an absolute must if you want to do this incredible West Coast USA road trip. Check Rental Cars and Discover Cars for the best rates.
💊 Travel Insurance – As for me, travel insurance is a necessary component of any trip, if you want to stay calm in every unexpected event during your journey. Check out Insubuy, this is currently the largest provider of visitor insurance. I’m sure you’ll find the best plan that fits your needs.
🧗🏼 Tours & activities – Check Get Your Guide to find the best tours and activities.
Would you like to read more about West Coast USA?
Get one of these amazing guidebooks:
DK Eyewitness Southwest USA and National Parks
Lonely Planet Best Road Trips USA
You can also find a lot of information about traveling in the United States of America on this website as I travel to the US quite often for a spectacular road trip or hike. You might also like to read these articles:
- National parks in Oregon and Washington: explore the Pacific Northwest
- Portland to Yellowstone road trip: amazing 4-week itinerary
- Hiking the Arizona Trail: The Ultimate Guide
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This article was published in January 2017. Last update: February 2024.
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