While Los Angeles can definitely keep you busy with its long list of attractions, with a set of wheels and a sense of adventure you can quickly expand your horizons. These road trips can bring you to a whole new set of landscapes, activities, and experiences. So pack up the car and hit the road for a journey to the desert, incredible beaches, giant trees or the mountains.
- Palm Springs
- Joshua Tree National Park
- San Diego
- Lake Tahoe
- The Grand Canyon
- Big Sur
- Yosemite National Park
- Napa Valley
- Phoenix
- Big Bear Lake
- Other long road trips from Los Angeles
1. Palm Springs, CA
The drive from Los Angeles to Palm Springs along Interstate 10 takes about 2 hours. Once you’ve reached this desert oasis, spend time relaxing by the pool, visiting one of the many spas, or hiking in the nearby Indian Canyons.
SIXT Pro Tip
To see more of this desert landscape, take a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. And if you’re into hitting the links, Palm Springs has an array of world-class golf courses.
SIXT Travel Facts
DISTANCE FROM LOS ANGELES: 107 miles; a 1 hour, 40 min drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls on this route
2. Joshua Tree National Park
For those who prefer to get out in nature, drive just about 2 hours to Joshua Tree National Park. You can comfortably cruise through the park on its main roads or plan and prepare for an all-day hike. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll certainly appreciate the change of pace from Los Angeles while soaking up the sun with a backdrop of amazing mountain views.
SIXT Pro Tip
If you decide to visit Joshua Tree in the summer, be aware it gets very hot during the day. Start your hikes early in the morning or later in the day, pack plenty of water, and wear layers. It can also get quite cool after the sun goes down.
SIXT Travel Facts
DISTANCE FROM LOS ANGELES: 130 miles; a 2 hour, 10 min drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls on this route
3. San Diego, CA
For a beach vacation, take a trip further south to San Diego. There are several ways to arrive in San Diego but consider taking the “Palms to Pines” State Route 74. The drive is an adventure in itself as it winds around switchbacks and takes you up steep climbs and descents while passing through the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains. Once in San Diego, you’ll have the opportunity to spend time swimming and surfing, among other activities, at some of the best beaches in the country.
SIXT Pro Tips
Drive to Cabrillo National Monument for panoramic views, whale watching in the winter, and tide pools below. If you can tear yourself away from the sun and surf, visit the top-notch San Diego Zoo and Safari Park or spend a day at Sea World.
SIXT Travel Facts
DISTANCE FROM LOS ANGELES: 120 miles; a 2-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls on this route
4. Lake Tahoe
Take an ultra-scenic drive north to Lake Tahoe, sitting amid the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the border of California and Nevada. If you take the route north on Highway 395, you will be rewarded for the long drive with views of mountains and ancient trees as you pass by or through 6 national forests or parks. At the end, you get to enjoy the beauty of Lake Tahoe that has been luring people to the area for decades.
SIXT Pro Tip
If you take a dip in Lake Tahoe, you’ll be swimming in water that’s more than 99% pure, and is also one of the oldest lakes in the world. Not only is the Lake Tahoe area popular in the summer, it’s also a top destination in the winter for those who want to go skiing at the many resorts.
SIXT Travel Facts
DISTANCE FROM LOS ANGELES: 450 miles; a 7.5-hour drive on US-395 N
TOLLS: There are no tolls on this route.
5. The Grand Canyon
What can we say about the Grand Canyon that hasn’t already been said? Basically nothing, except that this unofficial wonder of the world is worth the 6-hour drive to Arizona. And you can even stop in Las Vegas on the way there or back (or both) for a little glitz after your time in nature.
SIXT Pro Tip
Avoid circling parking lots within the park looking for a spot and instead park outside the park entrance and take a shuttle bus in. You will save yourself time and your sanity.
SIXT Travel Facts
DISTANCE FROM LOS ANGELES: 384 miles; a 6-hr drive to Grand Canyon West
TOLLS: There are no tolls on this route.
6. Big Sur, CA
Be ready to stop a lot for photos as you make your way up the Pacific Coast to Monterey County and Big Sur. This region features stunning views over the ocean, and you can cross the famous Bixby Creek Bridge spanning a canyon. You’ll be taking Highway 101 and Highway 1 on this road trip, and be sure to stop in Santa Barbara and other picturesque towns along the way.
SIXT Pro Tip
Stop and soak your road-weary body in the baths at Slates Hot Springs, south of Big Sur. After you’re done relaxing you’ll be ready for the final leg of your journey.
SIXT Travel Facts
DISTANCE FROM LOS ANGELES: 295 miles; a 5.5-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls on this route.
7. Yosemite National Park
El Capitan. Half Dome. Bridalveil Falls. All of these wonders of nature are contained within Yosemite National Park, and you can easily see them on a road trip from Los Angeles. There are tons of trails for hiking within the park, as well as opportunities for rock climbing, horseback riding and other activities.
SIXT Pro Tip
If you are visiting Yosemite during the peak summer season, be sure to book a place to stay well in advance. You should also be prepared to stay outside the park borders, as there are very limited places to stay within it.
SIXT Travel Facts
DISTANCE FROM LOS ANGELES: 281 miles; a 4 hour 45 min drive
TOLLS: A portion of CA-41 N has tolls once you approach Yosemite.
8. Napa Valley, CA
This bountiful area of vineyards and farmland is well worth a visit. There are many different kinds of trips you can have in the Napa Valley, from an upscale stay at a resort paired with luxurious food and wine tastings, to an Airbnb rental in Napa or St. Helena with a stop at 1 or 2 wineries. Even if you don’t want a strictly wine-focused trip, there are towns to explore and day trips to the ocean to factor in.
SIXT Pro Tip
Do you want to sample wines from a bunch of wineries in the Napa Valley, but don’t want to drive? Luckily there are several options for getting around and doing wine tastings, from the upscale Napa Valley Wine Train to small tours with guides and a driver.
SIXT Travel Facts
DISTANCE FROM LOS ANGELES: 420 miles; a 6.5-hour drive
TOLLS: You will have to pay to cross the Benicia-Martinez Bridge on I-680 over the waterway between Mococo and Benicia.
9. Phoenix, AZ
Drive east through the desert for more than 5 hours and you’ll get to the urban oasis of Phoenix. While you can have a city adventure here, there are also outdoors adventures to be had, including hiking at South Mountain Park and Preserve or Phoenix Mountains Preserve. If you want to relax, you can head to neighboring Scottsdale where you’ll find an array of spa resorts and golf courses.
SIXT Pro Tip
If you are making the road trip from Los Angeles to Phoenix in the summer, be sure to bring plenty of water along, including a jug in case your car overheats.
SIXT Travel Facts
DISTANCE FROM LOS ANGELES: 375 miles: a 5 hour 40 min drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls on this route.
10. Big Bear Lake
If you want to stay closer to home, take a 2-hour drive east to Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino National Forest. You can enjoy the mountain views as you relax by the lake. There are campgrounds, if roughing it is your thing, or you can find a hotel room in the area around the lake. If you’re into winter sports, there are options like the Bear Mountain Ski Resort.
SIXT Pro Tip
Visit during March-June or September-November to avoid the summer crowds and the winter ski bunnies.
SIXT Travel Facts
DISTANCE FROM LOS ANGELES: 97 miles; a 2-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls on this route
