Road trips from Los Angeles

Road Trips from Los Angeles

Launch unforgettable drives from Los Angeles. From quick coastal day trips to Malibu and desert escapes to Joshua Tree, to multi-week adventures up the Pacific Coast, into the Southwest, the Rockies, and beyond, this page lists the most popular road trips starting in Los Angeles. Filter by duration (day trip to 60+ days), season, direction, and theme to find the perfect route.

58 Curated itineraries
10 Duration options
Updated November 13, 2025

Disclaimer: Details may change without notice. Please verify road conditions, entry requirements, and hours before traveling. RoadTrips is not liable for outdated or incorrect information.

Route map from Los Angeles to San Diego
Day Trip Easy

San Diego

California
View on map

Highlights

Balboa Park, Gaslamp Quarter, La Jolla coastline

Route

Los Angeles Irvine Oceanside San Diego

Driving stats

194 km 2 hrs

Trip profile

Direction S Score 98

Best months

Mar Apr May Sep Oct

Themes

City Beach Food Culture
Route map from Los Angeles to Anaheim
Day Trip Easy

Anaheim

California
View on map

Highlights

Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney, convention center area

Route

Los Angeles Downey Fullerton Anaheim

Driving stats

43 km 0.6 hrs

Trip profile

Direction SE Score 96

Best months

Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Themes

Theme Park Family City
Route map from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara
Day Trip Easy

Santa Barbara

California
View on map

Highlights

Mission Santa Barbara, Stearns Wharf, waterfront bike paths

Route

Los Angeles Malibu Ventura Santa Barbara

Driving stats

153 km 1.6 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NW Score 95

Best months

Mar Apr May Sep Oct

Themes

Beach City Wine History
Route map from Los Angeles to Big Bear Lake
Day Trip Moderate

Big Bear Lake

California
View on map

Highlights

Alpine lake, ski slopes, lakeside village and trails

Route

Los Angeles San Bernardino Running Springs Big Bear Lake

Driving stats

156 km 1.9 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 92

Best months

Jun Jul Aug Dec Jan Feb

Themes

Mountains Lake Skiing Hiking
Route map from Los Angeles to Santa Catalina Island
Day Trip Moderate

Santa Catalina Island

California
View on map

Highlights

Avalon harbor, snorkeling, boat ride across the channel

Route

Los Angeles Long Beach Avalon (Catalina Island)

Driving stats

40 km 2 hrs

Trip profile

Direction SW Score 91

Best months

May Jun Jul Aug Sep

Themes

Island Adventure Snorkeling
Route map from Los Angeles to Malibu
Day Trip Easy

Malibu

California
View on map

Highlights

Pacific Coast Highway, surf beaches, coastal viewpoints

Route

Los Angeles Santa Monica Malibu

Driving stats

47 km 0.8 hrs

Trip profile

Direction W Score 90

Best months

May Jun Jul Aug Sep

Themes

Beach Scenic Coastal Drive
Route map from Los Angeles to Solvang
Day Trip Easy

Solvang

California
View on map

Highlights

Danish-style architecture, bakeries, Santa Ynez wine tasting

Route

Los Angeles Santa Barbara Buellton Solvang

Driving stats

206 km 2.2 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NW Score 89

Best months

Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov

Themes

Wine Small Town Scenic
Route map from Los Angeles to Pasadena
Day Trip Easy

Pasadena

California
View on map

Highlights

Old Pasadena, Rose Bowl, Norton Simon Museum

Route

Los Angeles Pasadena

Driving stats

17 km 0.3 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 88

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May

Themes

City History Culture
Route map from Los Angeles to Laguna Beach
Day Trip Easy

Laguna Beach

California
View on map

Highlights

Art galleries, coves, Heisler Park oceanfront paths

Route

Los Angeles Long Beach Newport Beach Laguna Beach

Driving stats

81 km 1 hrs

Trip profile

Direction SE Score 88

Best months

Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep

Themes

Beach Art Scenic
Route map from Los Angeles to Coronado
Day Trip Easy

Coronado

California
View on map

Highlights

Hotel del Coronado, wide sandy beaches, San Diego Bay views

Route

Los Angeles San Diego Coronado

Driving stats

202 km 2.1 hrs

Trip profile

Direction S Score 88

Best months

Apr May Jun Jul Aug

Themes

Beach Island History
Route map from Los Angeles to Ventura
Day Trip Easy

Ventura

California
View on map

Highlights

Ventura Pier, surfer’s point, harbor and old town

Route

Los Angeles Malibu Oxnard Ventura

Driving stats

109 km 1.2 hrs

Trip profile

Direction W Score 87

Best months

Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep

Themes

Beach Coastal Surfing
Route map from Los Angeles to Lake Arrowhead
Day Trip Moderate

Lake Arrowhead

California
View on map

Highlights

Lake Arrowhead Village, lakeside walks, forest roads

Route

Los Angeles San Bernardino Crestline Lake Arrowhead

Driving stats

129 km 1.5 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 86

Best months

May Jun Jul Aug Sep Dec

Themes

Mountains Lake Cabins
Route map from Los Angeles to Balboa Island
Day Trip Easy

Balboa Island

California
View on map

Highlights

Newport Harbor views, ferry, waterfront walks and shops

Route

Los Angeles Long Beach Newport Beach Balboa Island

Driving stats

72 km 0.9 hrs

Trip profile

Direction SE Score 86

Best months

May Jun Jul Aug Sep

Themes

Beach Harbor Family
Route map from Los Angeles to Temecula
Day Trip Easy

Temecula

California
View on map

Highlights

Temecula Valley wineries, old town, hot air ballooning

Route

Los Angeles Corona Murrieta Temecula

Driving stats

139 km 1.4 hrs

Trip profile

Direction SE Score 85

Best months

Mar Apr May Sep Oct

Themes

Wine Countryside Food
Route map from Los Angeles to Huntington Beach
Day Trip Easy

Huntington Beach

California
View on map

Highlights

Surf City USA pier, beach path, downtown bars and cafes

Route

Los Angeles Long Beach Seal Beach Huntington Beach

Driving stats

60 km 0.8 hrs

Trip profile

Direction SE Score 84

Best months

May Jun Jul Aug Sep

Themes

Beach Surfing Boardwalk
Route map from Los Angeles to Idyllwild
Day Trip Moderate

Idyllwild

California
View on map

Highlights

Pine forests, rock formations, mountain village cafes

Route

Los Angeles Hemet Mountain Center Idyllwild

Driving stats

175 km 2 hrs

Trip profile

Direction E Score 83

Best months

May Jun Jul Aug Sep

Themes

Mountains Forest Small Town
Route map from Los Angeles to Ojai
Day Trip Easy

Ojai

California
View on map

Highlights

Ojai Valley views, tasting rooms, small-town main street

Route

Los Angeles Ventura Ojai

Driving stats

133 km 1.5 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NW Score 82

Best months

Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov

Themes

Countryside Wellness Scenic
Route map from Los Angeles to Mount Baldy
Day Trip Moderate

Mount Baldy

California
View on map

Highlights

Mount Baldy Road climb, summit trails, ski lift in season

Route

Los Angeles Claremont Mount Baldy Village Mount Baldy

Driving stats

73 km 0.9 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 80

Best months

May Jun Jul Aug Sep

Themes

Mountains Hiking Scenic
Route map from Los Angeles to Agoura Hills & Calabasas
Day Trip Easy

Agoura Hills & Calabasas

California
View on map

Highlights

Mulholland Highway, Santa Monica Mountains canyons, Old Town Calabasas

Route

Los Angeles Topanga Calabasas Agoura Hills

Driving stats

57 km 0.7 hrs

Trip profile

Direction W Score 78

Best months

Mar Apr May Sep Oct

Themes

Countryside Hiking Scenic Drive
Route map from Los Angeles to Salton Sea
Day Trip Moderate

Salton Sea

California
View on map

Highlights

Desert lake, Bombay Beach art, nearby Salvation Mountain

Route

Los Angeles Palm Springs Indio Salton Sea

Driving stats

252 km 2.5 hrs

Trip profile

Direction E Score 72

Best months

Nov Dec Jan Feb

Themes

Desert Quirky Photography
Route map from Los Angeles to Las Vegas
Weekend Easy

Las Vegas

Nevada
View on map

Highlights

The Strip, Hoover Dam optional stop

Route

Los Angeles Barstow Primm Las Vegas

Driving stats

435 km 4 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 98

Best months

Mar Apr Oct Nov

Themes

City Nightlife Entertainment
Route map from Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park
Weekend Moderate

Sequoia National Park

California
View on map

Highlights

Giant Forest, General Sherman tree

Route

Los Angeles Visalia Ash Mountain Sequoia NP

Driving stats

327 km 3.5 hrs

Trip profile

Direction N Score 95

Best months

Jun Jul Aug Sep

Themes

Forest Mountains National Park
Route map from Los Angeles to Palm Springs
Weekend Easy

Palm Springs

California
View on map

Highlights

Mid-century architecture, desert landscapes

Route

Los Angeles Moreno Valley Cabazon Palm Springs

Driving stats

176 km 1.8 hrs

Trip profile

Direction E Score 94

Best months

Feb Mar Apr Oct Nov

Themes

Desert Relaxation Art
Route map from Los Angeles to Death Valley National Park
Weekend Moderate

Death Valley National Park

California
View on map

Highlights

Badwater Basin, Mesquite Dunes

Route

Los Angeles Baker Furnace Creek Death Valley

Driving stats

357 km 3.6 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 92

Best months

Nov Dec Jan Feb

Themes

Desert Scenic Photography
Route map from Los Angeles to Kings Canyon National Park
Weekend Moderate

Kings Canyon National Park

California
View on map

Highlights

Kings Canyon Scenic Byway

Route

Los Angeles Fresno Grant Grove Kings Canyon

Driving stats

386 km 4.1 hrs

Trip profile

Direction N Score 89

Best months

Jun Jul Aug Sep

Themes

Mountains Canyons National Park
Route map from Los Angeles to Mammoth Lakes
Weekend Moderate

Mammoth Lakes

California
View on map

Highlights

Hot Creek, Mammoth Mountain

Route

Los Angeles Bishop Convict Lake Mammoth Lakes

Driving stats

497 km 4.9 hrs

Trip profile

Direction N Score 88

Best months

May Jun Jul Aug Sep

Themes

Mountains Lakes Hiking
Route map from Los Angeles to Ensenada
Weekend Easy

Ensenada

Baja California
View on map

Highlights

Baja wine region, seafood

Route

Los Angeles Tijuana Rosarito Ensenada

Driving stats

331 km 3.7 hrs

Trip profile

Direction S Score 87

Best months

Feb Mar Apr Oct Nov

Themes

Beach Food Culture
Route map from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo
Weekend Easy

San Luis Obispo

California
View on map

Highlights

SLO downtown, nearby Pismo Beach

Route

Los Angeles Santa Barbara Santa Maria San Luis Obispo

Driving stats

304 km 3.1 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NW Score 86

Best months

Mar Apr May Sep Oct

Themes

Beach Wine Small Town
Route map from Los Angeles to Lake Havasu
Weekend Easy

Lake Havasu

Arizona
View on map

Highlights

London Bridge, water recreation

Route

Los Angeles Barstow Needles Lake Havasu

Driving stats

482 km 4.7 hrs

Trip profile

Direction E Score 84

Best months

Mar Apr May Sep

Themes

Lake Boating Desert
Route map from Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park
3 4 Days Moderate

Yosemite National Park

California
View on map

Highlights

Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point

Route

Los Angeles Fresno Oakhurst Yosemite Valley

Driving stats

449 km 4.6 hrs

Trip profile

Direction N Score 100

Best months

May Jun Sep Oct

Themes

National Park Scenic Hiking
Route map from Los Angeles to Pacific Coast Highway to Big Sur
3 4 Days Moderate

Pacific Coast Highway to Big Sur

California
View on map

Highlights

Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls

Route

Los Angeles Santa Barbara San Simeon Big Sur

Driving stats

505 km 5 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NW Score 100

Best months

Apr May Jun Sep Oct

Themes

Coastal Scenic Road Trip
Route map from Los Angeles to Grand Canyon National Park
3 4 Days Moderate

Grand Canyon National Park

Arizona
View on map

Highlights

South Rim viewpoints

Route

Los Angeles Kingman Williams Grand Canyon

Driving stats

782 km 7.4 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 98

Best months

Apr May Sep Oct

Themes

National Park Scenic Photography
Route map from Los Angeles to Zion National Park
3 4 Days Moderate

Zion National Park

Utah
View on map

Highlights

Angel’s Landing, Narrows

Route

Los Angeles Las Vegas St George Zion NP

Driving stats

675 km 6.1 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 97

Best months

Mar Apr May Sep Oct

Themes

National Park Hiking Red Rocks
Route map from Los Angeles to Flagstaff & Sedona
3 4 Days Moderate

Flagstaff & Sedona

Arizona
View on map

Highlights

Sedona vortexes, Oak Creek Canyon

Route

Los Angeles Kingman Flagstaff Sedona

Driving stats

771 km 7.3 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 90

Best months

Apr May Sep Oct

Themes

Mountains Red Rocks Scenic
Route map from Los Angeles to Yosemite + Sequoia Loop
5 7 Days Moderate

Yosemite + Sequoia Loop

California
View on map

Highlights

Yosemite Valley + Giant Sequoias

Route

Los Angeles Sequoia Fresno Yosemite

Driving stats

352 km 3.6 hrs

Trip profile

Direction N Score 99

Best months

May Jun Sep Oct

Themes

National Park Mountains Scenic
Route map from Los Angeles to Moab (Arches & Canyonlands)
5 7 Days Hard

Moab (Arches & Canyonlands)

Utah
View on map

Highlights

Arches NP, Canyonlands NP

Route

Los Angeles Las Vegas Richfield Moab

Driving stats

1173 km 10.6 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 96

Best months

Apr May Sep Oct

Themes

National Park Adventure Red Rocks
Route map from Los Angeles to Bryce Canyon National Park
5 7 Days Moderate

Bryce Canyon National Park

Utah
View on map

Highlights

Hoodoos, Bryce Amphitheater

Route

Los Angeles Las Vegas Cedar City Bryce Canyon

Driving stats

849 km 7.9 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 94

Best months

May Jun Sep Oct

Themes

National Park Hiking Scenic
Route map from Los Angeles to Portland
5 7 Days Moderate

Portland

Oregon
View on map

Highlights

Oregon coast, breweries, riverwalk

Route

Los Angeles Redding Eugene Portland

Driving stats

1548 km 14.6 hrs

Trip profile

Direction N Score 90

Best months

May Jun Jul Sep

Themes

Scenic City Food
Route map from Los Angeles to Napa Valley
5 7 Days Easy

Napa Valley

California
View on map

Highlights

Yountville, St Helena wineries

Route

Los Angeles San Jose Fairfield Napa Valley

Driving stats

665 km 6.5 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NW Score 90

Best months

Apr May Sep Oct

Themes

Wine Food Countryside
Route map from Los Angeles to Sonoma
5 7 Days Easy

Sonoma

California
View on map

Highlights

Russian River, Healdsburg

Route

Los Angeles San Francisco Petaluma Sonoma

Driving stats

659 km 6.4 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NW Score 89

Best months

Apr May Sep Oct

Themes

Wine Food Nature
Route map from Los Angeles to Austin (via Southwest route)
5 7 Days Moderate

Austin (via Southwest route)

Texas
View on map

Highlights

Live music capital, BBQ trail

Route

Los Angeles Phoenix El Paso Austin

Driving stats

2217 km 20.2 hrs

Trip profile

Direction E Score 88

Best months

Mar Apr Oct Nov

Themes

Food Music City
Route map from Los Angeles to Yellowstone National Park
10 15 Days Hard

Yellowstone National Park

Wyoming
View on map

Highlights

Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic

Route

Los Angeles Salt Lake City Idaho Falls Yellowstone

Driving stats

1621 km 14.4 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 98

Best months

Jun Jul Aug Sep

Themes

National Park Wildlife Scenic
Route map from Los Angeles to Grand Teton National Park
10 15 Days Hard

Grand Teton National Park

Wyoming
View on map

Highlights

Jenny Lake, Teton summits

Route

Los Angeles Salt Lake City Jackson Grand Teton

Driving stats

1559 km 14.3 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 94

Best months

Jun Jul Aug Sep

Themes

Mountains National Park
Route map from Los Angeles to New Orleans
10 15 Days Moderate

New Orleans

Louisiana
View on map

Highlights

French Quarter, jazz clubs

Route

Los Angeles Phoenix Houston New Orleans

Driving stats

3048 km 27.3 hrs

Trip profile

Direction E Score 93

Best months

Feb Mar Apr Nov

Themes

Food Music City
Route map from Los Angeles to Seattle
10 15 Days Moderate

Seattle

Washington
View on map

Highlights

Space Needle, Mt Rainier views

Route

Los Angeles Portland Tacoma Seattle

Driving stats

1827 km 17.3 hrs

Trip profile

Direction N Score 92

Best months

May Jun Jul Aug

Themes

Scenic City Nature
Route map from Los Angeles to Chicago
10 15 Days Moderate

Chicago

Illinois
View on map

Highlights

Historic Route 66, downtown Chicago

Route

Los Angeles Flagstaff Oklahoma City Chicago

Driving stats

3244 km 29 hrs

Trip profile

Direction E Score 89

Best months

Apr May Sep Oct

Themes

City Route 66 History
Route map from Los Angeles to Banff National Park
15 20 Days Hard

Banff National Park

Alberta
View on map

Highlights

Lake Louise, Moraine Lake

Route

Los Angeles Seattle Vancouver Banff

Driving stats

2556 km 23.5 hrs

Trip profile

Direction N Score 97

Best months

Jun Jul Aug Sep

Themes

Mountains Lakes Scenic
Route map from Los Angeles to Vancouver
15 20 Days Moderate

Vancouver

British Columbia
View on map

Highlights

Stanley Park, waterfront

Route

Los Angeles Portland Seattle Vancouver

Driving stats

2055 km 19.8 hrs

Trip profile

Direction N Score 94

Best months

Jun Jul Aug

Themes

City Nature Scenic
Route map from Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas
15 20 Days Moderate

Cabo San Lucas

Baja California Sur
View on map

Highlights

Baja desert, beaches, whale watching

Route

Los Angeles Tijuana La Paz Cabo San Lucas

Driving stats

1868 km 21.1 hrs

Trip profile

Direction S Score 90

Best months

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar

Themes

Beach Adventure Food
Route map from Los Angeles to Denver
15 20 Days Moderate

Denver

Colorado
View on map

Highlights

Rocky Mountains, breweries

Route

Los Angeles Las Vegas Grand Junction Denver

Driving stats

1636 km 14.8 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 88

Best months

Jun Jul Aug Sep

Themes

Mountains City Scenic
Route map from Los Angeles to Western National Parks Grand Loop
20 30 Days Hard

Western National Parks Grand Loop

Multi-state
View on map

Highlights

Grand Canyon, Zion, Yellowstone

Route

Los Angeles Grand Canyon Moab Yellowstone Yosemite

Driving stats

4200 km 45 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 100

Best months

May Jun Jul Sep

Themes

National Parks Scenic Adventure
Route map from Los Angeles to New York City
20 30 Days Hard

New York City

New York
View on map

Highlights

Coast-to-coast USA journey

Route

Los Angeles Denver Chicago New York City

Driving stats

4489 km 40.9 hrs

Trip profile

Direction E Score 99

Best months

Apr May Sep Oct

Themes

City History Cross-Country
Route map from Los Angeles to Miami
20 30 Days Hard

Miami

Florida
View on map

Highlights

South Beach, Wynwood, Art Deco

Route

Los Angeles Houston New Orleans Miami

Driving stats

4402 km 39.2 hrs

Trip profile

Direction E Score 96

Best months

Nov Dec Feb Mar

Themes

Beach City Culture
Route map from Los Angeles to Mexico City
20 30 Days Hard

Mexico City

Mexico City
View on map

Highlights

Zócalo, pyramids, street food

Route

Los Angeles Hermosillo Guadalajara Mexico City

Driving stats

2947 km 32.4 hrs

Trip profile

Direction SE Score 90

Best months

Nov Dec Jan Feb

Themes

Culture Food History
Route map from Los Angeles to Pacific Northwest + Rockies Loop
30 45 Days Hard

Pacific Northwest + Rockies Loop

Multi-state
View on map

Highlights

Seattle, Vancouver, Banff

Route

Los Angeles Portland Seattle Banff Calgary

Driving stats

5200 km 50 hrs

Trip profile

Direction N Score 98

Best months

Jun Jul Aug

Themes

Scenic Mountains Adventure
Route map from Los Angeles to Anchorage
45 60 Days Very Hard

Anchorage

Alaska
View on map

Highlights

Alaska Highway, glaciers, wildlife

Route

Los Angeles Seattle Prince George Anchorage

Driving stats

5468 km 57.9 hrs

Trip profile

Direction N Score 99

Best months

Jun Jul Aug

Themes

Adventure Scenic Wildlife
Route map from Los Angeles to Ushuaia (Argentina)
60+ Days Extreme

Ushuaia (Argentina)

Tierra del Fuego
View on map

Highlights

Patagonia, Andes, southernmost city in the world

Route

Los Angeles Mexico Panama Chile Ushuaia

Driving stats

15000 km 200 hrs

Trip profile

Direction S Score 100

Best months

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb

Themes

Adventure Expedition
Route map from Los Angeles to Prudhoe Bay (Arctic Ocean)
60+ Days Very Hard

Prudhoe Bay (Arctic Ocean)

Alaska
View on map

Highlights

Dalton Highway, Arctic tundra

Route

Los Angeles Anchorage Fairbanks Prudhoe Bay

Driving stats

6087 km 67.3 hrs

Trip profile

Direction N Score 100

Best months

Jun Jul Aug

Themes

Extreme Adventure Scenic