One thing we love about Las Vegas is the proximity to so many great road trip destinations. Whether you just have a weekend to explore or even longer, there are great options from as little as 2 hours away up to 5-6 hours away. (Anything beyond 6 hours in our opinion is when flying might start to make more sense, depending on the destination). Las Vegas is so great in that respect as you can get to multiple National Parks without having to change airports! You could even combine several of them into one trip if you wish.
Beyond the National Parks there are many other amazing destinations. There are adventures for every age. We have plenty of places on our bucket list, so since moving here, we’ve been taking every advantage to explore one road trip at a time.
Check out our favorite family friendly Southwest road trips that we’ve personally explored with our kids. They are organized by driving time from Las Vegas and include itinerary suggestions, planning tips, kid friendly activities, and lessons learned. We hope that our experience helps you plan your next getaway!
Quick Glimpse
| Destination | Drive from Las Vegas | Best for… | Recommended stay |
| Death Valley | 2 hours | Otherworldly landscapes, desert adventure | 1-2 days |
| Zion | 2.5 hours | Hiking, incredible scenery | 2-3 days |
| Joshua Tree | 3 hours | Hiking, desert views, rock formations | 2-3 days |
| Brian Head | 3 hours | Hiking, cool temps, scenery, mountain getaway with few crowds | 2-3 days |
| Flagstaff | 4 hours | Families, cooler weather, sightseeing | 2-3 days |
| Great Basin | 4-4.5 hours | Hiking, caves, sweeping mountain views | 2-3 days |
| Sedona | 5 hours | Hiking, dramatic scenery, relaxation | 2-3+ days |
| Phoenix | 5 hours | MLB Spring Training, warm-weather getaway | 2-3 days |
Road Trips 2-3 Hours from Las Vegas
Road Trips 4-5 Hours from Las Vegas
Seasonal Road Trips from Las Vegas
Which Road Trip is best for Your Family?
- Shortest getaway- Death Valley National Park
- For hiking- Zion National Park or Sedona
- For family activities that vary- Flagstaff
- For a winter getaway- Flagstaff or Death Valley
- To escape the Las Vegas heat- Flagstaff
- For caves and quiet off grid feel- Great Basin
- For baseball fans- Phoenix during Spring Training
- For scenery and photography- Zion or Sedona
- For desert landscapes– Joshua Tree
Happy Trails!