Our Los Angeles to Yellowstone National Park road trip lets you travel from the heart of California through amazing deserts to a beautiful national park.
This Los Angeles to Yellowstone National Park road trip will let you explore some amazing entertainment destinations, visit a playground for adults, plus take part in amazing outdoor adventures in the American West. On the way, you will see all manner of stunning scenery as you move from the beaches of Los Angeles to the deserts of California and Nevada, and finally into the towering Wasatch and Rocky Mountain ranges.
Stops
1. Los Angeles
2. Las Vegas
3. St. George, UT
4. Park City, UT
5. Idaho Falls, ID
6. Yellowstone National Park
Info at a glance
- 2-week trip
- Type of route: Nature
- 6 stops along the route
- 1,066 miles of driving
Highlights
- Explore the carnival-themed fun on a Pacific Ocean pier.
- Visit a playground for all ages.
- See desert towns offering stunning landscapes.
- Explore the beauty of towns set amid stunning mountain peaks.
- Experience the beauty of an amazing Rocky Mountain destination.
Getting to the start
Your Los Angeles to Yellowstone National Park road trip will begin in Los Angeles, CA. If you are coming from another part of the US or world, there are plenty of flights to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from practically any destination in the world. There are also several Amtrak routes to get you from almost any point in the United States to Los Angeles, including the Coast Starlight, the Pacific Surfliner and the Southwest Chief.
When to Visit
Spring and autumn are the best times to make the Los Angeles to Yellowstone National Park Road Trip so you can avoid the heat of summer in cities like Las Vegas, but also avoid cold, wintry weather in the Rocky Mountains, Idaho Falls and Park City during the winter months. Even still, it is best to pack an array of clothing, including a rain jacket and pants, shorts, hiking boots and T-shirts, to make sure you are prepared for all possible weather conditions.
Driving tips
Most of your journey on this Los Angeles to Yellowstone National Park road trip will be along Interstate 15 from California through Nevada, Utah and Idaho, right to the border with Montana. The interstate is a large multi-lane freeway in places like Los Angeles and Las Vegas, but has fewer lanes in more rural areas. Speed limits will be lower as you get near towns and cities, but as you head into more open spaces, you should see limits up to 80 miles per hour.
What to know about the route
You will begin this 1,082-mile Los Angeles to Yellowstone National Park road trip at the Santa Monica Pier. As you head east out of Los Angeles, you will begin to make your way into the foothills and mountains of Southern California. Once you have made your trip through the mountainous area, you will then be in the expansive deserts of Southern California and Nevada as you head into Las Vegas. Once you leave Las Vegas, you will begin the slow climb to the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. From there, you will pass by the Great Salt Lake before the end of your journey as you head into the foothills and mountains of Idaho before ending the trip at Yellowstone National Park. With an SUV, you will have the necessary space and comfort for this trip. You can pick your favorite SUV for rentals here.
Los Angeles
This is the second-largest city in the United States and it offers no shortage of things to see and do. While traveling by car is the best way to get around around LA, it is important to remember that traffic can be heavy at all times of the day. Visitors often like to head to the beaches of the Pacific Ocean when they visit Los Angeles but bear in mind that parking can be challenging in beach communities.
Points of interest
The Santa Monica Pier is a fun place to visit for kids of all ages. To learn a little more about science and the stars and check out the amazing view of Los Angeles, visit the Griffith Observatory. If you’re in the mood for a different kind of star, make the trip to the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame. Another signature destination in Los Angeles is the world-famous Hollywood Sign.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
Los Angeles has a virtually endless number of restaurants and cuisines to try. A signature of the Los Angeles food experience is the abundance of Mexican cuisine. Tacos Los Palomos is a local favorite because of all the different types of meats they use to make their tacos. They have locations in Mission Hills, El Monte, South Los Angeles and Torrance.
Sixt Insider Tip
Amid all of the excitement that Los Angeles can offer, it can be easy to forget to slow down and view a sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Watching the waves crash on one of the many beaches, boardwalks and piers as the sun goes down is a great way to end the day.
From Los Angeles to Las Vegas (286 miles)
Get ready for a big change in scenery as you make the trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. You will travel through the inland empire of Southern California before heading into the mountain ranges of Southern California and then into vast and expensive deserts before arriving in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas
While many people think of Las Vegas as America’s playground, it is important to remember that this is a large American city with a variety of things to offer beyond just casinos and gambling. This includes golf, boating on Lake Mead, and hiking in the foothills to the west of town.
Points of interest
Most visitors don’t know that Las Vegas features an amazing natural landscape called Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. This is a great place for hiking and rock climbing. The visitor center that you will find here can you get you pointed in the right direction for your next outdoor adventure.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
You will find no shortage of places to eat when you visit Las Vegas. A very popular choice for dining in Las Vegas is one of the many buffets you will find here. A couple of the best options here include The Buffet at Wynn and The Bacchanal at Caesars Palace.
Sixt Insider Tip
If you prefer to stay for a night or two in Las Vegas, don’t forget that there are plenty of hotels that are situated far from the chaos of the strip. Whether you choose to stay in Green Valley, Summerlin or North Las Vegas, there are plenty of quieter neighborhoods to explore.
From Las Vegas to St. George (119 miles)
As you head out of Las Vegas to the north, you’ll see the transition from all the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas to the wide-open foothills and desert expanses. Watch out for speed limit changes as you make your way through the northwestern corner of Arizona during this part of the trip.
St. George, UT
St. George is a small city in the southwestern part of Utah. It is a great combination of natural and manmade wonders that include state parks, 19th-century buildings and a bustling art scene. When you visit the area, the sheer number of outdoor activities available will probably keep you busy for at least a couple of days.
Points of interest
There are a couple of great state parks in this area that offer views of rugged desert landscapes. These include Snow Canyon State Park and Sand Hollow State Park, both of which offer outdoor activities like hiking, boating and riding ATVs. The Red Hills Desert Garden offers a scenic walk through a small desert ecosystem.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
If you would like to spend a night in St. George, there are convenient options located along I-15. The Inn at Entrada offers guests a pool that looks as if it was carved from the red rocks of the area.
Sixt Insider Tip
There is a market that occurs every Saturday at The Tuacahn Center for the Arts in St. George. This is a market filled with local craftspeople and artisans, and you’re sure to find some unique gifts when you visit here.
From St. George to Park City (308 miles)
As you continue north through Utah, you are going to start to see a lot more mountainous features along your drive. This will be especially true as you head into the southern part of Salt Lake City and climb into the mountains of the Wasatch mountain range as you approach your next stop.
Park City, UT
Park City is a modern American town with traditional architecture that dates to the 19th century. Two things that the city has a reputation for are the amazing film festival that occurs every year as well as all the outdoor, winter sports available here.
Points of interest
Beyond the obvious choices of outdoor winter sports that are available here, a couple of other things you might want to try include the Park City Museum, which offers guided tours of its historical exhibits. Park City’s main street also offers plenty of shopping options to choose from.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
Because Park City is so popular with visitors, there are plenty of dining options. One unique choice is a restaurant called Fireside Dining where the huge, open fireplaces are not there for the ambiance alone but serve as ovens where the staff will cook your entire meal.
Sixt Insider Tip
A popular event for locals in Park City is the Park Silly Sunday Market, held on Main Street in the center of town. Not only does this market offer a wide variety of vendors and handmade goods, but also a wide selection of food and beverage options, plus live music.
From Park City to Idaho Falls (244 miles)
As you begin your drive back down the mountain from Park City, you will see amazing views of the Great Salt Lake as you travel north into Idaho. This part of the drive is going to offer some great views of large flat desert landscapes, multiple bodies of water and foothills and mountains.
Idaho Falls, ID
One of the most distinctive features of Idaho Falls is the fact that the Snake River runs through the city. As this river cascades over several rock formations within various points in the city, you will see the distinctive waterfalls that give the town its name.
Points of interest
A popular spot to visit when you head to Idaho Falls is the Idaho Falls River Walk – Greenbelt Trail, which is a large park with many benches and tables with views of several of the waterfalls in the area. This is a perfect site to spend an afternoon having a picnic or going for long walks along the river’s edge.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
If you will be staying the night in Idaho Falls, Destinations Inn is a great choice. The uniquely themed rooms sit in the historic Idaho Falls Eagles Lodge building built in the early 20th century.
Sixt Insider Tip
If you want to make a bit of a detour, Grand Teton National Park is only about 2 hours from Idaho Falls. Not only does this location offer stunning beauty but there are plenty of trails to hike that range from beginner to expert in difficulty.
From Idaho Falls to Yellowstone (109 miles)
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Yellowstone National Park
Because Yellowstone is so expansive, covering nearly 3,500 square miles, it is best to see everything over multiple days. While you can drive yourself through quite a bit of the park, a great idea to really experience some of the details of the park is to join a guided tour to take you through parts of the park.
Points of interest
It is probably a safe bet that if you are visiting Yellowstone, you will want to stop at the geyser called Old Faithful. Pop in at the information booth where they can give you a wealth of information about this popular destination.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
For those who truly want to experience all that this natural space has to offer, why not spend one or two nights camping in one of the many camping locations you will find in the park. There may be no experience exactly like camping under the stars at Yellowstone.
Sixt Insider Tip
While Yellowstone has a reputation for its wide variety of animal species that live within the park, it is important to remember to keep your distance from the wildlife for both the safety of yourself and the animals. Consider bringing along a set of binoculars for every member of your group.
