USA Road Trip: Vegas to LA — Self-Launched
28 days · Southwestern USA (Las Vegas to Los Angeles)
G Adventures charges £2,300
No-markup version: ~£2,050 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 28-day self-launched road trip across the American Southwest and California, following the classic G Adventures Vegas-to-LA route but built around a rented car, public campgrounds, hostels and self-booked activities. Hit Zion, Bryce Canyon, Moab and Arches, Flaming Gorge and Jackson, then push west through California to San Francisco, Santa Cruz and LA. Costs are rough 2024/25 backpacker estimates in GBP and assume your own vehicle share plus camping gear.
Day-by-day
Arrive Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV
Fly into Harry Reid International and check into a hostel just off the Strip or near Fremont Street. Spend the evening exploring Fremont Street Experience — free light shows, cheap eats and a lively night out. Grab last-minute camping supplies (stove fuel, cooler, water containers) before the road trip starts tomorrow.
🚌Walk / rideshare from airport (~£15-20)
🛏Hostel dorm on/off the Strip (~£30-45)
- →Fremont Street Experience light show (free)
- →Stock up on camping gear and groceries
Las Vegas to Zion National Park
Springdale, UT
Pick up your rental car (split 4 ways this is often £20-30 pp/day). Drive ~2.5 hrs to Zion. Take the free park shuttle up the canyon and hike Angel’s Landing or Observation Point for panoramic views, or wade the Narrows if water levels allow. Camp at Watchman or South Campground in Springdale.
🚌Rental car ~2.5 hrs
🛏Watchman/South Campground (permit ~£15-20/site)
- →Angel’s Landing hike
- →The Narrows slot canyon hike
- →Zion shuttle canyon scenic drive
Bryce Canyon to Moab
Moab, UT
Early start for Bryce Canyon — walk the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop among the hoodoos. In the afternoon drive Scenic Byway 12 past Grand Staircase-Escalante and Capitol Reef toward Moab. Long driving day (~6 hrs total) so share the wheel.
🚌Rental car ~6 hrs
🛏Moab hostel dorm or BLM campground (~£20-35)
- →Queen’s Garden hoodoo trail
- →Scenic Byway 12 drive
- →Capitol Reef overlooks
Moab: Arches and Dead Horse Point
Moab, UT
Utah’s adventure capital. Morning options: rent a mountain bike on the Slickrock Trail, raft the Colorado River, or hike Delicate Arch. Afternoon in Arches National Park, then drive out to Dead Horse Point State Park for a canyon sunset.
🚌Rental car local
🛏Moab hostel dorm or BLM campground (~£20-35)
- →Delicate Arch hike
- →Arches National Park scenic drive
- →Dead Horse Point sunset
- →Optional: Colorado River rafting / Slickrock mountain biking
Moab to Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs, CO
Cross into Colorado. Hike to Hanging Lake (permit required, book online), rent a bike in Glenwood Canyon, or soak in the world’s largest hot springs pool. Camp nearby.
🚌Rental car ~3.5 hrs
🛏Campground near Glenwood Springs (~£20-30)
- →Hanging Lake hike (permit)
- →Glenwood Hot Springs Pool
- →Glenwood Canyon bike ride
Glenwood Springs to Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Flaming Gorge, WY/UT
Scenic drive into Wyoming. Stretch your legs with a canyon-rim hike or rent a kayak to explore the reservoir shoreline. Watch the sunset reflect off the red canyon walls — this is how the gorge got its name.
🚌Rental car ~4.5 hrs
🛏Flaming Gorge campground (~£15-25)
- →Canyon rim hike
- →Optional kayak on Flaming Gorge
Flaming Gorge to Jackson, WY
Jackson, WY
Drive into the Tetons. Explore Jackson town — the famous elk antler arches, cowboy bars and galleries. Afternoon hike in Grand Teton National Park, or float the Snake River. Camp in the national forest or park.
🚌Rental car ~5 hrs
🛏Teton/National Forest campground (~£15-25)
- →Grand Teton National Park scenic drive
- →Jackson town square and antler arches
- →Optional Snake River float
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone, WY
Full day in Yellowstone — Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and abundant wildlife. Book a campground or lodge well in advance; park campgrounds are cheap but sell out early.
🚌Rental car local
🛏Yellowstone campground (~£15-25)
- →Old Faithful geyser
- →Grand Prismatic Spring
- →Wildlife spotting
- →Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Yellowstone to Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, UT
Long transfer day south to Salt Lake City. Visit Temple Square and the Great Salt Lake, or just rest up in a hostel after the camping stretch.
🚌Rental car ~5 hrs
🛏SLC hostel dorm (~£30-40)
- →Temple Square
- →Great Salt Lake shoreline
Salt Lake City to Great Basin / Nevada
Nevada
Head west across the salt flats toward Nevada. Stretch with a hike at Great Basin National Park or the Lehman Caves, then camp en route toward the California border.
🚌Rental car ~4 hrs
🛏Nevada campground (~£15-25)
- →Great Basin National Park
- →Lehman Caves tour (fee)
Toward Yosemite
Lee Vining / eastern Sierra
Drive through the dramatic eastern Sierra, stopping at Mono Lake’s tufa towers. Enter Yosemite via Tioga Pass (seasonal) and camp in or near the park.
🚌Rental car ~5 hrs
🛏Yosemite-area campground (~£20-30)
- →Mono Lake tufa viewing
- →Tioga Pass scenic drive
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite, CA
Full day in Yosemite — ride the valley shuttle and hike to Vernal and Nevada Falls, or the Mist Trail. Book Half Dome permits months ahead if you want the climb.
🚌Rental car local
🛏Yosemite campground (~£20-30)
- →Vernal & Nevada Falls / Mist Trail
- →Valley shuttle loop
- →Tunnel View viewpoint
Yosemite to San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Drive to the coast and into San Francisco. Check into a hostel, then walk Fisherman’s Wharf and Golden Gate Park. Ride the steep Powell-Hyde cable car for the classic SF experience.
🚌Rental car ~4 hrs
🛏SF hostel dorm (~£40-55)
- →Cable car ride
- →Fisherman’s Wharf
- →Golden Gate Park
San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Explore the city — cycle or walk the Golden Gate Bridge, ferry to Alcatraz (book ahead), wander the Mission murals and Haight-Ashbury. Eat your way around the Ferry Building.
🚌Muni/BART day pass (~£5-8)
🛏SF hostel dorm (~£40-55)
- →Golden Gate Bridge walk/cycle
- →Alcatraz ferry tour (book ahead)
- →Mission District murals
- →Ferry Building food market
San Francisco to Monterey / Big Sur
Monterey, CA
Pick up the coastal Highway 1 south. Stop at Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row, then continue toward Big Sur’s dramatic cliffs and Bixby Bridge.
🚌Rental car ~2.5 hrs
🛏Monterey/Big Sur campground or hostel (~£30-45)
- →Monterey Bay Aquarium
- →Cannery Row
- →Bixby Bridge photo stop
Big Sur to Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
Drive the rest of the Big Sur coast and reach Santa Cruz. Lean into the laid-back surf vibes — rent a board, hang at the beach and the boardwalk.
🚌Rental car ~3 hrs
🛏Santa Cruz hostel dorm (~£35-50)
- →Big Sur coastline drive
- →Santa Cruz boardwalk
- →Optional surfboard rental
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
A relaxed day — surf, hike in the redwoods at Henry Cowell, or explore the Pleasure Point neighbourhood. Good chance to reset clothes and gear at a hostel laundry.
🚌Local bus/walk
🛏Santa Cruz hostel dorm (~£35-50)
- →Surf lesson or board rental
- →Henry Cowell redwoods hike
- →West Cliff Drive walk
Santa Cruz to Monterey Bay area / coast
Central California coast
Flex day to backtrack or extend along the coast — whale-watching from Monterey, kayaking Elkhorn Slough, or a slow beach day.
🚌Rental car local
🛏Coast hostel or campground (~£30-45)
- →Optional whale watching
- →Elkhorn Slough kayak
- →Beach day
Toward San Luis Obispo / Morro Bay
San Luis Obispo, CA
Head south to the Central Coast. Hike Morro Rock, spot sea otters, and check out the quirky Madonna Inn. Camp or hostel overnight.
🚌Rental car ~3.5 hrs
🛏SLO/Morro Bay campground or hostel (~£30-45)
- →Morro Rock hike
- →Sea otter spotting
- →SLO farmers market (Thu)
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
Arrive in Santa Barbara — Spanish mission architecture, beaches and the Funk Zone wine/food scene. Relax and enjoy the SoCal approach.
🚌Rental car ~2 hrs
🛏Santa Barbara hostel dorm (~£40-55)
- →Old Mission Santa Barbara
- →Funk Zone food and wine
- →East Beach
Santa Barbara to Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Final drive into LA. Drop the rental car and check into a hostel. Evening exploring — Venice Beach boardwalk or a Hollywood night out.
🚌Rental car ~2 hrs + return
🛏LA hostel dorm (~£35-50)
- →Venice Beach boardwalk
- →Optional Hollywood night out
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Full LA day — Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith Observatory (free), Santa Monica Pier and an In-N-Out burger. Use the Metro day pass to hop between neighbourhoods.
🚌LA Metro day pass (~£6)
🛏LA hostel dorm (~£35-50)
- →Griffith Observatory
- →Hollywood Walk of Fame
- →Santa Monica Pier
Los Angeles flex / beach day
Los Angeles, CA
Buffer day for LA — theme park (Universal or Disneyland), surfing in Malibu, or the Getty museums (free). This also absorbs any schedule slippage from the road trip.
🚌Rideshare/Metro
🛏LA hostel dorm (~£35-50)
- →Optional Universal Studios
- →Malibu surf
- →Getty Center (free)
Los Angeles to San Diego (optional extension)
San Diego, CA
Optional southern loop — the Pacific Surfliner train or a drive south to San Diego for beaches, Balboa Park and the Gaslamp Quarter.
🚌Amtrak Surfliner (~£30)
🛏San Diego hostel dorm (~£35-50)
- →Pacific Surfliner scenic train
- →Balboa Park
- →Gaslamp Quarter
Return to Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Head back up to LA to consolidate before the final days. Catch up on rest, do laundry and plan the last stretch.
🚌Amtrak or drive
🛏LA hostel dorm (~£35-50)
- →Free day
- →Laundry and gear reset
Los Angeles — culture and food
Los Angeles, CA
Deep-dive LA culture — Grand Central Market for food, the Broad museum (free), Little Tokyo and Echo Park. Evening in Silver Lake or Downtown.
🚌Metro day pass (~£6)
🛏LA hostel dorm (~£35-50)
- →Grand Central Market food crawl
- →The Broad museum (free)
- →Little Tokyo
Los Angeles — final adventure
Los Angeles, CA
Last full day — hike to the Hollywood sign via Runyon Canyon, take a surf lesson in Venice, or chase a final sunset at Point Dume.
🚌Rideshare/Metro
🛏LA hostel dorm (~£35-50)
- →Hollywood sign hike
- →Optional Venice surf lesson
- →Point Dume sunset
Depart Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Check out and fly home from LAX. If you have a late flight, squeeze in a last beach morning or brunch.
🚌Rideshare to LAX (~£20-30)
🛏N/A (departure)
- →Departure / optional beach morning
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£2,050 | £2,300 |
| Duration | 28 days | 28 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £250 per person (11%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£2,050
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does USA Road Trip: Vegas to LA — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £2,050 per person for 28 days in Southwestern USA (Las Vegas to Los Angeles). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £2,300 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £2,050 — a saving of roughly £250 (11%) per person.
How long is the Southwestern USA (Las Vegas to Los Angeles) trip?+
This itinerary runs 28 days, covering 28 day-by-day stops through Southwestern USA (Las Vegas to Los Angeles).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a road-trip, adventure, hiking trip through Southwestern USA (Las Vegas to Los Angeles), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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