USA Road Trip: Los Angeles to Seattle (Self-Launched)
21 days · United States (West Coast)
G Adventures charges £1,750
No-markup version: ~£1,195 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 21-day self-launched West Coast road trip from Los Angeles to Seattle, hitting the classic budget backpacker highlights: LA and San Diego, Joshua Tree, Las Vegas, Route 66, the Grand Canyon South Rim, Horseshoe Bend, Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Pacific Northwest. This is a DIY version of G Adventures' 18-to-Thirtysomethings camping trip — you book your own hostels and campsites, rent a car (or grab a seat-share), and self-drive the same loop for a fraction of the group-tour price. Estimates are approximate and based on budget/camping travel rates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Land at LAX and check into a hostel in Venice, Santa Monica, or Hollywood. Spend the evening exploring the neighbourhood, grabbing tacos, and getting your bearings. If you're renting a car, pick it up today or tomorrow morning.
🚌LAX shuttle or Metro to hostel, ~£3-8
🛏Hostel dorm (Venice/Santa Monica), ~£30-45/night
- →Self-arrival at LAX
- →Check into hostel
- →Evening walk and dinner
Los Angeles to San Diego
San Diego, CA
Drive down the Pacific coast via Orange County to San Diego (~2.5 hrs). Spend the afternoon on Mission Beach or hike the Torrey Pines State Reserve. Optional: Balboa Park museums or the USS Midway. Amtrak Surfliner is a car-free alternative (~£25).
🚌Self-drive LA to San Diego ~£12 fuel / or Amtrak Surfliner ~£25
🛏Hostel dorm (Ocean Beach/Gaslamp), ~£35-50/night
- →Coastal drive
- →Mission Beach
- →Torrey Pines hike
- →Balboa Park
San Diego to Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree, CA
Head inland across the desert to Joshua Tree National Park (~3 hrs). Pick up a park pass, set up camp, and catch sunset among the boulders and Joshua trees. Brilliant stargazing after dark.
🚌Self-drive ~£15 fuel
🛏Campground (Jumbo Rocks/Belle), ~£12-18/night
- →Joshua Tree National Park
- →Sunset at Keys View
- →Stargazing
Joshua Tree to Las Vegas via Route 66
Las Vegas, NV
Drive to Vegas (~4 hrs). Break the journey on historic Route 66 through Seligman-style Americana — diners, neon signs and the birthplace of the Mother Road. Arrive in Vegas for a big night out on the Strip.
🚌Self-drive ~£20 fuel
🛏Budget hostel/hotel (Fremont area), ~£25-40/night
- →Route 66 drive
- →Seligman general store stop
- →Las Vegas Strip nightlife
Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
Drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim (~4.5 hrs). Catch your first jaw-dropping view of the canyon at sunset from Mather Point or Hopi Point. Optional extra: a helicopter flight over the canyon (book via GetYourGuide, ~£200+).
🚌Self-drive ~£25 fuel
🛏Mather Campground, ~£14-18/night
- →Grand Canyon South Rim
- →Sunset viewpoint
- →Optional helicopter tour
Grand Canyon South Rim
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
Full day in the park. Hike partway down the Bright Angel or South Kaibab Trail, walk the Rim Trail, and visit the visitor centre and historic village. Park entry ~£27 per vehicle.
🚌Local park shuttle (free)
🛏Mather Campground, ~£14-18/night
- →Bright Angel Trail hike
- →Rim Trail
- →Visitor centre
Grand Canyon to Page / Horseshoe Bend
Page, AZ
Drive to Page (~2.5 hrs). In the afternoon take the short hike to Horseshoe Bend for that iconic horseshoe-shaped Colorado River meander. Optional add-on: Antelope Canyon tour (~£55).
🚌Self-drive ~£15 fuel
🛏Campground/hostel, ~£15-25/night
- →Horseshoe Bend hike
- →Optional Antelope Canyon tour
Page to Zion National Park
Springdale, UT
Push on to Zion (~3 hrs via Kanab). Settle in at Springdale and spend the late afternoon exploring the town with the towering red cliffs as your backdrop.
🚌Self-drive ~£18 fuel
🛏Watchman Campground / hostel, ~£18-30/night
- →Drive to Zion
- →Springdale stroll
Zion National Park
Springdale, UT
Full day in Zion. Ride the free shuttle up the canyon, hike the Riverside Walk toward the Narrows, or tackle Angels Landing if you have a permit. Cream, pink and red sandstone cliffs everywhere.
🚌Free park shuttle
🛏Watchman Campground / hostel, ~£18-30/night
- →Zion shuttle
- →Riverside Walk / Narrows
- →Angels Landing (permit)
Zion to Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon, UT
Drive to Bryce Canyon (~2 hrs). Explore the amphitheatres and the giant forest of stone spires. Hike the Navajo Loop/Queen's Garden combo for the best hoodoo views, then catch sunset at Sunset Point.
🚌Self-drive ~£12 fuel
🛏North Campground / hostel, ~£15-25/night
- →Bryce Canyon viewpoint
- →Navajo Loop hike
- →Sunset Point
Bryce Canyon to Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, UT
Longer drive north to Salt Lake City (~4 hrs). Resupply, rest up and explore Temple Square and the downtown scene. Good laundry and shower stop before the northern leg.
🚌Self-drive ~£22 fuel
🛏Hostel dorm, ~£30-45/night
- →Scenic drive
- →Temple Square
- →Downtown resupply
Salt Lake City to Boise
Boise, ID
Drive northwest toward Idaho (~6 hrs). Break the journey at Twin Falls for the Snake River Canyon viewpoint. Arrive in Boise for an evening in the Basque Block.
🚌Self-drive ~£28 fuel
🛏Budget motel/hostel, ~£35-50/night
- →Snake River Canyon stop
- →Boise Basque Block
- →Local dinner
Boise to Bend, Oregon
Bend, OR
Cross into Oregon (~5 hrs). Bend is a hub for outdoorsy types — hike or paddle on the Deschutes River, and grab a craft beer in town. Optional: Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
🚌Self-drive ~£25 fuel
🛏Hostel/hostel-style lodge, ~£30-45/night
- →Deschutes River walk
- →Craft brewery visit
- →Optional volcano monument
Bend to Crater Lake
Crater Lake, OR
Drive south to Crater Lake National Park (~2.5 hrs). One of the bluest lakes on earth, formed in a collapsed volcano. Do the Rim Drive viewpoints and a short trail. Snow can linger into summer, so check conditions.
🚌Self-drive ~£15 fuel
🛏Campground near park, ~£15-22/night
- →Crater Lake Rim Drive
- →Rim Village viewpoints
- →Short trails
Crater Lake to the Oregon Coast
Coos Bay / Bandon, OR
Head west to the Pacific (~3.5 hrs). The Oregon coast is full of dramatic sea stacks, lighthouses and long empty beaches. Catch sunset at Bandon Beach or Face Rock.
🚌Self-drive ~£18 fuel
🛏Coast hostel/campsite, ~£25-40/night
- →Oregon coast drive
- →Bandon Beach sunset
- →Lighthouse stop
Oregon Coast to Portland
Portland, OR
Cruise up the coast toward Portland (~4 hrs). Stop at Newport or Tillamook (cheese, anyone) en route. Spend the evening exploring Portland's food carts and Powell's Books.
🚌Self-drive ~£20 fuel
🛏Hostel dorm, ~£30-45/night
- →Coastal drive
- →Tillamook stop
- →Portland food carts
- →Powell's Books
Portland
Portland, OR
Free day in Portland. Cross the Columbia River to Multnomah Falls, wander the Japanese Garden, or bike the waterfront. Great coffee and donut culture to sample.
🚌Local transit / short drive ~£5-10
🛏Hostel dorm, ~£30-45/night
- →Multnomah Falls
- →Japanese Garden
- →Waterfront bike
- →Coffee & donuts
Portland to Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier, WA
Drive north into Washington toward Mount Rainier National Park (~3 hrs). Wildflower meadows in summer, glaciers year-round. Do the Skyline or Paradise trails from the Jackson Visitor Center.
🚌Self-drive ~£18 fuel
🛏Campground/hostel near park, ~£18-28/night
- →Mount Rainier National Park
- →Paradise / Skyline Trail
- →Wildflower meadows
Mount Rainier to Seattle
Seattle, WA
Drive to Seattle (~2 hrs). Return your rental car, check into a hostel, and spend the afternoon at Pike Place Market and the waterfront. Optional: Space Needle or a ferry ride to Bainbridge.
🚌Self-drive ~£12 fuel + return rental car
🛏Hostel dorm (Belltown/Green Tortoise), ~£35-50/night
- →Pike Place Market
- →Seattle waterfront
- →Optional Space Needle
- →Bainbridge ferry
Seattle
Seattle, WA
Full day in Seattle. Explore the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), or catch a Mariners game. Take the ferry for a Puget Sound view back at the skyline.
🚌Local transit ~£5-8
🛏Hostel dorm, ~£35-50/night
- →Chihuly Garden and Glass
- →MoPOP
- →Ferry ride
- →Optional ballgame
Depart Seattle
Seattle, WA
Last morning for coffee and a final wander before heading to Sea-Tac for your flight home. Trip complete — 21 days, one epic West Coast loop, all on your own schedule.
🚌Link Light Rail to airport, ~£3
🛏N/A (departure day)
- →Final morning in Seattle
- →Transfer to Sea-Tac
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,195 | £1,750 |
| Duration | 21 days | 21 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £555 per person (32%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,195
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: Los Angeles to Seattle (Self-Launched) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,195 per person for 21 days in United States (West Coast). 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 £1,750 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,195 — a saving of roughly £555 (32%) per person.
How long is the United States (West Coast) trip?+
This itinerary runs 21 days, covering 21 day-by-day stops through United States (West Coast).
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 United States (West Coast), 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?
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