It’s no secret I love a road trip, and America is one of my favourite places to road trip!
And I’ll tell you what… this Southwest road trip from LA gave me a whole new feel for the country. This one honestly ended up being one of my favourite trips I’ve ever done so far.
When I was planning this road trip initially, like most people who plan the Southwest, it can get confusing and overwhelming at the start. It’s easy to underestimate the size. I knew I wanted to focus more on Arizona, but for ease, we decided to start and end in LA.
But once we mapped it out, it turned into a full Southwest loop starting in Los Angeles and taking us through Joshua Tree, Las Vegas, Page, Monument Valley, Sedona, Tucson and back again, with some stops along the way.
And I’m so glad we did it this way in the end.
Because every stop felt completely different. One minute you’re driving through quiet desert landscapes, then you’re in Vegas surrounded by lights and people, and then suddenly you’re standing in places that don’t even feel real.
It gives you a real mix of different landscapes and some amazing surprises you didn’t even expect along the way.
I should warn you though… this route is so fun! You’ll want to stay longer everywhere, but it’s not for the weak. It’s a lot of outdoor exploring, mixed with big driving days and adventure.
We did this in a Mustang convertible, which honestly made the whole experience.
⏰ Short on time?
Book these before your Southwest road trip
– Car rental from Los Angeles Airport
– Antelope Canyon guided tour (sells out fast)
– America the Beautiful National Park Pass
– Travel insurance for road trips
– Offline maps / eSIM for desert areas
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Who This LA to Southwest Road Trip Is For
If you want a trip that doesn’t feel repetitive, this is it. Every stop feels completely different. You go from LA city vibes to open desert roads, then suddenly you’re in places like Sedona or the Grand Canyon and it doesn’t even feel like the same trip anymore.
I’d say this is perfect if you like seeing a lot in one go and don’t mind a bit of driving. It’s not a slow, stay-in-one-place kind of trip. But if you want something that actually feels like an experience and not just a holiday, this is such a good one to do.
Tips for Hiring & Driving a Car in America
Hiring a car in the US is super easy and honestly the best way to do this trip. We picked ours up straight from the airport, which just made everything simple after a long flight.
The main thing to know is you’ll usually need a credit card to pick it up, and I’d definitely book ahead.
A few tips:
- Book early
- Take photos of the car
- Pick something comfortable for long drives
- Distances are bigger than you think
- Speed limits change often
The Road Trip
We landed in LA in the evening, picked up the car straight from the airport, and decided not to rush into a long drive.
Instead, we drove about 1.5 hours toward Redlands and stayed there overnight.
And I’d recommend this if you’re arriving late. It gave us time to reset and actually enjoy the road trip from the next day instead of starting exhausted.
However, you could skip this stop altogether and drive from LAX to Joshua Tree, or alternatively spend the night in Los Angeles and head out from there.
Drive time: 2.5–3 hours | Stay: 1–2 nights
Driving into Joshua Tree is where it really starts to feel like a road trip, especially when you leave LA behind.
Everything opens up, the landscapes change, and it feels quiet and almost unreal.
What I loved most is that you don’t need a strict plan here. It’s more about driving, stopping, and exploring as you go.
We kept pulling over because every part of the park looked different.
On the way, we stopped at Pioneertown and got a taste of the Wild West. This was built as a movie set, but it’s also a real town with residents now.
But then Joshua Tree itself was something else. I had never seen landscapes like this before. The rocks feel smooth and rounded, and it honestly gave me Flintstones vibes haha.
And at night, you will never see a brighter sky.
The park is not free and you can purchase a pass on arrival.
To round out our trip here and get the full Joshua Tree experience, we stayed at AutoCamp, which has hotel-style rooms inside converted Airstreams.
👉 Short on time? I’d recommend this Joshua Tree audio tour – it helps you see the highlights + hidden spots without the stress
Where to stay in Joshua Tree
($) High Desert Motel Joshua Tree National Park
($$) Joshua Tree Inn
($$$) AutoCamp Joshua Tree
👉 Read Next: Exploring Joshua Tree National Park
Drive time: 4–5 hours | Stay: 1 night
This is where the contrast really hits.
You go from peaceful desert landscapes into Las Vegas, which feels like a completely different world.
We broke up the drive by stopping in Oatman, which was one of the most unexpected highlights.
It’s a small Route 66 town where wild donkeys walk through the streets, and it honestly just made the drive more fun.
Then it was only a couple more hours until we reached Vegas.
We had been to Vegas before, so just spent one night here. But if you haven’t, I would stay a couple of nights, because it’s a fun visit full of bright lights. And if you’re lucky, you might even win big!
But if that’s not your thing, just walking the Strip and taking in the buildings and hotels is so much fun.
👉 If you’re short on time in Vegas, I’d definitely recommend this Grand Canyon helicopter tour – it lands inside the canyon and saves you hours of driving
Where to stay in Las Vegas
($) Excalibur Hotel & Casino
($$) The LINQ Hotel + Experience
($$$) The Venetian Resort
Drive time: 4.5 hours | Stay: 1 night
This drive starts to feel more remote, and the landscapes shift again.
Page itself is small, but it’s one of the most popular stops on this trip.
What I loved here is that everything feels very dramatic, huge views, deep canyons, and landscapes that don’t look real.
I started to see scenery here that I had never seen before.
We spent one night here, but I wish we stayed two, especially if you love exploring desert roads and nature trails.
Must-see spots:
- Antelope Canyon
- Horseshoe Bend
- Glen Canyon viewpoints
- Lake Powell
- Desert viewpoints
We did the Antelope Canyon tour, and I’d definitely recommend booking it in advance.
👉 Make sure to book your Antelope Canyon tour in advance as it sells out
👉Watch my exact tour of Upper Antelope Canyon
Where to stay in Page, Arizona
($) Rodeway Inn at Lake Powell
($$) Hampton Inn & Suites Page – Lake Powell
($$$) Hyatt Place Page / Lake Powell
Drive time: 2–2.5 hours | Stay: 1 night
This was one of the highlights of the entire trip. I mostly planned my trip around this, to be honest, so it was non-negotiable when planning the route.
The drive itself is incredible, and when you arrive, it honestly doesn’t feel real, like a painting.
The rock formations are massive, and everything feels quiet and untouched. I felt like I was in a Wild West movie.
This is one of those places where you just slow down and take in the scenery.
Must-see spots:
- Monument Valley scenic drive
- Forrest Gump viewpoint
- Mexican Hat
- John Ford’s Point
- Sunrise/sunset viewpoints
This was one of my favourite places, it just felt surreal
👉 If you’re short on time, I’d recommend this Monument Valley backcountry tour – it’s the easiest way to see more than just the main drive
Where to stay in Monument Valley
($) Monument Valley Tipi Village
($$) Goulding’s Lodge
($$$) The View Hotel
Drive time: 3–4 hours | Stay: 1–2 nights
Sedona feels completely different again (I know I’m starting to sound like a broken record).
After all the desert landscapes, you arrive somewhere with red rocks, greenery, and a much more relaxed vibe.
What I loved most here is that it’s not just one spot, it’s the whole area. You’ll be driving and constantly wanting to pull over. You can do so many trails and hikes here.
It’s a real playground if you love the outdoors.
We did Cathedral Rock, and wow… I loved every minute, even though it was challenging. The town itself has such a beautiful feel.
This is also where you’ll find the famous blue McDonald’s. It has to be blue, as the yellow wouldn’t fit the aesthetic of the town.
Must-see spots:
- Cathedral Rock
- Devil’s Bridge Trail
- Bell Rock
- Scenic drives
- Chapel of the Holy Cross
Where to stay in Sedona
($) Arabella Hotel Sedona
($$) Orchards Inn Sedona
($$$) Amara Resort & Spa
Drive time: 3–4 hours | Stay: 1 night
Tucson feels more local and less touristy, and it gives you a completely different side of Arizona.
It’s quieter, slower, and has those classic desert landscapes with giant cacti. And you don’t just see a few, they are everywhere.
What I loved here is that it felt more authentic compared to the other stops. And if you like dive bars, this is where you’ll find them. I loved the vibe of this town.
Things to do:
- Explore Old Town
- Drive through Saguaro National Park
- Desert scenery and viewpoints
- Scenic desert drives
- Sunset viewpoints
Where to stay in Tucson
($) Hotel McCoy Tucson
($$) Lodge on the Desert
($$$) Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort
Drive time: 2 hours | Stay: 1 night
By this point, we were ready to slow down a bit.
Scottsdale felt like a reset stop after a lot of driving and exploring. It’s more modern, more polished, and just easy. By this stage, you’ll probably want a little break.
Must-see / do:
- Old Town Scottsdale
- Pool / resort time
- Restaurants and bars
- Desert botanical gardens
- Shopping areas
Where to stay in Scottsdale
($) Hotel Scottsdale
($$) Sonesta Suites Scottsdale Gainey Ranch
($$$) The Phoenician Resort
Drive time: 4 hours | Stay: 1 night
Heading back into California, Palm Springs brings back that relaxed, resort-style vibe. You’ll start to feel like you’re getting back into city life from here.
After everything you’ve done, this part of the trip feels slower and easier.
Must-see / do:
- Pool time
- Palm Springs downtown
- Desert landscapes
- Cable car (if you have time)
- Architecture spots
Where to stay in Palm Springs
($) The Saguaro Palm Springs
($$) The Paloma Resort
($$$) Parker Palm Springs
Drive time: around 2 hours | Stay: 1–2 nights (optional)
Driving back into Los Angeles at the end of the trip felt like coming full circle.
After days of desert landscapes, quiet roads, and smaller towns, LA feels busy, energetic, and a bit chaotic again… but in a good way.
This is where the trip shifts from road trip mode back into city life.
Depending on your flight time, I’d actually recommend giving yourself at least half a day or even one full day here to explore a bit before heading home.
Things to do in Los Angeles:
- Hollywood Sign
- Griffith Observatory
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Santa Monica Pier
- Venice Beach
- Beverly Hills / Rodeo Drive
- Griffith Observatory
👉 If you’re short on time in LA, I’d definitely recommend pre-booking your Universal Studios ticket – it saves time and gets you straight into all the main attractions
Where to stay in Los Angeles
($) Freehand Los Angeles
($$) The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood
($$$) 1 Hotel West Hollywood
FAQ for Southwest USA
Around 10 days minimum, but 12–14 days is better if you want to slow down.
Yes, but distances are longer than they look, so plan extra time.
No, a standard car is fine.
Anything works, but a convertible made the experience so much better.
Yes, it sells out.
Spring and fall are ideal. Summer can be extremely hot.
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