Driving from Los Angeles to Las Vegas

Question

We will be driving from LA to Las Vegas. Given the drive is a long one which stops do you recommend along the way? I will have my 2 daughters aged 11 and 13 and want to make sure they can endure the car trip.

Answer

Driving from Los Angeles to Las Vegas is one of the most popular Southern California road trips, and thankfully it’s very doable with kids—especially if you break it up with fun, unique, and kid-friendly stops. The drive is typically 4–5 hours without stops, but with two daughters aged 11 and 13, strategic breaks will keep the trip comfortable and enjoyable.

Below are the best stops along I-15 that are safe, interesting, and perfect for stretching legs, grabbing snacks, and adding some fun to the journey.

Here are the top recommended stops between LA and Las Vegas:

Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch (Oro Grande) – A quirky, artsy outdoor “forest” made of colorful bottle sculptures. It’s a quick 15–20 minute stop and very Instagram-friendly. Kids usually love how whimsical and unusual it is.
California Route 66 Museum (Victorville) – A quick educational stop that celebrates the history of old Route 66. It’s small but fun, especially for teens curious about vintage Americana.
Barstow Station (Barstow) – A classic halfway stop with food inside old train cars. Great for bathroom breaks, stretching, and grabbing snacks or lunch.
Eddie World (Yermo) – One of the BEST stops for families. It’s a giant, clean, modern gas-and-snack station with tons of candy options, ice cream, pizza, and really clean restrooms. A top pick for kids.
Calico Ghost Town (Yermo) – A fun detour (about 10 minutes off the freeway). This recreated mining ghost town offers walking paths, shops, and historical exhibits. Kids usually enjoy exploring, especially if they like Western themes.
Mojave Desert National Preserve Viewpoints – Even if you don’t stop long, there are beautiful desert views for short pulls-offs to take pictures.
Seven Magic Mountains (Just before Las Vegas) – A colorful large-scale art installation made of stacked neon boulders. It’s a quick and great photo stop and only 10 minutes off I-15. Teens especially love it.

Below is a sample kid-friendly itinerary for the drive:

Start in LA → Drive 1.5 hours → Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch: 15–20 minutes to look around and enjoy the sculptures.
Drive 20 minutes → Barstow Station or Eddie World in Yermo: Stop for snacks, bathroom break, lunch, and stretching. This will be your main break.
Option: Add Calico Ghost Town if you want a longer stop or some walking.
Drive another 1.5–2 hours → Seven Magic Mountains for quick photos and a final break before Vegas.
Arrive in Las Vegas refreshed, with kids having had some fun stops along the way.

Tips to make the drive more comfortable for your daughters:

Bring plenty of water and snacks to minimize hunger restlessness.
Download movies or playlists since parts of the desert have poor reception.
Start early to avoid traffic through the Cajon Pass and Barstow.
Keep sunscreen handy—many stops are outdoors with little shade.
Encourage them to take photos or keep a travel journal to make the road trip more fun.

The drive is easy, scenic, and filled with memorable little gems if you know where to stop. With these breaks planned out, your daughters should handle the trip well and even enjoy the journey as part of the vacation.

Have a safe and fun road trip to Las Vegas!

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