When taking a road trip to Vegas, the drive is part of the fun. If your journey starts in Houston and you have road tripped through Texas before, you know it can be an endless horizon of sand, but the sights you’ll see in New Mexico, Arizona, and finally in Las Vegas are worth it. The cherry on top? Your Houston to Las Vegas drive ends up with plenty of excitement in the city to make up for the drive!
Pack your bags, rally the troops, and fill the tank, because we have all the road trip recommendations to embark on the best Houston to Las Vegas drive.
Taking a Houston to Las Vegas road trip can be a long trek in one day or divided between two or three days – depending on if you decide to take your time at road trip stops along the way or not. The Houston to Las Vegas distance is approximately 1,475 miles through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada via the I-10 W. With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately 21 hours to complete.
If possible, avoid starting the Houston to Las Vegas drive on Thursday through Sunday, the most popular driving days. Instead, leave on less-popular driving days such as Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday when traffic tends to be lighter than the hustle and bustle of weekend driving. Allow for longer drive times if you plan on traveling to the city for Las Vegas events or during the holidays. No matter where you’re driving from or which day of the week, the traffic is sure to pick up closer to the city.
Start off your Houston to Las Vegas road trip with a classic roadside attraction. Luling has quite the love for watermelon, and their giant watermelon water tower is just a glimpse into the rest of the town.
Before you’re on a long journey through desert landscape, treat yourself to an adventure through fascinating caverns. You do have to book this road trip stop in advance, so be sure to plan ahead if you want to do some cave exploration.
The San Antonio River Walk is noted as the #1 attraction in Texas, and it is the perfect way to stretch your legs at the start of your road trip. Stop by the shops and restaurants, and while you’re in San Antonio, you have to remember the Alamo!
Since the last Houston to Las Vegas road trip stop was nearly 600 miles away, treat yourself to some delicious food. La Posta is famed for serving incredible Mexican food and steaks since 1939, and it’s clear they know their stuff.
It doesn’t quite feel like a road trip to Vegas without an aerospace museum! Pima Air & Space Museum is one of the world’s largest non-government funded aerospace museums and features over 400 iconic aircraft.
This stop is not only a natural history museum, it is also a zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden. Stop by to get a dose of nature and learn more about the Southwest ecosystem. There are also plenty of dining options if you’re feeling hungry.
Ostriches, stingrays, and goats, oh my! Rooster Cogburn’s ranch offers an up-close-and-personal experience with some pretty fun animals. Stop by to pet and feed the critters to make for a truly adorable pit stop.
Phoenix may seem like a desert city, but the Japanese Friendship Garden brings a stunningly lush landscape to the area. If you’re feeling tense from driving, stop here to unwind and feel tranquil before your last stretch of driving.
The Houston to Las Vegas drive seems to be filled with animal activities! With an aquarium, zoo, safari park, and even some low-key rides, this zoo will get you some fresh air and an opportunity to stretch your legs.
Right before you pull into Vegas, get in a road trip thrill that will excite you for the rest of your vacation. You may have just seen a lot of the desert driving, but ziplining over it is a way better view.
Some say life isn’t only about the destination, it’s about the journey. If you’re planning your next trip to Las Vegas, consider hitting the road and making an adventure out of it.
