Make the Most of Your Las Vegas to San Antonio Road Trip
Looking for a southwest adventure? A Las Vegas to San Antonio road trip will bring plenty of opportunities to hike, eat, and see the beauty of the desert.
From the bright lights in Las Vegas to the famously serene river in San Antonio, you’ll cover a lot of ground on this road trip across four states. Buckle up and make sure your AC is ready for the adventure.
For those unfamiliar with the Southwest, the prospect may conjure images of dust and cactus for as far as the eye can see. Sure, there’s a lot of sand between Vegas and San Antonio—but there’s a lot of beauty, intrigue, and (maybe most importantly) great food as well.
To help you get the most out of your road trip, the car insurance comparison and broker app
has compiled some of the best spots along the way. From sprawling desert cities to remote natural wonder, break up the monotony of the long drive and take in some unforgettable views, brews, and chews (and work on your rhyming game while you drive).
($): Ok, so maybe this first one is a little sinful (maybe even a lot). Boldly billed as "the best doughnuts in Las Vegas," if Pink Box doesn’t live up to their own hype, they come really close.
($$): If you’re looking for more of a savory start to your drive, head to chef Natalie Young’s simply named breakfast and lunch spot. As you’d expect from a chef-designed menu, there are fancy twists on old favorites like a truffled egg sandwich, prime rib hash, and crispy deviled eggs. They’re also an ethical business, sourcing many ingredients locally, giving "kitchen scholarships" to aspiring local cooks, and working to leave a low carbon footprint.
: If you’re into hiking, head to Valley of Fire State Park, just a short drive out of the city. You can walk through canyons and amble over rock formations—but be warned, it lives up to its name, so bring a lot of water.
: In-the-know Southwesterners know Meow Wolf, an immersive art experience based in Santa Fe, NM and backed by George R. R. Martin. They opened a brand new location in Las Vegas in 2021 called Omega Mart that is 100 percent worth exploring. Expect creepy, otherworldly designs, disorienting light displays, and a mind-bending narrative to follow along.
Watch a game: And if you’re a sports fan, there’s a good chance you can find an event any season of the year. From the Raiders to the Golden Knights to UFC and NASCAR, they’ve got just about every major sport covered.
What’s a Las Vegas to San Antonio road trip without a stop in the Valley of the Sun? If you’re looking for relief from the seemingly year-round-115-degree heat of Las Vegas, you’ll have to keep looking (or stop in Flagstaff, Arizona’s biggest ski town). Phoenix will be as hot as the city you left in the morning!
($$): This island-style restaurant and rum bar is a true hidden gem in a city that’s as far from an island as you can get. Featuring jerk chicken and shellfish dishes, amazing rum cocktails, cigar pairings, and tropical fare, you’ll feel like you’re miles away from the Sonoran desert. Plus, their ingredients are certified sustainable and their kitchen is zero-waste, making this a super eco-friendly restaurant.
($$): Pomo is renowned for their authentic, traditional Italian-style pizza. You can expect high-quality ingredients, amazingly flavorful pies, and even handmade gelato. Come for dinner, stay for dessert.
: As a nonprofit museum with a mission to promote American Indian art, Phoenix’s Heard Museum is a can’t-miss experience for art and culture lovers. Blending traditional and contemporary art, the Heard showcases a diverse range of styles and cultures of Indigenous artists in America. They have an amazing collection and a gorgeous campus that are well worth spending an afternoon exploring.
: Cinephiles will enjoy FilmBar. This little theater and bar serves up beer, wine, and cocktails to improve your viewing experience. Sit back and sip as you watch their pick of arthouse films, indie darlings, documentaries, and beloved classics.
Take a scenic detour: If you’re really taking the scenic route, you might as well stop by
. This town has the feel of a city like Charleston or Key West, but with a distinct desert vibe. Located on Lake Havasu, the city boasts great food, a nice museum, quirky cabin rentals, and Instagram-ready views of the lake. It’s also the home of the actual London Bridge, which was imported to connect the city proper to the lakeside marinas!
About a half day’s drive will get you from the heart of Arizona across the southern foot of New Mexico to Las Cruces. This small city sits near the border of Texas and Mexico, giving it a unique cross-cultural identity.
($): There are slight differences between Mexican and New Mexican cuisine, but you can get a little of both here. La Nueva Casita sits in the lovely Historic Mesquite District and offers up traditional, scratch-made Mexican food. Try some green chile (not the same thing as chili!) for the true nuevo flair.
($$): Mediterranean food is often light and refreshing and perfect for a hot day in the desert. This super solid blend of Greek, Lebanese, Syrian, and Cypriot food will hit the spot as you head toward Texas.
: Las Cruces lies in the shadow of the Organ Mountains, which offer some phenomenal hiking just outside of the city. Get out and stretch your legs at Dripping Springs Natural Area. If conditions are right, you can get to a striking little oasis of falling water in the heart of the desert.
: If you missed out on La Nueva Casita Café, you should still check out Mesilla. This historic village shows off the feel of the southwest with hanging ristras, adobe buildings, and art galleries. Take a load off at Spotted Dog Brewery while you’re there.
Take a scenic detour: If you want to make a quirky stop for food en route to Cruces, the tiny town of
is home to one of the more unique restaurants in the state. There’s not a lot here, but the Adobe Deli is worth the trip. Stocked with old books, taxidermy, hordes of vintage trinkets, and a classic western saloon-style bar, this ranch-museum-bar-steakhouse hybrid is an experience. Oh, and it’s also possibly (probably) haunted. Take the drive down a long dirt road and ask for a tour before your meal.
This may sound like a long way—and it is. Frankly, there’s not a lot to see in western Texas, so prepare for a whole lot of sand and tumbleweed. The good news is that you cover a lot of ground pretty quickly without much traffic or many stops along the way.
($$): This is one of the more striking places you can eat in San Antonio. Housed in a historic building, you can get a blend of comfort food classics like biscuits and gravy or hybrid dishes like champagne chicken enchiladas. And with top-notch cocktails, a museum, and a gift shop, this is a place you’ll want to linger in.
($$): Texmex, American, and Mexican food are abundant in San Antonio, so why not mix it up with some of the state’s finest Asian cuisine? Sichuan House offers some of the staple dishes you’re used to alongside less common, more authentic ones. Try cold garlic noodles, twice-cooked pork, smoked duck, mapo tofu, and much more from their extensive menu.
is a great place to get out and take in the sights. It’s a bit of a drive from the nearest town of Fort Stockton, but you’ll find dazzling water, canyons, lots of desert wildlife, and maybe even fossils!
: If you’re looking to stay in San Antonio and willing to splurge, the Hotel Emma is a fantastic historical boutique hotel that’s only a two-minute walk from the Riverwalk and used to be an 1800’s brewhouse. Although it’s a pricey stay, it’ll be sure to be a memorable one. Cost per night: from $536
MORE: Road trip: The scenic route from San Antonio to Las Vegas(
If you missed any of the scenic detours, the San Antonio to Las Vegas drive back will leave you plenty of options to mix things up. And they definitely need mixing up on this ride.
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