From the mesmerizing blue waters of Canyon Lake to the big bright lights of the Strip, the scenic route from San Antonio to Las Vegas is easily one of the most gorgeous drives you can take in the United States.
This isn’t a quick and easy road trip, mind you. Driving the scenic route will take you on a nearly 1,300-mile adventure across four states that would take almost 19 hours to complete if you drove nonstop. But if you’re someone who appreciates natural majesty and splendor, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a nicer drive than this one.
Before you start packing your bags, download the totally free insurance comparison app
from name-brand providers—a must-have before you hit the road. Jerry users save an average of $879 per year on car insurance! That’s some serious savings, probably much better spent during this incredible road trip.
($$): German food in San Antonio? It’s not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Texas, but this is certainly a unique place to grab some German fare and a beer.
: If zipping around upside down is more your thing, check out the Six Flags Fiesta Texas theme park.
If you’re hungry or in the mood for some shopping, be sure to check out San Antonio’s famous River Walk, home to locally owned businesses and some of the best restaurants in the state.
, a sleepy little town along Interstate 10. But don’t let the lack of fame or small stature fool you! Ozona is a cool place with some interesting sites to visit—and a great place to break up some of the driving on your trip.
: While visiting Ozona, be sure to check out the ruins of Fort McKavett, an incredibly cool spot that’ll make you feel like you’re in a different country.
Nestled right against the US–Mexico border, El Paso is home to world-famous food and some of the most scenic driving roads in the whole of North America.
($): In the mood for some of the best Mexican food in the country? Café Mayapán cooks up some of the best regionally traditional food you can find. Their restaurant is fully staffed by underprivileged women from the El Paso area, so you can eat great food and feel good about buying it!
: Stop by EPMA in downtown El Paso for your fill of impressive artworks for the afternoon.
Cruise along Scenic Drive: Take in the Sun City from Scenic Drive (that’s literally the name of the road!) and cruise through history on a driving tour down the Mission Trail.
Looking for more nature? Be sure to check out Highway 28 and the Transmountain Road!
Get ready to explore Tucson! It’s right along the way toward your final destination of Las Vegas—and the drive up route 80 to Interstate 10 is beautiful.
’s tourist-friendly capital. And this isn’t just a stop to break up the remaining drive to Las Vegas, either. Phoenix is one of those cities you may not think of as a vacation hotspot, but after visiting, you might just find yourself planning a whole other trip there!
You guessed it, you’re back onto I-10 W for Phoenix.
($$$$): Phoenix is also home to a world-class Native American-themed restaurant Kai. The food at Kai is so good it’s almost worth visiting Phoenix with the sole intention of eating there!
: Legendary American architect Frank Lloyd Wright made Phoenix his winter getaway; it hosts his winter home and architecture school, Taliesin West, which is open to public tours.
within the scope of this article. Heck, you couldn’t do that in a dozen of them! Las Vegas is a whole city built from the ground up for having fun.
Take US-93 N to get to Vegas.
What to do in Las Vegas
Kid-friendly entertainment: This isn’t the same old smoky gambling town it used to be. Kids are definitely welcome in modern Vegas, with tons of attractions specifically for families. The
, which dangle you off the roof of the building. There are lots of shows, parks, and eateries you can visit that don’t involve gambling.
If you are a gambler, well, come on… it’s Vegas! As family-friendly as the city has grown in the past decade or so, this is still a casino town. Most of the recommendations mentioned above take place at casinos. So for adults, Vegas is a whole other type of playground. Just try not to wake up in a chapel with an Elvis impersonator marrying you to a stranger.
: You’ve made it to the destination after a super long trip. If there’s a time to splurge for an exquisite place to rest up, this is it. Cost per night: from $199
This scenic route from San Antonio to Las Vegas isn’t about the destinations you’ll visit, but the journey you’ll experience along the way—and what a journey it is! An adventure exploring 1,300 miles along some of the most iconic, awe-inspiring roads and highways in America. Who doesn’t want to see that?
Of course, a massive five-plus day road trip through America’s warmest states will put quite a bit of stress on any car. Whether you’re taking your own vehicle or renting one, you’re going to need roadside assistance, just in case.
features cheap and comprehensive roadside assistance that you don’t want to travel without. Here’s what you can look forward to for just $6.99 for one car:
Towing
Fuel delivery
Lockout assistance
Tire services
Trip interruption credits
And more!
And the insurance savings Jerry can find you will be just as mesmerizing as this incredibly scenic route from San Antonio to Las Vegas, too!
"I’m saving money!!
I’m one of those that doesn’t like change, so I went in thinking I’ll look but probably not buy. Was I wrong! I received a quote for half of what I was paying. I added roadside assistance and changed my deductible from $1000 to $500 and it only raised the price a little. I paid for 6 months upfront and it made it even cheaper! So wow—I’m blown away at how easy the process was and now my insurance is paid for 6 months. I’ve never been able to do that before and I have the same coverage! I’m so glad I gave this a try, I’m very happy." —Jerry user
RECOMMENDED
Haven’t shopped for insurance in the last six months? There might be hundreds $$$ in savings waiting for you.