Road Tripping the Scenic Route from San Antonio to Las Vegas

The scenic route from San Antonio to Las Vegas takes you through, and the views during the drive along the way are second to none.
Written by Matt Terzi
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
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.
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Key trip details

San Antonio to Las Vegas
Distance: 1,284 miles
Driving time: 19 hours and 14 minutes
Suggested length of trip: 2 to 4 days

Itinerary

  • San Antonio, TX
  • Ozona, TX
  • Tucson, AZ
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • Las Vegas, NV

San Antonio, Texas

If you’re from San Antonio
Texas
, feel free to skip ahead. But for those of you who’ve never been, there’s a whole lot that this cool, modern American city has to offer.

Where to eat in San Antonio

  • Boudro’s
    ($$$): Step into this bistro for higher-end takes on Texas classics. What’s best is the location right on San Antonio’s beautiful riverwalk.
  • Bier Garten
    ($$): 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.

What to do in San Antonio

The Alamo
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.

San Antonio to Ozona, Texas

231 miles, 3 hours 33 minutes
You probably haven’t heard of Ozona,
Texas
, 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.
Take I-10 W for Ozona.

Where to eat in Ozona

  • Wagon Wheel BBQ
    ($$): A trip to Texas wouldn’t be complete without getting some barbeque, so check out Wagon Wheel BBQ on Avenue E.

What to do in Ozona

  • Fort McKavett
    : 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.
  • Old Ice House Ranch Museum
    : Want to collect some obscure knowledge? Head to the Old Ice House Ranch Museum for the history of this region.

Ozona to El Paso, Texas

337 miles, 4 hours 46 minutes
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.
Take I-10 W to get to El Paso.

Where to eat in El Paso

  • Café Mayapán
    ($): 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!

What to do in El Paso

El Paso Scenic Drive
  • El Paso Museum of Art
    : 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!

Where to stay in El Paso

  • Hotel Indigo El Paso
    : Rest up at this modern hotel that features a rooftop pool, a bar, and chic suites. Cost per night: from $160
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El Paso to Tucson, Arizona

318 miles, 4 hours 47 minutes
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.
Get back onto I-10 W to get to Tucson.

What to do in Tucson

Reid Park Zoo
  • Tucson Botanical Gardens
    : Take in some nature in a more up-close and personal way than viewing it from your car window at the Botanical Gardens.
  • Reid Park Zoo
    : This is a 24-acre zoo that’s home to over 500 animals. If you’re feeling inspired to see some more nature, be sure to visit.
  • Pima Air and Space Museum
    : This is one of the largest non-government-funded aerospace museums. With over 300 aircrafts spread out along the museum, it'll be sure to wow you.

Tombstone or Tucson to Phoenix, Arizona

113 miles, 1 hour 45 minutes
The shortest leg of the trip takes you to Phoenix,
Arizona
’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.

Where to eat in Phoenix

  • Durant’s Steakhouse
    ($$$$): If you’re willing to splurge, the best way to do it is on steak at this famous steakhouse.
  • Kai
    ($$$$): 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!

What to do in Phoenix

Taliesin West
  • Taliesin West
    : 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.
  • Heard Museum
    : The globally recognized Heard Museum of American Indian art is something you need to see to believe.

Where to stay in Phoenix

  • Arizona Grand Resort
    : This hotel is also a resort and wedding and event venue — meaning you’ll be sure to be staying in a beautiful spot. Cost per night: from $129

Phoenix to Las Vegas, Nevada

301 miles, 5 hours
As one of the biggest and most famous tourist destinations on the planet, it’s impossible to suggest what you need to see in Las Vegas
Nevada
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

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
    Discovery Children’s Museum
    , the
    AdventureDome at Circus Circus
    , and
    M&M’s World
    are all super fun for kids of all ages.
  • Non-gambling fun in Vegas: Not a gambler? There are still plenty of games to play in the
    Fun Dungeon at Excalibur
    , where you’ll find the world’s biggest Pacman game. Thrill-seekers who don’t mind heights should also check out the insane rides at the
    Stratosphere hotel
    , 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.

Where to stay in Las Vegas

  • Caesars Palace
    : 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

Get roadside assistance you can rely on

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.
The free car insurance shopping and brokerage app
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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!
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