Los Angeles to Las Vegas

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

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Los Angeles to Las Vegas is one of the most-travelled road trips in North America — about 430 km (270 miles) across the Mojave Desert, with a glittering destination at the end. Whether you want to rent a car and go at your own pace, hop on a coach for a few dollars, or consider an emerging rail option, here is how each one stacks up.

The most popular way: driving

The drive along the I-15 freeway takes around 4 to 5 hours in normal traffic conditions. Leave central Los Angeles, clear the San Bernardino metro area, and the route opens up through the high desert past Barstow and Baker. The temperature on the desert floor can be extreme in summer — top up fuel and water at Baker, where the famous thermometer tower is hard to miss.

Departure timing matters more than anything else on this corridor. Friday afternoon departures from LA and Sunday evening returns are notoriously slow; traffic can double the journey time. If flexibility allows, leave early on a weekday morning or late on Friday night. The same applies in reverse — Sunday afternoon departures from Vegas mean everyone leaves at once.

Car hire in Los Angeles is widely available; one-way drop-off to Las Vegas usually carries a small additional fee. Petrol stations are plentiful along the I-15, though prices at remote stations are higher than in the city.

The cheapest way: long-distance coach

Several coach operators run the LA–Vegas corridor, with FlixBus being the most prominent in recent years. Fares are often very low when booked well in advance, making this the budget option of choice. Journey times vary between around 5 and 7 hours depending on operator, route and traffic.

Most services depart from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles or from stops in Hollywood, and arrive at the Las Vegas South Strip Transfer Terminal or near Fremont Street. Some runs are overnight, which doubles as accommodation. Check the exact pickup and drop-off points when booking — they differ between operators and sometimes between routes on the same operator.

Luggage allowances, Wi-Fi quality and onboard comfort vary; FlixBus routes have generally proved reliable on this corridor. Book as early as possible for the lowest fares, particularly around holidays and events in Vegas.

The future rail option: Brightline West

A privately funded high-speed rail link between Las Vegas and the Greater Los Angeles area has been under development for several years under the name Brightline West. The planned route would serve a station in Rancho Cucamonga (with a connection to the Metrolink commuter rail network) rather than downtown Los Angeles, and aims for journey times of around two hours 10 minutes. Construction was under way as of 2025, with an opening ambition tied to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Until Brightline West opens, there is no conventional passenger train service between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Amtrak does not serve Las Vegas directly, and the historic Desert Wind route that once connected the two cities no longer operates.

Flying

Several carriers offer short-hop flights between Los Angeles International (LAX) or Burbank (BUR) and Las Vegas (LAS), with flight times of around 1 hour. However, factoring in check-in time, security, the drive to the airport and the taxi into the Strip, flying rarely saves meaningful time over driving for most travellers.

It can make sense if you are starting the trip already near LAX, have a very low fare on a quiet mid-week flight, or are travelling for business and need to be hands-free. At busy travel times, the airport experience adds considerable stress that somewhat defeats the point of a Vegas getaway.

Which should you choose?

For flexibility and the classic road-trip experience, driving wins — plan your timing, and stopping in Baker or at the state line adds to the fun. The coach is genuinely excellent value and increasingly popular with travellers who want to arrive without driving fatigue. Flying is hard to justify unless the fare is unusually low. And if Brightline West opens on schedule, it could become the preferred option for travellers connecting from Metrolink — worth watching.

Getting around Las Vegas on arrival

If you arrive by bus or (eventually) train, the Strip hotels are spread over several kilometres and not always within walking distance of each other. The Las Vegas Monorail serves the east side of the Strip, while rideshare apps cover everywhere else. Many coaches drop near the South Strip Transfer Terminal, from which local buses connect to most major hotels.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas take?

In light traffic, about 4 to 5 hours along the I-15. On busy Friday afternoons or Sunday evenings, delays can push it to 7 hours or more. Early morning midweek departures are the most reliable.

Is there a train from Los Angeles to Las Vegas?

Not at present. Brightline West, a private high-speed rail project, was under construction as of 2025 targeting an opening around 2028, with a station at Rancho Cucamonga rather than downtown LA. Amtrak does not serve Las Vegas directly.

What is the cheapest way to get from LA to Las Vegas?

Coach services — particularly FlixBus — offer the lowest fares, especially if booked well in advance. Some tickets are very inexpensive; prices rise as the departure date approaches and around major events.

Do I need to pass through a state border on the way?

Yes — you cross from California into Nevada. There is no passport or customs check, but California has agricultural inspection stations at some entry points (not on this route going out). Returning to California, you may be asked whether you are carrying fresh produce.