Los Angeles to New Orleans 1 – A trip from the Pacific coast to the shores of the Bay of Mexico, along the southern route – from Los Angeles to New Orleans. This is a route that includes relatively long drives. It’s main anchors in order are: the city of Los Angeles, the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Saguaro, White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks, San Antonio, Houston, sites in Louisiana and New Orleans. Some important things to take under consideration: although it is possible to travel in this route in the winter months, in some areas winter months may be cold and even snowy; in June-October there may be hurricanes along this route (in Texas, Louisiana and New Orleans), the peak of the hurricane season is usually in September. It is possible to travel in this route during these months, but it is advised to be up to date regarding the forecast; in summer it is very hot and very humid along this route ; spring is the most recommended season for this trip.
Day 1 – Land in Los Angeles and spend a few hours in Venice Beach and Santa Monica
Lodging location: Santa Monica or Venice Beach
Day 2 – Spend the day in Los Angeles or visit Universal Studios
Lodging location: Hollywood or Santa Monica or Venice Beach
Day 3 – Drive to Kingman, 5 hours drive
(on the way stop at Barstaw’s outlet or at Calico’s or Oatman’s ghost towns)
Lodging location: Kingman
Day 4 – Drive to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and travel in the south rim, 2.5 hours drive
(on the way to the Grand Canyon, if you have time – drive a portion of Route 66 and stop at Seligman)
Lodging location: South Rim or Tusayan
Day 5 – Spend the morning at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and in the early afternoon hours drive to Sedona through HWY 89A, 2 hours drive
(on the way to Sedona stop at Slide Rock State Park)
Lodging location: Sedona
Day 6 – Spend the morning in Sedona and in the afternoon drive Tucson, 2 hours drive
(you may divide this day to two days and add a night in Phoenix and add a tubing trip)
Lodging location: Tucson
Day 7 – Visit Saguaro National Park, less than 1 hour drive in each direction
(you may divide this day to two days and add a night in Phoenix and add a tubing trip)
Lodging location: Tucson
Day 8 – Enjoy the morning in Saguaro National Park and drive east to New Mexico, 4 hours drive
(on the way you may add a detour to the wild west town of Tombstone)
Lodging location: Las Cruces
Day 9 – Visit White Sands National Park and drive to Carlsbad, 4 hours drive
Lodging location: Carlsbad
Day 10 – Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park (and if you have time also visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park), less than 1 hour drive in each direction
Lodging location: Carlsbad
Day 11 – Drive to San Antonio (and on the way stop here), 6.5 hours drive
Lodging location: San Antonio
Day 12 – Visit San Antonio
Lodging location: San Antonio
Day 13 – Drive Houston and visit the Houston Space Center, 3.5 hours drive
(another great attraction near Houston is Lago Mar)
Lodging location: Houston
Day 14 – Continue driving east and cross the border to Louisiana, in the afternoon take an Alligator viewing tour in Lake Martin, located near the town Lafayette, 4 hours drive
Lodging location: Lafayette
Day 15 – Drive to New Orleans through the plantations along the Mississippi River (see map here, most recommended: Whitney and Oak Alley Plantations), 3 hours drive
Lodging location: New Orleans
Day 16 – Enjoy the day in New Orleans
Lodging location: New Orleans
Day 17 – Fly Home
– In order to fill this route with content – see our California and Southwest USA and Southeastern USA destinations pages, where you can find articles that include suggestions what to do in various locations along this route.
