Las Vegas to New Orleans 5 – A wonderful and highly recommended route, from the west of the continent to the shores of the Bay of Mexico, along the southern route – from Las Vegas to New Orleans. This is a route that includes relatively long drives. It’s main anchors in order are: the city of Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, the Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Petrified Forest National Park, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, 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.
Day 1 – Land in Las Vegas and spend a few hours in the city
Lodging location: Las Vegas
Day 2 – Drive to Zion National Park and visit the park, 2.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Springdale
Day 3 – Drive to Bryce National Park on scenic route 9 and visit Bryce, 2 hours drive
Lodging location: Bryce
Day 4 – Drive to Moab through Capitol Reef National Park (it is highly recommended to drive via scenic roads 12 and 24 and on the way visit Goblin Valley State Park), 5 hours drive
Lodging location: Moab
Day 5 – Visit Arches National Park, 1 hour drive in each direction
Lodging location: Moab
Day 6 – Go on a half day rafting tour on the Colorado River (out of Moab) and then visit Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky district), 1 hour drive in each direction
Lodging location: Moab
Day 7 – Drive to the Monument Valley spend the day in this magnificent area, 2.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Goulding’s or The View Hotel
Day 8 – Drive south and visit Canyon de Chelly National Monument, 4 hours drive
Lodging location: Holbrook
Day 9 – Visit the Petrified Forest National Park and drive to Albuquerque, 4 hours drive
Lodging location: Albuquerque
Day 10 – Visit Albuquerque and drive to Santa Fe, 1 hour drive
Lodging location: Santa Fe
Day 11 – Visit Santa Fe and in the early afternoon hours start driving south, 4 hours drive
Lodging location: Alamogordo
Day 12 – Visit White Sands National Park and drive to Carlsbad, 4 hours drive
Lodging location: Carlsbad
Day 13 – 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 14 – Drive to San Antonio (and on the way stop here), 6.5 hours drive
Lodging location: San Antonio
Day 15 – Spend the morning in San Antonio and drive Houston, 3.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Houston
Day 16 – 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 17 – 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 18 – Enjoy the day in New Orleans
Lodging location: New Orleans
Day 19 – Fly Home
– In order to fill this route with content – see our Southwest USA and Southeastern USA destinations pages, where you can find articles that include suggestions what to do in various locations along this route.
