New Orleans to Las Vegas 6 – A wonderful and highly recommended route, from the shores of the Bay of Mexico to the Pacific coast, along the southern route – from New Orleans to Las Vegas. This is a route that includes relatively long drives. It’s main anchors in order are: sites in Louisiana and New Orleans, Houston, San Antonio, Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe Mountains, White Sands and Saguaro National Parks, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Petrified Forest National Park, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, the Monument Valley, Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce and Zion National Parks and the city of Las Vegas. 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 New Orleans and spend a few hours in the city
Lodging location: New Orleans
Day 2 – Enjoy the day in New Orleans
Lodging location: New Orleans
Day 3 – Spend one more day in New Orleans
Lodging location: New Orleans
Day 4 – Drive to west to Lafayette through the plantations along the Mississippi River (see map here, most recommended: Whitney and Oak Alley Plantations), 3 hours drive
Lodging location: Lafayette
Day 5 – Take an Alligator viewing tour in Lake Martin, located near the town Lafayette and continue driving west and cross the border to Texas, 4 hours drive
Lodging location: Houston
Day 6 – Visit the Houston Space Center
(another great attraction near Houston is Lago Mar)
Lodging location: Houston
Day 7 – Enjoy one more day in Houston and drive to San Antonio, 3.5 hours drive
Lodging location: San Antonio
Day 8 – Visit San Antonio
Lodging location: San Antonio
Day 9 – Enjoy the morning in San Antonio and start driving west to Carlsbad, on the way stop here, 2 hours drive
Lodging location: Junction
Day 10 – Continue driving west to Carlsbad, 5 hours drive
Lodging location: Carlsbad
Day 11 – Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park, less than 1 hour drive in each direction
Lodging location: Carlsbad
Day 12 – Visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park, less than 1 hour drive in each direction
Lodging location: Carlsbad
Day 13 – Drive to White Sands National Park and visit the park, 4 hours drive
Lodging location: Alamogordo
Day 14 – Drive to Santa Fe visit the town, 4 hours drive
Lodging location: Santa Fe
Day 15 – Spend the day in Santa Fe
Lodging location: Santa Fe
Day 16 – Drive to Albuquerque visit the town, 1 hour drive
Lodging location: Albuquerque
Day 17 – Drive to Petrified Forest National Park and visit the park, 4 hours drive
Lodging location: Holbrook
Day 18 – Visit Canyon de Chelly National Monument and drive to the Monument Valley , 4 hours drive
Lodging location: Goulding’s or The View Hotel
Day 19 – Spend the day in the magnificent Monument Valley and drive to Moab, 2.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Moab
Day 20 – Visit Arches National Park, 1 hour drive in each direction
Lodging location: Moab
Day 21 – Visit Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky district), 1 hour drive in each direction
Lodging location: Moab
Day 22 – Go rafting on the Colorado River (out of Moab) or join other outdoor activities (bike trails, ATV and more) or take a drive along scenic HWY 128, short drive
Lodging location: Moab
Day 23 – Drive to Bryce National Park through Capitol Reef National Park (it is highly recommended to drive via roads 24 and 12), 5 hours drive
Lodging location: Bryce
Day 24 – Visit Bryce National Park, short drive
Lodging location: Bryce
Day 25 – Drive to Zion National Park on scenic route 9 and visit the park, 2 hours drive
Lodging location: Springdale
Day 26 – Spend the day in Zion National Park, short drive
Lodging location: Springdale
Day 27 – Spend the morning in Zion National Park and drive to Las Vegas, 2.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Las Vegas
Day 28 – Spend the day in Las Vegas
Lodging location: Las Vegas
Day 29 – Spend one more day in Las Vegas
Lodging location: Las Vegas
Day 30 – 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.
