Los Angeles to Las Vegas: 5 Fun Road Trip Stops

Why is it that the drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas is always so short…until you are actually in the car driving it? ESPECIALLY when you have little friends in the back seat. Here I will share my family’s favorite road trip stops on the drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Let me just start by saying, this is not an exhaustive list. There are other stops, however these just happen to be my family’s favorites…so far 😉

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Road Trip Stop #1: The Outlets at Barstow

Los Angeles to Las Vegas: 5 Fun Road Trip Stops — Photo by Chris Barbalis-1400972-on Unsplash

I mean…does this need a reason? It is not one of the biggest outlets, but in my opinion, it has the most basic shops that people look for at outlets. I find that these outlets are less picked over. I’m assuming that it’s because of it’s location. Aside from the shopping break you get during this car ride, you’ll find an In N’ Out and other food opportunities nearby.

You can find more information about the Barstow Outlets website HERE.

Address: 2796 Tanger Way, Barstow, CA 92311

Road Trip Stop #2: Barstow Station and McDonald’s in a Train

I can’t believe how many times I have taken a road trip to Las Vegas without knowing about this road trip stop! I decided to make the stop and was pleasantly surprised to find that they have old train cars and a rest stop where you can shop and get some fun candy for the kids.

There are multiple food options, but my favorite was definitely the McDonald’s inside of a train car!

Find more information about Barstow Station HERE.

Address: 1611 E. Main St., Barstow, CA 92311

Road Trip Stop #3: Calico Ghost Town

This is one of those road trip stops that your kids will get a kick out of. But, if I’m being completely honest, I enjoyed it just as much as they did 😉 It is just old-fashioned fun. No electronics or video games here!

Calico Ghost Town is an old ghost town where you get to experience the feel of the Old West. Kids get to pan for gold, check out the anti-gravity house, and walk around an old-west town.

Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather! In summer, the heat is killer. In winter…it’s just super cold!

Road Trip Stop #4: Eddie World

Have you ever passed by this ice cream cone during the drive to or from Vegas and wondered what it’s all about? I always did, but figured it was nothing and just kept driving.

Well, I read somewhere that this Las Vegas road trip stop is “The Disneyland of Gas Stations.” Say what?! I scoffed at that description. However, we decided to stop at Eddie’s World on the way home from Las Vegas when we needed a break from the car.

All I can say is…yeah, it is definitely “The Disneyland of Gas Stations!” If kids are in the car, they will be amazed by the selection of candy, snacks, and stuffed animals. And the bathrooms? Lets just say the ladies’ room is super clean, and the mens’ bathroom apparently has a video game type set up on the urinals. Need I say more? 😉

Address: 36017 Calico Rd., Yermo, CA

Find more info about Eddie World at their website HERE.

Road Trip Stop #5: Zyzzyx Road

Have you ever made this Las Vegas road trip stop? I always laughed when I read this freeway exit sign and thought it must be a joke. That is…until I saw Huell Howser talk about it on his show (I miss that guy!). Ever since I saw that episode, I have wanted to exit that road and check it out!

I admit that I just wanted to get to Las Vegas that day, but I stopped just to share what I found with you guys! All I can say is, it is definitely worth the detour!

Bonus stop:

The 7 mountains: Here’s the truth guys…I have never stopped at this one. I know everybody stops there and takes pictures, and it looks like it’d be cool to see the colorful rocks. BUT, every time we drive past, we are just done with being in the car and just want to get to Vegas. Also, we always see the exit sign for these rocks several miles away from it. I just don’t want to get off the freeway and backtrack to take a picture in front of rocks. Does that make me a bad person? 😉

If you are in the same boat as me, maybe you would want to consider stopping at The 7 Mountains on your return trip to Los Angeles.