Booking choice: The LA and Hollywood day trip, from $280 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
Nobody books a Los Angeles day tour for the drive, but it shapes the whole day. Las Vegas and Los Angeles are about 270 miles apart, and almost all of it is Interstate 15 through the Mojave Desert.
Knowing how the hours split makes the difference between a great day and a long one.
The quick answer
It is about 270 miles each way on I-15, four to five hours without traffic and longer on weekend afternoons. On a 14-hour tour you spend roughly nine hours in the van and three to four hours at the LA stops. Rest stops break up the drive, and guides narrate along the way.
How far is Los Angeles from Las Vegas?
About 270 miles (435 km) by road, almost all of it on Interstate 15.
The route runs south from the Strip past Primm at the Nevada state line, through Baker and Barstow in the Mojave Desert, over the Cajon Pass and into the LA basin through San Bernardino. Santa Monica, the first stop on most tours, is at the far western edge of the city.
How long is the drive each way?
Four to five hours without traffic, and six or more on busy Friday and Sunday afternoons.
Guests on the tours most often describe the ride as four and a half to five hours. Traffic inside Los Angeles can add time between stops too, which is why the guides plan the order on the day.
Ready for the road trip? Wi-Fi and snacks are included on the most reviewed tour.
Check dates for the LA and Hollywood day tripHow much time do you actually get in LA?
About three to four hours across all the stops on a 14-hour tour.
On the most reviewed tour, the itinerary lists about an hour at Santa Monica Pier, 15 minutes in Beverly Hills, 30 minutes on Rodeo Drive and an hour on the Walk of Fame, plus lunch. The six-seat tour stretches to 15 to 17 hours and adds viewpoints.
| Part of the day | Approximate time |
|---|---|
| Pickup to Santa Monica | 4.5 to 5 hours |
| Santa Monica Pier and lunch | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive | 45 minutes |
| Hollywood Walk of Fame | 1 hour |
| Hollywood back to your hotel | 4.5 to 5 hours |
Where do tours stop on the way?
At rest stops in the desert, commonly around Baker, with its 134-foot "World's Tallest Thermometer".
Guests praise the well-timed breaks for stretching, restrooms and snacks. The breakfast-and-lunch tour lists Baker as a drive-by on its itinerary.
Is the drive boring?
Not with a good guide: reviews praise drivers who fill the miles with stories, film locations and local history.
Many guests also sleep on the dark early stretch. One guest wrote that the long day did not even seem long; another that the ride was way too long and they spent most of the time in the van. Both are honest: it depends on how much you like a road trip.
Like a road trip with a storyteller at the wheel? Guides on the most reviewed tour are praised by name in review after review.
Explore the LA and Hollywood day tripIs driving yourself a better idea?
Only if you are happy to drive about nine hours in one day and handle LA traffic and parking.
A rental car gives you freedom but not rest: the tour lets you sleep, eat and look out of the window. If you want to drive, consider staying a night so you are not doing the return trip tired.
What about flying or the train?
The flight takes about an hour and is the fastest way, but there is no direct passenger train today.
Flying makes sense with an overnight stay, once you add airport time. A high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and Southern California is planned but not running. See day trip vs overnight for how the options compare.
Prefer someone else at the wheel? Check dates for the small-group day trip with hotel pickup.
Check dates for the LA and Hollywood day tripWhen is traffic worst?
Friday afternoons heading toward Las Vegas and Sunday afternoons heading back to LA are the classic jams on I-15.
Tours travel the opposite way to most weekend traffic in the morning, but the return leg can meet the Sunday rush. Midweek dates are the safest bet for a smooth ride.
Frequently asked questions
What time do tours leave Las Vegas?
Between about 4 and 6 AM, depending on the tour. The operator confirms your exact pickup time a day or two ahead.
What time do you get back?
Late in the evening, about 14 to 17 hours after pickup.
Is there Wi-Fi in the van?
Yes on the most reviewed tour and the six-seat tour, which both list Wi-Fi on board.
Are there restroom stops?
Yes. Tours make regular rest stops in the desert, and guests mention plenty of breaks.
Ready to book
Choose your day
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Los Angeles & Hollywood Small-Group Day Trip
- Strip hotel pickup and drop-off (about 6 AM; time confirmed two days before)
- Driver-guide with live commentary in an air-conditioned Mercedes with Wi-Fi
- Hot lunch at a restaurant, plus snacks and bottled water all day
LA Day Tour: Santa Monica, Beverly Hills & Hollywood
- Pickup from your Las Vegas hotel (about 5 AM), at most 6 travelers
- Santa Monica Pier (1 hour) and Rodeo Drive (45 minutes)
- Hollywood Boulevard, the TCL Chinese Theatre, the Walk of Fame and the Dolby Theatre
