The Open Road Travel

A road trip from Las Vegas to San Francisco takes you between two of America’s most popular cities, on the “Majestic Mountain Loop”.

A 580 mile road trip from San Francisco to Las Vegas takes you between two amazing cities, through the states of California and Nevada, past some of the most stunning deserts, forests, mountains, and towns in the United Sates.

So, if you want to travel the “Majestic Mountain Loop” for yourself, I highly suggest reading on.

The fastest route for a road trip from San Francisco to Las Vegas covers 570 miles and takes 9 hours to complete.

However, the best route for a road trip from San Francisco to Las Vegas is just slightly longer, at 580 miles and 9 and ½ hours, as the small detour adds a huge amount of value.

You begin by picking up the I-80 where it begins in Downtown San Francisco and taking it across the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge. When you reach Oakland, you will immediately use Exit 8B to start heading south on I-580 and follow it for 55 miles.

When the road veers right at Exit 65, keep heading straight to merge onto the I-205. Follow this for its entire 13 mile duration, to where it merges with the I-5, then immediately use Exit 461 to join California State Route 120 where it begins and head east.

At Exit 6, go south on California State Route 99 and follow it for 220 miles, until you reach Bakersfield, California. Use Exit 24 to join California State Route 58 and follow it east for 130 miles, to Barstow, California.

When you reach Barstow, you will use Exit 234A to join the I-15 going north, which will take you the remaining 150 miles to your destination in Las Vegas, Nevada.

With a driving time of 9 and ½ hours on a road trip from San Francisco to Las Vegas, the majority of people will want to break it up, so the driving is more manageable and they can see the sights.

While there are plenty of great options available to do just that, I would highly recommend Fresno.

Fresno is the 6th largest and 5th most populous city in California, located at the very heart of the state and less than 90 minutes’ drive from all three of the national parks on the Majestic Mountain Loop.

Known for its incredible collection of historic buildings, galleries, museums, and theatres, as well as vibrant live music and performing arts scenes, it is a fabulous place to stop for those seeking culture and entertainment.

Combine this with its convenient location at the heart of our route and a great range of bars, hotels, restaurants, and shops, and Fresno is easily the best place to stop on a road trip from San Francisco to Las Vegas.

The Doubletree By Hilton Fresno Convention Centre is a stylish, comfortable hotel, which strives to offer complete satisfaction in every area.

The rooms all boast modern décor, and a range of luxuries that includes a desk and flat-screen cable TV, as well as free toiletries. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the site, and all guests will also receive free parking.

The property also boasts facilities like a hot tub, pool, business and fitness centres, and a range of bars and restaurants to choose from. This means you should never struggle for options, whether you want to relax, work, or exercise.

The best time for a road trip from San Francisco to Las Vegas is between May and June. This is an optimal time, as you will find pleasant temperatures and all of the attractions open, without any of the drawbacks associated with Summer.

Las Vegas and the route we will be using experience almost unbearable heat from July to August, so this window will ensure it is just hot enough that we can still enjoy everything on offer.

It will also help you to miss the overcrowding and price hikes that are common during the summer season. Meanwhile, it also allows us to avoid the height of wildfire season, which is known to ravage the west coast from late August to the beginning of November each year.

With so much to see and do on a road trip from San Francisco to Las Vegas, it can be hard to know where to start and easy to miss some of the best opportunities.

With that in mind, I will now show you some of the top attractions on a road trip from San Francisco to Las Vegas, from national parks on the majestic mountain loop, to iconic west coast towns and cities. This will guarantee you can truly make the most of your journey.

Oakland is the 8th most populous city in the state of California, located on the opposite side of the San Francisco Bay from San Francisco. While not as famous as its neighbour, it is known to be a considerably cheaper destination that offers many of the same things.

With countless clubs, galleries, museums, theatres, and art, culture, and music venues, it is a perfect stop for those wanting the big city Californian experience, without breaking the bank.

Located in the northern part of central California, Modesto is the 19th most populous city in the state. Despite being a city, it is well known for promoting nature and environmental initiatives, such as tree planting and an extensive farm to table movement.

Recognised as the birthplace of rockabilly music in the 1930’s, it’s also the hometown of famed Star Wars director George Lucas. The city’s George Lucas Plaza even boasts a bronze statue honouring both him and his movie “American Graffiti”.

Other famous sites in Modesto include the Gallo Centre For The Arts, Hawk Castle, John Thurman Field, the McHenry Mansion and Museum, and The State Theatre, as well as a collection of historic buildings and neighbourhoods.

Throw in numerous bars, clubs, hotels, restaurants, shops, farmers markets, and events like the city’s monthly Art Walk and annual Architectural Festival, and Modesto is a great city for all to enjoy, which often flies under the radar.

The northernmost of the parks on the Majestic Mountain Loop, Yosemite National Park is the 3rd oldest and 8th most visited national park in the U.S., as well as one of the most popular natural destinations on Earth.

Known for its mountains and waterfalls, it is home to one of the tallest falls in North America, the eponymous, 2425 foot (739 metre) Yosemite Falls.

Other spots like Glacier Point, Mariposa Gove, Tioga Road, and the Tunnel View overlook provide plenty of iconic natural locations to enjoy.

The iconic Yosemite Valley boasts a collection of galleries, hotels, lodges, museums, restaurants, and stores, surrounded by meadows and lakes.

There are also attractions like the Wawona Pioneer Village and Sugar Pine Railroad, where you can learn and experience more about the park’s history.

With a vibrant range of wildlife like bears, bighorn sheep, deer, and more than 250 species of birds, Yosemite National Park is perfect whether you are a nature lover, historian, photographer, or simply someone who loves to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors.

Sierra National Forest covers 1.3 million acres immediately to the south of Yosemite National Park. Most of the forest is filled with towering old growth trees, stunning lakes, towering mountains, remote wilderness areas, and breathtaking panoramic vistas.

With hundreds of miles of trails weaving through the forest, it is a popular destination for hiking, camping, fishing, boating, and climbing for most of the year.

Then, in the snowy months of winter, the forest’s China Peak Ski Resort becomes one of the best skiing locations in California.

The youngest of the parks on the Majestic Mountain Loop, Kings Canyon National Park is located immediately to the south of Sierra National Forest.

While the surrounding forests extend into the park, it is better known for its beautiful canyons, lakes, rivers, mountains, and waterfalls, as well as extensive cave systems.

It also has a wildlife collection that includes bighorn sheep, black bears, marmots, and over 200 different species of birds.

At 8,000 feet in depth, the eponymous Kings Canyon is one of the deepest gorges in the United States. Meanwhile, the “General Grant” is the second-largest giant Sequoia on Earth and was dubbed the “Nation’s Christmas Tree” by former US President Calvin Coolidge.

Sequoia National Park is the second oldest national park in the U.S., having been established 6 days before Yosemite National Park, on the 25th of September 1890.

Located on the south border of Kings Canyon National Park, they are the only national parks in the US you can drive between internally.

The 3rd and final of the Majestic Mountain Loop parks, as well as the southernmost and smallest of the group, Sequoia National Park is synonymous with its towering old growth forests.

Scenic hiking trails weave through the trees, passing along cliff edges and offering breathtaking panoramic vistas.

Its most famous attractions include the General Sherman, the Earth’s largest known living tree by volume, as well as Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States.

You then have options like Crystal Cave, Log Tunnel, Moro Rock, and the General’s Highway to enjoy as well.

Home to a range of wildlife that includes bears, bighorn sheep, deer, foxes, and hundreds of different species of birds, Sequoia National Park is a destination perfect for nature and wildlife lovers of all interests.

The 5th largest and 9th most populous city in the state of California, Bakersfield is best known in modern times for its cutting edge agriculture and energy industries. However, it is historically known for its musical influence.

Aside from having founded the Bakersfield Sound subgenre of country music, Bakersfield has a rich history with genres including classical, jazz, rock, heavy metal, and doowop.

Various live music venues throughout the city provide the opportunity to enjoy some of these styles in person.

Bakersfield’s thriving arts and culture scene is another of the main tourist draws of the city.

It has an incredible number of historic and iconic theatres for you to catch a performance in, which includes the Bakersfield Community Theatre, the oldest live community theatre in the state.

Add a selection of museums detailing the history of the city and surrounding area, historic buildings listed as both California Historical Landmarks and on the National Register Of Historic Places, and live events, fairs, and races, and Bakersfield is a city where there’s always something to enjoy.

Barstow was founded in 1847 as a railroad depot and many exhibits from its past remain today, making it a fabulous place to explore for those interested in the history of the railroad.

However, in more recent years, it has grown in popularity, due to its location on the Historic Route 66.

With numerous landmarks along the road and the Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum displaying art, historic vehicles, petrolania, and photographs dedicated to Route 66, Barstow is a must visit location for motor enthusiasts.

Calico is an abandoned silver mining town in the hills to the northeast of Los Angeles. It has been perfectly preserved, through a combination of hard work and the climate of its desert location, to let visitors see how it would historically have looked.

Easily visible from the highway, thanks to having its name marked on the side of the hill in white rocks, it is a unique and enticing attraction.

Take a train ride down into the mine, explore recreations of stores demonstrating how traditional goods were made, enjoy old-fashioned sarsaparilla in an iconic wild west saloon, take plenty of unique photos, and purchase wonderful handmade gifts and souvenirs.

Baker is a tiny town beside the freeway that, while primarily known as a pit stop with plenty of gas stations and fast food restaurants, also has a couple of unique tourist attractions to enjoy. Between them, they make Baker a wonderful little stop to make.

The “World’s Tallest Thermometer” is a landmark designed to commemorate when the nearby Death Valley National Park recorded the highest temperature in Earth’s history on the 10th of July 1913, that being 134°F (57°C).

Standing 134 feet (41 meters) tall and weighing 76,812 pounds (34,841 kilograms) it is truly a sight to behold. A fully functional thermometer that maxes out at Death Valley’s record temperature, it is an attraction that is equal parts unique, entertaining, and functional.

You then have Alien Fresh Jerky.

Originally just a store selling a wide range of jerky, its alien theme has expanded to include various sculptures and models in and around the building, as well as a variety of alien themed gifts, making it an ideal place to get some memorable photos and souvenirs.

Located in the Mojave Desert, the Mojave National Preserve is a 1.6 million acre dessert wilderness, which is the third largest location in the entire United States National Park System.

It is an immensely popular destination for activities like camping, hiking, horse riding, and off-roading.

Among its most popular attractions are its dense Joshua tree forests, the Kelso ghost town and railroad depot, and a collection of dunes, hills, mountains, and natural formations that paint a perfect picture of the arid, isolated landscape of the region.

Originally known as State Line, Primm is a town located on the California – Nevada border that is named after its founder, Ernest Jay Primm.

It is home to some unique attractions, including the car in which the infamous Bonnie and Clyde were driving when they were killed.

Centred around its three hotel casinos, Buffalo Bill’s, Whiskey Pete’s, and Primm Valley Resort, which are together known as known as the Primm Valley Resorts, it was designed to capitalise on gambling being legal in Nevada but not in California.

With the addition of the Star Of The Desert Arena, Primm Valley Golf Club, and Fashion Outlets Of Las Vegas mall, as well as various gas stations and convenience stores, Primm has become a great stop for those who want a little big city entertainment in the desert.

A road trip from San Francisco to Las Vegas is an amazing journey that takes you between two of the most unique, entertaining, and exciting cities in the United States.

However, with at least 9 hours of driving ahead of you, it is important to plan your trip properly if you want it to be enjoyable.

Using the route that passes along the Majestic Mountain Loop will provide you with some of the most incredible natural attractions in north America and help make what is a relatively long journey barely seem like any effort at all.

Now you have a good idea of the attractions you want to see and the overnight stops you want to make, all that’s left is to start getting everything booked.

That way, you can look forward to heading out on a road trip from San Francisco to Las Vegas and experiencing its wonders for yourself.