Between airline passengers and road trippers, Las Vegas welcomed just under 43 million (yes—million) visitors in 2016.
If you’re staying on the Strip or in downtown Las Vegas, navigating your way into Sin City can seem like an intimidating prospect. Planning your drive or your transportation from McCarran International Airport in advance helps ensure that you can kick off your Vegas vacation without a hitch. With our guide to getting into the city, you can travel to your hotel and hit the casino or dance floor hassle-free.
Driving to Las Vegas
West-coast weekend warriors frequently make the trip through the Mojave desert to Las Vegas, and if you’re trekking across the country, no road trip is complete without a stop in Sin City. Whether a trip to Las Vegas is your ultimate destination or part of a longer trip, many Vegas visitors arrive by car.
Driving from the East
From the east, most roadtrippers take the I-40 through Arizona, then head north towards Las Vegas on the US-93 before picking up the I-15. This route will take you through Kingman, where many of our tours stop en route to the Grand Canyon, as well as the Lake Mead Conservation Area. You’ll also pass by the Hoover Dam, and may even drive over the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge.
Driving from the West
Roadtrippers coming from the west coast take Interstate 15, which runs roughly north-south from San Diego county all the way to Alberta, Canada. As a result, every weekend the I-15 is crowded with southern Californians making a weekend road trip to Las Vegas. Combined with long stretches that can encourage speeding and remoteness in the event of an emergency, the heavy traffic can make the drive hazardous. However, the drive is quite scenic, and it’s only about four hours long, which makes driving an easy and affordable option for Californians looking for a quick vacation.
The Ultimate Las Vegas Visitor Guide
Find answers to all your questions about Las Vegas in our Ultimate Guide.
