DriveWindow route answer
What is the best time to drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas?
Early morning is the planning baseline for this route. Compare nearby departure windows because desert heat, crosswinds and blowing dust, thunderstorm outflow near mountain passes can change the best choice on the day of travel.
Updated
Route facts
Los Angeles → Las Vegas
- Distance
- 270 miles
- Typical drive
- 4.5 hours
- Planning baseline
- Early morning
- Main weather risks
- desert heat · crosswinds and blowing dust · thunderstorm outflow near mountain passes
What to check before leaving
Summer heat and sudden desert storms can change the best departure window quickly. Key weather factors: desert heat, crosswinds and blowing dust, thunderstorm outflow near mountain passes.
- desert heat
- crosswinds and blowing dust
- thunderstorm outflow near mountain passes
Route-specific planning
Where conditions can change on this drive
Representative forecast points
Los Angeles · Barstow · Las Vegas
Watch conditions most closely around
Cajon Pass and I-15 across the Mojave Desert
Official road-condition sources