How Long Does a Road Trip Out West Take?

By Anna Duncan

Are you planning a road trip out west? As exciting as it may be, one question that might be on your mind is, “How long will the trip take?”

Well, the answer isn’t as simple as you might think. The duration of your road trip depends on several factors such as your starting location, destination, route, and how many stops you plan to make along the way.

Starting Location
The starting location plays a crucial role in determining the duration of your road trip. If you’re starting from the East Coast or Midwest, it will take longer to reach the West Coast than if you’re starting from a state that borders the West Coast.

Destination
Where you’re going also affects how long your road trip will take. For example, if you’re just heading to California from Nevada, it won’t take as long as if you’re driving all the way up to Washington State.

Route

The route you choose can significantly impact how long it takes to get to your destination. If you opt for scenic routes or back roads with lower speed limits, it could add additional hours or even days to your journey.

The Classic Route

The classic route for a west coast road trip is taking Interstate 10 West from Florida to California and then traveling up Highway 1 along the California coastline. This route takes approximately 40 hours of driving time alone and can easily turn into a week-long adventure when factoring in stops.

The Northern Route

If you want to see more of America’s natural beauty and don’t mind traveling longer distances each day, consider taking a northern route. Starting in Chicago and heading west through South Dakota’s Badlands National Park and Yellowstone National Park before arriving at Seattle can take around 40 hours of driving time alone.

The Southern Route

If you’re looking for a more southern route, you can take Interstate 40 West from North Carolina to California. This route will take you through the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, with approximately 36 hours of driving time alone.

  • Chicago to Seattle via I-90 – Approx. 31 hours
  • Chicago to San Francisco via I-80 – Approx.

    33 hours

  • Miami to Los Angeles via I-10 – Approx. 42 hours

Stops Along the Way

Another factor that can affect your road trip duration is how many stops you plan to make along the way. Taking breaks and spending time exploring attractions can add days or even weeks to your journey.

So, how long does a road trip out west take? It depends on where you’re starting from, where you’re going, the route you choose, and how many stops you plan to make along the way. Regardless of how long it takes, a road trip out west is an adventure worth taking!