Best Driving Routes: St. Louis to Los Angeles — Southern vs. Northern Options
St. Louis to Los Angeles: Two Epic Cross-Country Routes
The ~2,000-mile drive from St. Louis to Los Angeles offers two primary corridor options, each with distinct character, attractions, and challenges.
Route 1: Southern Route — I-40 Corridor (Recommended for Most)
Distance: ~2,050 miles | Drive Time: 30-32 hours | Days: 3-4
Route
St. Louis → I-40 W → Tulsa → Oklahoma City → Amarillo → Albuquerque → Flagstaff → I-40 W → Barstow → I-15 S → Los Angeles
Highlights
- Gateway Arch (St. Louis) — Start at the iconic monument
- Route 66 Alignment: I-40 largely follows historic Route 66
- Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo, TX) — Buried Cadillacs art installation
- Albuquerque, NM — Old Town, Sandia Tram, Balloon Fiesta Park
- Petrified Forest NP / Painted Desert (AZ) — Right off I-40
- Meteor Crater (Winslow, AZ) — Best-preserved impact crater
- Flagstaff, AZ — Gateway to Grand Canyon (80 mi north via US-180)
- Grand Canyon National Park — Detour: 170 mi round-trip from Flagstaff
- Joshua Tree NP — Accessible from I-15 via CA-62
Pros/Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Shorter distance/time | Summer heat in desert (110°F+) |
| Iconic Route 66 nostalgia | Remote stretches (limited services) |
| Major NPs accessible | Winter snow/ice in AZ/NM high country |
| More direct routing | Heavy truck traffic on I-40 |
Route 2: Northern Route — I-70 / US-191 / US-160 / I-40 (Scenic Loop)
Distance: ~2,200 miles | Drive Time: 33-35 hours | Days: 4-5
Route
St. Louis → I-70 W → Denver → I-70 W → Grand Junction → US-191 S → Moab → US-191 S → Bluff → US-163 S → Kayenta → US-160 W → Flagstaff → I-40 W → Barstow → I-15 S → LA
Highlights
- Denver, CO — Mile High City, Rockies gateway
- Vail/Aspen/Glenwood Springs — I-70 mountain corridor
- Arches NP (Moab, UT) — 2,000+ sandstone arches
- Canyonlands NP (Moab) — Vast canyon wilderness
- Dead Horse Point SP — Iconic Colorado River overlook
- Monument Valley (US-163) — Iconic buttes on Navajo Nation
- Bryce Canyon NP (detour from US-160) — Hoodoo amphitheaters
- Grand Canyon (from Flagstaff) — Same as Southern Route
Pros/Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Incredible scenery diversity | 150+ miles longer |
| Multiple national parks | More remote, fewer services |
| Mountain + desert + canyon | Winter closures likely (CO/UT passes) |
| Less truck traffic on US highways | Complex navigation (multiple highways) |
Decision Framework
- Choose Southern (I-40) if: Time-limited, first cross-country trip, want Route 66 experience, traveling summer
- Choose Northern (I-70/US-191) if: Have 4-5+ days, prioritize scenery/parks, traveling spring/fall, comfortable with remote driving
Essential Planning
- Book accommodations in advance (Flagstaff, Moab, Albuquerque fill fast)
- Carry water, snacks, emergency kit — desert/mountain stretches
- Check road conditions and park alerts
- Fuel up before leaving metro areas — desert prices 30-50% higher
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