Cruising from Southern California to Vegas is always a good time. 😎 Once you hit the highway, you throw on your favorite playlist and cruise straight through the desert. With the windows down and sweet tunes blasting, the journey to Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas becomes part of the adventure.
With EDC, the biggest electronic dance music festival in the U.S., taking over Las Vegas this May, plenty of Californians are making the trip. If you’re one of them, don’t rush the journey. Turn the drive into part of the experience. There are tons of great pit stops along the way worth checking out. (With cool photo-ops galore!)
Before you know it, the bright Las Vegas skyline starts to appear out of the desert like a mirage with promises of lights, energy, and an unforgettable weekend.
Here are the top road trip pit-stops along I-15:
⏱️~2 hours from L.A.
Your first real break. Walk around an old mining town, stretch your legs, and get some cool Wild West photos. And take a ride on a ghostly train! This is a great stop if you want something more interesting than just gas and snacks.
EddieWorld
⏱️10 minutes after Calico
EddieWorld is California’s largest gas station, and one of the best pit-stops between SoCal and Vegas. They offer more than just your average gas station cuisine with 3 gourmet restaurants that serve up fresh sandwiches, salads, sushi, gourmet burgers, unique fries, custom-crafted pizzas, and hand-breaded chicken tenders. And their homemade ice cream is always a great choice to beat the heat!
Alien Fresh Jerky
⏱️~45 min later
This is definitely not your average jerky shop! Alien Fresh Jerky in Baker, California, is a must-see pit stop for anyone heading to Las Vegas. This quirky, alien-themed store offers a variety of unique beef jerky flavors like “Abducted Cow Pineapple Teriyaki” and “BBQ on the Moon.” Beyond the snacks, the store is adorned with extraterrestrial decor, including alien statues and spaceship replicas, making it a fun and memorable stop for everyone.
Bonus Food Stop: Mad Greek Cafe (Next Door To Alien Fresh Jerky)
Mad Greek Cafe is one of those classic Mojave Desert road trip staples right off the I-15. It’s known for its Greek-style comfort food – especially gyros, fries, and their famous strawberry milkshakes – making it a go-to stop for travelers heading between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. It’s quick, quirky, and perfect for a break before pushing on to the next stretch of desert highway.
The Old Woman Meteorite
The Old Woman Meteorite is the largest meteorite discovered in California and the second largest in the United States. The meteorite measures 38 inches in length, 34 inches in height, and 30 inches in width, and originally weighed 6,070 pounds. Today, it’s on display at the Desert Discovery Center in Barstow, California, where visitors can view this remarkable piece of extraterrestrial history.
Optional Detour (if you want gorgeous scenery): Mojave National Preserve
⏱️Adds 1–2+ hours
Skip this if you’re in a rush for EDC – but if you’ve got time, it’s one of the most beautiful desert landscapes in California. And if you can get a coveted spot on the Mitchell Cavern tours, even better.
Pioneer Saloon
The Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings, Nevada, is a living slice of Old West history. Built in 1913, it’s one of the oldest bars in southern Nevada and still serves up cold beer, BBQ, and burgers seven days a week. The saloon’s tin walls still bear bullet holes from a deadly 1915 card game. The Pioneer Saloon has appeared in films and TV shows, and even inspired the town’s appearance in the video game Fallout: New Vegas. It’s a must-visit for history buffs, gamers, and anyone craving a taste of the frontier just 30 minutes from Las Vegas.
Seven Magic Mountains
⏱️20 min before Vegas
Just outside of Vegas, the Seven Magic Mountains is a super cool art installation in the middle of the desert. It’s seven giant stacks of bright, neon-colored boulders that look like something out of a fever dream.
The contrast between the bold colors and the natural desert background makes it a perfect photo spot. It’s totally worth a quick detour if you’re driving in from California. It’s weird, fun, and kind of magical – just like Vegas itself.
Next Stop… Vegas!
And when you get to Vegas, make sure you don’t miss a second of the fun! If it’s your first time in the City of Sin, then don’t miss the top 10 things to do on your first trip to Las Vegas. Even if you’ve been to Vegas a million times, there’s always something new and exciting to check out. Check out our full list of the 44 coolest things to do in Vegas.
And that’s not to mention all of the unmissable festival events for EDC! There are so many hot pool parties around Vegas for EDC week. And of course, there’s the main event itself of the Electric Daisy Carnival with their incredible musical lineup!
