14-Day USA Itinerary: West Coast Road Trip (Full-Guide)

Planning the ultimate 14-day USA West Coast road trip? This itinerary takes you through iconic cities, breathtaking national parks, and legendary coastal highways across California, Nevada, and Arizona. Perfect for first-time visitors and seasoned travelers alike, this route balances driving time, sightseeing, and unforgettable experiences.


Why Choose a 14-Day West Coast Road Trip?

A two-week USA West Coast itinerary gives you enough time to:

  • Explore world-famous cities
  • Drive scenic routes like Highway 1
  • Visit multiple U.S. National Parks
  • Avoid rushing and travel at a comfortable pace

This itinerary is ideal for couples, families, and solo travelers seeking nature + culture + adventure.


đźš— Overview: 14-Day West Coast USA Road Trip Route

Route Highlights:
Los Angeles → San Diego → Las Vegas → Grand Canyon → Yosemite National Park → San Francisco → Big Sur

Total Distance: ~2,000 miles
Best Time to Go: April–June & September–October
Transport: Rental car (SUV recommended)


🗓️ Day-by-Day 14-Day West Coast USA Itinerary

Days 1–3: Los Angeles, California

https://www.tripsavvy.com/thmb/UfG0_2WB67pErEqfIQMvEjV4W20%3D/1500x0/filters%3Ano_upscale%28%29%3Amax_bytes%28150000%29%3Astrip_icc%28%29/GettyImages-947698310-1729da81e58f40058a9e45ba82532d57-2f992696318c42cbbd595ef3ec1043fd.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Hollywood_Sign_%28Zuschnitt%29.jpg/1200px-Hollywood_Sign_%28Zuschnitt%29.jpg
https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0e65adcd39ed279a0402fd/1627422658456-7QKPXTNQ34W2OMBTESCJ/1.jpg?format=2500w

4

Welcome to the City of Angels. Spend your first days beating jet lag while exploring:

  • Hollywood Walk of Fame & Griffith Observatory
  • Santa Monica & Venice Beach
  • Beverly Hills & Rodeo Drive

Tip: Stay centrally to reduce traffic stress.


Day 4: Los Angeles → San Diego

https://www.sandiego.org/sites/default/files/styles/hero_full_small/public/sdta-sunsetcliffsaerial-1800x734.jpg.webp?itok=ScQpcgGH
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/LaJolla-2_%2845716612345%29.jpg/1200px-LaJolla-2_%2845716612345%29.jpg
https://g5-assets-cld-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/x_150%2Cy_239%2Ch_1525%2Cw_2705%2Cc_crop/q_auto%2Cf_auto%2Cfl_lossy%2Cc_fill%2Cg_center%2Ch_406%2Cw_720/v1594163263/g5/g5-c-5lzenrews-olympus-property-management/g5-cl-1k8w0s96co-olympus-corsair/services/blog9_zsyqnq.jpg

Drive south (~2.5 hours) to San Diego, known for its relaxed vibe.

  • La Jolla Cove & sea lions
  • Balboa Park museums
  • Gaslamp Quarter nightlife

Days 5–6: Las Vegas, Nevada

https://assets.simpleviewcms.com/simpleview/image/upload/c_limit%2Ch_1200%2Cq_75%2Cw_1200/v1/clients/lasvegas/RR_Strip_Shot_2021_Bellagio_Paris_05_2023_Ballys_Edit_d58248f0-e8c2-41fe-8667-0d6755c6f3eb.jpg
https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/20000/20181-Bellagio-Casino.jpg
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8667651-las-vegas-fremont-street-experience/image/Photo1_1576801563452-HR.jpg

Head inland to Las Vegas (~5 hours).

  • Walk the Las Vegas Strip
  • Watch world-class shows
  • Optional day trip to Hoover Dam

Day 7: Las Vegas → Grand Canyon (South Rim)

https://morethanjustparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/grand-canyon1.jpg
https://grandcanyon.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/mather-point-sunrise.jpg
https://jameskaiser.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/cape-final-grand-canyon.jpg

One of the most iconic stops in any USA road trip itinerary.

  • Watch sunset at Mather Point
  • Easy rim hikes or helicopter tour

Day 8: Grand Canyon → Death Valley

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/87/Mesquite_Sand_Dunes_in_Death_Valley.jpg
https://morethanjustparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/badwater1.jpg
https://www.randalljhodges.com/images/xl/D190-Sunset-Zabriskie-Point-Death-Valley-WA.jpg

Experience extremes at Death Valley National Park:

  • Badwater Basin (lowest point in North America)
  • Zabriskie Point at sunset

⚠️ Avoid summer months due to extreme heat.


Days 9–10: Yosemite National Park

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/images/20170618_155330.jpg
https://madera.objects.liquidweb.services/photos/16162-yosemite-spring-2019-mist-trail-and-others-lr-1200x800.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Half_Dome_with_Eastern_Yosemite_Valley_%28Zuschnitt%29.jpg/1200px-Half_Dome_with_Eastern_Yosemite_Valley_%28Zuschnitt%29.jpg

A highlight of any West Coast USA itinerary.

  • Yosemite Valley & Bridalveil Fall
  • El Capitan & Half Dome viewpoints
  • Scenic hikes and wildlife spotting

Days 11–12: San Francisco, California

https://www.innsf.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/GettyImages-1348089637.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/Golden_Gate_Bridge_as_seen_from_Battery_East.jpg
https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5a846a4d86e4b63c297d4802/16%3A9/w_2560%2Cc_limit/Alcatraz_GettyImages-520527904.jpg?mbid=social_retweet

Discover San Francisco’s charm:

  • Golden Gate Bridge
  • Alcatraz Island tour
  • Cable cars & Fisherman’s Wharf

Day 13: Big Sur & Pacific Coast Highway

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Central_Californian_Coastline%2C_Big_Sur_-_May_2013.jpg
https://windows10spotlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/c12b62e5a15e7701999781c9120cfa0f.jpg
https://i.natgeofe.com/n/94966d6f-d643-409f-92e3-34af874609a8/Highway-image.jpg

Drive the legendary Pacific Coast Highway:

  • Bixby Creek Bridge
  • McWay Falls
  • Coastal viewpoints and beaches

Day 14: Return to Los Angeles

https://www.roadtripusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/PacificCoastHighwayMapDrivingDistance.png
https://drupal-prod.visitcalifornia.com/sites/default/files/styles/opengraph_1200x630/public/2025-03/VC_Highway-1-Classic_gty-520149938_RF_1280x640.jpg.webp?itok=JATXb2a9
https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/9e82374a96f4b7f1a8203c5b1c04585798328772/0_344_5184_3110/master/5184.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&quality=85&s=7f8add4ee6f3eeb5af5fdef1489d4269&width=1200

Wrap up your 14-day USA West Coast road trip with a scenic coastal drive back to Los Angeles via Malibu.


đź’ˇ Travel Tips for a West Coast USA Road Trip

  • Car Rental: Unlimited mileage is essential
  • Accommodation: Book early near national parks
  • Fuel Stops: Plan ahead in desert areas
  • Park Pass: America the Beautiful Pass saves money

✨ Final Thoughts

This 14-day USA itinerary (West Coast road trip) combines iconic cities, epic landscapes, and scenic drives into one unforgettable adventure. Whether you’re chasing sunsets on the Pacific Coast or standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, this route delivers the very best of the American West.