📷 Photo by Ryan Thorpe on UnsplashHoover Dam and the Colorado River
From the Las Vegas Strip to Hoover Dam and a London bridge in the Arizona desert.
- Distance
- 283 km (176 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 08 min
- Suggested days
- 2
- Stops
- 5
- States
- NV, AZ
- Updated
- May 27, 2026
At a glance: 2-day road trip of about 283 km (176 mi) with 5 stops, from Las Vegas to London Bridge, Lake Havasu. About 3 h 08 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Nevada, Arizona · More road trips from Las Vegas
Route description
From the Las Vegas Strip, head southeast on I-11 to Boulder City, a quiet town built for the workers of Hoover Dam. The 726-foot dam, with Art Deco details, holds back Lake Mead on the Colorado River at the Arizona–Nevada line. Walk out on the bypass bridge to see the dam from above, or drive down to the dam itself, passing a security checkpoint on the way.
US-93 continues southeast across the Arizona desert to Kingman, a town on historic Route 66 with a museum dedicated to the old road. From there, I-40 heads west and AZ-95 south to Lake Havasu City, on a reservoir of the Colorado River.
Lake Havasu City is home to the 1830s London Bridge, bought and shipped stone by stone to Arizona in the 1960s and rebuilt over a channel. The lake is popular for boating, and the town has beaches and parks along the shore. It gets very busy during spring break and on summer holiday weekends.
Summer temperatures often exceed 110°F, so carry plenty of water and avoid hiking in the heat of the day; late fall to spring is the best time. Arizona does not observe daylight saving time, so its clocks match Nevada’s in summer but are an hour ahead in winter.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Las Vegas
NV - 248 km
Hoover Dam
HistoryBoulder City, NVA 726-foot Art Deco dam on the Arizona–Nevada line. Walk across the bypass bridge to see it from above.
- 3133 km
Kingman
AZ - 499 km
Lake Havasu City
AZ - 53 km
London Bridge, Lake Havasu
OdditiesLake Havasu City, AZThe 1830s London Bridge, shipped stone by stone to the Arizona desert in the 1960s.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
2 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Las Vegas → Kingman · 112 mi · 2 h 00 minOn the way: Hoover Dam.Overnight nearby, for example: KOA Kingman (4 mi); Fort Beale RV Park (1 mi).
- Day 2: Kingman → London Bridge, Lake Havasu · 63 mi · 1 h 08 minOn the way: Lake Havasu City.Overnight nearby, for example: Campbell Cove RV Park (2 mi); Echo Lodge Resort (18 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February, May and December. Hot in June–September. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Hoover Dam and the Colorado River?
2-day road trip of about 283 km (176 mi) with 5 stops, from Las Vegas to London Bridge, Lake Havasu. About 3 h 08 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Hoover Dam and the Colorado River?
We suggest 2 days: about 3 h 08 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Hoover Dam and the Colorado River start and end?
It starts in Las Vegas and ends in London Bridge, Lake Havasu.
Which states does Hoover Dam and the Colorado River pass through?
Nevada and Arizona.
Where can you camp along Hoover Dam and the Colorado River?
OpenStreetMap lists 56 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Thousand Trails Las Vegas, Hitchin' Post RV Park and Motel and Las Vegas RV Resort.
When is the best time for Hoover Dam and the Colorado River?
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February, May and December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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