City

St. George to Las Vegas

The Entertainment Capital of the World is just under two hours from St. George. Whether you want world-class shows, celebrity chef restaurants, shopping, or a quick weekend getaway, Las Vegas delivers nonstop excitement.

I-15 South

120 miles

Distance

1 hr 50 min

Drive Time

southwest

Direction

Year-round

Best Time

Driving from St. George to Las Vegas

Route: I-15 South

Head south on I-15 through the Arizona Strip. The road drops into the spectacular Virgin River Gorge — towering red rock walls on both sides as the interstate weaves through narrow canyons. Cross into Nevada near Mesquite, then continue through the Moapa Valley before the Las Vegas skyline appears on the horizon.

About Las Vegas

Las Vegas is the most popular road trip destination from St. George, Utah, and for good reason. At just 120 miles down I-15 South, you can be on the Las Vegas Strip in under two hours. The drive itself is spectacular — the Virgin River Gorge cuts through towering red rock canyon walls in Arizona, creating one of the most dramatic stretches of interstate highway in America. Many first-time visitors are surprised by how close and easy this drive is.

Once in Las Vegas, the options are truly endless. The famous Las Vegas Strip stretches over four miles and is home to iconic resorts like the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, and the Venetian. World-class entertainment ranges from Cirque du Soleil productions to headliner concerts and comedy shows. Celebrity chef restaurants from Gordon Ramsay, Guy Fieri, and Bobby Flay offer dining experiences you will not find anywhere else. Premium shopping at the Forum Shops, Fashion Show Mall, and the outlet malls in Primm (right at the state line) draw bargain hunters from across the region.

Beyond the Strip, Las Vegas offers incredible outdoor adventures just minutes from the city. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area features stunning red sandstone formations and excellent hiking trails. The Valley of Fire State Park showcases 40,000-year-old petroglyphs and otherworldly rock formations. Lake Mead National Recreation Area provides boating, fishing, and swimming. For St. George residents, Las Vegas also serves as a major shopping hub for stores not available in Southern Utah, including IKEA, Trader Joe's, and specialty retailers.

Gas Stops Along the Way

  • Mesquite, NV — 37 miles / 35 min (multiple gas stations, casinos, fast food)
  • Moapa, NV — 85 miles / 1 hr 15 min (gas and convenience store)
  • No gas stations in the Virgin River Gorge — fill up in St. George

Weather & Climate

Las Vegas is a desert city with hot summers (100-115°F June-August) and mild winters (45-60°F December-February). Spring and fall are ideal at 70-90°F. Rain is rare — Las Vegas averages only 4 inches per year.

Best Time to Visit

Year-round

Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer the best weather for walking the Strip and outdoor activities. Summer is brutally hot but hotel deals are excellent. Winter weekdays offer the lowest prices. Avoid major convention weeks and holidays for the best rates.

Things to Do in Las Vegas

From outdoor adventures to dining, here is everything worth experiencing when you visit Las Vegas, Nevada.

Top Attractions & Entertainment

The Las Vegas Strip

Free to walk

The iconic 4.2-mile stretch of world-famous resorts, casinos, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Walk from the Welcome sign to the Stratosphere for the full experience.

Visit at night when the neon lights and fountains are at their best

Bellagio Fountains & Conservatory

Free

The dancing water fountain show runs every 15-30 minutes and is completely free. Inside, the Conservatory features stunning seasonal botanical displays.

Cirque du Soleil Shows

$70-$200+

Multiple permanent Cirque productions in Las Vegas including "O" at Bellagio, "Mystère" at Treasure Island, and "KÀ" at MGM Grand. World-class acrobatics and artistry.

High Roller Observation Wheel

$25-$60

The world's tallest observation wheel at 550 feet offers stunning 360-degree views of the Strip and surrounding desert. The 30-minute ride includes an open bar option.

Fremont Street Experience

Free entry

Downtown Las Vegas's pedestrian mall features a massive LED canopy with light shows, live music stages, zip lines, and classic casino vibes. More affordable than the Strip.

The zip line (SlotZilla) is a must-try experience

MSG Sphere

Varies by event

The revolutionary entertainment venue features the world's largest LED screen wrapping the entire exterior and an immersive interior experience unlike anything else on Earth.

Dining & Restaurants

Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen

$$$

Located at Caesars Palace, this celebrity chef restaurant recreates the TV show experience with signature dishes like beef Wellington and sticky toffee pudding.

Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars

$70-$85 per person

Consistently rated the best buffet in Las Vegas with over 250 dishes across nine cooking stations. Worth the price for the sheer variety and quality.

In-N-Out Burger

$

The closest In-N-Out to St. George is in Las Vegas. Multiple locations including one right on the Strip. A must-stop for West Coast burger fans.

Order "animal style" for the secret menu experience

Eggslut

$$

Famous breakfast sandwich spot at The Cosmopolitan. The Slut (coddled egg on potato purée) and Fairfax sandwich are legendary.

Mon Ami Gabi

$$$

French bistro at Paris Las Vegas with the only patio dining directly on the Strip. Perfect for people-watching with views of the Bellagio fountains.

Tacos El Gordo

$

Authentic Tijuana-style street tacos that locals swear by. Multiple locations. The adobada (al pastor) tacos are legendary.

The location on the north end of the Strip has shorter lines

Outdoor Adventures Near Las Vegas

Red Rock Canyon

$15 per vehicle

Just 20 minutes from the Strip, Red Rock Canyon features a 13-mile scenic drive, world-class rock climbing, and hiking trails through stunning red sandstone formations.

Arrive early — the scenic drive fills up and they close the gate

Valley of Fire State Park

$10 per vehicle

Nevada's oldest state park features 40,000-year-old petroglyphs, brilliant red sandstone formations, and excellent hiking. The Fire Wave trail is Instagram-famous.

Lake Mead

$25 per vehicle

The largest reservoir in the US (by capacity) offers boating, fishing, kayaking, and swimming. Boulder Beach is the easiest access point from Las Vegas.

Hoover Dam

$15-$30 for tours

The iconic 726-foot dam is just 30 minutes from the Strip. Take the power plant tour for an engineering marvel experience. The Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge offers stunning views.

Shopping & Outlets

Las Vegas Premium Outlets (North)

Over 175 stores including Coach, Nike, Kate Spade, and Michael Kors. The north location near downtown has the best selection.

Download the VIP coupon book from their website before going

Forum Shops at Caesars

Free entry

Upscale shopping mall inside Caesars Palace with designer brands, unique restaurants, and the famous animatronic fountain shows.

IKEA Las Vegas

The closest IKEA to St. George. Many Southern Utah residents plan Las Vegas trips around IKEA runs for furniture and home goods.

Go on a weekday to avoid weekend crowds

Trader Joe's

Multiple locations in Las Vegas — the closest Trader Joe's to St. George. Stock up on specialty groceries, wines, and their famous snacks.

Family-Friendly Activities

Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay

$25-$35

Walk-through aquarium with sharks, rays, sea turtles, and a touch pool. One of the best family attractions on the Strip.

Adventuredome at Circus Circus

$20-$45

Indoor theme park with roller coasters, bumper cars, and carnival games. Climate-controlled and perfect for escaping the heat.

Springs Preserve

$20 adults, $12 kids

Museum and nature preserve with interactive exhibits about desert ecology, a butterfly habitat, and outdoor trails. Educational and fun for all ages.

AREA15

$45-$65

Immersive entertainment complex featuring Meow Wolf's Omega Mart — a mind-bending interactive art experience disguised as a grocery store. Older kids and teens love it.

Travel Tips for the St. George to Las Vegas Drive

1

Fill up gas in St. George — prices are consistently cheaper than Nevada

2

The Virgin River Gorge is stunning but watch for construction zones and falling rock areas

3

Friday afternoon southbound and Sunday evening northbound are the busiest travel times — leave early or late to avoid traffic

4

Premium outlets in Primm (just past the state line) are worth a stop — especially if you want to avoid Strip traffic

5

Download hotel and show apps for last-minute deals — weekday rates are dramatically cheaper than weekends

6

Park at a casino and use the free tram system to get around the Strip — saves on parking fees

7

The Mesquite rest stop (35 min in) has gas, food, and casinos if you want to break up the drive

8

Summer temperatures in Las Vegas reach 115°F — plan outdoor activities for early morning

Frequently Asked Questions: St. George to Las Vegas

How far is St. George from Las Vegas?

St. George is 120 miles (approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes) from Las Vegas via I-15 South. The drive passes through the scenic Virgin River Gorge in Arizona.

Is there anything between St. George and Las Vegas?

Mesquite, Nevada is the main stop at 37 miles (35 minutes). It has gas stations, restaurants, and casinos. The Virgin River Gorge between them has no services. Moapa is a smaller gas stop at 85 miles.

What is the best time to drive from St. George to Las Vegas?

Weekday mornings offer the lightest traffic. Avoid Friday afternoons (southbound) and Sunday evenings (northbound) when weekend traffic peaks. The drive is the same duration regardless of time due to open highway.

Is gas cheaper in St. George or Las Vegas?

Gas is typically 20-40 cents per gallon cheaper in St. George than Las Vegas. Always fill up before leaving St. George.

What are the must-do things in Las Vegas for first-timers?

Walk the Las Vegas Strip at night, watch the Bellagio fountains (free), see a Cirque du Soleil show, eat at a celebrity chef restaurant, visit Fremont Street downtown, and take a day trip to Red Rock Canyon or Hoover Dam.

Can I do a day trip from St. George to Las Vegas?

Yes, a Las Vegas day trip from St. George is very doable. Leave by 8-9 AM, arrive by 10-11 AM, enjoy 6-8 hours of activities, and return by evening. Many St. George residents do this regularly for shopping, entertainment, and dining.

Complete Guide: Driving from St. George to Las Vegas

St. George to Las Vegas120 miles, 1 hr 50 min Drive

Las Vegas is the most popular road trip destination from St. George, Utah, and for good reason. At just 120 miles down I-15 South, you can be on the Las Vegas Strip in under two hours. The drive itself is spectacular — the Virgin River Gorge cuts through towering red rock canyon walls in Arizona, creating one of the most dramatic stretches of interstate highway in America. Many first-time visitors are surprised by how close and easy this drive is.

The route from St. George, Utah to Las Vegas, Nevada covers 120 miles and takes approximately 1 hr 50 min via I-15 South. Head south on I-15 through the Arizona Strip. The road drops into the spectacular Virgin River Gorge — towering red rock walls on both sides as the interstate weaves through narrow canyons. Cross into Nevada near Mesquite, then continue through the Moapa Valley before the Las Vegas skyline appears on the horizon.

Things to Do in Las Vegas

Top Attractions & Entertainment: The Las Vegas Strip, Bellagio Fountains & Conservatory, Cirque du Soleil Shows. Dining & Restaurants: Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen, Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars, In-N-Out Burger. Outdoor Adventures Near Las Vegas: Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire State Park, Lake Mead. Shopping & Outlets: Las Vegas Premium Outlets (North), Forum Shops at Caesars, IKEA Las Vegas. Family-Friendly Activities: Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, Adventuredome at Circus Circus, Springs Preserve.

Best Time to Visit Las Vegas

Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer the best weather for walking the Strip and outdoor activities. Summer is brutally hot but hotel deals are excellent. Winter weekdays offer the lowest prices. Avoid major convention weeks and holidays for the best rates.

Travel Tips

Fill up gas in St. George — prices are consistently cheaper than Nevada. The Virgin River Gorge is stunning but watch for construction zones and falling rock areas. Friday afternoon southbound and Sunday evening northbound are the busiest travel times — leave early or late to avoid traffic. Premium outlets in Primm (just past the state line) are worth a stop — especially if you want to avoid Strip traffic.

For more things to do near St. George, explore our Things to Do guide, browse the Events Calendar, or discover local businesses in the St. George Business Directory. Check out all road trip destinations from St. George including Mesquite, Grand Canyon (North Rim), Phoenix / Scottsdale.