For my fortieth birthday this year, I decided to take a road trip from Dallas to Los Angeles with one goal: surfing the iconic California waves. We decided to make an adventure of it and drive the entire Dallas to Los Angeles route ourselves.

With the open road ahead, we took the time to stop at interesting places along the way. There’s something magical about hitting the road and soaking up all the sights, sounds, and tastes a journey like this offers. 

If you’re looking for adventure on your trip from Texas to California, here are some tips and must-see stops to make your journey memorable.

If you’re looking for a more Route 66-style trip, check out my Los Angeles to Dallas post (coming soon!). You didn’t think we’d return the same way we went there, did you?

Here’s how our Dallas to Los Angeles road trip unfolded, day by day.

Dallas to Los Angeles Road Trip Day 1: Dallas to El Paso

The Longest Drive Ever

Breanna was born two days shy of my twenty-third birthday, so we often share birthday celebrations. This year, we hosted her birthday party and then left shortly afterward. 

Once you leave Fort Worth, you’ll be surrounded by nothingness for nine hours, so make sure to have a good buddy to talk to or some good music, podcasts, or audiobooks to listen to. 

We left around 3:30 PM and took an extra hour-long detour closer to El Paso, so we didn’t get in until 2 a.m. (1 a.m. our time).

Having driven through nothingness for what seemed like an eternity, the sight of El Paso lit up in the dark was breathtaking. (Honestly, it was just as pretty in the morning sun as well). 

We stopped for dinner at a gas station with an Arby’s. It wasn’t super fancy for a birthday dinner, but it was Bre’s request since she knew we needed something quick. And, hey, we were tearing miles off our Dallas to Los Angeles road trip, what could be better?

While there, I booked our room at the Marriott in El Paso.

The Marriott in El Paso

As I mentioned, we arrived extremely early (or extremely late, depending on how you look at it). When we got to the room, the door was already open, which I thought was odd. However, when we tried to shut the door, it wouldn’t close! 

So we went down and asked the desk clerk for a new room. It took a bit of digging because they were booked for the night, but we managed to arrive in the end. 

The room was spacious, and the city lights gave a pretty glow. The beds were comfortable. We fell asleep quickly, knowing it would only be for a few hours.  

We woke to a beautiful sunrise overlooking the city and the Marriott’s pool. It looked like a nice enough hotel, but this was a one-purpose deal: sleep and move on. 

This was just our first real stop on the Dallas to Los Angeles stretch, and we were already feeling the excitement of the journey.

If you have extra time driving to El Paso

Here are some things I want to try the next time I’m there:

• Frontier Texas Museum: located in downtown Abilene, this 14,000-square-foot multimedia museum offers an immersive dive into the Texas frontier era (1780–1880). Through life-sized holographic “spirit guides,” visitors experience firsthand accounts of pioneers, Comanche warriors, buffalo hunters, and settlers. The interactive exhibits and the “Century of Adventure” theater bring to life the challenges and triumphs of frontier life, making it an interesting stop for history enthusiasts and families.
  
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park: If you want to drive north from Big Springs, Texas, you can make a stop at Carlsbad Caverns. Hidden beneath the desert landscape, the caverns are home to over 119 caves formed by sulfuric acid dissolving limestone. The Big Room—one of the largest underground chambers in North America—is awe-inspiring. You can hike down or take the elevator, and if you’re there in the evening, don’t miss the bat flight program during summer months. More details on this coming soon!
  
• White Sands National Park: located about an hour and a half north in New Mexico. This park is known for its wave-like dunes of bright white gypsum sand—the largest of its kind in the world. It’s perfect for a scenic drive, unforgettable photos, or even sledding down the dunes if you’re up for an adventure.
  Be sure to check road conditions and park hours, especially during the summer heat.

Dallas to Los Angeles Road Trip Day 2: El Paso to Joshua Tree

Stop One: Coffee Box

One of our first stops for breakfast was at the Coffee Box in North Zaragoza, El Paso.

This area is full of colorful murals and has such a cute vibe that we almost didn’t want to leave. The Coffee Box building sticks with the nearby theme of being unique- it’s constructed from two metal freight containers. The upstairs seating area was my favorite, offering indoor and outdoor options. 

We ordered charcoal-based coffee drinks—Breanna got a frappe while mine was hot. Skeptical at first, I finally took a sip, and we agreed it had notes of white chocolate. To eat, we had their bagel sandwich to split, which kept us full for the next stretch of our drive.

Stop Two: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

We entered New Mexico within an hour of leaving the coffee shop, and the entire drive through the state was short. That being said, we had a “first” while there- we went through border patrol! It was nerve-wracking when I saw it coming, but it was not a big deal. The officer said, “Okay, ladies, have a great day,” and we were on our way. 

From there, we headed to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to pick up Mimi! We stopped in their free pick-up parking lot until she said she was ready, and then we drove down to get her. It was a relatively simple setup, though it felt more complicated than going through Love Field.

Knowing it was only three hours from Phoenix to Joshua Tree, I decided we needed to get groceries for dinner that night while we were in town. So we hopped over to Whole Foods Market, where I saw some goodies I had never seen before.

Woo! Fifteen hours down, five more to go on the Dallas to Los Angeles road trip.

Lunch at Taco Boys

Originally, I had plans to meet up with my fabulous friend Amber in Phoenix, but she was off doing fabulous things elsewhere. She recommended a few places, telling us that tacos were always a good idea; therefore, we ended up at Taco Boys.

We wound up at their downtown location, and I knew it was good from the beginning because it was noisy and jam-packed with people. The place was packed—buzzing with conversation, music in the background, and the mouthwatering smell of grilled meats in the air. The décor was just as lively as the crowd: eclectic, urban, and fun, with colorful wall art, bold signage, and industrial touches that gave it a funky street-style vibe.

Before we could even order, one of the staff came around with a sample of their drink special—ice-cold, fruity, and refreshing enough to make you forget the desert heat outside.

I ordered the cabeza vampiros taco, a unique take on the classic street taco. It’s made with a soft corn tortilla that’s grilled until crispy and crackly, then topped with cheese and your desired topping.

My meat was cabeza (I’ll let you Google that in case you’ve got a weak stomach), but the toppings beyond that were my choice. There was a salsa and topping bar that was a total playground: creamy sauces, pickled onions, spicy peppers, fresh limes—you name it.

Tip! The food was delicious and messy, so be sure to have extra napkins and even a wet wipe for when you go. 

Spotting a Waymo car

Somewhere between Whole Foods and grabbing lunch, we spotted something that made all three of us do a double-take—a Waymo car.

At first glance, it looked like any other white SUV until we realized no one was in the driver’s seat. Instead, a person sat comfortably in the back, scrolling through their phone as if it were the most normal thing in the world. But for us? Total sci-fi moment.

Waymo is a self-driving technology company owned by Alphabet (Google’s parent company), and Phoenix is one of their major testing and launch hubs. Their cars use a mix of LiDAR, radar, cameras, and AI to navigate city streets without a human driver. This is a fully autonomous ride-hail vehicle—no safety driver up front, just sensors spinning on top and a passenger casually catching up on texts in the backseat.

We were fascinated. I just kept thinking: This is the future, y’all—and it’s happening in Phoenix.

Driving from Phoenix to Joshua Tree

This wasn’t a super excited adventure but it’s worth mentioning that you should top off at the last stop in Arizona because the gas typically about two dollars cheaper than in California. We stopped- the views were awesome and the gas got us all the way to Los Angeles.

Here are a few more things that might excite you along the route:

• Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument: Located along the route between Phoenix and the California border, this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is the only place in the U.S. where the rare organ pipe cactus grows wild. The monument boasts over 28 miles of established hiking trails, ranging from easy nature walks to more challenging treks like the Bull Pasture Trail, which offers panoramic views of the desert landscape. It’s definitely on my list for the next adventure!
  
• If you’re quirky like me (and I mean, you’re here aren’t you- welcome to the club!), a stop at Salvation Mountain and Slab City is worth a stop! We visited back in 2020 during the dead of summer—and let me tell you, it was breathtakingly hot, the kind of heat that soaks into your bones and makes your flip-flops feel like they’re melting. But even with the sweltering temps, it was worth the stop.
  Salvation Mountain itself is a striking, hand-built tribute to love and faith, painted in bright colors and biblical messages, standing tall in the otherwise desolate desert.
  We drove around Slab City afterward, a lawless, off-the-grid community filled with abandoned structures, scattered art, and RVs tucked into many of their corners (I’ve heard it’s much busier in the winter months as the snowbirds show back up).
  It’s dirty, yes—raw and gritty—but also captivating. Even though some of the locals waved at us, I was happier taking a drive-thru tour rather than getting out and wandering. My favorite part of Slab City? An old swimming pool turned into a makeshift skate park—proof that even out here, creativity thrives.

Final Stop for the Night: Joshua Tree to Enjoy the Dark Sky

So we’re on the last leg of the Dallas to Los Angeles run and it is as beautiful as it is exciting. This are of the US has my heart in a different kind of way.

Joshua Tree City (not the National Park) has plenty of cute Airbnbs that are reasonably priced. We made a spaghetti squash chicken alfredo dinner and hung out in the hot tub overlooking the starry night sky. 

At first, Mom couldn’t see what we were talking about when it came to the mass of stars, but then I went in and turned all the lights off, even the outside ones, and then she understood. It was such a beautiful way to end the second day of driving. 

Check out my full review post for more details about the area and our funky little Airbnb (coming soon).

Dallas to Los Angeles Road Trip Day 3: Joshua Tree to Los Angeles

Joshua Tree Coffee

On our way in the night before, Joshua Tree Coffee Company stood out. Therefore, it was on my mind when I woke up on my birthday. I got dressed, then mom and I headed over there. It was really neat to see their coffee roaster working in the back of the shop, and I appreciate the thoughtfulness of their coffee roasting process and the simple design of the space. 

Maybe she was having a bad day, but my only complaint was that the barista was a bit snobby. I say this over and over but don’t be pretenious- I know my coffee. But even more important is the service and how I’m treated.  Coffee- good, service- not so much.  

Stopping to take pictures

From there, we headed back to the airbnb, ate breakfast, and packed up. Then, back the twenty-five miles to the interstate. Along the way, we stopped at the “Welcome to Joshua Tree” sign with the trees in the background and a walmart to get a few neccessities.

It wasn’t long before we were back in civilization though. It doesn’t take long before you are in the traffic of the Los Angeles suburbs. Driving in LA is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. The interstate is not a big deal; city driving is slower.

If you have extra time, I recommend stopping at Cabazon Dinosaurs. Make sure to check the times for the museum though- we missed out when we visited in 2020 and only got to see a few of the statues.

Santa Monica: Lemonade LA

We drove to Santa Monica so I could surf. Mom and Bre hung out on the pier and then we all headed to Lemonade LA- a fast-casual eatery that truly captures the spirit of Southern California. The moment you walk in, you’re greeted by their signature bright yellow décor, which feels just as sunny and vibrant as the beach a few blocks away. Their food is locally grown, and it screams healthy—think colorful salads, grain bowls, and inventive sides that look like they were picked just for you. They’re vegetable-focused but not vegetarian, so there’s something for everyone. It’s fresh, flavorful, and satisfying without being heavy. And don’t miss the actual lemonade—they’ve got creative seasonal options that are just as refreshing as they sound.

Perfect way to end the Dallas to Los Angeles road trip and start having some fun in LA.

Want to Drive from Dallas to Los Angeles?

Taking a Dallas to Los Angeles road trip is more than just a way to get from Point A to Point B—it’s an opportunity to connect with quirky towns, meet new people, and chase the kind of experiences you just can’t plan for.

Then I hope you make it more than just a drive but a journey, complete with unique stops, unforgettable meals, and stunning landscapes. Dallas to Los Angeles has so much to show off.

If you’re planning a road trip of your own, remember to savor the drive, explore new places, and embrace the unexpected. The open road offers a freedom like no other, and with the right stops and a bit of spontaneity, your trip will be filled with memories that last long after the drive is over.

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