5 road trip destinations from Las Vegas

Zion National Park, near Springdale, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File).
As summer season methods and Memorial Day weekend draws more detailed, Las Vegans can anticipate to see more California license plates on Interstate 15 as visitors take a journey to Las Vegas. Where can locals go to unwind and get away the heat - - and possibly the travelers, too?

Here are five ideas for road trip locations from Las Vegas that take less than 5 hours.

St. George, Utah.

There's plenty to enjoy in Southern Utah and in less than two hours, visitors can show up in St. George. The destination is excellent for those who enjoy the outdoors as it's near Zion National Park, Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and Dixie National Forest. Or, travel a little further for a field trip to Bryce Canyon National Park or the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Estimated time: Two hours.

Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

There's a not-so-small piece of British history in Lake Havasu City: the London Bridge.

In 1967, Robert McCulloch acquired part of the bridge from across the pond for $2.46 million. The developer of Lake Havasu City thought the purchase would assist make the desert neighborhood a tourist destination.


The London Bridge stands in the foreground with State Beach, behind, and Rotary Beach, around the corner, in the background in this aerial at Lake Havasu, Ariz. (AP Photo/Jeff Robbins).

Now, visitors go to the city for the bridge in addition to for the watersports and unique events like the IJSBA Jet Ski World Finals and the Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair.

Approximated time: 2½ ½

hours.

Flagstaff, Arizona. About 4 hours from the Las Vegas Valley, Flagstaff is an excellent journey into Northern Arizona. Stargaze at Lowell Observatory, have a look at the shopping and open-air markets in the city's downtown or see spots along the historic Route 66.


Don Mayer, of San Antonio, Texas, holds his grandson Haydon Mayer, 4, to help him take a look at the planet Jupiter through a telescope at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz., Sunday, July 3, 2005. (AP Photo/Tom Hood).

Flagstaff can likewise be a home base to drive an hour south into Sedona or north to Kaibab National Forest, a roughly 1½ ½ hour drive. Estimated time: Four hours.

Palm Springs, California.

If you want to holiday at area that was popular with old-school Hollywood film stars and the Rat Pack, consider visiting Palm Springs. There's also plenty of alternatives to sit poolside at resorts or visit medspas in the city.

Approximated time: Four hours.

San Diego, California.

There's also family-friendly destinations at Balboa Park, which is house to the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Natural History Museum and other tourist attractions. Guests can likewise opt for a glimpse of the San Diego Padres' house ballpark Petco Park or the USS Midway Museum, situated on a historical naval aircraft provider in downtown San Diego.

Estimated time: 5½ ½ hours.

McKenna Ross is a corps member with Report for America, a nationwide service program that places journalists into regional newsrooms. Contact her at mross@reviewjournal.com. Follow @mckenna_ross_ on Twitter.