Roadtrip with RVshare Las Vegas to Kansas City

A Las Vegas to Kansas City road trip leads from the city that never sleeps through the quiet, sleepier prairies of Kansas to the end point in Missouri. You'll pass by several national parks, red rock desert country, and the iconic Rocky Mountains. In addition, the cities along the way provide lots of opportunities for cultural and historical stops, so you may want to spend a week or more traveling the 1,300 miles. Adventure awaits on your Las Vegas to Kansas City RV road trip.

Nearby National Parks

Arches National Park

Arches National Park is 51 miles from the I-70 junction. Of the 2,000 sandstone arches there, one arch to be sure to see is Delicate Arch, which is displayed on many of Utah's license plates. You can take the three-hour, moderately difficult hike to Delicate Arch for a close-up, breathtaking view. Alternatively, you can see the arch by taking a half-mile walk with stairs to Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint. You won't be as close to the arch, but it's still awe-inspiring. Drive the 36 miles through the park to see other notable rock formations, such as the Garden of Eden, Balanced Rock, Turret Arch, the Cove of Caves, the Fiery Furnace, and Double Arch.

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park is about 30 miles from Moab, a charming town that's often the base for river rafting and exploring the national parks. Stop in Moab for some lunch, and then head south to see the most diverse and largest national park in Utah. Be sure to look for the Needles, which are tall rock pinnacles, and Island in the Sky, a large mesa with incredible views. Another popular spot is Horseshoe Canyon, where you can see Native American rock paintings. Cataract Canyon, where the Green and Colorado rivers meet, has whitewater rapids for adventurous souls to explore.

Rocky Mountain National Park

The Rocky Mountains are the heart of Colorado, and you can experience their majesty at Rocky Mountain National Park. You can choose from a variety of shuttle buses that will take you to different areas of the park. Two popular drives past aspen trees and rivers are the Old Fall River Road and Trail Ridge Road. If you like climbing, the Keyhole Route is a challenging but rewarding climb up Longs Peak, the park's tallest mountain. It crosses vertical rock faces, narrow ledges, and steep cliffs, so be prepared. Another great view of the peaks is a much milder hike around Bear Lake.

Nearby State Parks

Dead Horse Point State Park

Looking at the view at Dead Horse Point State Park might give you a sense of deja vu. That's because you've almost certainly seen that view before; it's one of the most photographed in the world. The park is right on the edge of Canyonlands National Park, so plan your trip to take in both parks in one day. The area was used as a corral for wild horses in the late 1800s, and an unfortunate incident when the corral was unattended led to the park's name, or so the story is told. Go first to the visitor's center and art gallery to plan your visit and learn more about the area.

James M. Robb Colorado River State Park

The James M. Robb Colorado River State Park has five sections: the corn lake section, the island acres section, the connected lakes section, the Colorado River wildlife area section, and the Fruita section. Each section offers something different, but on the whole, the park provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. 

Mushroom Rock State Park

Mushroom Rock State Park proves the adage that bigger isn’t always better. It's the smallest state park in Kansas, but it's one of the eight wonders of Kansas geography. Set in the Smoky Hills region of Kansas, the park has some of the most interesting geologic formations yet, mushroom-shaped rocks formed about 100 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period. This little state park, just south of 1-70, is adjacent to Kanopolis State Park, so you can visit both in one day.

Kanopolis State Park

With a reservoir for water recreation and lots of desert plants, Kanopolis State Park provides many options for daytime fun on your road trip from Las Vegas to Kansas City. It also has great campgrounds if you want to spend some time there. Kanopolis was the first state park in Kansas, and it encompasses scenic rolling hills, towering sandstone bluffs, wooded areas, and the lake. You can choose from 30 miles of hiking trails and also visit some interesting caves in Horsethief Canyon.

Along the Way

Georgetown Loop Railroad

Georgetown Loop Railroad is set in the picturesque Rocky Mountains and takes you from one old mining town to another. It is a narrow-gauge railroad with both closed and open cars. The trip between the two towns is one hour, but you might want to get off halfway through the ride to see the Lebanon Silver Mine.

Denver Museum of Nature and Science

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science has been in existence for over 100 years. You can spend as little or as much time as you want at the museum because it offers a huge variety of exhibits covering topics from the prehistoric world, North American Indians, Egyptian mummies, wildlife and natural history of Colorado, the universe, global cultures, health and medicine, and so much more.

 Dorothy's House and Land of Oz

If Kansas makes you think of the yellow brick road and glittery red shoes, you might want to stop at Dorothy's House and Land of Oz. You can see a replica of Dorothy's house in the movie version of "The Wizard of Oz" and relive some of the famous scenes as you walk through movie memorabilia and artifacts. You can even see the movie again at the gift shop.

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

St. George, Utah

St. George is a charming city set in red rock hills and cliffs. It's warmer than most of Utah, so it's a popular destination for northern residents of the state. Two hours from Las Vegas, St. George is a convenient stop on the I-15 route. While you're there, consider visiting the St. George temple. The white rock and elegant architecture of the building are a stunning sight set against the red rock surroundings. Another interesting stop is the Brigham Young winter house, where you can tour the mid-1800s winter home of the famous Mormon prophet. If you want to stay awhile, there are several campgrounds and dump stations in the area.

Grand Junction, Colorado

Grand Junction is in Colorado's wine country. Within the city, you'll find more than 27 wineries, and there are several more offering tours in the adjacent areas. The Colorado River winds through the city, and you can even launch a river rafting trip from Grand Junction. Stay awhile and enjoy one of the many campgrounds or dump stations around the area.

Denver, Colorado

Denver is called "The Mile High City" for a reason: Go to the 13th step of the State Capitol, and you'll be exactly one mile above sea level. Denver is home to the Colorado Rockies baseball team, the Denver Broncos football team, and the Colorado Avalanche, so you might want to catch a game while you're there, depending on the season. Denver is a great place for an overnight stay, with many campgrounds and dump stations for your comfort.

Topeka, Kansas

Topeka is the capital of Kansas, and the Kansas River goes along one side of the city. While you're in Topeka, you can visit the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, which commemorates the historic decision to end racial segregation in schools. Old Prairie Town in Topeka is a fun stop, with an old mansion, schoolhouse, and botanic garden. Topeka has several campgrounds and dump stations for your convenience.

Find Adventure from Las Vegas to Kansas City

Find your One-Way Rental

When you follow this road trip itinerary from Las Vegas to Kansas City, you will enjoy historic locations and beautiful scenery along the way. If you want to travel in comfort and style, consider an RV rental from RVshare. From large motorhomes to compact campervans, there is a rig that will meet your travel and budget needs. Once you hit the road, you are protected by our renter guarantee and 24/7 roadside assistance. Find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs in Las Vegas or Kansas City.