Daytrip to Death Valley from the LA Area. Is It Possible?

I%26#39;m interested in visiting Death Valley from the LA area. Is that possible if I leave LA early in the morning and come back to LA late in the evening? How many hours does it take to get to Death Valley (assuming no LA traffic)? I know I%26#39;ll probably have to cut out some sights and attractions, but will I be able to at least see the main attractions? Your input is appreciated.

Daytrip to Death Valley from the LA Area. Is It Possible?

it is possible, it%26#39;s just a long day. i did it earlier this spring and left before dawn so i would have the most time there. it took around 3.5 hours if i remember correctly.

Daytrip to Death Valley from the LA Area. Is It Possible?

The mileage from L.A. to the park by the shortest route (through the Antelope Valley to Mojave, Ridgecrest, and Emigrant Pass) is 225-250 miles, depending on where you start.

Death Valley is huge, and the main sites of interest can be far apart. For instance, the sand dunes are 25 miles from Furnace Creek. Scotty%26#39;s Castle is over 50 miles farther north. Badwater is another 17 miles in the opposite direction. If you go on a hike at one or two of the special places like Golden Canyon, that will take an hour or so.

You get the idea.

So you%26#39;ll need to decide whether or not this is doable. It would be much more relaxing and enjoyable if you had at least one night to stay over. Stove Pipe Wells makes a good stopover. You could see the main sites in ';central'; DV, the Visitor Center, Dante%26#39;s View, Badwater, maybe Rhyolite, the first day. Then stay over and on the next day, see Scotty%26#39;s Castle, the sand dunes, Mosaic Canyon, and maybe one or two ghost town or historic sites in the Panamint mountains if you have a suitable high-clearance vehicle.

A one-day trip would be really rushed and you%26#39;d miss a lot, and maybe not enjoy the scenery as much.