California To Arizona Road Trip: The Ultimate Guide

California to Arizona road trip is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The 737 miles of California to Arizona drive takes around 12 hours and 24 mins without stops.

This article includes 16 top tips that turn your California to Arizona drive into an unforgettable journey. So if you’re looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from California to Arizona, take your coffee and keep reading!

6 Best Hotels On The Road Trip From California To Arizona

On California to Arizona road trip, you may want to stay at some points on the way. Here are the top six hotels on the California – Arizona route!

1. The Darling Hotel: The Darling Hotel is one of the best hotels where you can stay on a California to Arizona road trip. Driving from California to The Darling Hotel might take around 57 mins. The hotel is just 45 minutes from Sequoia National Park and has a great view of the Sierra Nevadas. The staff was accommodating during our stay, from check-in to check-out. Check The Darling Hotel, one of the best hotels in Visalia, California, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. Best Western Plus Hill House: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Arizona from California is Best Western Plus Hill House. Located in Bakersfield, California, the hotel is 110 miles away from California, and it would take 1 hour and 56 mins to drive. The Hill House Best Western, situated close to popular Bakersfield attractions like Rabobank Arena, offers a variety of amenities and is a short drive from many area points of interest. In addition, the pet-friendly hotel features free continental breakfast and on-site restaurant dining options, making it a convenient place to stay. If you want to learn more about the Best Western Plus Hill House, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. The Prospect Hollywood: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to The Prospect Hollywood. The Prospect Hollywood is located in Los Angeles, California, and it’s 212 miles away from California. You can arrive there in 3 hours and 29 mins of non-stop driving. The location of this hotel is ideal for concert-goers, as it is within walking distance of both The Hollywood Bowl and the Greek Theatre. I stayed at the hotel after an evening performance at the latter and appreciated the room’s peaceful atmosphere. The staff was friendly and helpful, providing a great experience overall. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of The Prospect Hollywood for more information.
4. HOTEL PASEO, Autograph Collection: If you are taking a road trip from California to Arizona Palm Desert, California, it must have a place you should visit. Plus, HOTEL PASEO, Autograph Collection, is one of the best hotels in town. It is HOTEL PASEO, Autograph Collection, 340 miles from California, and it would take 5 hours and 31 mins to drive. The stay was excellent. The room was beautiful, well-air-conditioned, and easy to access. The staff was also friendly. If you need more info about the price and availability of HOTEL PASEO and Autograph Collection, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.
5. Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Happy Valley: Our next hotel is Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Happy Valley, Phoenix, Arizona. It will take 9 hours, and 15 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from California. The breakfast at the hotel was delicious. The room was large and clean, and the staff at check-in were friendly and welcoming. They offer a great happy hour, with three free drinks and appetizers. Check the Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Happy Valley on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Happy Valley for reviews, prices, and availability.
6. Best Western Copper Hills Inn: Best Western Copper Hills Inn is another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from California to Arizona. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel in Globe, Arizona, within 10 hours and 35 mins drive from California. The hotel room was clean and comfortable, and the staff was helpful and accommodating. Breakfast was also excellent. Overall, our stay at the hotel was enjoyable, and we would recommend it to others. Before making the reservation, we suggest you read the latest reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com.

In this part, we explained six different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from California to Arizona. You can pick one of them that suits your taste. Don’t forget to share your experience by writing a comment to this post. It will help people who will take some California to Arizona routes.

Now, it’s time to discover the best restaurants from California to Arizona. We have six restaurant recommendations worth your attention.

6 Best Restaurants On California To Arizona Road Trip

If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your California to Arizona road trip. This section lists the six restaurants to dine at on the road trip from California to Arizona. Stay hungry and enjoy!

1. Brewbakers Brewing Company and Restaurant: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on California to Arizona road trip with Brewbakers Brewing Company and Restaurant. Brewbakers Brewing Company and Restaurant is located in Visalia, California, and is 41.8 miles from California. It would take 57 mins of driving. The restaurant offers an array of great beers. I ordered the hamburger and pasta with pesto, and both were delicious. The service was quick, attentive, and professional. For more information about Brewbakers Brewing Company and Restaurant, visit TripAdvisor or Google Maps of Brewbakers Brewing Company and Restaurant.
2. 24th Street Cafe: Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Arizona from California is 24th Street Cafe. Located in Bakersfield, California, 24th Street Cafe is 108 miles from California and would take 1 hour and 53 mins of driving. So if you’re in Bakersfield, stop by this restaurant. They offer a variety of delicious dishes, and the ambiance is perfect for a cozy dinner. If you want to learn more about 24th Street Cafe, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. Brent’s Deli Northridge: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Brent’s Deli Northridge. It will take 3 hours and 28 mins of car drive to take 206 miles from California to Brent’s Deli Northridge, Los Angeles, California. Brent’s Deli, established in 1967, is renowned for its mile-high Reuben sandwiches. The atmosphere at Brent’s is cozy and inviting, with comfortable booths and ample space to enjoy a meal. You can check Brent’s Deli Northridge on TripAdvisor or Google Maps for more information.
4. Grill-A-Burger – Palm Desert, CA: Grill-A-Burger – Palm Desert, CA deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Palm Desert, California. The food is good, and the service is fast. If you’re looking for fast food near Palm Desert, you should try it there. Grill-A-Burger – Palm Desert, CA is 336 miles away from California, and it would take 5 hours and 23 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about Grill-A-Burger – Palm Desert, CA, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
5. Rusconi’s American Kitchen: If you enjoy dining, Rusconi’s American Kitchen would be an excellent choice in Phoenix, Arizona. It’s 602 miles from California and would take 9 hours and 19 mins of car driving. The braised short ribs were delicious, and the service was excellent. The bread pudding was also perfect. If you want to learn more about Rusconi’s American Kitchen, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
6. Nurd Berger: Another restaurant we recommend you visit on the road trip from California to Arizona is Nurd Berger, Globe, Arizona. It will take 10 hours and 33 mins of driving to reach Nurd Berger from California. The Arizona Burger was of adequate size, and it was so delicious. For more information about Nurd Berger, you can check the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of the restaurant.

This section lists our six restaurant recommendations for you to eat on your road trip from California to Arizona. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 737 miles journey into a feast of taste. Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant from the list according to your preference. Remember, like you, people planning an Arizona road trip need your opinion. Therefore, we kindly ask you to share your experience with us in the comment field at the end of the blog post.

In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from California to Arizona. Keep reading.

4 Places To Visit On California To Arizona Drive

A unique experience awaits you in Arizona. However, some unique destinations, like Visalia, California, are on your road trip. Therefore, we want to explain the top four destinations we recommend on the Arizona route.

• Sequoia National Park: Sequoia National Park will be the first destination we recommend you stop by on your California to Arizona road trip. Located in Visalia, California, Sequoia National Park is 53.9 miles away from California, and it would take 1 hour and 18 mins to drive. The sequoia tree groves around the park are breathtaking. With beautiful and impressive trees, it’s no wonder it takes some time to drive on the windy road. If you want to learn more about Sequoia National Park, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace: Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, Bakersfield, California, is one of the destinations we recommend you stop by on the California to Arizona route. It’s 108 miles from California, and it’ll take about 1 hour and 53 mins of driving. The live music was a great touch while we were dining. The ambiance was perfect, the service was excellent, and it was very family-friendly. In addition, the museum and memorabilia added a lot of charm to this very unique place. If you want to learn more about Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• Universal Studios Hollywood: One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from California to Arizona in Los Angeles, California. And if you visit Los Angeles, California, we suggest you visit Universal Studios Hollywood. You can arrive at Universal Studios Hollywood after 3 hours and 27 mins of driving. So are you ready for the ultimate Hollywood experience? Find a full day of action-packed entertainment in one place, including thrilling theme park rides and shows, a real working movie studio, and Los Angeles best shops, restaurants, and cinemas at CityWalk. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of Universal Studios Hollywood for more information.
• Desert Botanical Garden: Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona, on California to Arizona road trip. Desert Botanical Garden is 598 miles from California, and you can arrive there after the 9 hours and 16 mins of drive. The botanical garden includes various plants and a beautiful landscape. If you are planning to visit, don’t forget to take your powerband and phone fully charged because you want to take lots of photos. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Desert Botanical Garden before going there.

FAQ of the Road Trip From California to Arizona

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about California to Arizona drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From California To Arizona?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the California to Arizona road trip takes approximately 12 hours and 24 mins to drive. Therefore, the driving distance between California to Arizona is 737 miles.
• If you want to make the California to Arizona road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be two days and 16 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the California-Arizona route, then you will have to walk for nine days and 10 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From California To Arizona?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to Arizona. On the road, you can visit Visalia, California; Bakersfield, California; Los Angeles, California; Palm Desert, California; Phoenix, Arizona; and Globe, Arizona. Here we list four places to visit for you. For more information about the best places on California to Arizona journey, you can check the 4 Best Places To Visit On The Way From California To Arizona part.

1. Sequoia National Park: 53.9 miles / 1 hour and 18 mins to drive from California | 722 miles / 12 hours and 19 mins of driving to Arizona.
2. Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace: 108 miles / 1 hour and 53 mins to drive from California | 630 miles / 10 hours and 37 mins of driving to Arizona.
3. Universal Studios Hollywood: 210 miles / 3 hours and 27 mins to drive from California | 532 miles / 9 hours of driving to Arizona.
4. Desert Botanical Garden: 598 miles / 9 hours and 16 mins to drive from California | 143 miles / 3 hours and 21 mins of driving to Arizona.

Where Should You Stay On The Road Trip From California To Arizona?

There are many excellent hotels during your road trip from California to Arizona. We have selected six hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 6 Best Hotels On The Way To Arizona From California section.

• The Darling Hotel: 41.8 miles / 57 mins to drive from California | 708 miles / 11 hours and 46 mins of driving to Arizona.
• Best Western Plus Hill House: 110 miles / 1 hour and 56 mins to drive from California | 631 miles / 10 hours and 40 mins of driving to Arizona.
• The Prospect Hollywood: 212 miles / 3 hours and 29 mins to drive from California | 526 miles / 9 hours of driving to Arizona.
• HOTEL PASEO, Autograph Collection: 340 miles / 5 hours and 31 mins to drive from California | 405 miles / 7 hours and 18 mins of driving to Arizona.
• Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Happy Valley: 602 miles / 9 hours and 15 mins to drive from California | 168 miles / 3 hours and 40 mins of driving to Arizona.
• Best Western Copper Hills Inn: 679 miles / 10 hours and 35 mins to drive from California | 68.0 miles / 2 hours of driving to Arizona.

Where To Eat Between California to Arizona?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your California to Arizona drive, you can consider the six restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 6 Best Restaurants On The Way From California To Arizona.

1. Brewbakers Brewing Company and Restaurant: 41.8 miles / 57 mins to drive from California | 708 miles / 11 hours and 47 mins of driving to Arizona.
2. 24th Street Cafe: 108 miles / 1 hour and 53 mins to drive from California | 631 miles / 10 hours and 38 mins of driving to Arizona.
3. Brent’s Deli Northridge: 206 miles / 3 hours and 28 mins to drive from California | 550 miles / 9 hours and 27 mins of driving to Arizona.
4. Grill-A-Burger – Palm Desert, CA: 336 miles / 5 hours and 23 mins to drive from California | 403 miles / 7 hours and 14 mins of driving to Arizona.
5. Rusconi’s American Kitchen: 602 miles / 9 hours and 19 mins to drive from California | 152 miles / 3 hours and 32 mins of driving to Arizona.
6. Nurd Berger: 678 miles / 10 hours and 33 mins to drive from California | 67.2 miles / 2 hours of driving to Arizona.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from California to Arizona. We have listed six hotels, six restaurants, and four places to visit on California to Arizona drive. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. We hope this guide has helped make your road trip from California to Arizona as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken California to Arizona road trip? So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from California to Arizona and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.