Plan The Perfect Phoenix to San Diego Road Trip

Best Stops on a Phoenix to San Diego Road Trip

To help you plan the best drive from Phoenix to San Diego, we’ve included stops on both the shorter I-8 route and the longer I-10 route. If you’re doing a round-trip drive, consider taking one route one way and then the other one on the drive back! 

I-8 Route

Painted Rock Petroglyph Site

As you leave Phoenix and head west on I-8, after about 90 miles, you’ll come to the Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground.

This incredible archeological site contains nearly 500 boulders with prehistoric petroglyphs on their surfaces. It’s estimated that these drawings are at least 1,400 years old, and they provide a unique perspective into the early civilizations in the United States. 

The site is a perfect spot to get out and walk around on one of the hiking trails after the first leg of your journey as you drive from Phoenix to San Diego. If you’re inclined to spend more time, there is an overnight campsite with picnic areas, grills, and campfire pits.

Dateland

You might have already guessed from the name, but Dateland is the United States’ top producer of dates! 

What began as a small town built along westbound railways, Dateland has turned into a popular tourist attraction thanks to the picturesque date palms and gardens.

Stop to grab lunch at the local café or food court in the travel center as you drive to San Diego from Phoenix. The gift shop sells a variety of date-inspired souvenirs, and at the bakery, you can select from an array of delicious treats featuring dates. 

To beat the heat of hot Arizona afternoons, check out the Ice Cream Corner, which sells one-of-a-kind date ice cream and date shakes. Although “date” certainly isn’t a typical ice cream flavoring, many travelers have been blown away by how delicious the combination is! 

Overall, Dateland makes for an interesting place to stop while driving to San Diego for a unique experience outside of a typical road trip adventure. 

Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park

One of the most fascinating stops on a drive from Phoenix to San Diego, the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, has an eerie and haunted quality to it. Operating for 33 years and housing over 3,000 inmates during this time, the original iron cells and bars of this prison have been maintained and restored in a historic park.

In the museum, you can learn about some of the famous inmates, such as stagecoach robber Pearl Hart known as the “Bandit Queen.” If you want to take the dare, you can even visit what’s referred to as the “Dark Cell,” which is the solitary confinement chamber that was the harshest form of punishment in prison. 

Despite its grim history, the museum has done a good job in becoming a family-friendly destination where kids can enjoy interactive exhibits to learn about the westward migration in the United States, which led to the formation of the prison.

Imperial Sand Dunes

The other-worldly quality of the expanse of sand dunes in southern California makes this section of the drive to San Diego from Phoenix one of the most scenic parts of the trip. 

For over 40 miles, these towering sand dunes will be visible along the sides of the highway. Some of the dunes reach over 300 feet!

It’s already impressive enough just to drive through California’s largest mass of sand dunes, but the area also has great opportunities for adventure. For a small recreational fee, you can hike in the dunes or operate an ATV to cruise over the windswept terrain. 

For a more peaceful alternative, you can visit the section of the dunes known as the North Algodones Dunes Wilderness, where vehicles are prohibited. Here you can hike or take part in a horseback riding tour through the dunes. 

Keep in mind that facilities like bathrooms and water aren’t very accessible here. If you plan on stopping to visit this incredible natural wonder while driving to San Diego, make sure you pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and other necessities.

I-10 Route

Kofa National Wildlife Refuge

The Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is accessible on either the I-10 or the I-8 route, although if you’re taking I-10 on your drive to San Diego from Phoenix, it’s a bit more of a direct shot. 

This stunning wilderness area was established to protect Arizona’s population of desert bighorn sheep. Although it’s not guaranteed that you’ll spot one of these animals, make sure you keep your eyes peeled since these native Arizona sheep often make an appearance!

The rugged desert landscape and stunning rock formations make the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge a popular stop for photographers, nature lovers, and stargazers since the area has some of the best views of the night sky in the entire state.

Thanks to the large deposits of quartzite found in the rocky terrain, the refuge is also popular among rock hunters in search of crystals. You can hunt for crystals yourself in the Crystal Hill Area if you follow the regulations about the number of specimens you can take. 

Plus, this wilderness area doesn’t get as much tourist traffic as some of the other natural wonders of Arizona, making it a perfect place to visit if you’re hoping to experience the wonders of the Arizona landscape without the crowds. 

Keep in mind that Kofa is much more remote than other parks in Arizona. There are no gas stations or services inside the refuge itself, so if you’re planning on driving through this scenic area on your road trip to San Diego, make sure you have a full tank of gas, snacks, and drinks for the time you’ll be there. 

Cell phone service is also spotty at best, so it’s a good idea to have maps downloaded before you arrive.

Joshua Tree National Park

The star of the show on the I-10 route driving from Phoenix to San Diego is Joshua Tree National Park. This park has one of the most diverse and unique ecosystems in the United States and should be on the bucket list for any road trip in southern California.

Named after the iconic, twisted Joshua Trees, the National Park is known for its stunning sunrises and sunsets, rugged desert landscapes, and a plethora of wildlife. 

It’s highly recommended to spend at least a night in the park to better appreciate the landscape, not to mention the spectacular night sky! The park has some of the best opportunities for stargazing in the state, thanks to the low light pollution and open landscape. 

Check out some of the top hiking spots, like the trails through the Indian Canyons, where you’ll be treated to scenes of incredible waterfalls cascading down the red-rock canyons. Ryan Mountain is another popular hiking destination that has particularly good views of the characteristic rock formations in the park.

Palm Springs

A popular home base for visiting Joshua Tree National Park, Palm Springs is a great city to include on a road trip to San Diego. It’s less than an hour from the city to the National Park, making it a perfect place to spend a night or two if you want to explore Joshua Tree.

Palm Springs also has a great variety of accommodation options, from resort hotels with huge swimming pools to quaint desert cabins for a more private getaway. There’s plenty to see and do in the city to make it worth your while to plan to stop here during your drive from Phoenix to San Diego. From art to food, to nature, Palm Springs has a great variety of activities to cater to every traveler. 

No visit to Palm Springs would be complete without a ride on the popular Aerial Tramway, which climbs over 5,800 feet up the mountains surrounding the city. The view is spectacular and a good way to escape the summer heat since the temperature usually drops about 30F from the bottom to the top. 

The Living Desert is another popular place to visit, which combines a botanic garden and zoo into one attraction. The scenic landscape is home to native desert plants as well as animals from around the world, like giraffes and camels. It’s also a great place for families to visit on a Phoenix to San Diego road trip, thanks to the petting zoo and interactive kids’ exhibits.

San Diego

Coming to the final destination of your Phoenix to San Diego drive, make sure you plan in advance to check out some of the top attractions in one of California’s most popular tourist destinations. 

San Diego is known for its sunny weather year-round, making it easy to enjoy outdoor activities like watching a sea lion show at SeaWorld or riding roller coasters in LEGOLAND.

Soak up the southern California sun at Mission Beach, where you can go kayaking, splash in the waves, or get an adrenaline rush on one of the Belmont Park amusement park rides. 

Families will enjoy visiting the San Diego Zoo, one of the largest and most iconic zoos in the United States. The zoo has animals from all corners of the globe, including numerous endangered species providing a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see some of these rare animals up close.

You can find our complete family guide to visiting San Diego & Southern California here