Driving to Disneyland from Utah or Idaho is a classic family road trip. It is a long drive, so most families split it into two days instead of doing it all at once. Check your map app for current drive times before you go, since traffic, weather and stops change everything.
We are based in Idaho Falls, and families from Idaho, Utah and the Mountain West plan Disneyland trips with us. Here is how to plan the drive, where to break it up, and when flying makes more sense. For the rest of the trip, our Disneyland planning guide covers hotels, tickets and park days.
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Most of the trip follows I-15. You head south through Utah, cross a small corner of Arizona, go through Las Vegas, and then cross the desert into Southern California.
From eastern Idaho, you add the drive down to Utah first. That makes it a long trip, so plan for at least one night on the road.
Before you leave:
Both work. It depends on your family size, your time and your kids.
Driving can make sense when:
Flying can make sense when:
If you fly, ask us about package options when you request a quote.
Splitting the trip into two days is easier on everyone.
Southern Utah, around St. George, is a common first-night stop for families coming from the north. You get dinner, a pool and a good night's sleep.
Las Vegas has lots of hotel choices. Try to drive through outside of rush hour, because traffic can be heavy.
There are long, empty stretches of road between Las Vegas and Southern California. Fill up on gas before you leave town. Bring water, snacks and phone chargers. Summer heat in the desert is serious.
When you drive, you will need a plan for parking at your hotel and maybe at the parks. Parking rules and fees are different at each hotel, so ask us what they are for the hotels you are looking at.
If you stay within walking distance of the parks, you can park once and walk all week. That is one of the best parts of driving.
After a long day in the car, a short walk to the gate is worth a lot. Here are the main choices:
Our Disneyland Resort page can help you compare those options. Once you arrive, our guide to the best rides at Disneyland can help you plan the first park day.
Disneyland tickets bought alone must be paid in full. If you book a hotel plus tickets package, payment plans are available.
If you want to look at packages first, you can browse through our partner Get Away Today. Use code FunParkGo for $10 off a package. Booking through a travel agent costs nothing extra, and we are happy to compare options for you. Our travel planning services page explains what we handle.
With kids, we suggest two days. It is a long drive from Utah or Idaho, and a night on the road makes the first park day better.
For big families, driving is often cheaper once you add up plane tickets and a rental car. Gas, a hotel night on the road and parking also count, so compare both.
Southern Utah and Las Vegas are the most common first-night stops.
Many do, and fees vary. Ask us for the current parking details at the hotels you like.
Most of the trip is on I-15, through Las Vegas and into Southern California. Use a map app for the best route on your travel day.
If you are thinking about a drive to Disneyland, we would love to help with the hotel and tickets. Request a free quote at funparkgo.com.
