Driving to Vegas
Discussion
In a few weeks I'm going out to meet up with a couple of mates in Las Vegas to sink beers and see the fight.
I've never been to that part of the US before so was going to go to San Francisco for a few days, picking up a hire car and driving round California for a couple of days before either flying or driving to Vegas.
Is the drive to Vegas worth it or better saving a day and flying? Could do
Considering driving down the coast or heading into the Yosemite National Park. Such choice.
Any good roads to look out for?
I've never been to that part of the US before so was going to go to San Francisco for a few days, picking up a hire car and driving round California for a couple of days before either flying or driving to Vegas.
Is the drive to Vegas worth it or better saving a day and flying? Could do
Considering driving down the coast or heading into the Yosemite National Park. Such choice.
Any good roads to look out for?
I'll be heading from San Fran to Vegas in October but in an RV. We're taking 3 days with between 200-300 miles each day. San Fran-Fresno, Fresno-Sequoia National Forest, SNF-Vegas. There is a place called Trail of 100 giants in the national forest where you can walk around the Giant Sequoias, only 50 miles or so from Fresno so i would recommend that.
We did, last year, San Fran down to Carmel which is very quaint but a tad expensive. Then on to Yosemite which is awesome. We then drove the Tioga Pass which is really good (you go up to 10,000 feet with sheer drops - don't do this with a hangover!)and ended up in Lone Pine, close to Death Valley and a relly fun place to have a few beers with the locals. (Great breakfast as well!)
We drove through Death Valley and headed to Vegas - a great road trip. Driving is sooo easy over there, fuel sooo cheap and people really friendly. Enjoy! If you need any specific advice just shout!
We drove through Death Valley and headed to Vegas - a great road trip. Driving is sooo easy over there, fuel sooo cheap and people really friendly. Enjoy! If you need any specific advice just shout!
CDP said:
Of course I forgot the most important question about driving round 'Cisco:
Charger or Mustang?
mustang cab Charger or Mustang?
thats what i've got hopefully in May, had a charger 2 years ago, nothing to write home abouti'm flying into LA, saying 2 nights in Hollywood, drive down to san diego for 3 nights and then drive across to Vegas for 5 nights.. can't wait!
Nano2nd said:
CDP said:
Of course I forgot the most important question about driving round 'Cisco:
Charger or Mustang?
mustang cab Charger or Mustang?
thats what i've got hopefully in May, had a charger 2 years ago, nothing to write home abouti'm flying into LA, saying 2 nights in Hollywood, drive down to san diego for 3 nights and then drive across to Vegas for 5 nights.. can't wait!
I have been to Vegas every year for 15 years, only for a few days during big road trips. Stayed at hotels and stayed in the motor home . Also pulled up at the bellargio only to have it parked round the back as I checked into the hotel. Last two trips in a camaro convertible and this June will fly SF and pick up car and second and third in yosemite then on a big loop via Moab to LA to fly home. Some would say a long straight interstate highway is boring, not me as you can tell, iin fact did 1400 miles in one day to get to palm springs at Christmas.
The drive to Vegas from the coast etc in large parts is massively boring-particulary LA to Vegas if you're 'just wanting to get there.' Allot of people use Death Valley as a stop over and don't really see any of it, it's a destination in itself with loads of interesting stuff to see.
It really depends on what interests are, you have SF to LA on highway 1 and flying/driving from LA is one option. But I reckon you have to include Yosemite and despite the sterotypical view that all roads are straight as an arrow there are some really good driving roads-particulary in northern CA I found. You could also see Yosemite and head to Lake Tahoe and fly to Vegas from Reno.
IMO your time could be better spent flying and using the time gained to see more of CA.
It really depends on what interests are, you have SF to LA on highway 1 and flying/driving from LA is one option. But I reckon you have to include Yosemite and despite the sterotypical view that all roads are straight as an arrow there are some really good driving roads-particulary in northern CA I found. You could also see Yosemite and head to Lake Tahoe and fly to Vegas from Reno.
IMO your time could be better spent flying and using the time gained to see more of CA.
To break the monotony of the Vegas to LA drive something to consider is hiring a 4x4. I got one by accident / upgrade one year and thought I would stop in Barstow to have a look at a site I had noticed a load of times with loads of off road bikes / buggy type things driving round.
On closer inspection the place was called something like 'California off road recreation area' and was a bit of dessert you were free to drive round. I took the hire car right up a mountain to the point I was regretting it, but with hindsight absolutely great fun
Ben
On closer inspection the place was called something like 'California off road recreation area' and was a bit of dessert you were free to drive round. I took the hire car right up a mountain to the point I was regretting it, but with hindsight absolutely great fun
Ben
Office_Monkey said:
Am thinking of doing the reverse of this and driving from Vegas to SF. Would be in August though, so am assuming will be devilishly hot, is a convertible a no-no at that time of year?
Also is there any recommended routes?
...through Death Valley, up into Sequoia National Forest and Kings Canyon National Park and then the daddy of them all, Yosemite. That would be my recommended route. As far a convertible goes...do it. When it's too hot you keep the roof up and the air con on, when it's not, get it down! In Yosemite and the other parks you'll be at higher altitudes a lot of the time so it will be a bit cooler anyway...Also is there any recommended routes?
I'm out in Vegas myself in two days time. Love the drive from LA, in fact driving anywhere out on the open road in the US is a hoot
Enjoy
Office_Monkey said:
Nice, how much was that per day?
I'm sorry, I really can't remember about $1400 for 10 days unlimited mileage. We booked a basic car and upgraded at Hertz when we landed. The hire office was dead so the guy took us out to the car park and showed us what was available. We wanted a Corvette but the luggage space was woefull.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff