Death Valley in a Corvette?
Discussion
Has anyone done it? Will be going mid September. We're doing a road trip - SF through to Death Valley, Highway 395, Sonoma/Napa and back to SF.
We were looking at hiring a corvette - the only thing that's worrying me is whether we'll be able to get anywhere in DV in one - don't want to go off roading, but we'd like to be able to see some highlights and I'm concerned about clearance.
Views/experiences anyone?
We were looking at hiring a corvette - the only thing that's worrying me is whether we'll be able to get anywhere in DV in one - don't want to go off roading, but we'd like to be able to see some highlights and I'm concerned about clearance.
Views/experiences anyone?
I've done this several times..roads are fine, no problems with clearance (vettes ain't that low)......just keep the fuel tank topped up as it can be a long way between fuel stops, particularly in the valley
roads are like this:
I'll be back in september myself......that route will take a long time - and when you're that close I'd take in Vegas, especially since the road from Death Valley to Vegas is superb - the roads in California are rubbish - dull as a dull thing on dull sunday and heavily policed, so put the foot down and you will get a ticket (as I have discovered to the tune of nearly $800 in fines so far)
Also, check the weather for 395 - that road can be blocked by snow anytime outside July and August - unlikely when you are going, but not unheard of - the bit to the north of Yosemite is the problem.
I've hundreds more pics of that region (SF, Yosemite, Sequoia, Death Valley, Vegas, etc....) send me a PM if you want to see more....
roads are like this:
I'll be back in september myself......that route will take a long time - and when you're that close I'd take in Vegas, especially since the road from Death Valley to Vegas is superb - the roads in California are rubbish - dull as a dull thing on dull sunday and heavily policed, so put the foot down and you will get a ticket (as I have discovered to the tune of nearly $800 in fines so far)
Also, check the weather for 395 - that road can be blocked by snow anytime outside July and August - unlikely when you are going, but not unheard of - the bit to the north of Yosemite is the problem.
I've hundreds more pics of that region (SF, Yosemite, Sequoia, Death Valley, Vegas, etc....) send me a PM if you want to see more....
Edited by GreigM on Wednesday 12th August 00:09
In truth there's not a lot to see in Death Valley - 'Artist's Drive' is worth a little loop round. The best driving road to Death Valley from LV is via Pahrump, and over the mountain range. The alternative, the 95 [freeway] is real boring...except that if you take the freeway and come off at Beatty you can visit the ghost town at Ryolite. There's only a few ruins though so I'd thrash it on the Pahrump route unless some ruins floats your boat more than driving. The road to Pahrump from LV isn't too exciting, it just gets good after Pahrump.
But if you want impressive sights then it's far better to head off in the opposite direction from LV to Valley of Fire. Best driving is to take the 147 then 167 North Shore - great driving road. If you then want to get back to LV in a hurry go through the park then back on the 15.
Apart from the heat, Death Valley is actually mightily unimpressive apart from the been there, seen it, done it factor.
Far better to take half a day detour for Valley of Fire I'd say, and a little less time in Death Valley. If you do go to Valley of Fire, explore the 2 roads off the main road and do the 'loop'...it'll make sense if you pickup or download the map at the visitor centre.
Oh, and last year in a Shelby Mustang. The Corvette is 1000% better to drive...except the Shelby Mustang sounded better and louder.
But if you want impressive sights then it's far better to head off in the opposite direction from LV to Valley of Fire. Best driving is to take the 147 then 167 North Shore - great driving road. If you then want to get back to LV in a hurry go through the park then back on the 15.
Apart from the heat, Death Valley is actually mightily unimpressive apart from the been there, seen it, done it factor.
Far better to take half a day detour for Valley of Fire I'd say, and a little less time in Death Valley. If you do go to Valley of Fire, explore the 2 roads off the main road and do the 'loop'...it'll make sense if you pickup or download the map at the visitor centre.
Oh, and last year in a Shelby Mustang. The Corvette is 1000% better to drive...except the Shelby Mustang sounded better and louder.
pugwash4x4 said:
thinking of doing the pacific highway for our honeymoon next year- does anyone have any links for 'vette hire?
We did it through Hertz - you get the Hertz yellow & black car but I don't really care about that. My other half did the booking, but i gather from what he said that if you pay up front, you can specifically hire the Vette rather than that annoying 'or something similar' option - you just know it won't be! Just put Hertz san fran into the interwebby or wherever you're going and the Vettes are in the 'fun' section.In 2007 we did Death Valley in a Shelby Mustang and had a blast. There's plenty to see on the main roads, such as Badwater, Artists Drive, Devil's Golf course, Zabriske Point etc. We also did Valley of Fire that year, which is nice enough.
Earlier this year we had a Corvette for one day only. We took the Northshore back road through Lake Mead Rec area from Las Vegas to Valley of Fire early in the morning. Very little other traffic
We swapped it over for a Toyota 4Runner before heading to Death Valley for 4 nights at Stovepipe Wells. There is so much to see in this national park that we only scratched the surface in 2007. This time we wanted to get to "The Racetrack" (with it's moving rocks) and Titus Canyon 
which we needed a 4x4 for. Personally, Death Valley beats Valley of Fire hands down.
We also rented through Hertz on both occasions, and have photos very similar to tvrolet.
You will be fine doing the main bits of DV in a Corvette, however you might have to go back for a longer visit in the future when you realise how much more there is to see! (I hope you dont have much luggage, as all you get is a glorified parcel shelf).
Earlier this year we had a Corvette for one day only. We took the Northshore back road through Lake Mead Rec area from Las Vegas to Valley of Fire early in the morning. Very little other traffic
We swapped it over for a Toyota 4Runner before heading to Death Valley for 4 nights at Stovepipe Wells. There is so much to see in this national park that we only scratched the surface in 2007. This time we wanted to get to "The Racetrack" (with it's moving rocks) and Titus Canyon which we needed a 4x4 for. Personally, Death Valley beats Valley of Fire hands down.We also rented through Hertz on both occasions, and have photos very similar to tvrolet.
You will be fine doing the main bits of DV in a Corvette, however you might have to go back for a longer visit in the future when you realise how much more there is to see! (I hope you dont have much luggage, as all you get is a glorified parcel shelf).
Edited by Breadknife on Thursday 13th August 16:47
Thanks for all the input. I'm sure we'll go back to CA again and again, we really like it. We haven't really got enough time to spend in DV but I would like to go back - I've read about the moving stones and I'd love to see them. I have problems getting AndrewD to consider anything SUV like - aint really his thing! We're staying at the Furnace Creek Ranch - unfortunately, the Inn is seasonal and not open until October - I'd have preferred it but I'm not really fussed - I can't see it when I'm asleep!
Can anyone expand on the luggage room in a corvette? We had a convertible mustang a few years ago and that was fine. We're not big suitcase travellers but on the otherhand a boot of two medium bagsworth would be handy... I'm hoping to bring some wine back from Sonoma and I keep thinking of a trip to France we made a couple of year ago in our old Gallardo - by the time we got home, my feet were nearly on the dash board the passenger footwell and every available nook had something in it!
Can anyone expand on the luggage room in a corvette? We had a convertible mustang a few years ago and that was fine. We're not big suitcase travellers but on the otherhand a boot of two medium bagsworth would be handy... I'm hoping to bring some wine back from Sonoma and I keep thinking of a trip to France we made a couple of year ago in our old Gallardo - by the time we got home, my feet were nearly on the dash board the passenger footwell and every available nook had something in it!
I've done Death Valley in a Lincoln Town Car. That included a fair number of miles on '4x4 only' roads, most of which weren't a problem if you use common sense. Fascinating place
This time of year it does get ludicrously lot, and the sun is strong, so carry plenty of drinking water, at least a gallon a head, just in case.
This time of year it does get ludicrously lot, and the sun is strong, so carry plenty of drinking water, at least a gallon a head, just in case.
tvrolet said:
In truth there's not a lot to see in Death Valley - 'Artist's Drive' is worth a little loop round. The best driving road to Death Valley from LV is via Pahrump, and over the mountain range. The alternative, the 95 [freeway] is real boring...except that if you take the freeway and come off at Beatty you can visit the ghost town at Ryolite. There's only a few ruins though so I'd thrash it on the Pahrump route unless some ruins floats your boat more than driving. The road to Pahrump from LV isn't too exciting, it just gets good after Pahrump.
But if you want impressive sights then it's far better to head off in the opposite direction from LV to Valley of Fire. Best driving is to take the 147 then 167 North Shore - great driving road. If you then want to get back to LV in a hurry go through the park then back on the 15.
Apart from the heat, Death Valley is actually mightily unimpressive apart from the been there, seen it, done it factor.
Far better to take half a day detour for Valley of Fire I'd say, and a little less time in Death Valley. If you do go to Valley of Fire, explore the 2 roads off the main road and do the 'loop'...it'll make sense if you pickup or download the map at the visitor centre.
Seconded on the Valley of Fire, the rocks are really amazing. Death Valley is well worth a visit but if you do make sure you get up well before dawn and see sunrise from either in the sand dunes near Stovepipe Wells or at Zabriske Point near Furnance Creek. Personally I'd favour the dunes as there are less folk there.But if you want impressive sights then it's far better to head off in the opposite direction from LV to Valley of Fire. Best driving is to take the 147 then 167 North Shore - great driving road. If you then want to get back to LV in a hurry go through the park then back on the 15.
Apart from the heat, Death Valley is actually mightily unimpressive apart from the been there, seen it, done it factor.
Far better to take half a day detour for Valley of Fire I'd say, and a little less time in Death Valley. If you do go to Valley of Fire, explore the 2 roads off the main road and do the 'loop'...it'll make sense if you pickup or download the map at the visitor centre.
Artists drive I found a bit dull, Badwater is Ok but park a little further away to get out on the salt flats and get away from the crowds. Dante's Peak can be a nice sunset location and the twisty road up there would be fun in a 'Vette.
For filling up we found Stovepipe Wells significantly cheaper than Furnace Creek.
Also worth seeign if you are up for a longer drive are the beehives (old charcoal kilns) over on the mountain slopes on the road heading out to the west side of the valley.
Final place I'd recommend is the Racetrack at the north of the valley but there's no way you're getting there in the 'Vette, but if you can cadge a lift with someone with more ground clearance it can be spectacular.
Chris
AndrewD said:
zac510 said:
How much did it cost to hire the Vette?
With the pre-pay option we've got it for GBP 410 a week, for two weeks in September with unlimited miles, all the additional insurances includedI'm looking into something like this in July next year for our honeymoon. Any links would be very gratefully received.
:-)
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff