Driving LA to Vegas (During Thanksgiving)
Discussion
Hi guys, going back Vegas in November but we managed to get flights to LA for over 100 pounds cheaper. So we thought we'd go a day early and do a bit of a roadtrip. We're going to do a day and night in LA then head off for Vegas early in the morning (Thurs 24th) But i have 3 questions that hopefully someone could help with!
1) I know it's a long drive, but is it best to stay at a hotel maybe in the San Bernadino area of LA so that in the morning we miss all the LA traffic? If so, how long can we expect to get there in from here? It look sto be right at the start of the I-15.
2) Are we going to have horrific traffic being thanksgiving and all? Or will it be like xmas here, where the roads are dead?
3) Will it be warm enough in November daytime to have a convertable? Or shall we not even bother?
Thanks guys!
1) I know it's a long drive, but is it best to stay at a hotel maybe in the San Bernadino area of LA so that in the morning we miss all the LA traffic? If so, how long can we expect to get there in from here? It look sto be right at the start of the I-15.
2) Are we going to have horrific traffic being thanksgiving and all? Or will it be like xmas here, where the roads are dead?
3) Will it be warm enough in November daytime to have a convertable? Or shall we not even bother?
Thanks guys!
It's not that long a drive normally - 4-5hrs - but it could well be absolutely horrendous that day. Although more and more American firms that we deal with seem to be taking every opportunity to shut down so they may close for the week which would help matters.
It won't be cold but it might not be comfortable driving that kind of distance in a convertible - especially if you are stuck in jams. Bear in mind with the roof down there isn't much boot space.
It won't be cold but it might not be comfortable driving that kind of distance in a convertible - especially if you are stuck in jams. Bear in mind with the roof down there isn't much boot space.
The 24th is a Wednesday - the day before Thanksgiving, when the traffic is murderous.
Delay your drive until Thurs when everyone will be home stuffing turkey and ham into themselves and watching Detroit getting their arses kicked. Next day (Black Friday) it all gets horrible again, because the holiday sales start.
Delay your drive until Thurs when everyone will be home stuffing turkey and ham into themselves and watching Detroit getting their arses kicked. Next day (Black Friday) it all gets horrible again, because the holiday sales start.
Make sure you've gassed up before the Thursday though, I can recall having an anxious time some years back wondering if going to run out, so many stations shut.
Maybe it has changed now, and is less of a problem in cities away from the wild and woolly boondocks in the middle of not much.
Maybe it has changed now, and is less of a problem in cities away from the wild and woolly boondocks in the middle of not much.
Just come back from a road trip in the USA (last week) and the drive from LA to Vegas took longer than we had expected (over 5 hrs). It took us over an hour to exit LA (from LAX you have to cross the city which can be even more hideous in rush hour). Also, we took the 10am flight from Heathrow so were up at 4am - landing a bit late - it was nearly 11hr flight, then through massive security queues, then picking up the car took longer than we had imagined. We didn't really stop anywhere en-route but arrived in Vegas at 9.30pm. It was quite tiring so worth factoring all that that in when planning your drive. If you end up driving at night it's a long, fairly straight road that has no street lighting so it's quite tiring after a long flight.
We hired a GT Mustang and although the company was pretty good, they didn't permit driving in Arizona (only Nevada and California). We did go over to Arizona for a while to take in the Hoover Dam but it's worth checking that aspect out with the rental company too.
We had a stop-over last year in Miami en route to Nevis during Thanksgiving and it was sheer and utter hell on earth, the taxi took 3hrs to reach the hotel (should take 50 mins) I would never travel in the USA during Thanksgiving ever ever ever again.
We hired a GT Mustang and although the company was pretty good, they didn't permit driving in Arizona (only Nevada and California). We did go over to Arizona for a while to take in the Hoover Dam but it's worth checking that aspect out with the rental company too.
We had a stop-over last year in Miami en route to Nevis during Thanksgiving and it was sheer and utter hell on earth, the taxi took 3hrs to reach the hotel (should take 50 mins) I would never travel in the USA during Thanksgiving ever ever ever again.
Thanks for the replies guys! I think we will stay in LA on weds night then, and actually travel in the thursday of thanksgiving, as hopefully everyone will be at home! Gonna get a hotel right near the start of the I-15 in east LA and hopefully cut an hour or so off our drive to Vegas the next day!
Deva Link said:
It's not that long a drive normally - 4-5hrs - but it could well be absolutely horrendous that day. Although more and more American firms that we deal with seem to be taking every opportunity to shut down so they may close for the week which would help matters.
It won't be cold but it might not be comfortable driving that kind of distance in a convertible - especially if you are stuck in jams. Bear in mind with the roof down there isn't much boot space.
I've done LAX to the Luxor in a smidge over 3 hours before. It's 'only' 3 roads! It won't be cold but it might not be comfortable driving that kind of distance in a convertible - especially if you are stuck in jams. Bear in mind with the roof down there isn't much boot space.
nick s said:
Thanks for the replies guys! I think we will stay in LA on weds night then, and actually travel in the thursday of thanksgiving, as hopefully everyone will be at home! Gonna get a hotel right near the start of the I-15 in east LA and hopefully cut an hour or so off our drive to Vegas the next day!
With any luck it will be like Christmas in the UK when it's the best day for going for a ride/drive!The route is indeed only 3 roads and not particularly far but there are many variables to consider of which I outlined a few, if you hit LA or the approach to Vegas at rush hour it will be completely different to travelling in the middle of the night. We seemed to be on the road at the same time as numerous 40mph + 41mph trucks.... the 41mph trucks each taking 15 minutes to pass the 40mph trucks!!
I'm glad I saw Las Vegas but very glad we only stopped there for 1 day and 2 nights. Have fun!
nick s said:
Thanks for the replies guys! I think we will stay in LA on weds night then, and actually travel in the thursday of thanksgiving, as hopefully everyone will be at home! Gonna get a hotel right near the start of the I-15 in east LA and hopefully cut an hour or so off our drive to Vegas the next day!
If you want a break during the drive have a look herehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calico_Ghost_Town
its just after Barstow. Barstow has 2 huge retail outlets for designer clothes if you want to stock up, even if the rate is low. Saying that, the two in Vegas are good too, but the indoor one is slightly better.
Word of worning, if you suffer from heyfever, take some tablets with you for Vegas. This time of year the winds pick up and the dust comes off the desert, and gives you the same symptoms as HF.
Enjoy
Mr F
Mr Freefall said:
nick s said:
Thanks for the replies guys! I think we will stay in LA on weds night then, and actually travel in the thursday of thanksgiving, as hopefully everyone will be at home! Gonna get a hotel right near the start of the I-15 in east LA and hopefully cut an hour or so off our drive to Vegas the next day!
If you want a break during the drive have a look herehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calico_Ghost_Town
its just after Barstow. Barstow has 2 huge retail outlets for designer clothes if you want to stock up, even if the rate is low. Saying that, the two in Vegas are good too, but the indoor one is slightly better.
Word of worning, if you suffer from heyfever, take some tablets with you for Vegas. This time of year the winds pick up and the dust comes off the desert, and gives you the same symptoms as HF.
Enjoy
Mr F
We thought about stopping at that Ghost Town but we were so tired that we ended up visiting one a couple of days later - Rhyolite near Death Valley. Make sure you see the Hoover Dam - it's very impressive!
Thanks guys, already been to the Hoover Dam when i was in Vegas last year 
will be doing the canyon this year though!
Sorto f lokoing forward to the drive now! Thanks for the ghost town link, i think we might stay overnight at Barstow or something instead or at least break the journey up a bit!
Thinking of hiring a convertible Mustang from Enterprise, but are they gonna give us a rubbish watered down yank version? We want to hire something more interesting than the standard cars offered, but our budget won't allow us to stretch to Ferraris etc! Any ideas?
will be doing the canyon this year though!Sorto f lokoing forward to the drive now! Thanks for the ghost town link, i think we might stay overnight at Barstow or something instead or at least break the journey up a bit!
Thinking of hiring a convertible Mustang from Enterprise, but are they gonna give us a rubbish watered down yank version? We want to hire something more interesting than the standard cars offered, but our budget won't allow us to stretch to Ferraris etc! Any ideas?
nick s said:
Thanks guys, already been to the Hoover Dam when i was in Vegas last year will be doing the canyon this year though!
Sorto f lokoing forward to the drive now! Thanks for the ghost town link, i think we might stay overnight at Barstow or something instead or at least break the journey up a bit!
Thinking of hiring a convertible Mustang from Enterprise, but are they gonna give us a rubbish watered down yank version? We want to hire something more interesting than the standard cars offered, but our budget won't allow us to stretch to Ferraris etc! Any ideas?
Carhire3000.com will be doing the canyon this year though!Sorto f lokoing forward to the drive now! Thanks for the ghost town link, i think we might stay overnight at Barstow or something instead or at least break the journey up a bit!
Thinking of hiring a convertible Mustang from Enterprise, but are they gonna give us a rubbish watered down yank version? We want to hire something more interesting than the standard cars offered, but our budget won't allow us to stretch to Ferraris etc! Any ideas?
They do a policy that covers you in the USA for all your excess, no matter what happens. I was dropping a car of and got hit by another car. I just walked in, got a new on, no excess or expense. In the USA they even try to have you over for tyres too.
Hampton-Inn is right on the Barstow retail park, stayed there quite nice...
Mr F
Matt Harper said:
nick s said:
Thinking of hiring a convertible Mustang from Enterprise, but are they gonna give us a rubbish watered down yank version?
No - just make sure you ask for the really not rubbish, super-powerful English version.Matt Harper said:
nick s said:
Thinking of hiring a convertible Mustang from Enterprise, but are they gonna give us a rubbish watered down yank version?
No - just make sure you ask for the really not rubbish, super-powerful English version.parakitaMol. said:
Matt Harper said:
nick s said:
Thinking of hiring a convertible Mustang from Enterprise, but are they gonna give us a rubbish watered down yank version?
No - just make sure you ask for the really not rubbish, super-powerful English version.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff