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#937337 by dickydotcom
09 Aug 2017, 08:29
Nikolic wrote:Driving for the first time in the US in October found this thread really useful!

Any tips from driving from LA to Vegas are appreciated


Google Street View. Check it out so you know what the major junctions look like. I have always found it a real bonus.
Dick D
#937344 by ColH
09 Aug 2017, 09:09
Los Angeles to Las Vegas is very easy. One road most of the way assuming you don't want to make it more interesting with a day-long diversion to Death Valley to the north or Mojave to the south. Just get onto I-15 and stay on it. There are some boring long straight bits but also some great scenery here and there. There are well sign-posted exits for the airport once you get there, but if you are staying in Vegas and not flying out right away you are better off getting off the interstate and onto Las Vegas Blvd as soon as possible (maybe by the Premium Outlets just before the airport) just because that's the 'Strip' and you will see more. It's also where the sign is.

A good place to stop on the way is Barstow which you'll get to after an hour or two. There is a small outlet mall with lots of food and gas places around it.

Just as you get to the Nevada state line there is an amazing solar farm on the left, actually loads of mirrors directing sunlight onto huge poles with boilers in them! Across the line is Primm. A strange place with casinos (to get people from California in) You can also find places to stop here, but you are quite close to Vegas by now.
#937502 by Nikolic
14 Aug 2017, 21:58
Eggtastico wrote:
Nikolic wrote:Driving for the first time in the US in October found this thread really useful!

Any tips from driving from LA to Vegas are appreciated



stop off at the vegas sign on the way in. Can be jaunt to get back to afterwards


I've seen the parking lot for the Vegas sign is on the drive out, but looking at Street View it looks pretty easy to do a u-turn on your drive in to reach the car park.

dickydotcom wrote:
Nikolic wrote:Driving for the first time in the US in October found this thread really useful!

Any tips from driving from LA to Vegas are appreciated


Google Street View. Check it out so you know what the major junctions look like. I have always found it a real bonus.
Dick D


Already on it! I do this in the UK let alone the US :cool:
#937514 by Silver Fox
15 Aug 2017, 07:32
It might have already have been said but if you do get stopped by the police/highway patrol/sheriff/any LEO, then do not suddenly rummage around in the glove box or make to get out of the car as they are walking towards you as some LEOs get a little nervous about it. In my very early days of driving in the USA I did this and the sheriff's deputy started to reach for his gun. Told my American co-workers about it and they said just sit in the car with your hands on the steering wheel until he comes up to you which is something I have done since - but certainly no rummaging around in the glove box etc. This is a good guide: http://www.dmv.org/articles/traffic-stop-dos-and-donts/

And never refer to CHP as "CHIPs" in any conversation unless you want to sound like a stupid tourist! :)

You might find this moderately useful/amusing: http://www.californiadriving.com/

But what I will say about driving in the USA is that there is usually so much room, and much clearer signage, that if you do mess up it is not as bad as in the UK, and that the general standard/approach to driving is so much worse than the UK that even if you were driving on the wrong side of the road then you still wouldn't be the worst driver out there ! :)

Oh, and one last thing, don't get angry with other drivers just in case they have a gun ! (wife, you listening????!!!!!).
#937633 by WPIL
18 Aug 2017, 17:19
Not sure if it has been mentioned already. If you are doing the Big Sur route there are lots of closures (have a look on google maps) especially just North and South of the Treebones resort. Let's say some of the alternative routes are not suited for rookie drivers. :-O
#937845 by DoomWolf
27 Aug 2017, 06:31
Make sure you're well covered with insurance on the car as you don't know when someone is going to back into it in a Chevy Silverado pickup while you're sat in a car park. That's exactly what happened to me yesterday morning in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. A retired lady from Pennsylvania driving the pickup who didn't see us parked behind her as she reversed out despite us being in a relatively large GMC Acadia SUV and having been parked for at least 5 minutes.

Fortunately it just left a dent in the rear tailgate and doesn't affect the operation of it. Tomorrow I'm returning the car to Hertz at SLC on our way home and am really looking forward to completing the accident report forms (I've already reported it to Hertz over the phone). It's a good job I've got LDW cover on the car and I also have a separate annual car hire policy that will cover any excess/costs/fees that leave me out of pocket as a result of accidents.
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