Driving from LA-good/bad idea?

[Darren Wheeler]

Originally posted by HighFlyer
Barstow was cool [y] I'd not seen real tumbleweed before [:D]

Thanks,
Sarah

Yes, and I think that is what the 'railway carridge' serves. Deep Fried Tumbleweed...

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by HighFlyer
Barstow was cool [y] I'd not seen real tumbleweed before [:D]

Thanks,
Sarah

Yes you have, he was sitting next to you [:0]

[Scrooge]

I would like to at this point, point out that in this thread as well as many others there are snide, funny, sometimes hurtful (but only to LRoM) comments made by members, the reasons for these comments are wide and varied, some come from discussions on here, but the majority come from the social functions put on by V-Flyer.

As such I invite you to keep abreast of the up coming social events here so you to can give LRoM the grief he so richly deserves [y]

[Darren Wheeler]

Nice little link [y]

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
Nice little link [y]

Don't scare me like that..had me thinking I had posted the wrong link.

Glad you have decided to make the drive, I really do have to find a picture of that road sign.

[HighFlyer]

Originally posted by Scrooge
I really do have to find a picture of that road sign.

This one?



And dont forget the worlds tallest thermometer ...

Thanks,
Sarah

[Scrooge]

That one will work Sarah, I have a couple more, most of the time I think about taking a picture of the sign, then as I approach I just say sod it and keep on driving.

In a perverse sort of way I'm looking forward to this trip! Barstow sounds ..well ..er....interesting (Cool HF???) Deep fried tumbleweed?? What is this Railway Carriage place?.Places with unpronounceable names (a bit like being back at home), giant thermometers, what else does the journey have in store? Any ideas on which way is best for us to head out of LA and any opinions on the best time to leave (will be a Tuesday)?
Thanks

[preiffer]

I can give you a 'mix CD' for the journey... [:w]

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by preiffer
I can give you a 'mix CD' for the journey... [:w]

Nobody deserves that [:?]

Originally posted by DragonLady
In a perverse sort of way I'm looking forward to this trip! Barstow sounds ..well ..er....interesting (Cool HF???) Deep fried tumbleweed?? What is this Railway Carriage place?.Places with unpronounceable names (a bit like being back at home), giant thermometers, what else does the journey have in store? Any ideas on which way is best for us to head out of LA and any opinions on the best time to leave (will be a Tuesday)?
Thanks

Ok the railway coach..get off on main street from teh 15, turn right at the light, left at the first light and you will be in the parking lot...the is a McDonalds and some tacky little stores in there.

Where in LA EXACTLY are you leaving from ?

Originally posted by Scrooge

Nobody deserves that [:?]

Something makes me think someone fell for the bait hook, line and sinker.

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by Bean Counter

Originally posted by Scrooge

Nobody deserves that [:?]

Something makes me think someone fell for the bait hook, line and sinker.

try a whole group of us

[preiffer]

Dude - YOU were the one singing along (with the rest of them [:w])

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by preiffer
Dude - YOU were the one singing along (with the rest of them [:w])

Yes to some of the songs..but not 'I'm a Barbie girl' [:0]

Originally posted by Scrooge

Originally posted by preiffer
I can give you a 'mix CD' for the journey... [:w]

Nobody deserves that [:?]

[y][y][y] If it's cheesey and singable send it my way [:D]Can't be any worse than some of the durge that Mr DL and Dragonbaby currently bombard me with.

[mcmbenjamin]

Hmmm. 5 hours drive or 1 hour flight? more time in Vegas could be better.

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
Hmmm. 5 hours drive or 1 hour flight? more time in Vegas could be better.

Hmmmm. 5 hours drive or 1 hour flight? Different experience could be better.

I'm beginning to sound like those HSBC ads in LHR between T1 and T3. You know the ones - two identical pictures with different tag lines 'Old-Wise, Wise-Old' etc

[Bazz]

Having done the drive several times I agree it is somewhat boring but with all of you together in the van you should be able to amuse yourselves. Last time we did it we had a Hertz hire car and there was no extra charge for a one way (flew on to SFO).

The Barstow Outlets are now in a new complex between Osborne Road and the I15 accessible from Osborne Road only not directly off the I15. They are not a patch on the Desert Hills ones at Cabazon off the I10 or the Las Vegas Premium Outlets but they make a worthwhile break to the drive being as Dave says roughly half way distant. The old Barstow outlets on the other side of Osborne Road are now all but closed as the best stores have move to the new location - don't even bother going to the old location, it sucks.

Originally posted by honey lamb

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
Hmmm. 5 hours drive or 1 hour flight? more time in Vegas could be better.

Hmmmm. 5 hours drive or 1 hour flight? Different experience could be better.

I'm beginning to sound like those HSBC ads in LHR between T1 and T3. You know the ones - two identical pictures with different tag lines 'Old-Wise, Wise-Old' etc

Both of the above were considered at length.Doing it by road may not really be much longer than flying by the time we drive to whichever airport,jettison car,dump bags etc etc and do the process in reverse at LAS.My other worry is getting bumped (which happened last time )and spending a couple of hours on standby hoping to get on the next flight.As the response to drive has been pretty positive (and trust me if you'd all said it was a truly crazy idea in the summer heat I'd have heeded your advice) I've booked the car hire with a one way rental.

[Darren Wheeler]

One thing I would do is, when you have picked up the wagon, call into a local Wal-Mart etc. and pick up a cheap cooler, bottles of water and a bag of ice. When you get to Vegas, give the cooler away unless you plan on needing it.

Done the drive three times now - with me doing all the driving! - in a convertible, a regular midsize car and a 4x4. Each time the drive also seems quicker and easier. Have also flown before but with the whole hassle of dropping off hire car, checking in, security, the flight, collecting bags etc, I still think the drive works out quicker.

First tip would be to get yourself a biggest and most comfortble car as possible and make sure the air con works. Even though driving through the desert with the top down on the convertible was amazing (and very Thelma and Louise), the small bout of sunstroke after wasn't!

Also, have a good nights sleep before and drive in the morning and the drive will seem easy - also this way you'll get into Vegas ready for a nice lunch buffet! I once did it straight after getting off the plane from London and I was fighting to stay awake the whole time! Also think about the day of the week that you'll be driving - on a Friday/Saturday, there will be lots of traffic! Also beware of Vegas events/public holidays as this will also increase your driving time.

And the best way to think about doing the journey is not to think about how long you still have to go before you get to Vegas, but how long to go until the next 'stop'!

First stop: Barstow - always stop in Dennys and have brekkie/lunch and then go to Starbucks for a coffee for the car. Still haven't been to any of the outlets even though there's quite a few there now.

Second stop (if needed): Baker - not much here but there's a few fast food places.

Third stop: Primm - go into Buffalo Bills and go on the most painful roller coaster ever!

From Primm, its about a forty minute drive into Vegas. Driving around the mountain and seeing Vegas in the distance does make driving seem worth it. Just a small aside and that's to watch your speed on this stretch of the I-15 as there always seems to be roadworks and lots of accidents!

As also stated, stop off at a supermarket before the drive and stock up on cans of coke, water, crisps etc.

Also, you will need to have a decent 'Driving to Vegas CD' to have blasting out of the stereo on the drive. Here's a few of the tracks on mine:

Sweet Child of Mine - Guns and Roses (Just for the fab intro)
Livin' On A Prayer - Bon Jovi (Just for the 'oh we're half way there' line!)
Viva Las Vegas - Elvis (just for the approach into Vegas)
Burning Love - Travis Tritt (a brilliant cover of this song)
Who Are You? - The Who (for any CSI nut)
I Drove All Night - Roy Orbison
The Heat Is On - Glenn Frey

If you need any more tips or info, just ask! [:X]

[Darren Wheeler]

Just another tip. Regardless of the fact it's a hire car, always check the fluids, esp. coolant before heading off. Lost count of the hire cars with low oil or no washer fluid.

Tinkerbelle

great tracks, might have to think of a reason to do drive again just to listen to those. By the way my kids thought the roller coaster at Primm was amazing, have got a photo of Buffalo Bill but don't know how to put it on here.

Dragonlady, bet you never thought this topic would be of such interest to everyone! Also couple of years ago I decided to drive from Phoenix to Vegas, it was the day after the thwarted attempt to supposedly blow up 5 aircraft going form UK to US, so we were told to check in for an internal flight 3 hours early, decided it would be about same time door to door to drive. Now that was also a boring drive, we actually went through a place called Nothing and it was shut!

Lynne

[Scrooge]

Ok pretty easy to get from Disney to Vegas

Take the 5 North

Switch to the 91 East

15 North

Thats it...pretty easy huh [:?]

Also a couple of things to think about....California drivers have no clue how to drive, please be wary of them, if it rains, just hide in the hotel for an extra day lol

As other have said..stock up on water etc, breaking down in the high desert during the summer can be deadly.

Leave after 9am to avoid rush hour traffic, even though you would be going against the flow most of the way there is still a good chance of catching some traffic.

Thanks for all the advice and tips folks.No glamorous convertible for us (perhaps we could attempt a coversion of the van as performed by Messers Clarkson, Hammond and May?).Anyone any idea what Dollar are currently using for an 8 seater van? (the car hire broker told me a Dodge Ram but they stopped producing tem a few years ago). Good idea to buy a cool box -we'll be doing a fair bit of driving while in LA (including a visit to a car show in Pomona)so it'll get good use.I'll make sure that the job of checking water levels etc is delegated to my slightly neurotic and obsessional brother .
The drive sounds straightforward enough (famous last words)-thanks for the directions Dave.We've encountered Ca drivers in the rain previously. They have absolutely Noooo idea... We were glad to be in a Jeep Commander but it was still a bit hairy!.
Thanks again for all the help.