Originally posted by Scrooge
Just be careful what time of day you hit the 10 if you are driving to Burbank, hit it at rush hour and it makes the M25 look like a race track.
Duly noted, Scrooge - thanks for the advice. Don't think I'll be involved with the rush hour - plan is to leave Vegas 'early' and arrive around lunchtime Wednesday. We're staying overnight in Burbank and will probably leave after lunch on Thursday.
What's Vegas like when arriving by road around 6 - 7pm? We'll be making our way to Paradise Road in the first instance.
Originally posted by Scrooge
no idea what the hotel is like, never stayed there, the problem is the neighborhood it is in, not exactly the best in town, so cab it if you need to go anywhere.
Can deal with that - got a hire car for the two weeks (unnecessary I know, but never been on a US holiday without having a hire car), and can hire a cab easily enough when necessary.
Thanks again for the advice - will need to buy you a beer or two when we're over [;)]
Wow, my first ever post on v-flyer and it is, surprise, something I actually know a little about! Little did I think I might be contributing a small something even before introducing myself in the Clubhouse.
I have done the LA-LAS drive many times, sometimes monthly for years. This was especially when we were still living in Santa Barbara (up in San Luis Obispo now) and doubly especially before the kid was born. Those kids put a damper on going to Vegas. Mine's 2 _ and the wife and I just went to Vegas without her for the first time last week. God bless the grand parents.
I also happen to own a truck repair shop outside of Barstow in this mysterious little town called Daggett. We are 11 miles north of Barstow on the exit saying ÒGhost Town Road.Ó I am not kidding. While a precondition of my marriage was that I would never live in Barstow, I have spent significant time there and the nearby Fort Irwin. Spent many a miserable night and day at Fort Irwin on M-1 tanks, too.
A couple of random thoughts- I have always enjoyed the drive to Vegas. Always seemed to be about a wash time wise in regards to flying. Coming back was a different story generally due to a much lighter wallet and the possible presence of a hangover. In fact, we have been known to take advantage of the State Line/Primm room bargains (get a decent room and change back for a $20 bill) when continuing on would have been unpleasant at the best and flat out dangerous at the worst.
A few tips- for what they are worth:
1. Never-ever do the LA-LAS drive on a Friday night. And even more so- never-ever-ever do the LAS-LA drive on a Sunday (or a Monday if it happens to be a three-day weekend.) I cannot overstate this enough- just do not do it. It seems all of SOCAL drives to Vegas every weekend (it can take 6 or 8 hours when the inevitable accident occurs) and you will witness the worst driving skills ever. Once the traffic gums up you will also witness the worst in human behavior as people cut each other off, are down right rude, and do stupidly dangerous things to try and save 15 seconds on their way home. Just don't go on a Friday or return at the end of the weekend.
2. In & Out Burger, Barstow Outlet Malls- the outlet malls are the outlet malls. I understand they are pretty decent but shopping is not my thing. My favorite part- and the only reason I ever get off on the exit is a hamburger joint called ÒIn & Out.Ó They are a very popular SOCAL chain that still retains great burgers and fries. A must stop in SOCAL, Barstow- or Vegas since they have a couple there as well.
3. Peggy Sue's Ð ok, go to Barstow for the Starbucks (Main St) but don't eat in Barstow. Go out to Daggett (11 mi north) and get off on Ghost Town Road (heading to Vegas) or Yermo-Daggett Rd (heading South). Go to the south side of the I-15 and turn left- past the Jack in the Box. There is an old place called Peggy Sue's. Now that is a good place. Not necessarily good in a steak house kind of way, but a great cheesey sort of old school dinner. Foods good, too, if you are not on a diet.
While I wouldn't call driving LA-LAS ÒfunÓ it certainly is an adventure. The landscape will grow on you. It has on me- not enough to move to the area, of course. Also, do drive a good vehicle and carry water- especially in the summer.
I have done the LA-LAS drive many times, sometimes monthly for years. This was especially when we were still living in Santa Barbara (up in San Luis Obispo now) and doubly especially before the kid was born. Those kids put a damper on going to Vegas. Mine's 2 _ and the wife and I just went to Vegas without her for the first time last week. God bless the grand parents.
I also happen to own a truck repair shop outside of Barstow in this mysterious little town called Daggett. We are 11 miles north of Barstow on the exit saying ÒGhost Town Road.Ó I am not kidding. While a precondition of my marriage was that I would never live in Barstow, I have spent significant time there and the nearby Fort Irwin. Spent many a miserable night and day at Fort Irwin on M-1 tanks, too.
A couple of random thoughts- I have always enjoyed the drive to Vegas. Always seemed to be about a wash time wise in regards to flying. Coming back was a different story generally due to a much lighter wallet and the possible presence of a hangover. In fact, we have been known to take advantage of the State Line/Primm room bargains (get a decent room and change back for a $20 bill) when continuing on would have been unpleasant at the best and flat out dangerous at the worst.
A few tips- for what they are worth:
1. Never-ever do the LA-LAS drive on a Friday night. And even more so- never-ever-ever do the LAS-LA drive on a Sunday (or a Monday if it happens to be a three-day weekend.) I cannot overstate this enough- just do not do it. It seems all of SOCAL drives to Vegas every weekend (it can take 6 or 8 hours when the inevitable accident occurs) and you will witness the worst driving skills ever. Once the traffic gums up you will also witness the worst in human behavior as people cut each other off, are down right rude, and do stupidly dangerous things to try and save 15 seconds on their way home. Just don't go on a Friday or return at the end of the weekend.
2. In & Out Burger, Barstow Outlet Malls- the outlet malls are the outlet malls. I understand they are pretty decent but shopping is not my thing. My favorite part- and the only reason I ever get off on the exit is a hamburger joint called ÒIn & Out.Ó They are a very popular SOCAL chain that still retains great burgers and fries. A must stop in SOCAL, Barstow- or Vegas since they have a couple there as well.
3. Peggy Sue's Ð ok, go to Barstow for the Starbucks (Main St) but don't eat in Barstow. Go out to Daggett (11 mi north) and get off on Ghost Town Road (heading to Vegas) or Yermo-Daggett Rd (heading South). Go to the south side of the I-15 and turn left- past the Jack in the Box. There is an old place called Peggy Sue's. Now that is a good place. Not necessarily good in a steak house kind of way, but a great cheesey sort of old school dinner. Foods good, too, if you are not on a diet.
While I wouldn't call driving LA-LAS ÒfunÓ it certainly is an adventure. The landscape will grow on you. It has on me- not enough to move to the area, of course. Also, do drive a good vehicle and carry water- especially in the summer.
Originally posted by gv
Thanks for the welcome, all. I have to admit I am surprised that we are talking about Barstow and Daggett on v-flyer!
I can not imagine anything more different than the LHR Clubhouse than Daggett, CA.
- Greg
Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of V-Flyer [:w]
Thanks gv- will be doing the drive on a Tesday so should be OK.
DL
DL
I knew that trusty V-Flyer would have something about this!
I'm going to be in Vegas 19th-22nd June (at the Wynn) for a supplier event, which finishes on the Saturday around noon with some activities like golfing, spa thingies and flights over the Grand Canyon, that sort of thing. Saturday afternoon and evening will be at 'my disposal', so to speak.
The international leg of the trip home will be out of LAX late afternoon on the Sunday (NZ2 leaves around 16.30), and I was wondering about doing the drive back to LAX from Vegas, but leaving Vegas very early on the Sunday morning (e.g. 6 am, maybe even earlier) to avoid the worst of the traffic, the worst of the heat in the desert, and give myself at least a few hours 'buffer' time to allow for stops, or worse, traffic jams or accidents. (The cunning plan is that I'll also sleep like a log on the flight, as a result.)
I know there's been some advice to avoid the drive from Vegas back to SoCal on Sundays, but does that apply even leaving Vegas so early in the morning?
Any hints or tips?
Mike
I'm going to be in Vegas 19th-22nd June (at the Wynn) for a supplier event, which finishes on the Saturday around noon with some activities like golfing, spa thingies and flights over the Grand Canyon, that sort of thing. Saturday afternoon and evening will be at 'my disposal', so to speak.
The international leg of the trip home will be out of LAX late afternoon on the Sunday (NZ2 leaves around 16.30), and I was wondering about doing the drive back to LAX from Vegas, but leaving Vegas very early on the Sunday morning (e.g. 6 am, maybe even earlier) to avoid the worst of the traffic, the worst of the heat in the desert, and give myself at least a few hours 'buffer' time to allow for stops, or worse, traffic jams or accidents. (The cunning plan is that I'll also sleep like a log on the flight, as a result.)
I know there's been some advice to avoid the drive from Vegas back to SoCal on Sundays, but does that apply even leaving Vegas so early in the morning?
Any hints or tips?
Mike
Originally posted by Scrooge
Leave as early as you can, if you beat the mad rush back you should be fine.
Thanks for the tip. Will you be around that weekend, or busy working for most of it?
Cheers,
Mike
i've just come back from an LA/LV trip which i drove between and I can offer my tuppence worth...
firstly on the way out we left LA about 11 and although it was busy it was never congested until about 3 miles outside vegas when a truck had broken down in the middle lane.
on the way back we left on a friday at about 12.30 and flew the whole way until 20 miles outside LAX when we crawled, which delayed us about 45 mins.
My advise, definitly budget 6-7 hours if the roads are relativle free, that will allow for a meal/ sleep break, which you will need as the roads WILL send you to sleep , and most importantly for all British / European drivers be advised that most Americans (and I'm speaking from experience) haven't a clue about lane discipline and you will usually need to undertake to pass them - they all crawl at 65 - 75 mph and if you want to make any time up you need to 'ton' it. I didn't get stopped but if you did just put on your poshest British accent!!!!!! [:0]
OH and make sure your air con is working, also fill up for fuel in LA/LV as Barstow, and especially Bakers are considerably more expensive than elsewhere - still cheaper than us though [:(!]
firstly on the way out we left LA about 11 and although it was busy it was never congested until about 3 miles outside vegas when a truck had broken down in the middle lane.
on the way back we left on a friday at about 12.30 and flew the whole way until 20 miles outside LAX when we crawled, which delayed us about 45 mins.
My advise, definitly budget 6-7 hours if the roads are relativle free, that will allow for a meal/ sleep break, which you will need as the roads WILL send you to sleep , and most importantly for all British / European drivers be advised that most Americans (and I'm speaking from experience) haven't a clue about lane discipline and you will usually need to undertake to pass them - they all crawl at 65 - 75 mph and if you want to make any time up you need to 'ton' it. I didn't get stopped but if you did just put on your poshest British accent!!!!!! [:0]
OH and make sure your air con is working, also fill up for fuel in LA/LV as Barstow, and especially Bakers are considerably more expensive than elsewhere - still cheaper than us though [:(!]
Originally posted by esf666
most importantly for all British / European drivers be advised that most Americans (and I'm speaking from experience) haven't a clue about lane discipline and you will usually need to undertake to pass them
When I was being introduced to driving in the US about a decade ago my host pointed out that changing lanes on the freeway, except when coming up to an exit, was not something driver did. It's not that they don't have a clue about lane discipline, it's just not an idea to which they subscribe, and passing on either side is an entirely acceptable practice.
Paul
We can get better, because we're not dead yet
Originally posted by pjhOriginally posted by esf666
most importantly for all British / European drivers be advised that most Americans (and I'm speaking from experience) haven't a clue about lane discipline and you will usually need to undertake to pass them
When I was being introduced to driving in the US about a decade ago my host pointed out that changing lanes on the freeway, except when coming up to an exit, was not something driver did. It's not that they don't have a clue about lane discipline, it's just not an idea to which they subscribe, and passing on either side is an entirely acceptable practice.
Paul
although there are signs everywhere advising slower drivers to keep right [:?]
Originally posted by esf666
i've just come back from an LA/LV trip which i drove between and I can offer my tuppence worth...
firstly on the way out we left LA about 11 and although it was busy it was never congested until about 3 miles outside vegas when a truck had broken down in the middle lane.
on the way back we left on a friday at about 12.30 and flew the whole way until 20 miles outside LAX when we crawled, which delayed us about 45 mins.
My advise, definitly budget 6-7 hours if the roads are relativle free, that will allow for a meal/ sleep break, which you will need as the roads WILL send you to sleep , and most importantly for all British / European drivers be advised that most Americans (and I'm speaking from experience) haven't a clue about lane discipline and you will usually need to undertake to pass them - they all crawl at 65 - 75 mph and if you want to make any time up you need to 'ton' it. I didn't get stopped but if you did just put on your poshest British accent!!!!!! [:0]
OH and make sure your air con is working, also fill up for fuel in LA/LV as Barstow, and especially Bakers are considerably more expensive than elsewhere - still cheaper than us though [:(!]
Thanks for the update - the American system of driving suits me fine (wish we'd adopt it here as the motorways would IMHO run more freely).As we'll be in Dollar's current 8 seater offering (ie transit van contraption) 65-75 mph will be fine[:)]
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