Driving to Vegas......Best route in Winter???

steelies_R_US · 01-16-2008, 07:37 AM

Heading down to Vegas for a little R & R and wondering what will be the best way to get there considering the weather. Any suggestions? Should we head down to Bakersfield and over or would it be better to head over to reno and then down? Any advice would be great!!!!

Jennie@ifish · 01-16-2008, 07:57 AM

Unless you enjoy the drive isn't it cheaper to fly, these days?

JustCallMeDave · 01-16-2008, 07:58 AM

I don't think that there IS a good route this time of year. There's a LOT of snow in the mountains and driving would be hazardous, to say the least.

reeldick · 01-16-2008, 08:33 AM

Hwy. 84 through Salt Lake gives you the best roads.
Flying is cheaper.

steelies_R_US · 01-16-2008, 08:39 AM

No flying......We are hitting disneyland on the way back and my company is paying for gas......Just looking for road advice

icbig1s · 01-16-2008, 08:57 AM

Given the weather forecast for the next week, either thru Salt Lake (faster time) or thru Fernley, Nv. (about 30 miles shorter) are the 2 routes available. If the weather changes, take I-5 down to Bakersfield. Only a couple mountains to go over. The route thru Bend, Or. is a no go with the Biggs/97 bridge shut down.

Duckwheat · 01-16-2008, 09:02 AM

I would not go to SLC. Head south at Twin Falls, Idaho. Hit Jack Pot, NV then hang on for another 8 hours of driving.

That drive could be harrowing this time of year. Nothing spells fun like driving in whiteout conditions. Bring a deck of cards and some sterno. How about a big dog if you run out or Ritz crakers and gummy bears.

DW

backlash442 · 01-16-2008, 09:37 AM

I'd think about going to Reno then Fallon and take 95 right down into Vegas. On the portions I've been on; from Hawthorne to Fallon and Beatty to Vegas it was a pretty good highway. However, I'd only do this if the weather was good. Lots of nothing out there and not a good place to get stranded (if snowing) and I think much of it is at higher elevations. Good thing is it's on the backside of the Sierras so much of the snow would have already fallen before getting to Nevada. Not a desert for nothing.

If the weather is "iffy" I'd go through Tehachapi. Doesn't usually snow there.

Not sure when you are going but right now there isn't a chance of rain for at least a week. Or was so last I looked.

Got One! · 01-16-2008, 09:42 AM

I used to go down 5 then across 46 to 99 through bakersfield, then 58 to 15 up to vegas The only part that could have bad roads is the tehachapi pass on 58 or around grants pass. I have driven it in 1 "sitting" a few times, but then I dont get tired driving either.

I've taken the Reno way to...boring as all get out and really not any faster than going down 5

I was snow blind going the Utah way a couple times, all in all it can be ok depending on the weather.

Ryan Pultz · 01-16-2008, 01:34 PM

Road wise go i5 down I have gone both ways in the past and the tehachapi mountains are better to cross this time of year then the NV desert good luck and have fun at Disneyland! rp

jvp · 01-16-2008, 01:56 PM

fly and rent a vehicle there. cost a bit more but saves 2 days both directions. IF i were to drive this time of year. i5 and cut across just after the grapevine.

anywhere thru the middle of nevada is 8,oo ft. pass.

if it were summer or i didn't care about the weather, ice and altitudes the fastest way is i5 to 58 to kfalls and then down thru alturas, 39 and 139 right at stop and go to alturas to 395, and TURN left at Standish before susanville. (although i like going the side road just past the ag station and the come out at susanville going past eagle lake). go into reno and then 95 or the alternate 95 which if you know where to turn you can cut another few miles off.

again fly and rent a car much more time to enjoy yourselves.

going myself soon. i am flying which gives me a couple of days in phoenix and a run to algadones(sp) from Laughlin. makes for a much better week than 2 days down and 2 days back 3 days of fun.

Loneangler · 01-16-2008, 02:33 PM

If the weather is good, the route via 395 to Reno (new Cabelas) then to Fernley and alternate 95 south to Las Vegas (Bass Pro shop). Lots of fun places on your trip! I am sure you will have a very good time.

Deeman · 01-16-2008, 04:22 PM

The fastest way is I-5 to stockton, take the 4 east to 99 South to Bakersfield then across to Barstow and in to Vegas from there. The only problem spot may be Ashland to Shasta City. Use oregon trip check to look at the pass prior to leaving. You can cut to 101 and back if the pass is really ugly but that doesnt happen very often. I have driven all the ways mentioned earlier and some are prettier, or more scenic but none are faster. It is 14-15 hrs from Coos Bay so add an 1-1.5 hrs from portland. I do it three or four times per year and believe me I have looked at all options to make the drive as quick and easy as possible.

SlyHawk · 01-16-2008, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelies_R_US

Heading down to Vegas for a little R & R and wondering what will be the best way to get there considering the weather. Any suggestions? Should we head down to Bakersfield and over or would it be better to head over to reno and then down? Any advice would be great!!!!

From PDX go to LAS, rent car/drive, return car. From Las go to Lax, rent car/drive, return car. From Lax go to PDX point of beginning. Don't waste time driving there (even in the best of conditions) unless you feel "just gettin there is half the fun".

steelies_R_US · 01-16-2008, 06:20 PM

Yeah I was kind of thinking about just going to bakersfield and over through barstow. Don't want to fly...........Would have to pay for my wife then

Rocky · 01-16-2008, 08:18 PM

The way I used to go when I had loads going down that way was go 140 to K-falls, 39/139/299 to 395 and drop down into Reno, then 95 from there. Or just past Weed take 89 over to 395. I think both of these routes are faster than going down to Bakersfield and over. Check the forcast though it could get nasty.

JustCallMeDave · 01-16-2008, 10:32 PM

If you're going to Disneyland, then just take I5 south the whole way to L.A., then head out through Victorville to Vegas.

mandinga · 01-16-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loneangler

If the weather is good, the route via 395 to Reno (new Cabelas) then to Fernley and alternate 95 south to Las Vegas (Bass Pro shop). Lots of fun places on your trip! I am sure you will have a very good time.

this is the best route...i lived in reno for 20+ years....

and i'm in vegas right now.

R&R is not possible here...im amazed at how overpriced things are.