Travel from Chico, Ca. To Las Vegas

[art541]

Looking at various recommendations for travel from Chico, Ca to Las Vegas in Mid November there are 3 options.

Going through Reno and taking either US 95 or 395, or to take I-5 down toward LA and then over to Las Vegas. Any recommendations of which route to take. All seem to have close to the same travel time although 395 looks like it a bit longer. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Also, If we break up the trip and stay overnight someplace any recommendations on a clean, mid priced hotel to stay at.

[glc]

Welcome to RTA!

My software says that 99 to 20 to I-80 to Alt-50 to 95 is the fastest. However, taking 99 and/or I-5 to Bakersfield, then 58 to I-15 is only about 15 minutes longer. It all depends on whether you want to take Interstate-quality highways or rural highways. If you take 95, there wouldn't be much in the way of lodging between Tonopah and Las Vegas. If you go via Bakersfield, there are plenty of hotels in Bakersfield, a few in Tehachapi, and a few in Barstow. Going via Bakersfield will also avoid Donner Pass should the weather get bad, when that happens you would have to use tire chains.

You can research hotels HERE. You WILL need to break up the trip, it's too far to safely drive in 1 day.

[Southwest Dave]

If you decide to stop overnight and the weather plays nice, I would look at 395 down to Lone Pine and then drive across Death valley. Of course it depends on your priorities, enjoying some scenery and quick sight seeing stops, or getting there asap.