Los Angeles to Las Vegas

Hello everyone

I've been browsing around on this forum for a while now and I've picked up lots of useful information.

I am planning to travel from LA to Las Vegas in December, I am looking to do a 'scenic' road trip and think taking I-15 might not fulfill our needs so to speak! I have looked at taking a route via Death Valley, as ideally I would like to experience driving along desert roads etc. Anyone who has done this route I would love to hear your views as to what is best to take, I am not concerned with how long it will take, but do not want to stop anywhere overnight. At the same time, I dont want to miss any 'must see' attractions on the way.

I have browsed all of the threads on here but cannot see anything that meets my needs, I hope someone can help!

Thanks!

Hello and welcome to the R.T.A forums.

To cross Death Valley I would head North on the 395 and then head East on the 190 through Death valley junction to Pahrump and 160 to Vegas. It will be a long day but give you a great overview of D/V, passing the Sand dunes nr Stovepipe wells, Furnace creek and some nice view points along the way. Get an early start and it's worth it I.M.O.

Your other option to experience desert driving would be a detour of I-15 through part of the Mojave national preserve, with a possible side trip to Calico ghost town just outside Barstow.

Details of the detour into Mojave n.p.

Thanks Dave thats some great info. I've just looked at the thread about Death Valley to Vegas so will take some tips from that, there are so many routes and I just want to make sure we see as much as possible whilst doing the drive!

As far as navigation goes, we were looking at using GPS, but it looks as though a map might be more useful, what are your thoughts?

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Originally Posted by bitgiggy

Thanks Dave thats some great info. I've just looked at the thread about Death Valley to Vegas so will take some tips from that, there are so many routes and I just want to make sure we see as much as possible whilst doing the drive!

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Your welcome,
It's great to see as much as you can, or at least not overlook something that appeals to you personally along the way, but as you are limited to the one day it is going to restrict you. A lot will depend on how much time you spend stopping at certain points, but as a pointer, it took us nearly 8 hours to get from Vegas to Lake Isabella on that route. This allowed time to soak up the atmosphere of D/V with lots of short stops and lunch [along with a look around the museum e.t.c] at Furnace creek ranch, and a quick detour to Badwater.
Of course it can be done much quicker, but to "see as much as possible" it's sometimes best to try and cover less ground.

You could turn off earlier through Ridgecrest and Trona past Ballarat ghost town, which is very isolated with views of the Panamint mountains.

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As far as navigation goes, we were looking at using GPS, but it looks as though a map might be more useful, what are your thoughts?

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I would definately get a detailed map that will let you know what you are passing by. Heres the park visitor guide that contains maps of the area.

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Originally Posted by Southwest Dave

Your welcome,
It's great to see as much as you can, or at least not overlook something that appeals to you personally along the way, but as you are limited to the one day it is going to restrict you. A lot will depend on how much time you spend stopping at certain points, but as a pointer, it took us nearly 8 hours to get from Vegas to Lake Isabella on that route. This allowed time to soak up the atmosphere of D/V with lots of short stops and lunch [along with a look around the museum e.t.c] at Furnace creek ranch, and a quick detour to Badwater.
Of course it can be done much quicker, but to "see as much as possible" it's sometimes best to try and cover less ground.

You could turn off earlier through Ridgecrest and Trona past Ballarat ghost town, which is very isolated with views of the Panamint mountains.



I would definately get a detailed map that will let you know what you are passing by. Heres the park visitor guide that contains maps of the area.

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Thanks for all the advice, you're obviously a veteran when it comes to road tripping America! Out of interest, whats your favourite route between LA and Vegas?

I'm going to look for a decent map now and start planning our route, would love to go through Death Valley and some of the other places you've mentioned.

Hi,

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Thanks for all the advice, you're obviously a veteran when it comes to road tripping America! Out of interest, whats your favourite route between LA and Vegas?

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I guess I'm a veteran when it comes to the road tripping but fairly new to doing so in America. As you probably gathered I love the Southwest and have been fortunate enough to see some of it, but I have much to explore.

I haven't been to L/A as city's are not a priority for me but I wouldn't turn down an opportunity to visit Death valley personally speaking, and the route I mentioned earlier would be my choice, even without time restrictions.
With just the day I would leave L/A as early as possible to avoid the city traffic and be on my way, as it will be an extremely long day.
The Mojave option will be a more relaxed pace and is great in it's own right and will certainly offer you that desert drive experience you mentioned in your first post. You could enter from I-40 on the Kelbaker road, past the Kelso sand dunes and onto the Cima road to link up with I-15 to Vegas.
Maybe someone else will have some input but the choice must be yours ;-)

Whichever way you decide I am sure it will be a great experience for you!