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Planning a drive to Portland OR from Las Vegas. Looked on Google maps and it seems to take me thru very remote locations which is a bit worrisome. Or I can go thru California which adds to the trip but it is all interstate = mostly. WOuld be interested in perspective from anyone who has done that trip. We would be driving in late October. thanks
You are correct, the shortest route is nearly exclusively 2 lane roads that goes through pretty remote territory. There's nothing wrong with that, but you do have to be a little more careful to do things like making sure you're filling up on gas before heading into a long stretch without services and planning your overnight stop appropriately (this trip is about 1000 miles even on the shortest route, so an overnight stop is mandatory for a safe trip).
If you'd rather have the ease of sticking to the Interstate, that's perfectly fine too, and really only adds and hour or so to a two day trip. Having said that, if you'd prefer the interstate, then I think you'll find it a bit faster and easier to use I-84 to I-15 through Salt Lake City than to go down to California and back over.
Let's look at the 4 most obvious routes:
Mostly US-95 South: 970 miles, two days, very remote, probably going to be 10-11 hours each day on the road. As stated above, you must plan your gas stops pretty carefully.
84 to US-93 south: 1049 miles, two days, also pretty remote, about 10-11 hours each day on the road, gas stops planned carefully.
I-84 to I-15: 1186 miles, two long days but not quite so remote, probably 11 hours a day but more populated driving. Gas will be plentiful all the way through Utah. We always fuel up in St George or Mesquite NV, as it's usually cheaper than Las Vegas (for some oddball reason), but if you don't already have the Gas Buddy app on your smartphone, you'll want it.
I-5 to CA-46 to CA-99 to CA-58 to I-15: 1143 miles. Though it's 43 miles closer than the 84/15 idea, you are on 2-lane highways for about 60 miles. THEN you have the traffic northbound between Barstow and Las Vegas. If this driving is on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, it is bound to be congested, no matter what time of the year.
If this were my trip, I'd opt for I-84 to I-15. Prettier drive, completely interstate, and the only congestion you might see is the Salt Lake City area.
Donna
Both of you have the trip reversed, the way I read it - going from LV to Portland.
I think this is a typo:
Quote:
you are on 2-lane highways for about 0 miles.
If the weather is clear and no conditions on ground you will find I15-US93-I84 (open and no Salt Lake city traffic) a fun drive or as suggested here before I15-I84 would be best in case of snow forecast.
I taken US93 just east of Las Vegas all the way up to I84 in Idaho then straight to Portland. It's very easy drive. Only thing you should consider when taking US93 to fill up before leaving Vegas as US93 between I15 and I80 has one or two at the most stops for gas fill up until you hit I80 junction.
Part of US93 in Nevada has one of best views in fall/winter time.
If you take US-93, you can use NV-318 and US-6 as a shortcut as long as you have enough gas to get to Ely. There are no services between Ash Springs and Ely and as I remember, no cell service either.
Are you looking for the quickest route or are you planning to make this a sightseeing trip and how much time are you allowing ? Even taking the 'remote' option you would not be alone for long if you required assistance and (for me) it's far more interesting than Interstate.