I drive in LA traffic every single day. Yes, you have to paying attention and yes it's not a sport for the faint-hearted, but I rather enjoy it.
Mark
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I drive in LA traffic every single day. Yes, you have to paying attention and yes it's not a sport for the faint-hearted, but I rather enjoy it.
Mark
I'm very curious as to what car rental agencies you've heard of suggesting a manual transmission Donna. In fact, I'd be even more curious as to what US car rental agency would even offer a manual.Quote:
Originally Posted by DonnaR57
About 99% of the US car rental fleet has automatic transmissions, and the 1% is typically coming from the exotic/specialty/sports car market.
Most of the time is is much cheaper to purchase your own GPS, either before you leave or after you arrive, than renting one through your car rental. The rental company will typically charge you about $20 per day, and since you can buy one for under $100, you can see GPS rental is a huge money maker for the rental company.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ziggy
Another word of caution about the GPS. They can be a a nice addition especially for finding specific addresses (like hotels and restaurants), but they should never be used in place of paper maps. Blindly following a GPS without knowing where you are going is one of the easiest ways to get completely lost!
Michael....Enterprise Rent-a-Car in St Louis, and one other small rental company (Rent-a-Wreck, I think) offers stick-shifts, or at least they did a few years back.
Donna
I prefer a manual, and I haven't been able to rent one for at least 20 years!
Thanks everyone for some very useful hints.
While nothing is yet decided re the drive from LA to Flagstaff I have discovered there is an overnight train service between the two places and we are wondering if that may be a smart way to sleep off the jet lag while getting closer to the things we most want to see.Collecting a rental car in Flagstaff seems not to be an issue and we would be saved a lost day in LA.
So far we have planned to spend 1-2 days in Flagstaff including visiting the GC, then on to Torrey for 2 nights so we have time to see Monument Valley, Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon, then a night in Las Vegas after seeing Zion, a night in Bishop and a night somwhere around Yoshemite before going on to SF.
I now find myself with some new queries. I have looked at the route from Flagstaff to Torrey which seemed like a good stopoff point The map brings up two options for routes. THe UT 95 which is a bit shorter or the US 89 through Page. Is one of these routes preferable to the other if we wish to see Monument Valley or in terms of other scenery?
Secondly, we are unsure if we really want to spent a whole day driving through Death Valley in the heat on our way to the Yoshemite Valley(It will be late July or early August). Is the route that goes to the East of Death Valley via Bishop (US95) a good alternative or do you think we are being silly?
I know a lot of people rave about Death Valley but I don't know if we are that mad keen on deserts!
Look forward to some answers to these questions and any other advice or comments.
As you are going to Monument valley, UT 95 would be quite a bit quicker and both options will be scenic. I would consider spending one night in Flagstaff and then leave the GC at the east entrance along Desert view drive and look for lodgings on route to MV, instead of back tracking to Flagstaff. Cameron Trading post, Tuba City or Kayenta would be options. The same I would say of Torrey, you could visit Capitol Reef from Torrey, [or on the way] but it would make no sense to go all the way to Bryce and then back to Torrey. Look for lodgings in Tropic or check out 'Rubys Inn' right by the entrance to Bryce canyon.
If you take UT 95 route you can turn onto UT261 a little way past Mexican Hat. This will give you a rather 'exciting' ride up the 'Moki Dugway'. You will also be passing Goosenecks State park and Natural Bridges NM, but time might not be on your side. [Use the search box for 'Moki Dugway'.]
I think it would be silly not to drive through Death valley and experience the landscape, even if it's through the windshield in the comfort of your air conditioned car. There are spots you can hop out for a photo and stay close to the car and Furnace creek has refreshments and a museum. It's what you think that matters and taking the alternative route is a viable option if you are not convinced. Of course you would have the option of skipping Las Vegas if you don't go to Death valley and making your way between Zion and Yosemite via Tonopah NV. I certainly think you should try and find a night from somewhere to stay at Zion NP, it's a wonderful place with a selection of easy walks through the canyon and alongside the Virgin river. Springdale is a great little town right near the entrance.
My preference after a long plane flight is to spend a night in a good hotel near airport and then rent car the next day. Many hotels provide airport transportation and you'll find smaller ones north or south of airport. You'd have to check rental car companies and locations to see if it is in fact cheaper to rent outside airport. Some companies will also pick you up.
Heading east from LAX should be OK except for late afternoons M-Th and Fri afternoon. Death Valley may be the hottest place on your route which includes many warm summer locations.
People I've met from NZ and Australia do quite a bit of shopping for non-souvenir items before returning home and there are many major stores near LAX if that is your departure point.
Okay, you've convinced me! Death Valley here we come! We will take up your suggestions of the best places to stop on the way around and have decided to take a stop at Pahrump too. That way we will be able to make an early start on the Death Valley route so that we will hopefully be through and out the other side before it reaches it's peak temperature. Have just booked our flights and we will be doing this part of the trip on 22nd July so it will no doubt be very hot.
Thank you so much for all the helpful advice. I'm so pleased I found the website.
Hey Ziggy.
If you think of any further questions between now and then, just let us know.
If not, have a great trip and please drop by and share your experience and thoughts with us when all is done, Thanks.
Dave.