Loop route through CA, AZ, UT, NV - looking for advice

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I'm getting into LA in the early morning (around 7am) and was planning to leave around 3-4pm, would the traffic still be terrible then?

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Oh -- UGH. Either way, you're going to get hit with traffic. Fortunately, you'll probably be going in the opposite direction, leaving LAX around 7 am. Going in at 3 or 4 pm -- that's the height of RUSH HOUR, and I capitalized that because in LA, that's bad. Unless you are extremely lucky, you'll find that it's Stop-and-Crawl most of the way. So don't be in any hurry! (If you have a plane to catch, I'd make sure that I was coming into LA a lot sooner than 3-4pm.)



Donna

Donna, the way I read it, this person wants to leave from *somewhere* in LA (not necessarily LAX) around 3 or 4 to drive to Big Bear. That's going to be pretty miserable.

Forget leaving at 3 - 4pm. You will be much better off getting a good night's sleep after sightseeing all day in LA and then leaving around 6 the next morning... and heading out of LA, when everyone else is heading into the city.

That free campsites site is next to useless, from my experience. Some sites I have looked for were either not there, illegal or in a place where I would not feel safe. If you want to explore that site further, take particular note as to when the last posting was for any given place. I found most of them were years old. Much can change with the passage of time. I'd be more inclined to look at BLM campgrounds or State Parks and State Forests.

Lifey

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Originally Posted by poregan

Dave - my friend assures me all is OK as far as insurance goes, and we're close enough that it's understood I'll pay for any excess, damages etc.

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I don't think you fully understood Dave's concerns, which are mine as well. It might be a good idea to get your friend to speak with his insurance agent, to be absolutely sure. Ask what would happen if you were in an accident which was deemed to be your fault and someone was left a quadriplegic. Ask who would be sued for the potential tens of millions. (At home it is the driver. In the US it is often the owner.)

With that in mind, check how much public liability your travel insurance gives you, and query if this would be applicable in the case of a traffic catastrophe. Here we're talking about much more than paying an excess or damages.

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Originally Posted by poregan

Thanks for the tip about the alternate route - I do quite like the idea of driving the I-50 through Nevada though... Perhaps I'll see if I'm feeling the same way after my first week in the desert!

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Not only is US50 "The Loneliest Road in America", it is also one of the great scenic routes. You will pass through one valley after another; over one mountain pass after another. They are all different. The deserts of the SouthWest are amazing. You'll never get sick of them. The flora and fauna are unbelievable and the geology (if that interests you) adds to their beauty.

Lifey

Thank you all so much for your advice - sounds like I have a bit more planning to do! I'll speak to my friend and insurance people.