Advice from the locals pls? - LA > Vegas > Phonenix > LA

[Ange]

Hello,

I am preparing a good ol road trip with my husband and would a little bit of advice as it is the first road trip ever! Taking 2 and half weeks out from work starting in LA then going on the Las Vegas (4hrs) then to the Grand Canyon (5hrs) (staying down there??) and then on to Flagstaff (2hrs) as a way to break the trip to Phoenix (2hrs). The last leg from Phoenix to Joshua Tree NP (4.5hrs) (is there anywhere to stay around there?) and then back to LA (2hrs).

Any advice on what we should expect and what to take? Is this a feasible trip - not too much? WOuld my journey times be about right as well?! minus of course having no idea where we are going - first time driver in USA!! What to see in Phoenix and flagstaff as well? We will be travelling around Oct so should we be aware of any weather conditions?

Many thanks in advance! ange (kiwi living in uk)

[Mark Sedenquist]

Depending upon where you start in LA, day of day, etc. -- It is extremely unlikely that you can over that distance to Las Vegas in less than five hours. In fact, all or your expected drive times are low by about at least 20%.

For ideas about places to visit from a local perspective in Las Vegas -- Check out <a href = "http://www.meganedwards.com/features.htm">Living Las Vegas<a/>.

There are scores of expert opinions on this board about places to stay at the Grand Canyon. Use the grey search button and Grand Canyon as your keywords.

Lodging around Joshua Tree National Park -- Twentynine Palms, Indio, Palm Springs and my favorite <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/places/sams.htm">Desert Hot Springs<a/>

[Ange]

Thanks so much for quick reply. Right.. so America really is BIG!!! I knew I would underestimate it - Do you think this trip is still feasible in just over two weeks with enough time in each? Would we have to be aware of any weather conditions in around Oct if we went that late as well?

Many thanks again for your help

Ange

[Robert Schaller]

Use the search function for "Flagstaff" too -- also Sedona, Jerome, Prescott. There'll be LOTS of previous threads with information on these. Bob

[Mark Sedenquist]

Ange,

A two-week window to travel that distance is fine. Plenty to see, you could spend 2-3 months covering it as well, but two weeks will give a good overview.

October is just about the perfect month to road trip in the west, the days are still warm and the nights are cool.

Mark

[Carolyn Worl]

I went to Vegas and Grand Canyon this past October. It will be hot in Vegas, so have plenty of summer clothing. Don't try to see everything in a few days....prioritize what is most important to you. I recommend finding attractions that are open early in the day, and going early and returning to your room for a rest during the hottest part of the day, and then getting out there again! I recommend eating at Le Village Buffet in the Paris Hotel....it was by far the best meal I ever had!

The lodging right in the Grand Canyon is nice and not too expensive, its actually cheaper than most of the rooms available outside the park.

Take a camera!!!!!! I always take a cooler full of cold drinks and snack food, in order to skip lengthy restaurant meals along the way. It saves both money and time.

On the way to the Grand Canyon, you might want to visit Oatman Arizona (restored ghost town) and then drive on the old Route 66. Its great fun, very colorful!

[Robert Schaller]

The average high temperature in Las Vegas is a bit over 80 in October (that's about 27 C for our international guests). It can typically be up to 10 degrees higher or lower, as temps in the desert vary widely depending on conditions.

I'm a desert boy, so perhaps that colors my perceptions somewhat, but I don't think 80 or even 85 qualifies as "hot." Most of us would consider it beautiful weather! Warm, balmy, etc. :) Not much in the way of rain, either. About 87% of October days are either clear or only "partly cloudy." The city must have been unseasonably "warm" while you were there? Bob

[Mark Sedenquist]

It turns out that October, 2004 was unseasonably warm in Las Vegas. We had a couple of days in the high 90's -- normal temps this time of year are in the high 70's and low 80's.

I like desert heat and really enjoy the days when the mercury is still triple digits at mid-night.