Hi Guys,
im sure this has been done by several of you however to add to the arguement!

This year on thanksgiving we did the the San Fran to Vegas via LA trip.
Rented out a Ford Escape. 2.0L approx 21mpg
San Fran to Garden Grove, approx 6.5 hours on California 5 on 28th Nov.
Stayed 1 night in Garden Grove, toured around Beverly Hills on the 29th and headed for Vegas at approx 9pm.
3 hours from Garden Grove to Vegas, Stayed on the strip in the flamingo
Covered Vegas pretty well in 2 days, even covered the reality TV venues e.g. Pawn stars shop, Counts Kustoms etc!
Travelled back on the 1st.
Vegas to San Luis Obispo and then back up the cost road (California 1), past seal beach, Hearst Castle etc
14 hour return trip with usual food/gas stops
Approx 1,600 miles round trip
All in, approx $700 for the trip, $320 on Gas

Allot of miles but easily done and highly recommended