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To Drive or Fly: That is the Question...

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by TIMSPEED2, Oct 4, 2013.

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  1. TIMSPEED

    TIMSPEED Money’s on the way, with CashNetUSA

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    Hell of a quandry we've got here...

    The wife and I are going to Vegas 12/26-12/30...
    The question is, do we want to fly or drive...
    NOW...we've been I think six times this year, and flown two of those times...
    Here's the options:

    Drive:
    Rent Car from Avis for $70
    (Pickup on 12/26 @ 3pm in Modesto and proceed to drive 7 hours to Vegas)
    Fuel costs should be around $150 all in.
    The downer to this option is...we HAVE TO leave Vegas on Sunday 12/29, and DRIVE the long drive of shame (lol)
    Total cost $225 (And we will have a car the entire time we're in town)

    Fly:
    AllegiantAir for $375 ALL IN
    Depart Stockton 12/26 at 2pm, get into Vegas at 3pm
    Depart LAS 12/30 at 5pm.
    This option is $150 more, HOWEVER it involves staying an extra day, as well as not having to drive the longest 7 hours ever (coming home!)
    HOWEVER, doing this, will mean we'll be forced to use Public Transit, which looks like $40 for both of us with a 3-day RTC pass..

    It's tough...I think for the extra $150 I'm gonna go with flying, simply so we can BE THERE QUICKER ANNNND Stay the extra day.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 4, 2013
  2. weluvvegas

    weluvvegas Casino Countess

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    As much as I hate flying...if it gets me to Vegas faster....then flying it is!
     
  3. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    You hit the "nail on the head" for me... the return drive... UGHHHHHHH I too am about a 7 hour drive from Vegas and much prefer to fly. Even the airport "hassles" are worth it, as the return drive just seems sooooooooo looooooong.
     
  4. Ty

    Ty ?

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    If you fly how much time does it save you?
     
  5. warpdrvr

    warpdrvr Low-Roller

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    We always drive since we live in SoCal...by the time we do all the airport crap, we could have driven there in same amount of time.. And I'd be lost without my truck while there as we drive every day somewhere. We flew once when my wife's company flew the whole company there for a weekend and I hated not being able to come and go on my own timetable. The only plus to that was not having to drive I15 North on a Friday night :grrr:
     
  6. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Similar situation here. We no longer have the ez/automatic 3 hour run up the 15. Now it is 6 and it's a convoluted route. We could catch Allegiant out of Santa Maria but I feel that Allegiant is the service-provider equivalent of an upper GI. But I know there will be a time when it is a necessary evil.
     
  7. Malibugolfer

    Malibugolfer High-Roller

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    It's about a 2 hour difference to drive but I very much prefer having my car there and trying to fit 1 or 2 sets of golf clubs into the overhead gets to be a bit problematic.
     
  8. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Yes, there is that.

    And having a car there = freedom, too.
     
  9. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

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    You can't do both?

    Rent a car from Avis, drive to Las Vegas, have car while you are there. Return car to lot in Las Vegas, stay the extra day and then fly home?
     
  10. TIMSPEED

    TIMSPEED Money’s on the way, with CashNetUSA

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    My big coupon is only good for same-location drop off...buut you gave me a good idea! (drive there, for $23, and fly back for $59!)
     
  11. snowplower12

    snowplower12 Tourist

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    I will always fly 4.5 hours in the air sure beats a 2.5 day drive.
     
  12. travelfiend

    travelfiend High-Roller

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    I am a 7.5 hour drive and always prefer to drive. I get a book on CD or download to my ipod and that 7 hour drive home just flies by. Plus, for me personally, I really like having that car available while I am in town, gives me options to Neon Musuem, Red Rocks, Valley of Fire, etc.
     
  13. RedRiverRose

    RedRiverRose VIP Whale

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    Fly, fly, fly. Those 1400 miles are the longest miles in my life and even worse on the way back. Vegas is 1400+ miles from my house. Been to Vegas 5 times, rode motorcycle four times, drove car once. Flying out Monday, in 2.5 hours we'll be in Vegas instead of two days.
     
  14. Sam D

    Sam D Low-Roller

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    I live in L.A. and I understand the reasons why some people fly there from here if they are doing a weekend in Vegas. The northbound traffic headed to Vegas on the I-15 Friday nights and the return southbound traffic on Sunday afternoons is horrendous. Plus the return traffic is made worse by drivers who are drunk, hungover, sleep deprived, angry over gambling losses or whatever and fighting with their spouses or other occupants in their cars.

    I used to do it but not anymore. Now I drive to Vegas and I leave between 5-6 AM on Sunday morning and return Friday night. Each way, all the traffic is headed the opposite direction, but for me the drive is a breeze. It’s usually a 4-4 ½ hour non stressful trip each way. That’s about the same door-to-door time I would spend if I were flying. And then, once there, I’d need more time to pick up a rental car. So, for me, it’s really a no brainer. But if the drive were more than 6 or 7 hours, then I’d probably consider flying to Vegas.
     
  15. mephisto2000

    mephisto2000 Low-Roller

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    If you drive to Vegas and fly back, how are you getting back home from the airport? Cab, another rental? How does factor into the total cost?

    I live a few miles from Modesto and have the same problem as you. 7 hour drive or flying for more cost.
     
  16. TIMSPEED

    TIMSPEED Money’s on the way, with CashNetUSA

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    Well, i just checked Allegiant, and it came down to $350, so thats a little better...
    For us, with Stockton Airport, we just basically walk in, check our bags, go through security and out into plane..takes no more than 30 minutes total...
    Also, in Vegas, i guess we've always lucked out, cuz the airport isn't crowded on Saturday or Monday outbound...
    So, I think fly it is...to be there at 3pm 12/26, and stay until 5pm on 12/30...
     
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