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Am I nuts for driving to Vegas?

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by bswim, Nov 13, 2015.

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  1. bswim

    bswim High-Roller

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    Airfare continues to climb. Will cost about $1200 for the 3 of us from SEA between Xmas and NYE, and that's avoiding the holidays.
    At the current fuel prices I can drive my full size crew cab 4wd pickup for about $450 in fuel, will require a stop each way but we're all off work from Dec 24th to Jan 4th.

    Sounds like an interesting trip to make. I love the idea of getting on a plane and in 2.5 hours we're in Vegas but with current airfare and having more time than money that time of year a road trip is sounding tempting LOL
     
  2. Ty

    Ty ?

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    Nuts? Yes! At least in my book. That would be too much time in a vehicle for me. You're talking 17 hours one way.
     
  3. bjpcyclone

    bjpcyclone High-Roller

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    It all depends how you value your time. Is saving $750 worth 2 days less of vacation/time spent in the car? If it is to you, go for it!
     
  4. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

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    You also save the cost of a rental crewcap pickup while in Vegas.
     
  5. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    You know the value of your time, you can add up all the costs associated with a road trip v. flying, and that time of year you need to factor in weather.

    I drive a lot across the West. I typically do it for the experience or because the itinerary simply doesn't pencil to fly, as in the extended PNW jaunt I catalogued here five or six weeks ago. In the past few years I've driven to Whistler and flown to Whistler, driven to Bend and flown to Bend, driven to Phoenix and flown to Phoenix, and so forth. Each trip had certain needs/demands.

    It's pretty awesome territory going from where you are to where you're going. You're also killing a lot of time in transit.

    Bottom line, no one can call this one for you.
     
  6. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    Besides the cost of fuel, you need to add in the wear and tear on your truck. And hotel cost. And being tired. And maybe weather.

    On the other hand, not being in Vegas as long will save you lots of money at the tables.

    Your choice.
     
  7. bswim

    bswim High-Roller

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    Pickup is 3 months old, have a lifetime bumper to bumper warranty on it. Wife works for the local school district and I work for a large aerospace company that shuts down for about a week and a half every year between Xmas and New Years (paid holiday for me). Weather is usually pretty crappy around the Seattle area so it's not like we're missing out on much hanging out here.
    I'm thinking if the weather is decent we're going to do this. This pickup is one of the most comfortable vehicles I've ever owned and does quite well at 80mph down the freeway LOL.

    We drove to Idaho to buy it. Was quite the break in trip coming home the following day LOL. 363 miles, stopped once to top off the tank.
     
  8. jbpiv01

    jbpiv01 Low-Roller

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    I am thinking of driving from Chicago via New Mexico for Christmas...Still cheaper than flying, but two full days of driving and hotel each way...
     
  9. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    I drive from SEA to LAS pretty regularly. I like to combine with some other visits (mom & dad were near Pismo Beach, CA, now Boise, sister in SFO, etc) so it works for me.

    It's a long drive. 2 days is sometimes optimistic, depending on weather, which happens in winter. Cutting over to Twin Falls had some weather one year. Slow going over I90 and then every pass after that. But once I was south of Twin Falls on 93, it was a winter wonderland of scenery and snowy mountains. Glorious. I've also taken the I-5 route and once through Bend, Oregon.

    There are many things to stop and see along the route and I like to travel with my dog, so she always makes an opportunity for walking around and checking things out. I say do it once and if it doesn't work for you, then you can fly again.
     
  10. bwatson23

    bwatson23 High-Roller

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    Each summer we drive from Michigan to Nevada. No big deal. Average cost of us to make this trip: ~ $300.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Do it! That way is awesome. The southern route is a very nice drive.
     
  11. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    Getting there is half the fun, nothing wrong with driving, and there's no reason to need to justify it either.
     
  12. bswim

    bswim High-Roller

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    I'm thinking of heading straight down I-5 to the LA area and then cutting east to Vegas and then on the return trip coming home through Idaho.

    Then again, might skip Vegas all together, might just head to Cody, WY, then up to Cooke City and Yellowstone.

    To many decisions, I guess things could be worse LOL
     
  13. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Lotta good routes between there and there. Winter obviously takes some off the list and might complicate others, but it can be a scenic and experiential drive and not just a bomb down the interstate.

    One GREAT advantage to driving ... you can haul all your shit with you. Oh, you also control who your seat mate is and you can crank your own tunes.
     
  14. Film-Noir

    Film-Noir High-Roller

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    Weather

    Winter Weather can Definitely play havoc on even the best laid plans.

    If you would rather have your adventure in Las Vegas, as Life is an adventure
    be secure on the trip and pay for the flight during winter season.
    Rather than stuck in a snowbank/closed road frozen hell highway,
    and spend your Vacation at a Iced in Truck-stop.

    /making bad memories
    /plz send the Trip report Pics:

    /pics of our winter wonderland Truck Stop, Fleabag Hotel
    /pics of our Frozen Truck, stuck in a snow bank
    /pics of our Flapjacks
    /pics of our Luke warm Coffee
    /pics of the State Trooper, standing at the Road Closed Sign
    /pics of the Jack-Knifed 18 Wheelers on the side of the road

    /freedom of choice!:peace:
     
  15. marksind

    marksind VIP Whale

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    From your last post, it sounds like you haven't decided yet which is of more interest to you - the journey or the destination. Also living near Seattle, we generally fly anywhere outside of the Portland/Whistler/Spokane radius, but sometimes we drive longer distances because we want a road trip. Never driven to Las Vegas, but we did drive to Reno last year. It was a bigger deal than we'd figured, but still a very nice trip with some planned sightseeing along the way to and from. It was also great having our car once there. We'll continue to fly to Vegas because for us it's about the destination, but as others have said, there's no right answer. It's whichever interests you more.
     
  16. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    Next time I do this drive and decide to stay in Ely, NV (sometimes I do the drive in 3 days, SEA - Baker City or Ontario, OR - Ely, NV - Vegas) I am definitely going to try out The Prospector for my stay. I do love their little casino and I will admit to "borrowing" their WiFi on the drive through a few times, but I've never stayed there.
     
  17. DRPinVA

    DRPinVA Low-Roller

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    We made the Virginia to South Florida trip about 5 or 6 Christmas weeks in a row when our kids were young.... ~15 hours.. Usually a stop over on the way down, but straight through on our way back....Of course, we were much younger then. Seattle to Vegas - You'll never forget it.....my vote....ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  18. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    We're West Coasters, girl. We'll drive several hours for dinner with friends and come home. It's in our genes.
     
  19. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    if you want to do a road trip, go for it.

    but driving that far to save a few hundred bucks is definitely insane.
     
  20. Hobofrank

    Hobofrank Prime Minister of Idiocracy

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    yes, driving with other people is a mixed bag...one person in a bad mood can ruin a 4.5 hr trip from LA
    17 hrs min..no fights or car trouble?, LOL plane tickets start to sound like a bargain
     
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