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Last Minute San Francisco To Vegas Run?!

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by VegasCigars, Feb 3, 2013.

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  1. VegasCigars

    VegasCigars Tourist

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    Hey VMBers! I've got an interesting opportunity...this coming Wednesday, the 6th, i'll be wrapping up a conference in San Francisco. Being from the midwest, this puts me in VERY nice striking distance of Vegas compared to what i'm used to :confused2:

    SO...my question to all of you is, if you were getting out of conference around 5pm on Wed. night, and had till the next morning to make a quick run for Vegas...1) would you and 2) how would you get there the quickest and cheapest from San Fran? :thumbsup:

    i'd appreciate any help! :beer:
     
  2. Iu25

    Iu25 High-Roller

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    Well if driving fast you might make it in 7 hours, but thats pretty liberal. Then 7 hours back? Sounds exhausting!
     
  3. VegasCigars

    VegasCigars Tourist

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    I might fly if i could find something cheap enough, and i could maximize my time there...
     
  4. DBear

    DBear VIP Bear

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    You have to be back in SFO on Thursday? I wouldn't do that or anything less than 48 hours from that location. I don't do anything less than 6 nights from where I am. If this is just 1 free night, I'd sightsee in SFO.
     
  5. VegasCigars

    VegasCigars Tourist

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    Yeah, I do have to be in SF on Thursday morning....

    but the craps tables are calling! :beer:
     
  6. BlueSkadoo

    BlueSkadoo VMB Sweetheart

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    It's only an hour flight...so...

    I think the real question is what time Thursday morning do you have to be functioning? If it's 8AM, it might be impossible. Plus....what do you consider a cheap flight?
     
  7. VegasCigars

    VegasCigars Tourist

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    Yah, 8am. And I dunno...250 or 300 round trip might be worth it...

    problem is the flight back, I can't seem to find anything early enough in the morning...:drunk:
     
  8. oghuman

    oghuman VIP Whale

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    I thin' Virgin America's hub is at San Francisco. You should be able to get a cheap flight from them.
     
  9. ABQJeff

    ABQJeff Low-Roller

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    Would hitting Vegas on the way back be an option?
     
  10. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    Fly, or think about Tahoe - way closer.

    maps.google.com
     
  11. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    I was gonna mention Tahoe as well... you can be there in about 3:45 minutes... no possible airport delays,etc. No it's not Vegas, but lots of skiers up here, so decent crowd to make the experience fun.
     
  12. jacj2020

    jacj2020 Tourist

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    Getting there

    I live just outside SF (heartbreaking loss today) and frequently fly to LAS and drive to Tahoe.

    Leaving LAS on Thursday morning for asame day 8:00am flight out of SFO on a commercial carrier is impossible.

    Renting a car for South Lake Tahoe or Reno is doable. However, leaving from SF at 5:00 pm is problematical, lots and lots of trafic and then additional congestion around Sacramento. I wouldestimate 5 hours, without any stops.

    The drive back to SFO is longer (the airport is south of SF), but quicker.
    The most direct route from South Lake (highway 50 or 59 ?) is a two lane road with lots of curves. I also expect that an early morning commute would encounter pqatches of black ice. The good news is there is little to no traffic!! leaving at 4:00 am should allow enough time to drop your car at SFO's off site car returns and make it to the terminal about 7:00 am.
    To accomplish this you will need to press the speed limit once you are off highway 50/59.
     
  13. jacj2020

    jacj2020 Tourist

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    Getting There (part 2)

    Getting to Reno is a slightly longer drive, but the travelling is 100% divided highway. Getting to Reno will take about 5 hours (due to the traffic , leaving at 5:00pm), but the retun trip to SFO can be up to half an hour quicker.

    Reno has more casinos than Tahoe, but it can be a little rough around the edges.

    FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Do you really want to arrive at Tahoe/Reno famished and exhausted, knowing you have to leave in 5 hours and drive almost 200 miles to catch an 8:00am flight? under those constraints are you throwing your money away or gaming. IMHO I think the HA would be enormous.

    PS: At either South Lake Tahoe or Reno, the crowd (which is modest to begin with on a Wed. evening) starts thinning out about 10:30.
     
  14. Iu25

    Iu25 High-Roller

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    why not hit one of the Casinos in Cali, there are plenty, its not Vegas but it wont take you all night to get to one either!
     
  15. Sinatraatthesands

    Sinatraatthesands Low-Roller

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    Go to Reno! What your talking about sounds like a nightmare!
     
  16. VegasCigars

    VegasCigars Tourist

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    Follow-Up

    Hey All, a belated follow-up, but I decided to sight see in San Francisco instead. Good advice by all.

    I guess I just need a Vegas fix :beer:

    Thanks again all!
     
  17. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    Good choice... my second favorite city to visit, for very different reasons.
     
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