Driving to Vegas, My big Mistake??

I think this might be my big mistake for the thread below. Thursday I'm planning on driving from home (SE Wisconsin) to Amarillo Tx the first day 17Hours. Then day two from Amarillo to Las Vegas. My wife doesn't do any of the driving anymore just me. Last year we did it in 2 1/2 days. I don't like staying in motels or eating on the road so I want to shorten the pain.

If we leave around 4 am it will get us around Chicago before traffic gets heavy. After that it will be light traffic except Saint Louis I just hope the weather cooperates.

Plan on being in LV for 3-4 weeks or so and have friends coming the last week. We booked Elton John tickets for first week in April otherwise don't have any big plans. Main reason for trip is to get out of the cold and see the sun when it's not -12 with wind.

Wish me luck!

TomTWI

 

Tom, that's my dream trip as we did it when I was a kid. Central Ohio to LA with a stop in Vegas on the way (it's how I got hooked on Vegas).

Too old to do it now, but what I'd do is like you, bust my butt that first day to Amarillo. However, I would take my time from there to Vegas. Try to see the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, and of course the Grand Canyon before getting to Vegas.

I'm sure you've got the car checked out so I'll wish you safe travels, great sightseeing and have fun.

 

Good luck! I hate driving that much in a single day. The good news daylight savings starts Sunday, so more daylight driving for you. 4 AM is a good departure time from WI to beat traffic.

 

Oh man... best wishes... I'm good for about 5 hours in a car and that's it.

 

I had to google that due to my complete ignorance of American geography. Google says that's about 1700 miles!

1700 miles!

That's like driving from the southern most tip of England to the northern most tip of Scotland - and back again!


Good luck mate but I'd take a plane!

Cheers,

Justin

 

I have made a similar drive a handful of times, when I used to live in Iowa. 17 hrs behind the wheel is ambitious, best of luck.

I'm not sure of which route you are taking, but it seems like you are trying to power through the trip and make decent time. If thats the case, and you are taking I35 south to Witchita, I recommend splitting off on the 54 and taking it though Liberal KS, Dalhart TX, and meeting back up with I40 west at Tucumcari NM. This route skips you past OKC and Amarillo. I've taken this shortcut a couple times and it has saved me over an hour each time.

 

We're leaving tonight for Vegas driving from Orlando, FL. We did it last year in December and hit a freakin' *blizzard* between Amarillo and Tucamcari. I about had a heart attack when I checked the weather last week and they were having snow and ice in Amarillo *again* last weekend. Hope you're having a good trip. We're planning to be there sometime on Monday!

 

I've never been able to sit (or drive) in a car for very long stretches. I can be in Vegas in less than 4 hours so that's what I do. Kudos for those that can drive long distances, it's the only way to really see the country.

 

try living in texas and crossing the state

we've driven from dallas to vegas before...16 hours or so...wasn't bad

 

Welcome to the States. Driving the most direct highway route, California is 800+ miles tall. Texas is nearly that wide and that's as the crow flies. And Alaska is more than twice as large at Texas.

I've done the nonstop thing way too many times between So Cal and the PNW; 900, 1000, 1200 miles. But sometimes you just gotta get where you are going. It's a American West thing, I guess, part and parcel of our 10 largest states, and 18 of 20, being west of the erroneously named Mississippi. Like driving several hours to meet friends for dinner then heading back home. 500-, 600-mile day trips to check on the parents or get in a round of golf.

Driving seems like a better idea for Tom since he's going to be in Vegas for so long. As for one's tolerances, more time in the seat means more time in the destination. Speed also means missing in other than a see-it-blur-by sense a lot of the cool stuff 'tween bookends. Some road trips are road trips. Some are transit.

Save travels, Tom. Wear Depends.

 

Last November I made the trip from San Antonio,Texas to Las Vegas. We went through Albuquerque on the way spending the night there. On the way back we left at 5:30 in the morning and drove straight back arriving in SA around midnight. I normally get uncomfortable on long trips but we rented a new Ford Fusion which was very comfy plus got great gas mileage.
Mark

 

Last 2 years we drove San Antonio to Vegas. In 2012 it was nonstop (21 hrs). Last year we stopped for the night about an hr from Hoover Dam (don't recall the city we stayed in at the moment). The stop was nice and gave us a good night sleep to be ready for the long week ahead. This year we are flying...


We have also done San Antonio to Seattle nonstop on 3 occasions (36 hrs). But with 4 drivers rotating.

Have a safe trip and enjoy the scenery.

 

I generally only like the long drives if there is something on the way between my destination. The past few years I have driven to WI from TX and the benefit is I can stop off at a few casinos along the way.

I have considered driving to Las Vegas instead of flying. I think I would drive if I were to be there for 3-4+ weeks. My issue is just that I would dread the drive home.

Also about 10 hours/day is my limit. It isn't that I get uncomfortable, I just want to relax. This is supposed to be a vacation. Doing nothing by driving and sleeping just isn't my idea of fun. I enjoy staying in hotels along the way. I'll find a nice local bar and some place to eat and have a great night.

 

it takes some getting used to.

not long after moving here I was in Seattle on 9/11.. had to drive back to NH with my boss. 3053 miles in 4 days.. that's dull.

I moved to florida a couple of years agao and had to drive on my own to start work. 1400 in two days...

I've come to the conclusion that 700 a day is about max for me... and its a long way..

 

Thanks

Thanks for this tip I'll look into it. If I can save any time I will!

 

WOW Tom, i couldn't imagine spending that much in a car in a day. My husband is a truck driver (albeit local) and i can't see him wanting to spend that much time in a car now either. Vegas is 2650km for me and no way would i want to waste that time driving. It is just as far to my mom's in Northern, BC but i will bring my dog which is the only way i would drive.

i would (for myself, not you) still split it up into 3 days, just too long. You will have to let us know how it turns out.

 

I am the same and luckily for me, Vegas is about 700 miles away.