Driving from LA to Vegas - any tips?

I will be driving to Vegas from LA in March with teenage kids. Anything cool or fun to see along the way? Any other tips to make the drive as smooth and painless as possible?

 

Don't drive there on a Friday and don't come home on a Sunday.

 

Or if you do, go early!

 

You can rent a U-Haul truck and put the teenagers in the back. JK. There's really not much to see. When I drive, I make one restroom stop off of East Main Street just before I40. Maybe I'll get a little snack. It's the place after you make a right off the 15 and on the left side one or two lights. I think it's also a bus stop, but they have a food court including McD's.

 

Having recently moved from Chicago to so cal, I just made the drive for the first (and last) time this past weekend. Drove out on a Friday afternoon, not bad at all. Was on the road before two, beat most of the traffic, got there in under 5 hours.

Driving home is a different story. Stayed til Monday to avoid Sunday traffic, still took over 6 hours to get home, all while feeling the effects of a three day bender.

From now on, we'll be flying.

 

the traffic on the drive home to LA now seems to always be backing up at Stateline and it doesn't seem to matter what day it is...

Stop at the In and Out Burger in Barstow if your hungry. Gotta be the biggest In and Out I have ever seen.

 

Or, eat a Peggy Sue's Diner. The Mad Greek is OK as well if you're into Gyros.

 

That's the smartest thing I've read all day.

We're SoCal natives, and haven't driven to Vegas in years.
That drive is a real drag.
Fly, fly, fly!!

(we do drive to Laughlin on occasion, usually midweek, but once you get on the I-40, it's wide open and a breeze.

 

I've been driving it since the late 60's when Jimmy Durante kicked the bucket in "Mad Mad Mad World." I would never take a chance on an after 11 AM Friday depart nor an after 9 AM Sunday return.
"L.A." is huge and there are a variety of routes but none offer much entertainment or diversion for kids. Barstow is about 1/2 way for planning perspectives. You are not in Nevada until about 35 miles from the strip.
Drive keeping up with the majority of traffic which may be going faster than you are used to.
Where will your trip originate from?

 

Cool things to see on the way:

Near Barstow, CA:

Calico Ghost Town

http://cms.sbcounty.gov/parks/Parks/CalicoGhostTown.aspx

Baker, CA:

World's tallest thermometer

http://www.worldstallestthermometer.com

Alien Fresh Jerky store, cool UFO stuff

https://alienfreshjerky.com

Primm, NV:

Buffalo Bill's casino - Desperado roller coaster and Log ride

http://www.primmvalleyresorts.com/Amenities.aspx#attractions

Whiskey Pete's - Bonnie and Clyde car

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2894

 

I guess I've done that drive too many times to think anything in the netherworld in the middle warrants a stop. If Primm was in the middle not 30-plus minutes out I could see that. Just get er done. (OK, outdoorsies would like Afton Canyon or the dunes, the preserve, but most of that takes time and is off the beaten path. Re-open Mitchell Cavens, dammit!!)

 

Agreed. The faster I can make it the better!

 

Man, our drive to Vegas now is just a pain. Certainly glad to be out of So Cal but there's just no painless or quick way to get to Vegas from here. Oh well, a minor inconvenience for the lifestyle advantages here.

If you're not doing at least 85 on the 15, you're a road hazard! lol

 

I dont think there is much worth seeing for kids with the exception of the roller coaster at the state line.

I cannot stress enough the importance of an early departure on ANY day you are driving either way in my opinion.

 

I drive from OC (newport) to Vegas often. But rarely do I drive solo, usually with one other person. My only tip is, to leave early early morning or late late evening, TO and BACK from Vegas.

 

+1 with Alien Fresh Jerky.

Great almonds and jerky. They must have the biggest selection of jerky anywhere. My guess would be 30-40 types of meat jerky and each one with different flavors. Highly recommend the roasted almonds.

If a stopover is needed, in Barstow the Country Inn & Suites By Carlson is the most comfortable motel I have stayed in. It opened a few years ago but it still looks brand new. Great complimentary breakfast and pleasant staff.