Driving from San Diego to Las Vegas

Hi, I'm making a trip to So.Cal this summer, from the UK, and am spending time in LA, before heading down to San Diego, driving up to Las Vegas then returning to LA.

I'm just wondering what's the best way of getting from San Diego to Las Vegas? I've looked at maps, and the most obvious way seems to be on the I15, but I will definitely be taking this route on the way back to LA.

I'm willing to spend a whole day doing the drive, and places to stop at en route would be a good idea. What coasters are there to hit on the way, or any other points of interest?

Thanks for your help!

I don't think it'll take a whole day. I'm thinking 6-7 hours at the most.

But what do I know, I live in Ohio.

Travelling from San Diego to Las Vegas your best choice is I-15. Yes, you will have to drive a bit of that on the way back to LA as well...that's just the way it is. There really is only one route.

The only parks along the way on I-15 are Scandia [in Ontario] and Buffalo Bills [at Stateline, NV]. Both Pharoh's Kingdom [in Redlands] and Castle Park [in Riverside] are east of I-15.

You can get info on all those parks a www.rcdb.com

If you need additional tips about driving in SD or LA, feel free to email me [see my profile].

mOOSH

Here's a couple tips for the I-15:
• DO NOT leave the L.A. Basin on the I-15 on a Friday night between 4:30 and 7:30, or you will hit nasty traffic. I-15 is pretty much the only highway connecting Southern California to Las Vegas, and a lot of SoCal residents love a weekend getaway to Vegas. L.A. County alone has 10 million people.

• DO not attempt to leave Las Veags on a Sunday between 10:00am and 5:00pm. See reasoning above.

From the way it sounds you are planning your trip, it doesn't sound like this will be a problem. Just keep it in mind. Have fun!

Where are you staying in Vegas? I know of some great summer deals going on right now.

Definitely hit Scandia!

You can probably do the drive in 5-6 hours depending on the traffic.

Don't forget to stop off in Baker on the way to see the world's largest thermometer and grab a buger at the world famous Bun Boy restaurant! ;)

Also, just south of Baker is the Eastern Mojave National Preserve. You can check out some really great desert scenery there. Plan a night camping there if you can (daytime temps get pretty high though). Check out Cima dome, the town of Kelso, Devil's Playground, Kelso Dunes, all photogenic stuff.

There are some caves there too. They filmed the peyote scenes from the Doors movie in the caves and around the dunes.

Have fun! *** Edited 5/27/2004 5:30:28 PM UTC by janfrederick***

---

Definitely hit Scandia!

---

I'll second that! Screamer may not look like much, but don't let that fool you. Delivers some of the best ejector air and rib crakin' laterals you'll find in the entire state. A Miler masterpiece!

---

Don't forget to stop off in Baker on the way to see the world's largest thermometer and grab a buger at the world famous Bun Boy restaurant!

---

Yeah, Bun Boy was just too funny, I absolutely had to stop and buy a T-shirt!

Yes, and don't let my typo lead you to believe you can get a "bugger" at the Bun Boy restaurant. ;)

Thanks guys, all the info's really helpful! I'm staying at the Luxor (liked the look of it!) and have planned the trip so I leave SD sometime on a Monday, and am leaving LV sometime on the following Friday. I'll definitely stop at Baker and Scandia too! Thanks! :)

HA! Smallworld! I'll be staying at Luxor on a few weekdays in July as well! I don't know if you noticed or not, but their rates dropped recently. It was $69, then $79, then suddenly $89. I saw it drop back down to $79 a night so I booked it.

I've stayed at the Luxor before, and in my opinion it is the best bang-for-your-buck hotel in Vegas. It's very nice, has a unique theme which is very well done, yet their rates are generally reasonable. I would also recommend getting tickets for Blue Man Group. Expensive show, but well worth it. A very unique show filled with comedy, visual effects, and fantastic music. Have a good time!

Another Luxor tip: ask for the highest floor you can get a room on. The elevators are in each of the four corners but each serves only a block of floors. On the lower floors if you're opposite the only elevator for your block it's a LONG walk around the perimiter. The higher you are the closer the rooms are to the elevator. And it's a great view, too.

mOOSH

all i have to say on this is what ever way you go make sure you hit up buffalo bills.. Its a great coaster....

side story: once i had it lined up to brack the record for most consecutive(spelled wrong i know) days on a coaster during park hours... but Ginness would not approve the stunt.. but they were going to let me ride it for free for 130 days (that would have broke the record) and stay for free in the hotel and feed me every day... cant beet that... I would have still done it but 3 months with no money coming in would not have done good for me.. If ginness would have approved then i could have had sponsers...

I just made the drive a few weeks ago from SD to Vegas and it took me just over 4 hours to get to Buffalo Bills on a Friday evening. You better check their website for coaster hours because I think it's closed on Mondays. Not sure.

Vegas is about another half hour.

You must stop at Scandia. It's deffinately worth it.