Anaheim to Las Vegas

[Zimbubba]

Has anyone taken the drive from Anaheim to Las Vegas or Vice Versa? We are planning to go on a Sunday morning. How long will that take? Many Thanks!

 

[MateasMom]

I imagine it will take you about 4 1/2 hours. Traffic going TO Vegas on a Sunday shouldn't be bad....just don't come back to SoCal on a Sunday.

 

[ilovemky]

the road is very crowded and very dangerous--i call it "blood alley" as so many multi-car fatal accidents happen there. not trying to scare you but I only fly and i hate flying! lol

you can get a flight from OC or Ontario to Las Vegas on Southwest sometimes for as little as $19 each way. Flight takes about 35-40 minutes!

If you plan on coming back the same day, plan on at least 10 hours on the road and the rest of the day in vegas--not much time to "play"

 

[sgtdilbert]

Blood alley? Interesting term. I've made the road trip more times than I care to count on differnet days of the week and at different times of the year. I know that there's accidents that happen on the road, but there's accidents that happen on every road. It is true that if there's going to be an accident, it will probably be more deadly because of the wide open highway speeds (excepting rush days to-from Vegas). I wouldn't be so overly concerned as to not drive it just because of the chance of a traffic accident, which IMHO is pretty dang low.

4 1/2 hours, good estimate.

s.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Here's a tip for anyone planning on visiting both cities.

Rental companies in SoCal and Nevada get dumped with many cars from out of state that need to find their way home. Last October we flew into SNA and out of Las Vegas and we had a reservation for a mid-size car through Avis. The agent at the counter noted that we had a reservation for a one-way to Las Vegas and searched his inventory and had several cars that needed to go in that direction. We ended-up with a 7-passenger van with Utah plates for the mid-size price and they waived the drop-off charge.

 

[mrswortham]

We have made that drive, and it took us about 5 hours.

HTH!

 

[abbyndrewmom]

Originally posted by Uncle Buck
Here's a tip for anyone planning on visiting both cities.

Rental companies in SoCal and Nevada get dumped with many cars from out of state that need to find their way home. Last October we flew into SNA and out of Las Vegas and we had a reservation for a mid-size car through Avis. The agent at the counter noted that we had a reservation for a one-way to Las Vegas and searched his inventory and had several cars that needed to go in that direction. We ended-up with a 7-passenger van with Utah plates for the mid-size price and they waived the drop-off charge.

Good to know we are doing the exact same thing in August!!! We have made the drive numerous times as well. We lived in Las Vegas for 10 years and I never even saw an accident on the road. We were lucky because we would always be going against the California traffic and maybe that is the big difference.


Allison

 

[ivanova]

Plan on 5 hours, which should include at least one "pit stop." If you get there faster, then you're just that much happier.

Now, 5 hours is assuming you do not hit any major traffic along the way. The most likely spots to hit traffic will be between Anaheim and San Bernardino. If you are travelling on a weekend, other than the odd accident, you should be okay. Make sure to listen to a local radio station (like 980AM) for regular traffic reports.

 

[Peter Pirate]

We just did it last week (on a Saturday). It was about 4.5 hours and a rather nice drive that day. We flew the year before and realize that it was a good choice only because we did it on a friday...But on saturday it was a no hassle trip and I would do it again.

 

[ilovemky]

just got home from vegas last nite--flew out saturday morning--anaheim to ontario airport drive was 25 minutes, flight from ontario to las vegas 39 minutes.

no hassles, easy, no stress--the only way to go IMHO.

have a great time--we did!

 

[ne_dad]

We intend to drive from anaheim to vegas on a monday morning and return to LA on a friday night - any problems with traffic during those times?

 

[Armyfamilyof5]

Traffic is really only bad going from LA to Vegas on a Friday or the beginning of a long weekend and and coming back on a Sunday. It feels like everyone is on the road then

Amber

 

[5infam]

ne_dad,

You won't have any problems on a Monday morning. Keep in mind that traffic in the Anaheim area is heavy!! If you leave anytime before 10:00 a.m. you will get traffic in the beginning. Once you get out to the 15 freeway you should do well. If you planned on leaving earlier than that, don't let the traffic thing stop you. For the most part you will be going against traffic

 

[ne_dad]

Thanks!!! The choice is to leave around 7/8 in the morning or wait and go around 10/11 - which sounds like the better choice, no need to rush.