Disneyland to Las Vegas

[ne_dad]

We plan on driving from Disneyland to Las Vegas on a Monday or Tuesday morning and return on a Friday night - any concerns with the trip or problems with LA traffic during those times? I understand its 4-1/2 hours - any interesting sights along the way?
Also, any idea how long to the Grand Canyon - then to Vegas? Considering a two day trip from LA to Vegas via that big 'ole hole in the ground!

 

[Uncle Buck]

Several interesting things along the way on I-15.

Calico Ghost Town in Yermo, CA

World's Tallest Thermometer in Baker, CA

Stateline/Primm, NV

 

[sgtdilbert]

To be honest, there is nothing very interesting on the way to Vegas. Just get in the car and drive there, with a bathroom break. There's so much to see in Vegas now that your time is better spent there. If you want the feel of "old" Vegas, then you might consider a trip to Laughlin which is about the same drive time.

Those are good times to make the drive. Try to avoid the morning commute on the way out and avoid the L.A. basin on Friday from about 1 p.m. until 8 p.m.

s.

 

[Llisa]

My knowledge of US geography isn't up to much so I can't help with your specific question but my parents and I did a Houston, Texas to LA trip and back again to New Orleans in two weeks some 30 years ago (so many miles, so little time!!). Apart from becoming overly familiar with the interior of our rented Gran Torino, I also saw many of the sights in that part of the world (including seeing Elvis in Vegas!!!).

If you can possible fit it into your schedule, the Grand Canyon is an absolute MUST SEE, we found the best views from the reservation next to the national park - with no pesky safety barriers to spoil the view (aaargh!!!). I remember being very
impressed with Carlsbad Caverns too.

HTH and have a great trip!

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

The first hour is very hectic as you fight your way through LA traffic. It gets very boring after that. There may be a little construction along the way but it should be smooth.

 

[Armyfamilyof5]

Just be careful going thru the Victorville-Barstow area. A lot of construction on the freeway and it can be narrow 2 lanes with no shoulders or emergency lanes at times,

Amber

 

[ne_dad]

Thanks for the info!!! Our choice is either to get up and head out around 7/8 in the morning or to wait a bit and head out around 10/11 - it sounds like the latter choice is better to avoid the traffic. I vote for the long trip to vegas, via the grand canyon (I checked, can still get a hotel room there) but the wear on the family "for a hole in the ground" (not my quote!) has a bit of a debate in session. I went many years ago and thought it worth the trip - but I may be overruled. Hopefully, if so, its in favor of an extra day with Mickey. Friday nite was a planned late commute, arriving at our hotel near LAX around 10:00 p.m., so should avoid traffic woes that nite.

 

[MateasMom]

How old is the family? I went to the GC at about 15...and it very easily could have been avoided. I wasn' t impressed at all. I'll probably take my kids some day, but we're not in any hurry to get there!

As far as stops along the way...my all time favorite is of course the William Sonoma/Pottery Barn outlet in Primm It's part of the outlet mall at state line (which is just 'okay' as far as outlet malls go). There is also a quaint little outlet mall in Lenwood. If you have an 8-12YO boy, Calico would probably be a good rest stop.

Someone mentioned the thermometer in Baker...it's not that interesting LOL and it hasn't been working properly the last 4 or 5 times we've been through Baker (most recently last weekend).

 

[saturday97]

My feeling about Primm/Stateline is that it is close enough to Vegas that I really don't need to stop, I'd rather just continue on. Baker is a good midway point, although not a big thrill, and the Bun Boy in Baker is a decent place to eat.

 

[MateasMom]

I konw what you mean about Primm. We only stop over for the outlet mall, and unless we *need* something we generally only go to the Pottery Barn/William Sonoma outlet. As far as I know (and I know outlet malls ) it's the only PB outlet in the west coast.

 

[KJMAX1]

We did this trip from Seattle to Vegas, and then to the GC, onto Phx and then LA, last year. We are about to repeat it in Oct skipping the GC. I will tell you that getting to the GC from Vegas takes about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Its not so much the mileage, but the fact that the road goes to about 35 miles per hour once you are on the hwy to the GC enterance. To let you know, it was 20.00 to get into the GC park. We happened to get there on a national parks day and were given the chance to go in for free. I would NOT go there if you do not plan on hiking to the bottom, or going on a tour. Its not worth the price. A much better option would be to take the fly over. If you love Tommy Bahama clothing Primm is the place to go. There is only one other TB outlet store, and that is in FL. Their clothing is at least 50% off. I found silk shirts for 9.99 for women there. Mens tropical shirts were about 40 to 50.00! Nordstroms Anniversary sale isnt even close to that price!

 

[QueenTriton]

I don't know about Calico, it is a little ways off the freeway and not that exciting, in my opinion. If you have the money, you may want to look into a helicopter trip to the GC from Vegas. I think it only takes one day round trip that way. I don't think it is worth all the extra time driving. Save it for a Utah/Arizona trip another time. If you do decide to do it, you should look at the difference in mileage between DLR-GC-LV-DLR and DLR-LV-GC-LV-DLR. I have no idea which is shorter, but to go straight to the GC, I think you'd go through Laughlin, which is just as long a drive, if not longer, from DLR as is Vegas and only somewhat closer to the GC. I could be wrong, though.

Leaving from DLR to Vegas at either time shouldn't be a problem, you should be going against traffic. I would drive over to the 57 , take it up to the 91, over to the 15 and straight up all the way. An alternative would be the 5 to the 10 to the 15, but I think there will be a lot more traffic that way. I like to avoid the 5 whenever possible. Or the 57 to the 10 to the 15. There is an outlet mall in Barstow and another in Primm. The only time not to come back would be Sunday afternoon/night. It can add hours onto your trip. If you are coming back on a Friday, try to avoid hitting the LA area between 4 and 6 pm. All freeways seem to be a mess at that time.

If you have kids, I think the pools at the Mirage, Mandalay Bay and Rio are the best.

Enjoy