Driving through Vegas, how bad is morning rush hour? where/when?

[imjen]

We're going to be spending the night in Vegas and getting up the next morning to finish the drive. Staying over on a Monday night at the end of July. I don't want to stay on the strip and need an inexpensive place so probably staying at Sam's Town on the east side, just off of 515 and Boulder Highway. Will I be in trouble fighting morning traffic to get back on I-15 South? Should I go back north up 515 and then south on I-15, cut across to I-15 on a side street like Flamingo or Tropicana, or go south on 515 and take 215 over to I-15? How bad is traffic usually at around 8 am on a Tuesday and which roads are heaviest? If you can recommend another hotel/motel under $40 that's more convenient to leave in the morning, I'd love suggestions.

If it's bad enough I'll consider staying elsewhere, maybe in Primm, just not sure if those hotels are good. The reviews I read are mixed, saying very long (over 20 min.) to check in, and some dirty rooms. If anyone has stayed there, how was your hotel, which one did you stay in?

 

[GrandBob]

The casinos in Vegas are really hurting right now. On a Monday night, you should be able to book any of a number of them for cheap. I got Golden Nugget downtown for $39 weekdays, but I'd suggest something near the strip to avoid the I-15 traffic near downtown in the morning. I know the Orleans advertises $38 on some weekdays.

Check travelworm.com -- they usually have good prices for Vegas. But once you find a good price from them, check the casino's site to see if they'll match it. That way you can get a refundable reservation.

You didn't say what your dates are, but I just plugged June 22 into travelworm. It shows $22 for the Sahara. I wouldn't stay there (though it's not too bad), but it also shows $31 for Excalibur, which is a very good hotel/casino. Lots of others under $50.

HTH,
Bob
Edit - oops, I see you said late July. I plugged in July 27 and found similar rates. $22 Sahara, $33 Excalibur, $40 Orleans, etc. From either Excalibur or Orleans you'll be right near I-15 and south of most of the traffic.

 

[imjen]

Thanks! I'm not so sure about staying right on the strip with young kids. If I did, which hotels along there have the quickest in and out with parking and check-in and have clean non-smoking rooms? I'm not very familiar with Vegas, is most of the traffic coming into downtown from the north then and where is considered downtown? Thanks again!

 

[Tasscrapper]

Are you set on Vegas or can you make it to Primm? If you went all the way to Primm you would get past the traffic and construction and be that much closer for the next day. We drove past there 2 days ago and I think it had rooms advertized for about $25.

 

[GrandBob]

Of course, you've hit a core issue with parking and checkin. Most Vegas casinos are huge, with parking a long walk from your room. Most have a checkin area where you can park for 15 minutes while unloading your suitcases right into the lobby. But then you'll need to park in their structure, usually a bit of a walk. But really, it will only add 10 minutes or so to your morning at checkout.

Excalibur will probably be as described above. But other than that, it's ideal. A lot of the "stuff" on the strip that you want to keep your kids away from is on center-strip, and Excalibur is south-strip. You probably won't see the hawkers passing out cards for escort services, for example. And Excalibur, having the medieval theme, is quite fascinating for the kids. If you stay there, look into the dinner show with jousting.

Orleans, and its neighbor hotel Gold Coast (I think they may be co-owned) may be even more convenient for parking. I've stayed at Gold Coast, and the parking structure is right across from the entrance -- as close as you'll find. I believe Orleans is similar. They're both west of I-15 on Tropicana Ave; so they're not on the strip at all. But both are within 1/2 mile of the entrance back on I-15. I just looked at the Gold Coast rate calendar, and the last two Mondays in July are listed as $34 and $36. The rooms are pretty decent. Not 5*, but nice.

-Bob

 

[imjen]

Are you set on Vegas or can you make it to Primm? If you went all the way to Primm you would get past the traffic and construction and be that much closer for the next day. We drove past there 2 days ago and I think it had rooms advertized for about $25.

I could probably make it to Primm. I'm just not sure what to expect for those hotels. The reviews were pretty mixed on tripadvisor. Has anyone stayed at any of these? How was check in time and room cleanliness?

 

[imjen]

Orleans, and its neighbor hotel Gold Coast (I think they may be co-owned) may be even more convenient for parking. I've stayed at Gold Coast, and the parking structure is right across from the entrance -- as close as you'll find. I believe Orleans is similar. They're both west of I-15 on Tropicana Ave; so they're not on the strip at all. But both are within 1/2 mile of the entrance back on I-15. I just looked at the Gold Coast rate calendar, and the last two Mondays in July are listed as $34 and $36. The rooms are pretty decent. Not 5*, but nice.

-Bob

This is a great suggestion, thanks! The parking situation is much more ideal than most of the big casinos and Gold Coast looks nice.

 

[GrandBob]

This is a great suggestion, thanks! The parking situation is much more ideal than most of the big casinos and Gold Coast looks nice.

You're very welcome. Have fun!

And to answer your earlier questions, "downtown" is the area just south of the intersection of I-15 and I-215. That intersection, and other closeby ones (93, 95) are an area you really want to avoid during rush hour. So your first plan of staying at Sam's Town and heading up 515 to 15 would not be good at all. I'd probably take 215 in that case. But from your criteria, I think Gold Coast would be a very good bet.

-Bob

 

[GrandBob]

Oh, one more thing. The buffet at Gold Coast is a lot like their rooms -- not top-tier gourmet, but pretty good. And a whole lot better value than most buffets in Vegas. A possibility for either dinner when you arrive or breakfast in the morning.