How is the drive from Vegas to Disneyland

[discorsner]

We are going to Vegas Memorial day weekend and after and we have decided to take one day or possibly one overnight and drive out to Disneyland. We always wanted to go and we have done WDW so many times we feel as though we really want to see the original.

I posted on this board a few days ago as I was thinking of flying out for the day and many people suggested driving which we have decided on.

How is the drive? What should we expect? How is traffic? What time in the wee hours of the morning should we leave to get there and do the park? (mapquest puts it at 4 hours but I am wondering if this is accurate).

Is it really scenic and beautiful drive? We are from NY (not NYC though) so desert excites us.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

It's definitely not a scenic and beautiful drive. The desert isn't the sandy-dunes kind of desert that most people think of.

Traffic can get pretty bad, so leaving in the middle of the night is your best bet. It once took me 8 hours to get to Vegas from San Diego (should have been 5 hours), and 9 hours on the way back (a Sunday). A very long stretch of the trip just outside Vegas is a 2-lane highway in each direction, so if there is an accident, it backs traffic up for miles. (Though I haven't made the drive in a few years, so someone please correct me if the 15 has been widened. )

 

[princessnicchia]

My dad drives Vegas to Anaheim every year to meet us in Disneyland. Leaving in the morning, it usually takes him 5 hours. I can't comment on the scenic ness of the route because I haven't personally done it, but will be driving Anaheim to Vegas on March 6th. If you PM me after then I'll let you know. Apparently there is the world's largest thermometer to look at on the way!

 

[tink929]

We live in Vegas, and I drive a bit fast... The last go-round, we left on a Sunday morning at around 8 am, and pulled into our hotel at 11:30ish. The California trip before that was on a Friday night, and it took about 5.5 hours from Vegas to Newport Beach. I'd say it averages 4-4.5 hours. Definitely leave really early or really late!

And it's a pretty boring drive. Long stretches of scrub and sand mixed with basic suburbia.

 

[Gisele]

It all depends on how hung over one is, from the night before. Sorry could not help myself (Again)

 

[jennifur25]

It usually takes us between 3.5 and 4 hours, depending on stops. This will be the first time doing it since the boys have been potty trained fully, so not sure how that will affect it But we leave tomorrow around 2:30pm so I'll let you know how long it takes to get there!

 

[Flitterific]

DBF and I drove from Anaheim to Vegas last Memorial Day weekend. We stayed at DLR for two nights and then drove to Vegas the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The drive was super long and we were ready to fall asleep more than once. It's basically just stretches and stretches of desert with not much in between. We stopped by Barstow on the way and walked around the Tanger Premium Outlets for an hour or so. Traffic was on and off but we didn't leave Anaheim until close to 3pm. I think it took us about 6 hours total to get to Vegas including the shopping break. Definitely not a drive I want to make again unless it saves me a lot of money

 

[aspen37]

It is a long and boring trip. The last time I did it was in May of 2008. I was thinking most if not all of the drive was 4 lane. We stopped in Barstow for coffee, and lunch. Then we stopped in Victorville at the Costco to by a GPS system. Traffic was awful when coming down into the valley from San Bernadino. Like everyone has said leave early.

 

[d1gitman]

we just completed a vegas valentine's weekend and did the drive from socal, just 24mi south of DL. i would recommend leaving early or late as previously posted. as far as the scenery, i would think you might find it somewhat interesting. we moved to socal from boston, 9 mo ago. the desert scenery is not sand dunes as mentioned but there are mountains in the back ground and it is a super easy drive. you will go thru some mountains when passing thru riverside. i don't think you will find the drive boring, especially since it will be your first time driving it. driving thru Texas, now that is boring.

 

[jennifur25]

We left this afternoon about 3:45 and arrived at the La Quinta at 8:30pm, with about an hour stop to eat in Barstow Not bad! Tomorrow- off to Disneyland!

 

[KelliLee702]

We do this drive occasionaly and IMO it is not bad. It does help to have an iPod with great music or Books on CD. I moved here 15 years ago and the scenery is different than many other parts of the USA! Just prepare yourself for 4 - 4.5 hours and stop when you want. I would allow an overnight in Anaheim because driving out and ALL day at the park and driving home in the same day is just exhausting! By all means have a great time!

 

[Pixie_Dust]

My brother's family lives near LAX, and from there it takes them between 5 and 8 hours depending on traffic. His wife has a friend there, so they go a lot. I don't think they ever intend it as a "scenic" drive, just bomb on through to get where they're going.

 

[mommaU4]

We are going to Vegas Memorial day weekend and after and we have decided to take one day or possibly one overnight and drive out to Disneyland. We always wanted to go and we have done WDW so many times we feel as though we really want to see the original.

How is the drive? What should we expect? How is traffic? What time in the wee hours of the morning should we leave to get there and do the park? (mapquest puts it at 4 hours but I am wondering if this is accurate).

Is it really scenic and beautiful drive? We are from NY (not NYC though) so desert excites us.

My family and I have made the trip many times. It's not bad. I'd leave as early as you can to lessen the threat of hitting traffic. (Our best/smoothest trip ever was when we left at 5 a.m.) We've done it in 3 hours and at times it's taken up to 7 with traffic. Average is about 4.5 hours, including a potty break in Baker, home of world's largest thermometor and gateway to Death Valley, and a food break in Barstow. (In-n-Out Burger would be nice if you've never been)

Baker thermometor. In this pic, it only says 85. I have another pic, somewhere, that says 116. Temps can soar, especially in summertime. Be prepared and bring lots of water.

Also in Baker, the Alien jerky store:

Barstow area near outlets:

In-n-Out burger. yum:

Be careful. Watch your speed. I know many like to zoom through there, but there ARE police and let's face it, you do want to arrive safely and in one piece.

I'd definitely make it at least an overnight trip. Driving there and back in one day is tiring enough, let alone trying to tour Disneyland in between there. Everyone will end up cranky and that's never fun.

You'll see lots of this (taken from my car window as we drove through the desert):

I think parts of the drive are pretty if it's not the sort of scenery you are used to.
Good luck and have fun.

 

[MVBowers111]

We've made that drive several times...we always try to leave Vegas by 8 am and are in Anaheim by noon at the latest. There isn't a lot to see but we don't mind the drive because we are so excited to get to DL. It's the drive from Anaheim home that really stinks.

 

[RENThead09]

3 hours and 22 minutes usually.

I usually drive on the weekday and leave Vegas about 7 or 8 so I miss the traffic in Cali. Holiday weekends are a whole nother story depending on when you are going and which direction.

 

[wvnative]

Can I just say I'm so glad someone asked this? I was wondering what that drive was going to be like next month. lol We're taking a round about way to DLR from Phoenix to go to my cousin's wedding in Vegas. Looks like the scenery will be about the same as waht we get coming up the 10. lol

 

[discorsner]

thanks so much everybody for all the posts and especially the wonderful pictures. See, I think the scenery in the pics looks interesting. Definitely different than what we are use to.

I am so psyched I can't wait. We live in NY and most our vacations have been east coast and WDW so things out west will be exciting for us.

THANKS again. If anyone has any other tips I more than welcome them but thanks for all that has already been posted here.