Traffic???

[WishesOnMyMind]

When driving to DLR (from OK) in July 2005, we ran into a massive amount of traffic in the desert; it was so hot, and we were going so slowly that our vehicle almost overheated! I assume it was people coming back from a visit to Las Vegas....We are arriving on a Sunday in March, so I don't expect to have the heat that we did in 2005, but do you think we will run into a lot of traffic again? I'm trying to decide where we should stop for the night, and what time we should get back on the road in order to avoid the traffic. Thanks for any help you can give me!

 

[DmaxHawk]

When driving to DLR (from OK) in July 2005, we ran into a massive amount of traffic in the desert; it was so hot, and we were going so slowly that our vehicle almost overheated! I assume it was people coming back from a visit to Las Vegas....We are arriving on a Sunday in March, so I don't expect to have the heat that we did in 2005, but do you think we will run into a lot of traffic again? I'm trying to decide where we should stop for the night, and what time we should get back on the road in order to avoid the traffic. Thanks for any help you can give me!

Well first off since I am an automotive person, if your car ever starts to overheat again, try putting it in neutral (whenever you're stopped) and raising the RPMS. This will allow the viscus clutch fan (i'm assuming your car has a clutch fan since i don't see electric fans allowing the car to overheat) to pull air through the radiator at a higher rate and thus cooling the car. This will also spin your AC compressor faster keeping you guys inside cooler.

As for traffic, we have traveled to CA every year for the past 3 years for Spring Break during March. I'm not sure which highway you take but as for I-10, it was clear enough for us to be racing upward of 100MPH. We would hit the CA state line around noon and be in LA around 2-3pm depending on traffic when we got closer to the city IIRC. I don't ever remember there being a traffic problem in the desert though. Which route do you usually take?

 

[jlmarr]

If the OP takes I-40 in from OK then they would start to hit the "returning from Vegas on Sunday" traffic in Barstow where I-40 meets up with I-15. Maybe somebody who makes that trip a lot can chime in, but I think the big rush doesn't start in Vegas until noon or so, and that would translate to 2pm or so in Barstow. Try to beat that if possible.

As for places to stay, we like the casino area in Laughlin, which is about 20 miles north of I-40 on the Colorado River. The best way to get there would be to get off I-40 in Kingman AZ and head west on AZ-68, then to get back to I-40 head south from Laughlin along the river road. You can get a fairly nice room at Harrah's or Tropicana for less than $40. No need to gamble, but do visit the buffet, particularly Harrah's.

 

[WishesOnMyMind]

Thanks DmaxHawk and jlmarr for your help; this is why I LOVE the Disboards! I normally don't do the driving when we are on vacation, but I do know we take I-40 until somewhere, lol. Stopping at Laughlin sounds fun to me! I will give my husband the info. you two have given me, and let him decide where we should stop and what time we should leave to avoid the possible rush of traffic! Thanks again!!!!