San Francisco to Las Vegas by car

15lsp

Hello!

Im going to Las Vegas in October but we are having problems getting flights direct from Manchester. Manchester is the only airport we want to fly from so we have decided to fly to San Francisco and spend a few days there then drive over 3 days (sight seeing along the way) to Las Vegas.

Has anyone done this? I just want to know what peoples experiences are and if you have any tips!

Thanks Laura

fatboyonadiet

A useful thread of mine;

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=191210

I flew from M/Cr to LA and was planning on driving to Vegas BUT worked out cheaper just to fly there and fly back from Vegas. Loads of hints and tips on the thread as well as using American Airlines, which are much cheaper then others, in the end I managed to get a very good quote with Opodo and used them instead. HTH.

15lsp

Thanks for that, i'll have a read. We aren't interested in flying internally in the US though. We've done that before and rather than waiting around in airports we would prefer to see some of the country.

fatboyonadiet

Little tip for booking a car, I used Hertz (some Quidco cashback) and at them time didn't join the gold club but would recommend it as it's free and means you don't have to Q and get free upgrades.

It was the cheapest for me taking into account insurance etc. They gave me a free upgrade to a nice little 350Z if I took out the prepaid fuel option and satellite radio which worked out at peanuts!

I loved driving round America and it's so easy, don't listen to peoples scare stories! Next on my list is Route 66...

15lsp

oooh! a 350z nice! Theres 6 of us going so we will need something a little bigger lol. Thanks for car tip, very helpful.

Baz_2

One of the best forums Ive ever come across if your planning driving around the US.

https://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum

Lorian

15lsp wrote:

Has anyone done this? I just want to know what peoples experiences are and if you have any tips!

Thanks Laura

I've done it, some years ago now.

We really enjoyed San Fransisco. Stay somewhere on the cable-car run, maybe near pier39 if budget allows.

Our drive took longer han 3 days, but we stayed various places on the way: Lake Tahoe, Yosemite (*****) and somewhere else not memorable.

Yosemite is well worth the visit, if you can find somewhere to stay.

Belles

Oooo do it do it do it!!!

I did it, but went the long way round, all the way from San Francisco along the coast and back up again inland, absolutely amazing scenery!

Lorian

Belles wrote:

Oooo do it do it do it!!!

I did it, but went the long way round, all the way from San Francisco along the coast and back up again inland, absolutely amazing scenery!

We did the coast on the way back. It was very beautiful but the Big Sur highway (route 1) seemed to last forever!

NafUk

Have done this trip. The big difference between the US and Europe is size. If you like the outdoors a good way to experience this 'size' is to visit Yosemite (hike up to half dome and camp) or Sequioa (nice campsites). Drving will also help you appreciate the size. For camping you'l only need a sleeping bag and tent. If you do camp/hike of the main trails near the parking areas, check the temperature and weather first if you are going before April.

wdyw

Done this drive many many times. The biggest decision is what you want to see or how long you want to spend on the drive. Four main options are
1/2 head east to Yosemite and if the Tiagra pass is still open you then decide whether to head out the eastern exit and down past Mammoth and Bishop, or head down the western side of the mountains and take in Sequoia National Park. If your are having to fly back out of Vegas then you can always do 2 out of the 4 routes!

3/ head down the coast road and cut across (longest route by far)

4/ Take the direct route missing all the National parks.

Unless you plan flying out/back around school half term in October the Mytravel/Airtours direct flight to Vegas from Manchester will be dirt cheap closer to flight date.