Las Vegas to LA - best driving route please

John259

hotlatte wrote: »

is there a googlemap link?

I'll do that one first:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Bellagio,+South+Las+Vegas+Boulevard,+Las+Vegas,+NV,+USA&daddr=34.1489986,-118.053118+to:34.156434,-118.261394+to:34.1530752,-118.3549653+to:34.1511265,-118.3704072+to:N+Highland+Ave&hl=en&ll=36.106953,-115.174999&spn=0.100549,0.209255&sll=34.153118,-118.365841&sspn=0.025748,0.052314&geocode=FfIIJwId_4oi-SGEDdHZxcfygim9R1HLMMTIgDGEDdHZxcfygg%3BFYYSCQIdAqf2-CmvHUMKj9vCgDF0MWempUz1EA%3BFZIvCQIdbnnz-ClXtqMYTsDCgDH0j_3MpsXDTA%3BFXMiCQId6wvy-Cmv0RwnLr7CgDHIP_hWr3_xjw%3BFdYaCQIdmc_x-CkrAOqIGL7CgDE3QQ7UjX9_Ag%3BFYZICAIdoUvy-A&oq=hollywood+walk+of&mra=dpe&mrsp=4&sz=15&via=1,2,3,4&t=m&z=13

I've started you off at the Bellagio but you can adjust that as appropriate.

There's a minor complication. You can't get directly from CA134 West to US101 South. Google Maps has suggested a way to do it using a couple of normal streets which you'll see on the map.

ferf1223

google.com/maps/

Primm is on the way, but only about 40 minutes or so out of Vegas so not sure it would warrant a stop for the outlet mall or casinos coming from Vegas.

We stopped here last trip, it was interesting for a short diversion from I-15 we thought.

https://www.pioneersaloon.info/history/

Another possible detour just for the name of the town / road is Zzyzx, California.

And there ends my knowledge of the route since the only times we ever drive it is side-trip to Primm or very rarely coming from LA to Vegas and all we want to do is get to Vegas.

John259

hotlatte wrote: »

Can i ask if there is anything to explore on this route at all? Any tips please, share any experiences?

At the Nevada/California border (Primm) there's a casino (inevitably), some fast food restaurants, gas stations, a small amusement park and a monorail to get you from one side of the interstate to the other. FWIW on the east side there's a Nevada welcome centre - not a lot of use when you're leaving the state.

After Primm there's a long straight climb up Mountain Pass. Near the top of the climb the view in the rear window is excellent:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_15#mediaviewer/File:Interstate15_Ivanpah_Valley.jpg

Then there's the California Agricultural Inspection Station, where any fruit and veg that you're carrying will be confiscated without compensation, to protect California's crops from disease. So don't stock up with fruit before leaving Las Vegas. You might be able to pick up a free California road map here.

Just east of Barstow there's a possible diversion to Calico Ghost Town, about three miles off the interstate. However, it's generally regarded as being a bit of a tourist trap.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calico_Ghost_Town

Just west of Barstow, at the Lenwade Road exit, there's a convenient cluster of fast food restaurants (including an In-n-Out Burger) if you want a snack without having to mess about driving into Barstow itself.

On the other hand, there's a Route 66 museum in Barstow:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barstow_Route_66_Mother_Road_Museum#Restoration_and_museums

There are more roadside restaurants in Victorville.

The Cajun Pass is quite scenic. There's a gradient that might concern a big truck driver, but not a car driver. There's also a preserved section of Route 66 alongside the interstate:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cajon_Pass#Road_transport

I suppose movie fans might like to search round San Dimas for locations featured in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.

Much closer to your destination there's Griffith Observatory with a great view over part of Los Angeles, especially when it's starting to get dark and the lights come on.

Other people might be able to think of some more possibilities of course.

John259

ferf1223 wrote: »

Primm is on the way, but only about 40 minutes or so out of Vegas so not sure it would warrant a stop for the outlet mall or casinos coming from Vegas.

Nor me, unless an early start was made from Las Vegas and a stop made at Primm for breakfast.

hotlatte

John259 excellent guidance thanks a bunch...

ferf1223 you stated an outlet mall - can you remember the name and location might be worth going there for a quick gift shopping for the family back home

beluga

Last time I did this we stopped at Death Valley, which was lovely, but I'm not sure how advisable it is at that time of year, we went in January so it wasn't too hot. If you're prepared it's a very scenic drive

ferf1223

hotlatte wrote: »

ferf1223 you stated an outlet mall - can you remember the name and location might be worth going there for a quick gift shopping for the family back home

Yes but there are two that are arguably better in Vegas so I didn't think the Primm outlet would be of much interest if you had been to Vegas first...many of the stores are the same, though there are some differences so may be worth looking at the store listings for each.

Primm (don't be fooled by the name of the website, it's 40 minutes from Vegas - it is attached to one of the casinos - Primm Valley Resort - you can walk through the casino into the outlet and it does have a Hollister outlet which may mean it's novel and interesting)...there is also an Original Pancake House location in Primm Valley if the breakfast idea strikes you).

http://www.fashionoutletlasvegas.com/

Vegas north

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=58

Vegas south

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=61

Sign up for the free VIP thing on the two in Vegas and you can print off extra vouchers before you go...thanks to Luci on the Vegas thread for that tip a few years ago.