[travelbug76]

Well the time has come...I'M LEAVING NJ! Sure I'll miss the rude folks who cut you off in traffic, paying to get onto the beach, super high property taxes, high cost of food, horrible gun laws and the snow. Oh wait...No I won't. LOL in all seriousness NJ will always be home. But I need a change....SO VEGAS HERE I COME! Anyway I'm out to Vegas. The joy! Has anyone ever driven from NJ/NY/Philly areas? If so what route did you take? I'm the only driver by the way. We will need to stop and rest. We are looking at about 3days. How many days did it take you? I'm uber excited(yes I said uber). Any feedback would be great. Also I want to avoid the drive through Texas. BIG OLE TEXAS. I love Texas but it's such a huge state. I use to live in San Antonio, Houston and Austin. Miss it too. Anyway I am rambling. Thanks folks.

[beachhead]

That sounds like a cool adventure! I've never made the trip fron NJ, but I did from Kansas City...Took the 70 to the 15. It was a few years ago, but it was a beautiful drive through Colorado. Doesn't look like there's a direct route from NJ over that way, but it misses Texas!

Have fun, and enjoy the trip....the journey is a big part of the fun.

[mitchmiller9]

I drove from Atlanta to LA in three days. That was rough for one driver. I had to meet my mover so I had to stay on schedule. I was really fighting sleep driving through west Texas.

Allocate at least couple more days for travel and perhaps to take some time to stop and look at something besides endless freeway. GoogleMaps estimates the travel time from Newark to Las Vegas is 36 hours. You'll be driving 12 hours daily and that assumes good traffic and no stops.

When are you ever going to be driving across the country again?

[Raiderman]

I did it from RI. The fastest way is straight across on 70 or 80. I preferred the southern route, myself. Texas is quick when you're only going across the panhandle. Get to 81S, catch the 40 at the VA/TN line, then head across that way until it's time to turn right onto 95 in Kingman. Doable in 3 days, but I would plan 4 just to be safe. Nicer drive, and you get to avoid the "blah" of the flyover states..

[ctg5040]

I recently drove from the Central Pennsylvania area to Las Vegas. I personally took 5 days, however the 5th was less than 3 hours of driving. The reason being the family I was staying with needed an extra day to prep for us as they just got back from a trip. Additionally, we traveled with a dog and cat which we didn't want to stress out. (Cat wouldn't use a litter box till we got to the next hotel room)

The S.O. was nervous about tornado alley, therefore we went more north than I would expect others to do. I took 80 to 70 to 15. My overnight stops being roughly Chicago, Omaha, Grand Junction and Cedar City. We also drove the trip with 2 vehicles, one pulling a U Haul trailer.

Overall it was a pretty boring trip which I was happy for. No major traffic issues, slowest parts being around larger cities and driving over the mountain with the trailer. The majority of the time she would be 1 to 5 miles ahead each time we stopped anywhere. I was nervous about traveling at high speeds with the single axle trailer while she was keeping up with the speed limit that at times was 80 mph.

As Beachhead mentioned Colorado was amazing to drive through with the scenery. I've never drove through a more beautiful area.

As my recommendation I would do it in 4 days, pushing 12 driving hours is going to be difficult on days 2 and 3. Not saying it can't be done but if your not in a rush I would take the extra day. Because of the animals I didn't stop many places to be a tourist either. The last point I would say is after driving 12 hours on the third day I assume your not going to get in till late and your body is going to want to sleep to recovery. If you place a 4th day in there you can arrive sooner in the day and not be as wore out. Just my point of perspective though.

Good luck on your trip and if you have any questions post them.

[stevek64]

I suppose it depends on what your goal is. Side trips along the way? Quickest route with no side trip stops? I'd just google map it and it will give you a few routes. Where you're driving from, Texas isn't on the shortest route list so you're fine there if you're looking to avoid TX. If you take the shortest route, figure you'll get to Las Vegas in 3 days if you drive 12 hours a day.

If you have the time, personally, I'd stop off in Chicago area for a little sight seeing, same with the Denver area, etc. as those cities are off the main interstate route if you're goal is to take the most straightforward route. When you get to Utah, you're also only about 1 to 1 1/2 hour's off the interstate from Bryce and Zion national parks which are beautiful places as a stop.

Have fun!

[tadtam]

Took this route several times:

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Phil...6!2d36.1699412

Here is a blog I wrote on a vacation trip out here:
http://travel-drivingtolasvegasfromc...ady-to-go.html
Might be of some help-- have fun and enjoy the trip...

[Croce]

Originally Posted by travelbug76

Well the time has come...I'M LEAVING NJ! Sure I'll miss the rude folks who cut you off in traffic

You definitely won't miss the rude folks who cut you off in traffic as they all moved here before you and are here waiting for you! Good luck on the drive. You will love it here.

[Buzz123]

You wouldn't go anywhere near Texas. Why would you do that? If you do it will take you a week to get here. You might make it in three days if you're the only driver, but you should give yourself four days. Just use this MapQuest and put in the two addresses. You'll mostly be on I-80 and then down to I-70 until you hit I-15 in Utah to Las Vegas. MapQuest Maps - Driving Directions - Map

[Raiderman]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

You wouldn't go anywhere near Texas. Why would you do that? If you do it will take you a week to get here. You might make it in three days if you're the only driver, but you should give yourself four days. Just use this MapQuest and put in the two addresses. You'll mostly be on I-80 and then down to I-70 until you hit I-15 in Utah to Las Vegas. MapQuest Maps - Driving Directions - Map

I've found I-40 to be a "nicer" drive than I-70 or I-80. Just better scenery, in my opinion, without adding a ton of time to the trip. Plus, there are some great BBQ places in Arkansas!