Car Travel From La To Vegas (Barstow, Lenwood: home, to buy, closing)

[dreamfollower]

I am assuming the most direct Interstate Route by car from LA to Las Vegas is via I-15. I am expecting to travel to Vegas in late December and would like to know if this stretch of roadway through the CA mountains is typically prone to harsh winter weather and intermittant closure during this time.

Also, is this stretch of road reasonably dotted with fuel stops/rest areas?

Thanks!

[Reivax]

Originally Posted by dreamfollower

I am assuming the most direct Interstate Route by car from LA to Las Vegas is via I-15. I am expecting to travel to Vegas in late December and would like to know if this stretch of roadway through the CA mountains is typically prone to harsh winter weather and intermittant closure during this time.

Also, is this stretch of road reasonably dotted with fuel stops/rest areas?

Thanks!

No, it won't close, and yes, you can damned near find the next Starbucks even before you have finished drinking the last one.
Seriously though, don't worry, there's plenty of places to stop and refuel, both the car and yourself.
It's a very boring drive, though if it's your first time, maybe it won't be as boring as it is for someone who has done it 15 times.
The only things to look at that I can think of on that drive, are Calico ghost town, and the roller coaster / outlet mall at the border.

Have fun!

[Paula Lynn]

It's the only way to go; a boring route, but you'll do fine. Going back to LA from Vegas can be a challenge. Alot of accidents on I-15. Be careful. Gas up in Baker and Barstow.

[dreamfollower]

GREAT !

Yes, it is my first time driving there. I know it's a relatively long drive, but it will be new to me and the destination of Vegas will be just over the horizon!

Thanks, again !!!

[EscapeCalifornia]

Beware that the northbound I-15 is miserably crowded on Fridays and the southbound is as bad or worse on Sundays. If you can plan your driving around that, you'll have a much happier trip.

[AA702]

Originally Posted by Paula Lynn

It's the only way to go; a boring route, but you'll do fine. Going back to LA from Vegas can be a challenge. Alot of accidents on I-15. Be careful. Gas up in Baker and Barstow.

Dont gas up in Baker! expensive! barstow is good, the best is a chevron by the Homedepot right after you see the 58 turn off.

[jdavid93225]

If your vehicle gets reasonably good mileage, you can usually make it from L.A. to L.V. on one tank of gas (it's around 300 miles, depending on where you are in L.A.).

As stated above, Barstow is the best stop along the way to buy gas as far as gas prices go.

Baker is a highway town, and has gas prices that reflect that. The main reason to stop in Baker is to go to Bob's Big Boy, though there's one in Barstow (Lenwood Rd. exit), too.

One more thing: The area between Barstow and Las Vegas is high desert, and with that, comes the possibility of severe weather. It doesn't often result in closure of the highway, but the possibility exists. Usually, when this happens it's because of a severe accident more than because of the weather. If it's raining, then use caution, and keep your radio tuned to one of the highway travel stations (they advertise frequently along the road). It sometimes snows on the top of the pass, so if there's a winter storm in the area, keep that in mind, too. If you plan your trip well, though, none of these things should interfere with your trip.

[LDH]

I-15 is subject to closure. Last year my cousin got stranded with 3 kids because of a rare snow storm closing I-15. It does happen but rare.

[estheralmo]

how long is the trip, in terms of hours from LA to LV?

[ferretkona]

4 hours on the average. I come home very early Sunday to beat the traffic, if you hit it - it can take up to 8 hours coming home.