Routes to Vegas from LA

[KazChasey]

^ You're thinking of the wrong section of the 138. The section that's used for Vegas isn't a mountain road or anything close to it. It's a straight shot through the desert, and then turns into the 18 on the way into Victorville. It's dangerous but not because of windy roads and snowy conditions. It's just dangerous for high speeds and cars/truck passing other cars/trucks in opposing lanes.

[woodsart]

Originally Posted by KazChasey

^ You're thinking of the wrong section of the 138. The section that's used for Vegas isn't a mountain road or anything close to it. It's a straight shot through the desert, and then turns into the 18 on the way into Victorville. It's dangerous but not because of windy roads and snowy conditions. It's just dangerous for high speeds and cars/truck passing other cars/trucks in opposing lanes.

OH! Got it. Hmmm... might be another option for Vegas driving, then...

[bpeeps]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

If you're coming back on Sunday, you won't want to be on 58.

You'll thank me later.

In general, you don't want to be driving back from Vegas on Sunday. I always plan Vegas weekends Saturday to Monday.

[timtemtym]

Next time I will definitely take a Friday off. I was planning on doing that this past time we went for Halloween weekend. However, when I brought it up at work everyone told me no way, don't even ask, it'll create huge problems to be off on a "holiday." So i didn't.

It was definitely fun being in Vegas on Halloween with everyone dressed up. We are trying to find good casino resorts here in California. Last weekend we went to Pala down the 15 in SD County. That was really nice and we enjoyed the restaurants. That may be a good alternative.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

If you're coming back on Sunday, you won't want to be on 58.

You'll thank me later.

What about 5 -> 14 -> 58 outbound then one of the 15-based routes inbound?

I think what you are alluding to is folks returning to Bakersfield, Fresno and the Bay Area on Sunday, correct? They add into the volume on the 58. I don't think that effect is as concentrated outbound.

[Count David]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

What about 5 -> 14 -> 58 outbound then one of the 15-based routes inbound?

I think what you are alluding to is folks returning to Bakersfield, Fresno and the Bay Area on Sunday, correct? They add into the volume on the 58. I don't think that effect is as concentrated outbound.

I don't know. I know last time I was going to Vegas on a Sunday afternoon, 58 was backed up from Kramer Jct to just about Barstow. It was absolutely insane.

[timtemtym]

I think the worst part of the vegas trek is between Barstow and the Nevada state line. It's two lanes and everything funnels through there. It's a bad set up and if there is any form of wreck it is insane.

[L.A.-Mex]

Originally Posted by timtemtym

I think the worst part of the vegas trek is between Barstow and the Nevada state line. It's two lanes and everything funnels through there. It's a bad set up and if there is any form of wreck it is insane.

we once drove through the emergency lanes the whole way there, we drove for a bout 10 min outside, then entered the traffic for about 10 minutes and repeated the pattern, funny thing was that about 4 cars followed me.

[Roark25]

We live in the northern part of the San Fernando Valley, and we generally do 5 -> 14 -> 138 -> 18 -> 15.

Pearblossom Hwy (138) splits off into two directions about 20-30 minutes east of Palmdale. You can either continue on the 138 (which hugs the mountains) or take the 18 which takes a more central and direct route through the desert. Either way you get to the 15, but the 18 takes you right into Victorville, while the 138 takes a little while longer (and always gets me carsick).

210 -> 15 is a great alternate (especially if you live on the Eastside) but for me it always seems a little longer.

I don't recommend 14 -> 58. Even though it is more scenic and you get directly to Barstow, it definitely feels a lot longer to me!

Totally agree about the worst part of the Vegas trek being the Barstow/Stateline journey. Now THAT is a real traffic nightmare.... there are no alternate routes! (Well, there are according to maps I've looked at... but it involves a multi-hour detour through small mountain roads leading from Baker through the Nevadas. Never tried it, so who knows how long it actually takes or if the roads are even kept.)