Which Route to Vegas? (Lake Havasu City, Sun City: construction, car, cities)

[PdxtoPhx]

We're headed up to Las Vegas in a few weeks for a long weekend. We've always taken Hwy 93 all the way up and back, but got to looking at the map and thinking about a different route, maybe taken I 10 to Hwy 95 and going up that way through Parker. Anyone ever go that route? Is it scenic enough to merit the extra 40 miles or so, or should we just stick to the 93? How's the road? Thanks in advance for the advice everyone!

[AZtrails]

It's been a really long time since I went that route. Google Maps says it's only 10 mins longer, but I'm not sure I believe that. As I recall, it was kinda nice for a few miles along the river around Needles, and pretty brown otherwise. It's a US highway between Quartzsite and Vegas, so the road should be fine (but obviously smaller than an interstate). Go for it -- life is about trying different things -- and let us know what you find!

[travel gal 35]

Take that route if you never have before. It's about the same, scenery-wise for most of the trip, but it's always fun to go through smaller cities/towns and stop in at a mom and pop place for a coffee or burger. Sounds like you're going during the day, so keep your headlights on if your car doesn't have daytime running lights. The highway along the border is a good road but not divided.
Be careful on the road around Needles... it's just a few miles but pay close attention to those Rough Road signs.
Coming into Vegas from the south is a nice change also. Happy driving.

[NMAZ]

It was 10 years ago, but we experimented with that route to Las Vegas and it seemed faster and was definitely less stressful. Unless things have changed significantly since then, I don't think I would ever bother taking the "Death Highway" route to Vegas again.

[kdsmith52]

The US 93 route has definitely improved the overall traveling experience so far as a freeway experience is concerned. There is still a bottleneck going through Boulder City however. I like to go I-10 west to the Vicksburg Road exit, then take Vicksburg Road to AZ 72 to Parker. Scenery is pretty bland until you leave Parker continuing on AZ 95 towards Lake Havasu City. After LHC 95 connects with I-40 to Needles etc. and so on. If you're looking more at the Journey than the destination, you can cut off of I-40 west of LHC near Topock towards Oatman, then west on Boundary Cone road to Ft. Mohave/Bullhead City/Laughlin, then from Laughlin over to US 95 and on to Vegas. All of the roads are good hard surfaced roads, but again, they are backways. All depends, fast lane, or scenic route.

[slackjaw]

Originally Posted by kdsmith52

The US 93 route has definitely improved the overall traveling experience so far as a freeway experience is concerned

Agreed, that road keeps getting better and better. There is currently construction between I-40 and the Wikiup DPS speed trap which can be a minor slowdown at peak to/from Vegas times but it isn't too bad.

Someone on this forum had suggested that instead of suffering thru Sun City on US60 we go up I-17 then take I-74 over to Wickenburg, I did like that it was a little farther but about same time and definitely easier on the mental state.

[Betula]

93 has way too many fatal accidents from impatient drivers. We always take 10 to 95 and go through Laughlin. We usually stay a night or too in Laughlin as we enjoy the smaller town feel that Vegas no longer has.