I’m curious what the drive to Vegas is actually like these days. Google Maps says around 4–5 hours, but I’ve heard plenty of horror stories about traffic turning it into a 6- or even 7-hour trip. Others say do it in 3 1/2 hours.
For those who drive from LA to Vegas regularly, when do you usually leave to avoid the worst traffic? Is Friday afternoon basically a lost cause? How long does it usually take you to go from Los Angeles to Las Vegas?
Also, what about the drive back to LA on Sunday? Is there a time you’d recommend leaving?
Done that drive more times than I can count. 4 hours is possible if you leave at the right time. Friday afternoon though? Forget it I’ve sat on the 15 for almost 7 hours before, too. So those stories aren't made up.
What feels worse is the drive back on a Sunday. I don't wanna leave too early and waste the day. I don't want to leave too late and arrive at 1 a.m.. So I leave whenever I feel like it and suck it up.
Leave L.A. around 6 am and you’ll move fast. Grab breakfast somewhere along the way and you might be in Vegas by 10:30. Sometimes that's too early to check in, but there is always something to explore and do. I refuse to do that drive after noon anymore.
I might switch to flying once the Automated People Mover is operational.
It depends entirely on where in LA you start and what day of the week it is. Leaving L.A. from the Westside feels like a challenge in itself and can easily add more than an hour.
I saw a guy who wrote once: "Somewhere between 1 and 12 hours." I had a good laugh because I kind of felt that.
During the week, it's rather smooth once you leave Los Angeles. I try to avoid Friday nights completely. The best time to drive back is Monday night after 8 pm, and you'll get home by midnight. I still prefer that over LAX.
Under ideal conditions, the drive takes roughly 4 to 4.5 hours of pure driving. Friends keep telling me they do it in 3 hours and 30 minutes. Bro is probably breaking that speed limit at night by 30 mph.
It usually takes about 4 1/2 to 6 hours, often 5 or 5 1/2. On a clear day with no stops, it's maybe 4 to 4 1/2 hours. That's like the drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park. It depends on where in L.A. you start, of course. Barstow to Las Vegas takes about 2:40.
If you drive the speed limit, you are considered suspicious. I've never been stopped for going 10 mph over the speed limit. If you push it too far, they might catch you via helicopter.
I fly most of the time. That takes around 5 hours. I leave for LAX 3 hours prior to departure and arrive 2 hours before takeoff. The flight itself is 1:15 hours. Then about 45 minutes to get out of Harry Reid Airport. I understand that many people feel driving is more peaceful, but I'm used to LAX.
I don't adjust my departure time much. I'd rather stay 2 hours longer on the road than leave 4 hours earlier. On a good day, the drive takes a little over 4 hours.
On a bad day, it can add up to over 7 hours. It depends not only on the time you leave or the weekday, but also the month. March to May and September to November are the main seasons. Expect higher traffic during those months.
How long does it usually take you to go from Los Angeles to Las Vegas?
I’ve sat on the 15 for almost 7 hours before, too. So those stories aren't made up.
Slower than that, and people will be tailgating you.
I've never been stopped for going 10 mph over the speed limit. If you push it too far, they might catch you via helicopter.