Driving from Las Vegas to San Francisco
Aug 2nd, 2014, 12:57 PM
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Driving from Las Vegas to San Francisco
We are an Australian family of 4 (teenagers aged 16 & 14) and would like to drive from Las Vegas to San Francisco in December 2014. Can anyone tell us if there are any stops half way that we could stop overnight? Also is it wise to drive at this time of year due to it being winter? We are hiring a car in LA first and driving from LA to Las Vegas and spending 4 days there. Then that is where we are looking at driving up to San Francisco. Any ideas or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks
Aug 2nd, 2014, 01:16 PM
#2
What exactly is your itinerary? From San Fran are you then driving back to LA for your flight home? Are you planning on spending New Year's in Las Vegas, when room rates can triple and quadruple?
How many days/nights do you have in total for Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco? Hopefully you can see some of the coast between L.A. and San Francisco as well, if you plan wisely.
How many days/nights do you have in total for Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco? Hopefully you can see some of the coast between L.A. and San Francisco as well, if you plan wisely.
Aug 2nd, 2014, 01:44 PM
#3
Winter is a good time to drive through Death Valley on your way out of Las Vegas. If there isn't a snow storm in the mountains I'd recommend going north on 95 to one of 2 ways into Death Valley, then north on 395, a very scenic highway, to Reno and down I-80 to San Francisco. Most of the smaller mountain passes will be closed for the winter.
It may be a slightly shorter drive to go south of the Sierras but not as nice, in my opinion. But if there's a storm, or one on the way, the southern route around the mountains will be a safer bet. There are some high spots on 395 that get snow when lower elevations don't and then the drive from Reno can be tough in snowy weather. Usually open but can be difficult driving.
I suggest, rather than booking ahead, see how the weather is and decide then.
It may be a slightly shorter drive to go south of the Sierras but not as nice, in my opinion. But if there's a storm, or one on the way, the southern route around the mountains will be a safer bet. There are some high spots on 395 that get snow when lower elevations don't and then the drive from Reno can be tough in snowy weather. Usually open but can be difficult driving.
I suggest, rather than booking ahead, see how the weather is and decide then.
Aug 2nd, 2014, 02:54 PM
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Thank you so much for all that information that is great. We were just worried about the weather and driving on the roads if it is snowing. Our itinerary is quite a full one! From San Fran we then drop the car off and go to Seattle then to Banff for Christmas and New York for New Year's Eve and then so on and so on. Thanks again. Travelling for just over 5 weeks.
