Tuscon to Las Vegas Drive in December
#1
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Tuscon to Las Vegas Drive in December
My family is planning to drive from Tuscon to Las Vegas next week (December '14)
How is the drive in December in that route in general?
1. Would there by any snow?
2. I know the terrain for the most part is desert (and flat), but I have a fear of heights and am wondering if there is anything part of the trip where I would have to drive at cliff edges or anything that might induce the fear.
There might be some heights involved near Hoover Dam, right?
thanks
CityGuy.
How is the drive in December in that route in general?
1. Would there by any snow?
2. I know the terrain for the most part is desert (and flat), but I have a fear of heights and am wondering if there is anything part of the trip where I would have to drive at cliff edges or anything that might induce the fear.
There might be some heights involved near Hoover Dam, right?
thanks
CityGuy.
#2
If you are scared of the high bridge over Hoover Dam (US 93), you can take I-10 to Blythe CA (first exit in CA) and then take US 95 north to where it joins US 93 on the way to LV.
I've been told that once every 2-3 years it snows about a half inch in Las Vegas.
The high bridge has a pedestrian walkway with a 3 foot wall on the dam side of the bridge. Just watch the traffic in the lane in front of you and you'll be fine.
I've been told that once every 2-3 years it snows about a half inch in Las Vegas.
The high bridge has a pedestrian walkway with a 3 foot wall on the dam side of the bridge. Just watch the traffic in the lane in front of you and you'll be fine.
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tomfuller:
Thanks for the reply, how is the drive between Phoenix and Hoover Dam?
Which could be more frightening the drive on the bridge on the dam, or the bypass road?
Anything to worry between Tucson and Phoenix itself?
Thanks for the reply, how is the drive between Phoenix and Hoover Dam?
Which could be more frightening the drive on the bridge on the dam, or the bypass road?
Anything to worry between Tucson and Phoenix itself?
#4
When you get off I-40 in Kingman, fill the gas tank.
US 93 is a typical 2 lane US highway through a rather barren desert. drive sanely and if traffic piles up behind you, pull off at a safe place to let them pass.
US 93 is a typical 2 lane US highway through a rather barren desert. drive sanely and if traffic piles up behind you, pull off at a safe place to let them pass.
#6
You have to go over the new bridge into Nevada to get to the old road down to the dam. You can drive across the dam to the second parking area which is free. The dam is worth driving down to see.
Coming back up from the dam, you can stop at a free parking lot that has the paved path to the walkway on the high bridge.
There is a security checkpoint several hundred yards before you get to the dam on the old highway.
If you're looking for a cheap place to stay, the Hacienda (2 miles from the dam) is cheaper than most places on the "Strip" in LV.
Coming back up from the dam, you can stop at a free parking lot that has the paved path to the walkway on the high bridge.
There is a security checkpoint several hundred yards before you get to the dam on the old highway.
If you're looking for a cheap place to stay, the Hacienda (2 miles from the dam) is cheaper than most places on the "Strip" in LV.
#7
TUCSON is the correct spelling just in case you need to google it for something. It ends in SON and it's always sunny is a way to remember it. One year the local newspaper had a cartoon that showed how at Christmas Tucson is spelled like Tuscany,S before C, with all the out of state misspelled Christmas cards arriving in town. It's a Native American name. Enjoy your trip.
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HappyTrvlr:
Thanks for the correct spelling. I will remember that.
tomfuller:
Looks like my mind is made up , I am going to bypass the high/new bridge over Colorado river. From Kingman, I will take 68 towards Laughlin to join 95 to head up north towards Vegas.
Thanks for the correct spelling. I will remember that.
tomfuller:
Looks like my mind is made up , I am going to bypass the high/new bridge over Colorado river. From Kingman, I will take 68 towards Laughlin to join 95 to head up north towards Vegas.
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Searchlight is a small desert town. Nugget casino serves a good miner's breakfast. They are being investigated by the state gaming commission, again, for 'cooking the books', which makes them a charming stop over. They may be closed, again. We always stop here.
Terribles casino - basically a truck stop. Searchlight has small motels.
Anyway, the claim to fame in this barren town is that it is home to Senator Reid who is the Senate majority leader until January when Republicans take office
He is rarely to never there preferring his 4-star hotel suite in Washington D.C
Highway 68 from Laughlin. The pass is exceptionally scenic composed of contorted geological formations. Have camera ready.
Out of Laughlin to 95 - If you are an Indian petroglyph aficionado, Christmas Tree Canyon has a superb array of this rock art. Drive east from Laughlin to about milepost 10. Then turn north for about 4 miles (as I recall). A shot walk ends at the canyon entry. Don't walk back far as there is not much there.
Vaga
Terribles casino - basically a truck stop. Searchlight has small motels.
Anyway, the claim to fame in this barren town is that it is home to Senator Reid who is the Senate majority leader until January when Republicans take office
He is rarely to never there preferring his 4-star hotel suite in Washington D.C
Highway 68 from Laughlin. The pass is exceptionally scenic composed of contorted geological formations. Have camera ready.
Out of Laughlin to 95 - If you are an Indian petroglyph aficionado, Christmas Tree Canyon has a superb array of this rock art. Drive east from Laughlin to about milepost 10. Then turn north for about 4 miles (as I recall). A shot walk ends at the canyon entry. Don't walk back far as there is not much there.
Vaga