bigjoe8

Just got back...

We rented from Hertz... All the rental places use the same buses. The drivers were all super friendly and helped with bags. Prompt service never waiting a long time for the bus to fill up. There always seemed to be several waiting to pick folks up.

The strip is crowded but nothing worse than any big city downtown. Several times my passengers demanded an immediate left turn when I am all the way over in the right lane and I made each one without a problem. Might have scared a few other drivers but no worries.

It did take a good 45 minutes to drag the strip one way from Mandalay to Freemont on Friday evening but it gave you plenty of time to look around.

I took paradise road to the east of the strip to get around if I was in a hurray because it has much less traffic and the hotels are so big I just watched them and when I seemed close I took a left and went back to the strip.

Only the Stratosphere Valet was full around midnight Saturday/Sunday so I had to use the free parking otherwise at all the other places I had less than a 10 minute wait.

I did spend a lot on tips but I was tipping 5 bucks at drop off and pickup but it did get me VIP parking several times (they keep the car under the portico) all you do is walk out right to your car. Kind of funny seeing a ford edge next to all the expensive stuff

We drove to hoover dam and valley of fire in the same day and it was awesome and real easy. We had a great time and loved having the car.

trippinkpj

Thanks for sharing. This is great info for those of us going to Vegas soon.

esd

Yes, thank you very much. We'll be doing this in 10 days and I appreciate the report. It helps alot.

Stephie

Also doing this very soon and appreciate your report. We'll be dropping off a rental car at Belagio (staying at Caesars) then renting it again at the end of our Vegas stay from Belagio. I hope it's easy to get in and out of there...we shall see!

verybuckeye

Hmmmm - is it cheaper or easier to pick up or drop off at the hotel? Sounds like that might be a good option... Are there any benefits besides the convenience? We will be spending the first and last nights of our Out West Adventure in a Strip Hotel. Of course that would mean cab fare to and from the airport, but it might save 2 days of rental fees on a full-size rental car.

rascat

What type of car did you get BigJoe? We will be flying into Vegas mid-July, then driving to Page, AZ to visit my son who's working at the resort. From there, it's off to the Grand Canyon, and back to Vegas for two days before we fly home.

Hubby has corporate perks through National, and we got a great price of a full-size car. We frequently get upgrades, but now I'm wondering if we should spring for an SUV. My son says he's used his 4wheel drive plenty since he's been out there. We don't have any plans to go "offroad", but he says road conditions can be "iffy" in his area.

Would welcome any input from other posters who have made this trip...

JoyinVirginia

Thanks so much for the info! How long did it take you to drive to Valley of Fire and Hoover Dam, and how long did you stay at each site? We are going later in July also and want to drive to both those places, plus take a day to go to North Rim of Grand Canyon.