Driving Los Angeles to Grand Canyon
Jun 5th, 2012, 08:05 AM
#21
Unless you pre-paid for the rental car then it is not too late.
Here is another option. After flying to Las Vegas, take an airplane or bus tour to the South Rim (not the West Rim and not a helicopter). These are available for same-day or overnight trips.
The same-day flight tour would be something like: pickup at your hotel, 6AM flight to GCY, bus tour with a few stops on the South Rim, then the 45-minute flight returning to LV at around 2PM. No need for a car rental until the day you leave LV. Another option would be to fly from Las Vegas to Fresno, but the fare is about $140 and up for the one-way and that would mean skipping Death Valley.
Here is another option. After flying to Las Vegas, take an airplane or bus tour to the South Rim (not the West Rim and not a helicopter). These are available for same-day or overnight trips.
The same-day flight tour would be something like: pickup at your hotel, 6AM flight to GCY, bus tour with a few stops on the South Rim, then the 45-minute flight returning to LV at around 2PM. No need for a car rental until the day you leave LV. Another option would be to fly from Las Vegas to Fresno, but the fare is about $140 and up for the one-way and that would mean skipping Death Valley.
Jun 5th, 2012, 08:29 AM
#22
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Even if you already have a car reservation - check www.carrentals.com and see if they have something that will beat it. 
If you are going to turn the car in - after you get to SF - also check on the drop off chargres.
Or - if you have time - drive back down the Coast/Hiway 1.
If you are going to turn the car in - after you get to SF - also check on the drop off chargres.
Or - if you have time - drive back down the Coast/Hiway 1.
Jun 5th, 2012, 10:36 AM
#24
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Coast Hiway 1 is in my plan, SF to Los Angeles.
What´s the fast route from Vegas to São francisco? If i lose time i wont pass in Deah Valley or near Yosemite. just drive directly to SF
What´s the fast route from Vegas to São francisco? If i lose time i wont pass in Deah Valley or near Yosemite. just drive directly to SF
Jun 7th, 2012, 09:53 AM
#26
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"Best" is a bit relative.
Certainly the most scenic route is going through Death Valley to Highway 395 and driving north on the east side of the Sierra Mountains, then cross the mountains through Yosemite and catch Interstate 80 towards San Francisco. In this stretch, you will have the heavy traffic from Yosemite to San Francisco, i.e., traffic hour, to worry about.
Another route, if you have plenty of time, is to bypass the Sierras to the south, go through more parkland, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and then up north to SF.
If you are in a hurry, the best way is, again,to bypass the mountains to the south, get to Bakersfield, cross over from Bakersfield to Interstate 5 and then north to SF.
Certainly the most scenic route is going through Death Valley to Highway 395 and driving north on the east side of the Sierra Mountains, then cross the mountains through Yosemite and catch Interstate 80 towards San Francisco. In this stretch, you will have the heavy traffic from Yosemite to San Francisco, i.e., traffic hour, to worry about.
Another route, if you have plenty of time, is to bypass the Sierras to the south, go through more parkland, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and then up north to SF.
If you are in a hurry, the best way is, again,to bypass the mountains to the south, get to Bakersfield, cross over from Bakersfield to Interstate 5 and then north to SF.
Jun 7th, 2012, 12:09 PM
#27
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Not sure how much time you have but you might consider spending a night at the Valley Floor in Yosemite (4 hours from SF - assuming you don't get caught in traffic) - and then bright and early the next morning - drive east out through Tuoloumne Meadows - down the Tioga pass and down 395 and then over thru Death Valley into Vegas.
We did this in 8 hours - even stopping for breakfast at Tuolumne meadows. Be sure to take extra water (and some snacks) with you going through Death Valley - should your car by chance break down.
We did this in 8 hours - even stopping for breakfast at Tuolumne meadows. Be sure to take extra water (and some snacks) with you going through Death Valley - should your car by chance break down.
Jun 7th, 2012, 01:02 PM
#28
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Tnks..
i wanna travel the entire day and pass through beautiful places, but i need save some time to try arrive SF early as possible.
i´m planning to get up early in Vegas and sleep in SF, i really dont know if its possible, my wife and i will drive.
tnks
Juliano.
i wanna travel the entire day and pass through beautiful places, but i need save some time to try arrive SF early as possible.
i´m planning to get up early in Vegas and sleep in SF, i really dont know if its possible, my wife and i will drive.
tnks
Juliano.
Jun 15th, 2012, 12:32 PM
#29
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Hey guys, just thinking about about change my rental plans and get a flight from Vegas to SF.
It´s a good idea? i would like to get this 1 day that i will spend in the route (Vegas to SF around 12 hours) and use in San Francisco, get a flight in Vegas to SF and dont travel by car.
What do you guys prefer, 1 day travelling trought Death Vallet and Yosemite (just pass) or flight and 1 more day in San Francisco?
many tnks.
Juliano.
It´s a good idea? i would like to get this 1 day that i will spend in the route (Vegas to SF around 12 hours) and use in San Francisco, get a flight in Vegas to SF and dont travel by car.
What do you guys prefer, 1 day travelling trought Death Vallet and Yosemite (just pass) or flight and 1 more day in San Francisco?
many tnks.
Juliano.
Jun 15th, 2012, 01:49 PM
#32
Given those choices I would definitely fly.
But what I would prefer would be to fly Las Vegas to Fresno, drive to Yosemite and spend at least one night, preferrably two or more nights, there at the expense of nights in SF. That is what I did (after flying LAX-LAS and Vegas to Grand Canyon and before flying SFO->LAX), but I didn't have to cut time from SF.
But if your priority is San Francisco then flying LAS-SFO or LAS-Oakland or LAS-San Jose. Those flight route options are listed in order, by my preference, but the choice would depend on cost and schedule.
But what I would prefer would be to fly Las Vegas to Fresno, drive to Yosemite and spend at least one night, preferrably two or more nights, there at the expense of nights in SF. That is what I did (after flying LAX-LAS and Vegas to Grand Canyon and before flying SFO->LAX), but I didn't have to cut time from SF.
But if your priority is San Francisco then flying LAS-SFO or LAS-Oakland or LAS-San Jose. Those flight route options are listed in order, by my preference, but the choice would depend on cost and schedule.
Nov 12th, 2016, 01:48 AM
#33
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I'm in a situation similar to Juliano. I and my family (4) will arrive Saturday, 19 of August, to LA airport at 16:00 from Europe (11 hours flight).
I assume that customs, getting the car, etc. will take up to two hours.
I already reserved the lodge in Grand Canyon the 20 of august.
So our plans is to rent a car and sleep some place in the middle.
Flying to Las Vegas for four people is more expensive than car rental and gas, and then, the travel from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon the next day is four hours so I don't see a real advantage.
I though about sleeping in Kingman, but is more than four hours from LA so we would arrive very late.
So, is there any decent place in the middle to sleep? Barstow? any other?
Any other recommendation?
I assume that customs, getting the car, etc. will take up to two hours.
I already reserved the lodge in Grand Canyon the 20 of august.
So our plans is to rent a car and sleep some place in the middle.
Flying to Las Vegas for four people is more expensive than car rental and gas, and then, the travel from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon the next day is four hours so I don't see a real advantage.
I though about sleeping in Kingman, but is more than four hours from LA so we would arrive very late.
So, is there any decent place in the middle to sleep? Barstow? any other?
Any other recommendation?
Nov 12th, 2016, 06:09 AM
#34
If you must fly to LAX, don't stay in Barstow! Go at least as far as Primm Nevada (Exit 1). Buffalo Bill's is better than anything in Barstow.
Can you fly to Chicago or some other city and then fly to Las Vegas or Phoenix?
Your best option IMO for lodging between Las Vegas and Williams is at the Hoover Dam Lodge (about 2 miles from Hoover Dam).
Start a new thread if you have more questions.
Can you fly to Chicago or some other city and then fly to Las Vegas or Phoenix?
Your best option IMO for lodging between Las Vegas and Williams is at the Hoover Dam Lodge (about 2 miles from Hoover Dam).
Start a new thread if you have more questions.
