We are flying into LA at midnight on Thursday.
Considering driving from LA to Las Vegas overnight?
Has anyone experienced this?
How safe it it?
It the highway lit up through the desert?

Many thanks...

It's less than five hours - do you have an early appointment in Vegas the next day? I'd rather sleep and go up in the morning.

The highway is not lit up, but it's not that difficult to navigate.

Thursday night is not as bad as Friday nights. I have been headed south on a couple of Friday nights and have seen a 20+ mile snake of headlights coming toward me when I enter CA near Primm. If you are tired, please stop at Buffalo Bill's in Primm. There are 2 fair breakfast joints just off the casino floor. Miss Ashley's is my favorite.

Coffee up, have a good map and go. Freeway or 4 lane all the way.


About halfway there - after two hours - you can also stop at Barstow to coffee up again, as well at Baker - an hour later or so. Here is a map:

http://tinyurl.com/6tx8whm

BTW - it's also pretty much a straight road - so you don't need really lights along the side of the road.

It's not lit. It's pretty much a straight road and one of the most boring rides ever. Personaly I avoid that drive at night. The most common cause of fatalities along that ride is the driver falling asleep at the wheel. Wait until morning and get an early start.

Get an EARLY start Friday morning and drive in the daylight. Still not a lot to see except desert, but the night drive is very, very boring with few towns or even fast food/gas stations to break it up. You can see the World's Tallest Thermometer in Baker. If you leave early morning and want a breakfast/brunch stop, the Bun Boy in Baker is decent.

Bun Boy is closed. The Thermometer isn't working. Baker is dying.

Besides - will your hotel let you check in that early?

Sleep 4 or 5 hours in LA and drive early the next morning. Starting out on unfamiliar roads - though it is straight and boring- after about 1AM is not something I'd do. (it will take at least an hour from landing to the rental lots and get on the road)

boom_boom: You can see the World's Tallest Thermometer in Baker.

LOL! How come I've missed this Wonder of the World sight???


SoaringDiva: whether to drive to Vegas in the wee hours or early next morning - it all depends.

Where are you flying from? In other words, are you going to exhausted when you arrive in LA?

How many are "we"? In other words, do you all drive and can trade off on driving?

Are you renting a car? Make certain the rental booth is still open after midnight. Or that you have instructions on how to get the car if the booth is closed.

If you spend the night in LA, you still have to get the rental car, find the hotel, check in - that's about an hour wasted, but you can get really cheap and good airport lodging at LAX via Priceline. A hotel like the Airport Hyatt will run you about $65-$75 plus taxes and fees on Priceline. I wouldn't advise spending more than that with a rest of only about 4 hours.

If you stay in LA, be sure to GET UP REALLY EARLY, because you will need to navigate your way clear across the megalopolis of Greater Los Angeles and you really don't want to do this during peak traffic hours. Starting out at 5am would be a good time.

All in all, if it were me, I'd opt to drive to Las Vegas during the night, energy permitting and especially if you have others to share driving with.

No matter when you are driving in the desert, make sure you are carrying sufficient water with you and check the tires. Oh, also, gas up!

Have a great trip and welcome to California!