dana

Hello.
Although we've been to Las Vegas many times,
we've never rented a car there, and now we
hear that the traffic is just awful to get anywhere on the strip.

I'd like to know the most direct route to the Mirage from the airport, i.e., a sneak
route, so to speak. I know about industrial
road, but I don't know what road to take when
leaving the airport to get to Industrial Road, hence, avoiding most or all of the strip traffic!
If anyone has experience with this car thing in Las Vegas, I'd sure appreciate any feedback. We're going in a couple weeks.

Thanks

k

Hi, I am not really going to be much help,as we always take taxis to our hotel,but the taxi sometimes take the highway (#15?) to the exit that is behind the Bellagio.You would go past that, to the exit behind Ceasars then to down the street behind the casinos parrallel to the strip to the Mirage.
Hopefully someone else has the names
We rent cars there, but never drive on the strip,we drive out of town to Red Rock etc.Good luck!

Duane

Great idea renting a car. I know some people will think I am crazy, but we rent a car everytime we go. I couldn't imagine going to Vegas without a car. Too many things to do off the strip.

I have never had a problem with traffic. Not sure where all the horror stories come from. Of course stay off of the strip late Friday or Saturday night, otherwise there is not much of a problem.

If you need to stay away from the strip, either go up Paradise/Swenson and join the strip at the Venitian or go south out of the airport to 215, take it to 15N and then get off at Treasure Island and come in that way. I always leave the airport and come right up the strip. Need that fix as soon as I get there.
Enjoy,
Duane

hector

You shouldn't have too much trouble driving on the strip unless you are arriving at the airport on a busy Fri or Sat night, or during evening rush hour say 5 to 7pm.

Exit the airport to Swenson or Paradise Road, go a couple of miles to Twain (which is also Sands Rd or Spring Mountain Road) turn left, and in a mile or so you will cross the strip and then take a left turn into the rear of Treasure Island...this entrance goes right up to the Mirage. It is very very easy and nothing to worry about.

Directions are very easy in Las Vegas, just get them from the Bell Desk and write them down. Then, concentrate on just being careful in the traffic. Seems like Las Vegans all drive 60 in a 40 mile per hour zone. Weaving in and out of lanes. And pedestrians could care less about waiting for walk signals.

Don't worry about making a wrong turn, it is pretty easy to backtrack and find your way in Las Vegas. Everything is mapped out like a big square. All roads running either straight as an arrow north to south, or straight west to east. Get a map and enjoy yourselves!

aaa

Great place to rent a car. Traffic is not even half as bad as other major cities. Free plentiful parking everywhere makes it a breeze to drive around. The strip is very spread out; it can be deceiving how far away next door hotels really are. The only to watch out for are suicidal pedestrians. They don't seem to mind walking out onto a street with traffic zooming by at 50mph.

dana

Thanks, everybody, for such great replies. That made the decision for us.
We'll rent a car.

Tim

Well, I disagree (maybe you've already made up your mind). We've done it both ways and renting a car was not at all necessary unless you're planning on taking out of the way excursions. Between the plentiful taxis, walking and the bus that runs up and down the strip constantly...you will NOT need a car. Especially in the summer where you'll see more California license plates than Nevada plates...you'll waste so much time looking for parking places. Don't Do it. It will cost you more than if you just use cabs and a lot more hassle. Tim

Chris

As far as parking places, your hotel will have plenty. And when we wanted to do a stretch of casinos, we just pulled up to valet parking, give your keys to the attendent. When you are ready to leave, call for your car. For a dollar, you can have the easiest parking available.
We always rent a car. Just for getting to and from the airport, it is worth it.
The last time, we used Hotwire. I checked all the prices on the traditional car rental agencies. Then I pulled up Hotwire. It was the cheapest and the car was with Hertz.
Try to use the parallel roads to the strip (like Flamingo) and then cut across the closest cross street to where you want to go.
We rent a car every time we go to Vegas. Cost wise, when you start adding up the taxis and those buses, it isn't any more money.
Win lots of money.

patty

Personally, I hate driving in Vegas...the traffic is BAD. We really don't have a choice though since we come from California and with all the time checking in at the airport, we can actually drive to Vegas quicker than flying. If I didn't have to have a car though, I'd much prefer to use taxis (usually we just leave our car sit and use taxis for 3 or 4 days while we're there). Patty

aaa

Problem with Taxis in LV is that they aren't cheap. Just the airport ride to the midstrip is an easy $15. Look around hard enough and you'll find a compact car for $15 a day. And you'll be hard pressed to even find a taxi once you're off the strip/downtown area, not the best choice if you wish to escape the slot machines for a while.

Maggi

I agree with Chris: we rented a car and loved pulling right up to each casino and using their valet parking. It's much less tiring than fighting the crowds and the porn pushers on the sidewalks, walkways and overpasses, especially in hot weather. We rented a convertible and had a great time - we even drove out of town and into the desert for a day trip.

Mrs. D.

We're doing the same thing in August ---thought about it a lot and after reading all the books and online reviews, renting a car is looking like the best option because it's going to be too hot when we're there, parking is easily available everywhere, and it's going to be easire tipping the valets $2 (they'll even turn on the air in your car)! We've never been to Vegas and we're renting a car the whole time. Good luck!

Sandy

We just returned Sun (June 30) from LV and we had a car (full-size, 4-door, Mitsubishi Gallant, rented from National for $113/week). It was great having a car and not having to wait for shuttles, buses, taxis (the lines for taxis were long).

It was quick, easy, very inexpensive to valet park. We were glad we rented the car.

A warning if you rent from Alamo or National . . . don't follow the airport signs to return the car. The lots are no longer at that location and there were no signs telling us where they had moved. We almost missed our plane, as we were trying to find their return. We finally pulled into an Avis dealer and ask them . . . the new lot was at least 20 minutes away and we had a hard time finding it, we could see it, we just couldn't get to it.

Rent the car, great way to go!

Sandy (p.s., it was 113, don't tell me it was "dry" heat.)

aaa

Here's a tip if you can't find the car rental lot : Drive to the terminal and follow the shuttle bus of the appropriate rental company. Takes you right there!

Gary

dana: I would rent a car. I like Vegas but having been there several times I must admit after a few days of all that glitz, I need to go visit Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire State Park, or run up to Zion National Park in Utah to get a break.