need a place to stay in Barstow, CA
 

Anyone have a suggestion for a one night stay in Barstow? B&B would be nice but really just a safe & clean hotel/motel would work.

Thanks!

I have to ask. Why are you staying in Barstow? Have you ever been to Barstow?

C

Don't make me laugh Curious! No i've never been there! -- Maybe I shouldn't go there????

Why, well we are landing at LAX and heading for Nevada in the morning - the idea is to get a jump on the trip by making it to Barstow before nightfall and then driving in the morning.....any better suggestions are appreciated!

Why would we fly into LAX and drive to Vegas? 5 free frequent flyer tickets.

Lily

I assume that you are arriving at LAX late in the day. Did you check into flying into Ontario rather than LAX? All of the major airlines fly into Ontario. It is a much easier airport to get in and out of than LAX and will probably save you at least a couple of hours in driving time to Nevada.

It is only about a 3.5 hour drive from Ontario to Las Vegas so I would just drive straight through and not waste my time at Barstow.

I second and third the above.
Don't waste your time or part of your vacation in Barstow. If you only want a clean place to stop somewhere east of LAX, I'd drive as far as you're comfortable driving (fatigue-wise) and then look for a reputable highway chain hotel, like a Fairfield Inn or Hampton or something.
You can print off a list of all hotels along any route at several of the trip planning websites.
If things went really well, you might find you'd make it to LV without the stopover. Driving in the desert at night is pretty low stress.

Barstow is noted for its railyards, a real train town. I have seen a few unsavory characters walking along near the MacDonald's by the tracks. Also, the I-40 and I-15 split is there. A quick stop traveler's place.

There are the usual hotel/motel chains. Just before Barstow, at the Lenwood exit is a Holiday Inn Express, and I'm sure there are others. There is a huge outlet mall, and every conceivable fast food restaurant at that exit, too.

Victorville also has its share of motels and restaurants - about 30-45 minutes before Barstow.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Unfortunately I had to fly into LAX in order to get all 5 tickets free.

I will take all the advice and find a more suitable place or choose to drive right thru.

Lily

If you don't stay in Barstow then the next available place to stay is at State Line. At stateline there are two BIG casino-hotels that have CHEAP rooms...or they use to...it's been a few years since we stayed there. Then there are two more nice casino-hotels in the little town of Jean if you decide you can't make it.

Utahtea

I think I would drive out to the Ontario/Rancho Cucamonga Area (where there are a lot of hotels (maybe by Ontario Mills Mall which is right on the 15 Fwy at the 10 Fwy) and then head up to Vegas the next a.m. The desert can be bad at night if you are tired. It is so boring. You also could go up to Victorville Area and probably find a hotel. Think I'd do the Ontario Mills Area tho.

Cali's suggestion is not a bad idea. It will take you awhile to get to Ontario from LAX if you are driving in the late afternoon or evening on a weekday.

Okay, not REALLY on subject, but had to share. "Barstow" is a dirty word in my family. We were on a family vacation...driving from Kansas to Southern California with my mother, brother, aunt, and cousin. We kids were in grade school at the time. Well, driving through the desert of California, my aunt's vehicle blew a piston and we BARELY made it to Barstow before the car completely gave out. Needless to say, Barstow wasn't on our travel plan, but we had to stay there for two nights while the dealership there screwed over my aunt and basically told her that her car wouldn't be fixed for two weeks (not an option for a family on a week vacation and an income that didn't allow for flying back). She ended up having to buy a brand new car while on vacation!!! It was a terrible situation for my mother and aunt, but we kids were fairly oblivious because the cheap hotel we were staying in had a pool. :) There are about 10 more funny stories from that vacation, but that one is the worst. Needless to say, our stay in Barstow was memorable, but not enjoyable. :)

LilyLace--

One thing that was sort of glossed over.

Eastbound traffic in the late afternoon and evening in the LA basin is grim!!

If you are arriving at LAX late in the evening, I would recommend you find a nice hotel near the LA airport and then start off early the next day. The ride to Barstow (or even to Rancho Cucamonga) from LA can be nerve racking in the evening but not too bad in the morning.

Thank you all so much! I will indeed heed your various advice and plan accordingly.

Lily

I may be one of the few posters who actually LIVED in Barstow at one time--for 3 months, when I was in the 7th grade. That was more than enough, and I've never had any desire to return. By all means stay somewhere else!

If you do decide to stay in Barstow, there's a Motel 6 just left of the main street. Nice and quiet. No complaints. We payed $36 in Oct.

I actually stayed in Barstow last Labor Day. They have the typical motels - Holiday Inn, Comfort, Ramada etc. None of them looked that exciting. IMO you only stay there because you have to. I'd either stop in Ontario area or bite the bullet and continue on to Vegas. LA to Vegas isn't such a far drive that you need to get a jump on it.

If you have 5 people you MUST have at least 2 drivers if not more. Vegas is 2 hours from Barstow. Barstow is about 2 hours from LAX (give or take depending traffic and time or day). Switch drivers once or twice but do not stop in the middle of the desert to sleep when you can get to Vegas in 2 more hours and the nyour options are WIDE open. I could not rationalize NOT doing the add;l 2 hour drive to have Vegas vs Barstow.

Driving from LAX to Barstow in 2 hours is assuming there would be no traffic problems which is a big assumption. It could just as easily be 4 hours.

After getting ready for a trip, flying into LAX, picking up the rental car and fighting LA traffic, I would suggest stopping at one of the cities mentioned above.

The most frequent accident from Barstow to LV at night, is a single car with the driver falling asleep at the wheel and a roll over.