October trip itenerary:

Fly to LV, 2 days in LV
rent car, drive to GC, overnight @ GC
Drive to Phoenix, stay 2 days,
Drive to LA, stay 5 days,
Drive back to LV to catch 11:00 pm flight home

Looking for "must-see" sights en route from Phoenix to LA, and from LA to LV.

We have alotted a full day for each leg of the trip to allow time for exploration. What sights would you recommend and how much time should we allow for each?

There is really nothing to see between PHX and LA IMO. Some will suggest a stop to see Joshua Tree National Monument or Palm Springs. Having done that drive many times, my advice is to drive it at night. Less traffic, cooler, seems to be done with more quickly.

Sites from L.A. to Vegas???! Well, let's see... there is cactus, and... cactus... and uh, oh yeah! more cactus. The MOST exciting thing is the world's largest thermometer in Baker - trust me, that's it!

With the cheap airfares now, it would be better/faster/more interesting to fly between L.A. and Vegas. You could rent a car one-way between cities - Alamo doesn't usually charge a drop-off fee to do that.

Phoenix to LA
Palm Springs makes a good stop. The tram ride there is great. This is also a good place to catch a decent meal.

LA to Vegas.
This route is driven with great frequency by Southern California residents. Everyone pretty just drives it as quick as possible to get there. As far as must sees, there really aren't any. I have stopped at Roy Rogers Museum in Victorville and it was good, but the museum has left and moved to Branson, Missouri. There is a Ghost Town in Calico just past Barstow. It could be nice, but isn't a must see. Near the California/Nevada border you will see a couple of Casino hotels. One of them has a roller coaster ride -- the Desperado that is very good. Personally I would just drive straight through with a quick detour to see the thermometer. (It's stupid, but a hoot.) If you drive at night and on a Friday be prepared for tons of traffic as you will see tons of LA residents on the road.

Have a good trip.

Thanks for the advice. Any recommendations for restaurants in Palm Springs? I didn't realize that it is so desolate between LA-LV. If we do the drive on a Saturday, should we expect a lot of traffic? Our flight doesn't leave LV until almost 11:00 PM Saturday, so we have lots of time.

artchik. what kind of restaurant do you like?

We would be open to anything, but would prefer something other than a chain restaurant. We like to try regional specialties in the areas we visit. Anything from truck stop up to 5 star is ok, as long as the food is good!

artchik:

I would recommend

Johannes Cosmopolitan, Palm Springs
Le St. Germaine, Indian Wells
Omri & Boni, La Quinta

PSL

Driving from Phoenix to LA on Hwy 10 - get up early and drive hard and fast ignoring everything, stop at Cabazon for a few hours in the middle of the day, drive hard and fast ignoring everything, except traffic, until you get to LA. It would be a SIN not to stop at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon (just west of Palm Springs) to shop your face off!!! Check out http://www.outletsonline.com/swdhca.htm and have a field day. Buy some fantastic deigner outfit for pennies for me! Even my husband loves this place - when we moved from LA to Phoenix we stopped and bought a Bose sound system on the way!

LA to Las Vegas - fly or drive fast like everyone else, nothing to see.

Someone previously mentioned Calico Ghost Town, just east of Barstow on I-15. It's worth a couple of hours - a combination of history and touristy.

For a unique "dining" experience, Peggy's 1950's Diner is also just east of Barstow, an off-ramp or two closer to Barstow than the Ghost town off-ramp. Even if you don't eat (the menu runs heavily to burgers, shakes, and heavy fried breakfasts), it's fun to wonder around their gift shop for a few minutes and it's a nice break after 1.5-2 hours drive from LA.

thanks for the advice everyone. PSLocal, we will definitely try one of your recommendations. Can't wait to get out there- I'm counting the days....

Now I would respectfully disagree with the nothing to see crowd.....

I find the fields of wind mills on the Eastern edge of the Cochina Valley (Palm Springs) to be very intriguing. You can take a tour but at very least get off the highway and get close to one of these monsters for a pic or 2. This should give you a hint about how exciting I am!

I agree that the Palm Springs tram is neat. They recently updated it so that the cars rotate on the cable to give you the whole view. There may be sonw at the top.

On the other hand....the drive from LA to LV....well, I know there is a radio station dedicated to that strip of road, regular traffic updates mixed with drivin' music. Think BTO. You will see Joshua Trees, again a photo op but that's about all. I recommend the "How many miles do you think it is to the top of that far hill?" game. Hint: usually 7-9 miles on a good day.

Your mileage may vary. Have fun!

It's nitpicking, but it is COACHELLA Valley. And the windmills are on the western edge of the Valley.

yw artchik, have a stellar drive.