hi from australia,

can anyone tell me how long it takes to get from SF to Vegas, Vegas to LA , and LA to SF (along the coast)? Also, any particularly good towns to stay in between these cities?

thanks

It takes approximately 8-10 hours to drive from San Francisco to Las Vegas depending on your driving habits. Los Angeles to Las Vegas is approximately 5 hours if you stay away from the commute traffic in Los Angeles. Also, don't drive back from Las Vegas to Los Angeles on Sunday. You can drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco in 10-12 hours along the coast but it is not a good idea. You should take at least 2 days so you have time to look around.

There is nowhere of interest to stay between San Francisco and Las Vegas unless you chose to visit Yosemite and then that adds another day to the trip. If it was me, I would take my time and drive east on hwy. 50 from Sacramento to hwy 49 and then go south on 49 to Yosemite. I would then drive across the Tioga pass ( only open during summer - early fall ) to hwy 395. I would then go south and cut over to Las Vegas. This should be done in 3 days. If you don't have the time than go the most direct route. In fact if you don't have time to visit Yosemite etc. then drive directly from Los Angeles to Las Vegas which is much easier though very boring. Las Vegas is definitely worth spending a few days at even if you don't gamble. It is truly a spectacular sight to see. No other place like it in the world.

Los Angeles to Las Vegas should be driven as quickly as possible. Trip is very boring. There are many interesting places to vist between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Take your time and visit Santa Barbara, Solvaang, San Luis Obispo. Travel the Big Sur ( Hwy 1 ) and visit Carmel and Monterey. Take the 17 mile scenic drive just north of Carmel.

thanks Cal, that was really great info

do you think it would be reasonable to try and find car hire for US$100/wk; and do you know how much petrol is at the moment?

also, any recommendations for Vegas hotels - particularly ones on The Strip?

For the best auto deals, check www.goalamo.com. $100 for car hire would be difficult to find unless you rent from a no-name rental place; I myself wouldn't trust a car renting at that price.

The above advice on how to travel was excellent. I definitely recommend driving along Hiway One in California from Monterey to San Luis Obispo, making the drive from SF to LA a two day trip.

If you plan your trip to Las Vegas so you don't stay on a weekend AND make certain not to be there during a major convention, you should be able to find good deals on hotel stays by checking the Sunday travel section of the Los Angeles Times newspaper (this paper is sold all over California, so you don't have to be in Los Angeles on a Sunday to get it). Just about any place you stay will be about the same, as you just casino-hop from one place to another on the Strip. For REALLY good deals, stay in downtown Las Vegas and just drive out to the Strip.

The price for petrol (we call it "gas" in the U.S.) is at its lowest level ever right now and should remain as such for quite awhile. The average price is about $1 US per gallon (I calculate that to be $ .33 AU per liter)

thanks paul - will follow your advice

If you go to Vegas, you want to stay on the Strip... that's where all the action/bright lights/big city/quintessential Vegas experience will be. Downtown can be nice, but a little seedy and you would rather be where all the action is.

For cheaper car rentals also check
www.dollar.com and www.thrifty.com
Those two are discount but very reliable and popular car rental agencies in the U.S. and around the world. And keep checking often as the rates change all the times. Enjoy.