Ok here's the rub: Do i have to almost go to LA, or what looks like very near it, to get from Palm Springs to Las Vegas? Is there a route through the Joshua Tree National PArk for example?

Sorry, I've never been to this bit of America
before.

Checked our map: How 'bout 247 into Barstow and pick up 15 into Vegas?

Cherie....is that through Apple Valley?

what class of road is this?

thanks

Oops...victim of quick-click. Head to Yucca Valley to pick up highway 247. Its close to Palm Springs. You just continue basically heading North via Barstow into Nevada. Hope you like cacti and yuccas.

Thanks Cherie...

Kummerley and Frey fail to tell me the name of the road from Palm Springs to Victorville. i guess that's highway 247?

thanks

Tony,

Sounds like you're coming over to our side of the pond. My atlas shows hiway 62 from Palm Springs to Yucca Valley, then 247 North to Lucerne Valley where you have a choice of continuing north on 247 to Barstow or west on 18 to Apple Valley/Victorville to connect to 15, which you would follow all the way to Vegas. My mom lives in Apple Valley and my sister in Victorville. Very hot, dry, dusty and (in my opinion!) ugly. Not like Scotland at all. If you're planning on coming over any time soon, be prepared for a very hot drive from Barstow to Vegas!

Regards

Patty

Patty ......is it hot even at the start of November?

Is the Grand Canyon cold/snowy at this time of year?

Will there be a large temperature difference from Phoenix to Palm Springs to Vegas to the Grand Canyon to Sedona?

thanks

Tony:
I live in the Southwest US and travel extensively to all of the areas you mentioned and have lived in some of them.

None of the places that you mentioned will be hot in November.

Palm Springs and Phoenix should be pleasantly warm but definitely NOT hot. Las Vegas will be cooler than either Palm Springs or Phoenix. In fact Las Vegas can be pretty chilly in November so be prepared.

The high desert area around Victorville will be pretty chilly.

Sedona will be on the cool side and the Grand Canyon area could even have snow.

An alternative route from Palm Springs to Las Vegas is up through the Yucca valley towards Barstow. The road is 2 lane but fairly quick as there is very little traffic. If you want freeway all the way to Las Vegas then go west on I-10 to San Bernandido and then take 215 north which joins I-15 and straight on to Las Vegas.

Caveat: My weather reports are based on my perception of hot and cold. You are probably used to cooler weather than I am. However it will not be hot regardless of what you are used to.

Tony,

I think Cal has the definitive answer as he's lived in the areas. As for the Grand Canyon you might want to check out the National Park Service web site - nps.gov/grca. They have a pretty informative site and should be able to give you a better idea of the temps in Nov. It is a gorgeous place. See if you can get reservations to stay at one of the lodges in the park if you're planning an overnight stay.

Have fun!

Patty

We would go from Palm Springs to Yucca Valley and on to Barstow to Vegas. The roads are a bit smaller (remember to drive on the correct side...) I think the I-10 route through SanBerdo will be a bit more crowded.

Some extended family are visiting next week. They have property in Yucca Valley and frequently do deliveries to Casinos in Vegas. (The best cannoli there is...) I'll ask them the EXACT type and condition of the roads and get back to you. -Cher

Cherie, what a sweetie you are....I love you !!!

thanks for all the help everyone.

Tony:
Extended family visited last night and brought me supply of cannoli, olive oil, buccatini, etc. as well as road report for you. They take 62 toward Yucca Valley...just past Yucca valley, you pick up 247 to Lucerne Valley. 247 makes a right-angle but remains 247 into Barstow. Pick up Freeway 15 (East) into Las Vegas, NV.

62 is designated a scenic Highway...247 is asphalt type Highway maintained by state; 15 is large multilane highway with buses and trucks, etc.

The "Valley Route" is preferable because it somewhat circumvents SMOG. The red cloud visible from airplanes as one flys over Big Bear and San Bernadino area is somewhat held back by bumping up against the mountains. The area around Apple Valley and Yucca Valley is less smoggy if not totally unaffected by urban soot. Get up early and enjoy the ride. My husband said this was a fun ride in his old Europa. -Cherie