Anyone ever drive Detroit to Vegas?

[chitaku]

doing the drive in a few weeks to Vegas and know there is a north and south route, just wondering if anyone has done either?

[stromberg2]

Ray1936 would probably be able to give you the definitive route.

Stromberg2

[Meddle]

What is there to know? I-70 is about the only direct way. I've done Detroit to LA twice, once using I-70, the other using I-40 but that goes too far south to go to LV. Depending on the time of year, I-70 can be a real pain through the mountains in Colorado.

[gazhekwe]

We went the north route in May, there was still a lot of snow up in the mountains. We got caught in a pretty good storm. We considered going the south route home, good thing we didn't because we would have run right into the Joplin tornadoes. The south route is about 100 miles or so farther and takes you south of Vegas. You go back north by Hoover Dam which is a cool stopover.

North route goes through Nebraska, so you can stop for Runzas, then through Denver [[frybread at Tocabe!), and Grand Junction [[Enstrom's awesome toffee). Going through Utah, there aren't a lot of services along the route.

On the north route you get to go through Glenwood Canyon, stunning engineering and scenery:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenwood_Canyon

[Jimaz]

I'd recommend I-70 in the summer and I-40 in the winter. Ray's done it more than I.

Bring binoculars and a camera. The Rocky Mountains are breathtaking.

[chitaku]

thanks everyone! I hate driving through mountains but Mrs. Chitaku can handle it so the north route is looking ok

[gazhekwe]

The mountains aren't too scary on I-70. It's got a lot of up and down in places, some 6 or 7% grades and some curvy bits, but no real cliffhangers.

[Meddle]

^ I almost ran out of gas going through Denver. By time I realized how low I was, I had passed the last exit. I was really sweating it as I approached the Eisenhower tunnel, but since I was westbound, I was able to basically coast downhill saving as much gas as I could. I was awfully glad to see the exit at Silverthorne.

[Gannon]

If you go the route through Utah, see if you can buy a duplicate license plate for the front of your car from the Secretary of State now! Utah's finest will pull you over simply for not having one, even if you're from out-of-state. Probably especially so.

I've done Detroit-to-Las Vegas a number of times...this time of year I prefer I-70, what I call the middle route. The true nortern route takes you through Nebraska and into Montana, a wee bit out-of-the-way...but absolutely beautiful once you get your mind numbed by acres of wheat for as far as the eyes can see...if you have the time.

But usually, I'll take a hopscotch version of Route 66, of what remains, staying WELL off the Oklahoma Turnpike, because that is one l-o-n-g speed trap for visitors. Don't be duped by the locals driving 90...they will be LET GO by the OK troopers, and all from out-of-state will get tickets. I've seen it too many times. PA plays the same game.


Don't know if any of that helps...but have a great time. On either side of Vegas, going there or coming home, it should be fun.

Cheers,
John

[chitaku]

thanks everyone!

[Ray1936]

I-70 is 110 miles shorter than the southern route, but I've fallen in love with the longer way after having driven both for many dozens of times.

Notes posted above are all valid. However, let me share some thoughts.

The northern route will first take you past the southern suburbs of Chicago. Do not hit that stretch during rush hour. It can back up in Indiana for miles and miles. For a change, I don't think there is any construction in Indiana/Illinois on I-94.I/80 this year. so that's a plus.

Enjoy Iowa. Rolling hills, rich farm land, nice little towns every few miles for a break or bite.

Try to enjoy Nebraska. Once past Omaha/Lincoln, there are miles and miles of not much. Even the towns are few and far between. For God's sake, do not stop overnight in North Platte, probably the largest city between Lincoln and Denver. It makes Detroit look like paradise.

Then there's eastern Colorado. The armpit of the United States. Ugly brown grassland, very few towns, and you will see some trees along the Platte River about two miles to your right [[the spur from Nebraska down to Denver, I-76, follows the Platte. A mile wide, a foot deep.

Denver is a tough town, but it's easy to drive through. However, you then start an uphill climb to the Eisenhower Tunnel at 11,000 feet above sea level. If your car is straining, please hug the shoulder. The tunnel itself is interesting. It's a mile long. Just pretend you're going to Windsor without the customs check upon exiting.

Western Colorado is beautiful, although the grades are occasionally a bitch. About the time you hit Glenwood Springs, you'll find a little river running alongside the road. That's the Colorado. All my drinking and bathing water comes from that little river, so please try not to pee in it. Seriously, the river provides great eyeball candy.

Then we come to Utah. When you hit the first 'big' town, Green River, do take a look upstream as you cross the bridge. That leads to Hole in the Wall, where Butch and Sundance hung out. No, not Redford and Newman, the REAL Butch and Sundance. Be sure to gas up in Green River; there are no services west of there for 120 miles.

The scenery in Utah is absolutely unreal. Set your speed control just below the 75 mph limit and enjoy all the outcrops of rocks and the magnificent colors.

After you leave St. George, Utah [[say hello to my Mormon relatives, buried in the cemetery there), you'll drive through a canyon that is really beautiful. It's the Virgin River Canyon, named for the river below [[It'll probably be dry, but it's there.). Leaving the canyon, you drive through the extreme northwest corner of Arizona for only a few miles, and then in to Nevada. Las Vegas is just an hour away.

After I get back from breakfast, I'll post my thoughts on the southern route.

[Ray1936]

Southern route via I-69 to I-70 to I-44 to I-40 is the only way to go after September -- or before late April. As noted above, 110 miles longer, but no severe mountain grades to worry about and very few spots of complete desolation.

Leaving Michigan on I-69, do not take the bypass around Fort Wayne. Takes you 20 miles out of the way and traffic through the town is never a problem anyway.

Take the beltway around Indianapolis via the part on the east side of Indy. Do not take the first I-70 exit; take the one 10 miles later. That first one takes you right through town.

Pretty boring ride through Illinois unless you like corn. But soon enough you'll see the Gateway Arch on the horizon and Missouri is straight ahead. Little tricky getting from I-70 to I-44, but follow the signs closely and you'll be all right. Driving through Missouri is a real pleasure. Beautiful wooded areas, towns every few miles, and great roads.

Entering Oklahoma, you hit a toll road from the state line to Tulsa, and a second toll road between Tulsa and Okie City. I think the tolls on each are $3.25 or so. You'll be on these two roads [[all part of I-44) for a good three hours, and the only services are on toll plazas, few and far between. They're also not open 24/7, which is really stupid. Scenery is heavy in trees and few towns. It also seems to be foggy every sunup, but it burns off quickly.

Okie City has freeways that take you from I-44 to I-40 without a straightaway to be found. But follow the signs and you'll make it okay. Once out of town on I-40, the landscape becomes rather treeless and boring. But there are plenty of small towns for chow and gas whenever you want.

Into the Texas panhandle. Interesting drive with stockyard smell quite frequently, especially around Amarillo. But again, enough small towns along the way for stops whenever you feel like it. Finally at mile 17 [[17 miles before the New Mexico state line) the scenery makes an abrupt change from flatlands into mesas and buttes, and you are into classical western views for most of the rest of the trip.

New Mexico has excellent roads Towns are a little further apart, but still no problem if you get the hungries. There's a bit of a grade getting over the Manzano mountain chain in to Albuquerque, but nothing like the climbs in Colorado. About a hundred miles west of Albuquerque you'll cross the continental divide, and you are now in the Pacific watershed. There's a souvenir store right at the crest, naturally.

The road from there to the AZ state line is just beautiful, with red sandstone cliffs to the north for tens of miles. Grants and Gallup are heavily 'native american', and it's interesting to note how the majority really are not very flush. Pretty rustic living for most.

Once into Arizona the landscape is pretty boring through the painted desert. Not until you're nearly 200 miles in does it get interesting as you approach Flagstaff, and the Coconino National Forest. Be sure to observe the speed limits going through Flag to the mile. I woudn't call it a speed trap, but I see cars pulled over by AHP every trip through there. I'd also recommend getting gas in Flagstaff as the towns after there are highway robbers, especially in Williams.

Finally you hit Kingman and get off the Interstate to US 93 and north into Las Vegas. You no longer drive over Hoover Dam but take the new bridge across the Colorado River. Unfortunately, you can't really see the Dam from the bypass bridge, but you can make that a side trip later in your visit. On into Boulder City and then into Las Vegas, driving through my hometown of Henderson along the way. Be sure to wave and say 'hi'.

I prefer this route over Colorado. Indeed, I'll be taking it shortly,

[Vic_doucette]

If you take the southern route, eat as much and as often as you can during the New Mexico portion of the trip.

I lived in Gallup for a while in the 1980s. I had always thought that I loved Mexican food, but soon learned that I had been eating a pale, plastic version of the real thing. The stuff I had during a couple years in a town that has little else I'd recommend was just heavenly. Try green chile. Try red chile. Try anything made with blue corn tortillas. Some of the best eating I've ever had.

Some of the places in town look sketchy, but don't be afraid. Just eat and enjoy.

A side note: Gallup is adjacent to the Navajo reservation. The reservation is dry, and Gallup is dry on Sunday. Keep that in mind if you desire an adult libation.

[Jimaz]

...Into the Texas panhandle....

That's another notorious speed trap.

[Ray1936]

Texas panhandle: That's another notorious speed trap.

Yeah, I could have echoed that thought as well. Going west to east, after driving throug AZ and NM with 75 MPH limits, you might forget Texas drops to 70. At least on Interstate 40.

The above all being said, I always take the southern route any more. There is less desolation, and I dread the climb to the Eisenhower Tunnel. I'm also eager to see the tornado damage in Joplin, one of my favorite stops along the way. I felt so bad for the people of Joplin....I always enjoyed the town and the pleasant service I received everywhere, be it a motel, restaurant, or truck stop. It will be interesting to chat with some of them in the days ahead.

I would rather drive coast to coast in our magnificent America than to tour the rest of the world in any way. God bless 'er. [[Oh! She has!)

[chitaku]

Thanks Ray, I'm actually moving to Vegas so not sure if I will be driving a moving truck or my car. how would you compare the Colorado mountains to driving to Florida on 75 through the smokeys?

[Jimaz]

... not sure if I will be driving a moving truck...

Driving a truck through the mountains requires extra care. I don't know how many trucks I've seen smoking their brakes on the way back down. You must use engine braking as much as possible. Those runaway truck ramps aren't there just to scare tourists. Get advice from an expert first. [[Or maybe you already knew that.)

[Ray1936]

Thanks Ray, I'm actually moving to Vegas so not sure if I will be driving a moving truck or my car. how would you compare the Colorado mountains to driving to Florida on 75 through the smokeys?

No comparison. The Rocky Mountains are three times higher than the highest peak in Applachia. I drove a rental truck on the Colorado route when I moved here in 1984, and it worked okay. If I had to do it all over again, though, I'd of taken the southern route because of the grades. They are brutal on a car; miserable on a truck. You'll see 18-wheelers on I-70 doing 15 MPH in places.

Sure hope you keep posting on DY when you finally arrive, and, hey, do post a trip report when you get settled in, will ya? Best of luck!

[gazhekwe]

I agree, if you are driving a truck and not too sure of yourself with it, take the southern route. My niece just drove over the northern route on her way here in a rental truck. Her dad told me she called him at 3 a.m. to say she was going 70 mph down a mountain and she didn't know what to do to slow down. Luckily he managed to calm her down and talk her through it, and she made it here in one piece.

[chitaku]

I think I'll be taking my car which is a chevy aveo, now I think I'm just debating which way based on scenery! Thanks for all the help it was much more than I expected and some great info!

[Gannon]

If you take the route through OK, make sure to go through Elk City, for either breakfast or lunch at a joint just before the Business 40 s-curve at 2nd street. I wish I could remember the name of it, but it is owned by two sisters...and they are SO good they don't have to stay open for dinner. It is the only restarurant in the middle of a string of car dealerships and used car lots, it isn't hard to find.

Also, there is a killer Thai joint in Albuquerque...on Wyoming Street just north off I-40, in a non-distinct strip mall...called Thai Tip. Tip is a nice enough fellow, who'll dote on you along with sharing some story of his time overseas...while his WIFE whips up some of the best Thai food you'll ever eat. Look this one up...he's worth the stop.


Cheers!

[Gannon]

Found it...La Cocina...great family diner in Elk City, and I'm sure the sisters will cook anything vegetarian, if not fully vegan for ya!

Cheers

[chitaku]

Ray I've been to the dam and on the bridge, both were real cool though the bridge was really high up!

[Ray1936]

Gannon, thanks for that tip. I might just look it up myself when going through Elk City.

[Downriviera]

All the driving on this thread is making me sleepy. Have a safe trip and have fun in Vegas. I love it out there, and not for the casinos. There's so many great things to see and do.