Hello. I tried searching around and haven’t seen this question asked, so here’s my situation:
2 people along with myself are going to vegas this Saturday and I will be the driver. However, while looking on mapquest, the 215 and 15 have a few mountain to run through along the way. My problem is that I drive very slow while on mountains, so can anyone give me some advice on how to handle them without pissing off five cars behind me? Or better yet, anyone knows a non-mountain route?
Completely contradictory to my mountain driving, I like to drive fast when it is a straight shot road. What’s the frequency of police on the 15 from 12 PM – 6 PM? What is a good sped to be cruising at without getting tickets?
Also, second factor is that the car will be a Honda Civic ‘01 ex. I did the coolant flush, oil filter, and tire rotations, anything else I should do before leaving? I know it’s only 250 miles, but best to be safe.
Mike A
June 4, 2010 at 1:34 pm
As I recall, there are a few mountains but it’s not too bad. Just stay in the right lane and let other people pass you on the left. You’ll want to take the Interstate; alternate routes will take way too long, and I don’t know that there’s a way without mountains.
About an hour outside Vegas and an hour outside LA, you won’t see as many cars (or cops) on the road. I remember hitting it pretty hard in the rental car with no worries. Of course, I was driving during the week, and weekends may be more patrolled.
Sounds like you’ve taken care of your car before the trip. As long as you’re oil doesn’t need changing, you should be good to go. Barstow or Baker are good places to stop for gas, check fluids, etc. If you’ve never stopped in Baker, it’s a tiny blip on the map but an easy-off from the Interstate. Can’t miss it… you’ll see the World’s Tallest Thermometer from the interstate.
Be safe and have a great trip!
Hope this helps,
Mike
TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only
June 4, 2010 at 1:38 pm
I have driven that stretch between Vegas and LA both ways multiple times. The drive , even though you go up over mountains, is not a bad drive at all. Most of the road is straight, not curved and there are passing lanes for trucks to move over for you (and you can use them too) and so most times when you are going UP the mountain there are 3 lanes.
The one thing that you do have to watch is some of the mountain masses that you go over are very long; you will be driving uphill for 15 miles. So if you try to go too fast your car will overheat. You will likely see people pulled over who have overheated. So just take it easy going uphill and don’t try to go 75-80 MPH going uphill. Its good that you have done that maintenance, it will help.
You may want to plan to stop about half way, in Barstow, and take a restroom/lunch break and give your car a chance to cool down some.
The cops will be out, especially when you are coming down the mountains near the few small towns that you will pass. My advice is stick close to the speed limit. The Nevada cops are known for driving high powered cars and sometimes in SUV’s so you can’t always pick them out.
Carol W
June 4, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Just find the I-15 and go north. You’ll get here. They patrol it all the time both by land and by air. “Bears in the air”.
One bit of advice, take a jug of water in case of an emergency.
banananose_89117
June 4, 2010 at 3:15 pm
You will be driving through the Mohave Desert so, yes, make sure the car is in tip top condition. You will be driving through a mountain area just before you leave CA using I15. Most car do not go fast up those slopes and there are places for trucks and slow drivers to stay to the side lane. Oh, and if you speed otherwise NHP will pop you a heavy fine! Best just to do the post speed limit and enjoy the ride.
B
June 4, 2010 at 3:23 pm
take the 15 FWY
for the speed anything other 100mph in the state of NV you will get a ticket of $500
i would stay at 90mph or 95mph once you pass state line.