Driving through Las Vegas

[nmzouk]

I said Blake Ranch is west of Kingman. It is east.

[caronair]

Originally Posted by nmzouk

I am familiar with the area, and live in Tucson. Lots of good advice above, especially the ones about avoiding Las Vegas. Still, if you must go...
The idea of boondocking in a casino parking lot sounds like a horror show to me. I prefer Duck Creek RV Park, not near the strip, and no creek or ducks, but a decent park with good amenities.
Nobody has mentioned that to get from Vegas to Tucson it is hard to avoid Phoenix. The traffic is worse than Vegas, and it is larger and hotter. If you like remote and scenic back roads, there is a way around Phoenix. We like short hops across the desert. Leave in the early morning when it is surprisingly cool and pleasant, and stop before the heat of the afternoon. Here is our favored itinerary:
First stop south of Vegas, Blake Ranch RV Park, on I-40 about 18 miles west of Kingman.
Then, east on I-40 to US-93 south. This stretch of 93 is very scenic with views of mountains and relatively lush desert vegetation. There are many Joshua trees, occasionally mixed with giant saguaro cacti where the Mojave desert meets the Sonoran Desert. A nice rest break at Burro Creek.
Then turn southwest on AZ-71 to Aguila. Gas up here if you need it, you are headed into the outback. Just at the edge of Aguila is Eagle Eye Avenue going south. This is a good paved road, but it is open range, so keep an eye out for cattle on the road. Also, there are several low wash crossings. Do not attempt to cross these if they are flooded! However, this is the desert and flooding is rare, especially at this time of year.
Go south on Eagle Eye to Salome Rd, then left to I-10.
Continue on I-10 to AZ-85 south to Gila Bend.
Spend the night at Gila Bend KOA, very nice campground.
From there go east on I-8 to I-10 to Tucson.

Thanks nmzouk-we avoid Phoenix also by going thru Gila Bend. Good directions for an alternate route -thanks!

[ida B]

Yep, our advice is to stay a night at Oasis R.V. resort. It is our favorite place to stay. Great little restaurant with very reasonable prices, great pools, a putting golf course for free, clean & gated... so awesome - real close to the Silverton with the swimming mermaids (free aquarium show in their lobby), & next to Cabellas.

[Bompagene]

Originally Posted by ida B

Yep, our advice is to stay a night at Oasis R.V. resort. It is our favorite place to stay. Great little restaurant with very reasonable prices, great pools, a putting golf course for free, clean & gated... so awesome - real close to the Silverton with the swimming mermaids (free aquarium show in their lobby), & next to Cabellas.

We fulltimed at the Oasis for quite awhile. Pricey, but nice. I-15 is not bad just can be congested between Spring Mountain exit and Russell Road exit. let'm zoom around you! I WOULD NOT recommend driving the Strip with trailer in tow. I drive commercially in Vegas and wouldn't pull my trailer through the heart of the Strip!
Valley of Fire State Park! YES. Nice campground, beautiful drive. Unless you want to see Vegas, exit the park on the north end and turn right into Lake Mead National Recreation Area and continue south to connect with Rt. 93 in Boulder City. Hoover Dam is nice to visit, but you must go through an inspection station(no big deal, they just have to look through your trailer and have you open all compartments). Parking for a TV and trailer is difficult, however at the end of the road at the top of the Arizona side there is enough room.
Dry camping at Burro Creek is very peaceful no hookups but a dump station.
Follow the directions already given to avoid Phoenix!!!