Driving through Las Vegas

[caronair]

Hi- we are heading south to Tucson from WA state and thinking of driving through Las Vegas. Any suggestions, thoughts, warnings, etc? Thanks.

[n2916s]

Unless you thrive on stress, avoid the strip and use the Interstate to pass through or around. If you are of a mind to visit, stay outside the city and commute in.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

I would suggest that towing on surface streets in *any* big city is to be avoided if possible. It's not that you *can't* do it, you certainly can. The number of possible problems ( = damage ) you could get into go way up in an urban area.

Bob

[caronair]

Thanks - yes we will just be driving through on the freeway but we haven’t been through there in years. We will go through midday to avoid rush hour - thanks for the input.

[Night owls]

I would at all cost avoid driving south on a Sunday. Traffic can be atrocious.

[Kyet]

I stayed at the Circus Circus RV campground (er, big parking lot) while I was working to get a Cirque show open on the strip. I stayed for over a month with no problems whatsoever. The reviews of the place are atrocious, but if you don't leave stuff out unattended you should be fine. It’s no frills. You can walk or Uber to anything.

[bolerama]

We boondocked on the strip with our 30 ft Airstream this past March. It was in a parking lot owned by Mandalay Bay, just behind the McDonalds. We confirmed with the hotel concierge before arriving. It was free and convenient — walking distance to everything. You can park for the day if you wanted, or overnight. There are security officers on golf carts, other RVers, and many truckers stop for the night. It’s a bit noisy because it’s near the airport, but it becomes fairly quiet during the night.
Lisa

[baldwin6601]

We always get off the interstate at Nellis AFB and head south a couple of miles to Lake Mead Blvd. Turn onto Lake Mead toward the National Park. You'll get to the gate in a couple of miles then have a beautiful 1/2 hour drive along the lake, ending up at Boulder City. If you have the Golden Age pass, it's free, otherwise I think it's about $10 to get into the park. A beautiful drive and you completely bypass getting around Vegas.

[Ken G]

I have towed thru Las Vegas on I15 both directions, mid day with no problems. Another option is to get on the 215 near the airport and go around the west side of the city and rejoin I15 on the north edge of Las Vegas. This route is generally less congested but I'm guessing 20 miles further. Also we have stayed several nights at Oasis RV Resort which is just off So. LV BLVD, full amenities and just a short drive or Uber to the strip.

[AirSkeen]

If you decide you want to camp in the area, or just explore, there is a beautiful BLM campground in Red Rock Canyon which is just a few minutes west of the city. It is an amazing beautiful canyon with a driving loop that does not take very much time.

[mreddyz]

Originally Posted by caronair

Hi- we are heading south to Tucson from WA state and thinking of driving through Las Vegas. Any suggestions, thoughts, warnings, etc? Thanks.

We go thru Vegas every month, there done working on the road . No problem enjoy the trip.
It's two hours from Vegas to Kingman. Another three hours to Phoenix then two hours to Tucson.

[Mike1997]

I visit Vegas often but have not been there with RV in years. The FAMCamp at Nellis AFB is very nice and great value for those who have access. Circus Circus is a no frills RV parking lot with hook ups. Hot as heck too!! But its a good location to walk the strip and you will never need to use your water heater. Simply leave your hose connected on the asphalt and you will have instant hot water for your stay!!

[cazual6]

Check the weather. If it is HOT, try running generators in your TV to cool the AS before you get there. I should have done this, it was close to 120 when I arrived. It was the kind of heat that made you annoyed at everything.

[McStreamy_]

We made the trip from WA to Tucson last month and drove through Vegas. The traffic was pretty dense and not super accommodating to RV traffic. Nothing bad happened but it was a lot more trouble than it was worth. If we were going to do the same trip again we would spend the extra few hours to drive south through Utah instead - better scenery and a bit less chaos (Vegas vs Salt Lake City) IMHO.

[Lumatic]

There is a beautiful 1st come first serve campground in the Red Rocks, which I think is what it is called. Hard to get a spot though.

Some of the casinos have RV parks which are more parking lots.

[caronair]

Thanks-we went via Salt Lake City last year but the construction going on there with the freeways is crazy! Safe travels!

[Rloftinbiz]

Used to live in Seattle and moved to Vegas and back, and driven with our RV which we bought in Vegas. From WA there are basically 3 kind of direct routes; 93, 95 and 15.

I don't personally care for I15, its ok but traffic and road detract although there are places in Utah, Bryce and Zion among others that are hard to ignore.

I have driven 93 and 95 lots, but be aware it is through the desert, 95 through Death Valley, beautiful but hot generally, or 93 Twin Falls to Vegas is more desert.

There are lots of place to stay around and in Vegas if that is what you want, but outside Vegas are so many places, Death Valley, Mt Charleston, Valley of Fire, and more but again mostly desert.

I would avoid 515 around Vegas. It is doable but closer to white knuckle than relaxed.

The strip and lights are up to you.

Used to live in Centennial Hills off of 95 and nearly always used 215 to drive around Vegas and for me it was always the best way around

Beware the speed limit. It is mostly ignored with typical speeds as fast as possible. You don't need to drive this way but others will.

93 is pretty much the only way to Tuscon but includes Hoover Dam, which is pretty amazing and probably should be seen at least once.

Remember it is mostly desert and although reasonable fuel can be sparse. There are few long drives in between fuel stops.

I love this drive and there is plenty along the way. If you can take your time driving down through Reno and part of California is also fun.

Many routes, so little time, enjoy

[pmclemore]

I'd drive down the strip. Traffic moves so slowly, just enjoy the sights. But don't plan to change lanes.

Pat

[2MileHi]

The 15 shouldn't be too difficult in the early afternoon. But if you see it's a mess, the 215 should be better. Again, it's just a typical city crapshoot.

[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.