Death Valley National Park Travel Forum

Hi We are planning to travel from San Diego to Death Valley on about 27th december 2006 yes 2006/7 would we manage the journey in one day or should we stop on route ie: barstow? we then plan to stay over night furnace creek and visit interesting places then travel to las vegas in evening for our new year stay

how long would it take from DV to LV - and how far from LV is Hoover Dam?

also what would the weather on average be like in december and would the roads be good

appreciate your replies from london uk

You can make it in one day--but I would definitely recommend 3-5 hours at least to browse Death Valley. Go to www.mapquest.com and map out your trip but remember that Death Valley is HUGE...

I would want four full days to fully enjoy the itinerary you quoted--one on the front, one on the back end of your trip just for travel to/from San Diego. One in the middle to enjoy Death Valley, two nights to enjoy Vegas, and the third day to leisurely see Hoover Dam and some of Vegas in the day.

I second the suggestion of mapquest. After you ask it for directions, it not only give you those, but tells you milage too.
The roads are very good, but often crowded on holidays. Leave a little room in your schedule for the occasional clogged highway. ( by clogged I mean 2 hours at 15mph average )
In SD the weather will probably be crisp 60's or 70s during the day under bright sun, dropping into the 50's at night. ( all temps are farenheit ). As you go further from the coast, the moderating effect of the ocean decreases and the temperature swings become wider. In Vegas you can have 80 degrees daytime and freezing at night.

Death Valley to Las Vegas...three hours tops. Vegas to Hoover Dam I hour tops. Both these are allowing for stops along the way for photo shoot or watering hole!