San Francisco Travel Forum

I am planning my trip to Los Angeles, Las Vegas and san Fransico. Can someone tell me about how long it takes to drive to the following destinations:

1. from Los Angeles to Las vegas
2. from Las Vegas to san Fransico
3. from San Fransico

Thank you.

http://www.multimap.com/directions/

is a useful site which will give you routes and driving times.

Flying to and from Las Vegas is more convenient, and often cheaper. Check Southwest.com or Frontier airlines for best rates.

I think you may have intended your third line to be SF to LA. There are two routes to drive: I5 or the coastal highway. I5 is one of the most boring drives in California, and will be 6 to 8 hours if you don't hit traffic at either end. The coastal highway ( 1/101 ) is one of the most beautiful roads in California and takes about 11 hours. Most people use 2 or 3 days because there are so many things to see.

I agree with Harmonious Botch. I have personally driven from SF (DON'T call it "Frisco;" they hate that!), and it took me less than 7 hours. I did not care about scenery; I wanted to get to LA ASAP. It depends on what your schedule is. However, I did enjoy some local color when I gassed up. It was so windy that I could hardly open my car door! and i saw Real tumbleweeds! Being from New York, I was very amused. IMHO, LA is boring compared to SF.

Thank you everyone.

The key question is how much sightseeing you want to do along the way. The direct drives between LA and LV and between LA and SF can be done via the Interstate, but you won't see much and you will be bored. LV to SF is a LONG drive and is much easier by plane. If you do that one by car, break it up with a visit to Yosemite or one of the other National Parks.

Mike, thanks. Whether to go the scenic route or the boring route, we have not decided yet. Will note that, and plan according to the days of vacation we have on hand. :). Thks.

There is plenty of scenery on the LA-SF drive (take Route 1 along the coast) and on the SF-LV drive (visit Napa Valley, the Gold Rush area, Yosemite, Mono Lake, and Death Valley along the way). The drive from LA to LV is pretty boring, just a lot of Mohave Desert scenery.