We're coming to Vegas this year from Washington state and would like to know if there are any roads or passes to avoid in March in either CA or NV.

We haven't decided on a route yet, and will have plenty of time for detours and signtseeing on the way down. Any roads that we -should- try to hit during the trip? I was thinking the 1 in CA would be a good drive, but don't have much planned beyond that.

 

early_apex: when are you leaving? PSMINI is headed down to Vegas starting very early Thrusday morning. We are stopping off in Reno for the night and will head out early Friday for Vegas. If you are interested let me know (PM or e-mail) and we'll set up a meeting place and time. I think the group still has an extra room available at the Peppermill.

Grant

 

kibosh, what route are you all planning on taking? We should have our schedule worked out here in the next few days, and I'll let you know.

 

well, we don't have a certain departure time, but we could coordinate... I am up in Kirkland, but the other members who are coming live in Olympia and the south sound area. We plan to head down I-5 to Eugene and then head over 58 to 97. From 97 our current route is to Hwy 139 which goes basically into Reno. This might change depending on the weather though. If the weather is bad, we will probably stay to the larger more well traveled roads.

 

Probably too out of your way, but Tillie and I went down to Laguna Seca a few days ago (between Monterey and Salinas), and even though I have driven through it maybe 100 times - but not once in the last 5 or so years - I gotta say that Highway 101 between Monterey and the junction with 156-Hollister is one of the most beautiful roads I have ever seen in my life. Winding down through eucalyptus groves and huge boulders, etc.

Wow - what a breath-takingly beautiful few miles that is!

Probably more on your route - Highway 395 cuts down from Yosemite through the "high desert" down towards Bakersfield. Stop at Mono Lake along the way. Can get kinda boring in long stretches, but the desert is worth seeing if you haven't been there. (Especially for you rainy folk from the Pacific Northwet.)

Have you seen Lake Tahoe? And of course, there are all sorts of terrific little towns in the foothills of the Sierra - places like Nevada City, Sutter Creek, Jackson...

Our local group has been talking about running down 395 for amviv. I haven't been paying attention much, since I can't go. But you might want to check out our board: Gold Country MINI

 

Um....doesn't Lake Tahoe have historic snowfall this year? I'd avoid Tahoe, if possible! LOL! Better check out all the road conditions before heading down, E_A!

And if you haven't done so already, be sure to check out the BIG c3 EVENT on Friday, 3/4, at Hofbrauhaus!

Info sheet at:
http://www.c3club.org/amviv

See y'all there!

Clover

 

If you haven't seen Tahoe, check it out. Call about road conditions. We live just 15 miles north and the roads are clear and dry right now . The drive from Tahoe City around the east side is usually clear of snow between storms. You can connect at hwy 50 at South Shore and continue south on 395 from Carson city. The east side of the Sierra is really a nice drive.

 

Yup you Pacific NW guys could actually dry out and shrink a bit once you get down here! The drive between Reno and Las Vegas through central Nevada is really desolate and boring (7 hours or so), but if you like the desert there's plenty of it to see. Also a few (almost) ghost towns along the way like Goldfield and Tonapah. Watch out for wild burros and horses in the road at night too. The suggested 395 alternate might be more scenic and interesting. Snow at Lake Tahoe in March?? I remember it snowing over the Memorial Day holiday! But still it's worth seeing. What ever you do Motor Safe!.................................mgg (MTR ON)

 

LOL! Well, maybe it won't snow, but the weather has been so odd this year, I say all bets are off!


Clover

 

Many Nevada roads are like driving through western Nebraska. LOOOOONG periods of flat boring road, except Nevada isn't as green as Nebraska.

 

I live on the east side of the sierras, its beautiful here. if you go 395 take the 168 E out of Big Pine over westguard pass. One of the twistest (sp) roads around. It'll drop you out on highway 95 in Nevada, then its a long (2 1/2 -3 hrs) straight to vegas. Or you can go alittle further south on 395 and go (136/190) and cut thru Death Valley. With all the rains in Jan, some flowers might be starting to come up.

I dont know about the 1 in northern Ca, but the southern section sucks, I would avoid the south.

I would suggest going 395 south of Reno instead of the nevada route, alot more scenic, and it only adds about an hour.

I would try to meet up with you guys if you came thru Bishop, but I'm heading to vegas a day early, so I'll be ahead of you.

See you in Vegas

 

Thanks for all the input. We have been to Tahoe so we probably won't go that route. We also may leave a day early, so a roundabout route through Northern/Southern CA wouldn't be out of the question.

Snow would suck, so if I can get any tips on roads or passes to avoid that would be extremly helpful. We will defanitly check the weather on our intended route before we head out. See ya'll in Vegas

 

Tell me about it, I got the first ticket I've had in years through NV on the way back from Classic with our new car. Rat bastard was hiding just over a rise south of Hawthorne and I was zoned out doing about 10-15 over. He had no clue what I was driving either, his best guess was some kind of Volkswagon

We will probably go south through CA and then east to Vegas. I'm sure it's a longer route, but we'll have the time.