Tips on Driving in From Las Vegas

Burnmudgeon · Post by **Burnmudgeon** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 8:23 pm

Hello.
I'm flying to Las Vegas, picking up my daughter. Then I need to drive to the Reno Airport to pickup a first-time burner dude. I have never driven from Las Vegas -- always one direction or the other on I-80.

Anyone out there in e-plyaland know how many hours it will take us to drive from LV to Reno? What is the best route do you think?

I also plan to swing by the Burner Hostle we have seen posts about to see if anyone needs a ride in at whatever time we get to Sparks. Do the Burner Hostle people mind if a free ride shows up late at night or should we skip it if we are like past midnight?

Thanks for your help.

spclblend · Post by **spclblend** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 9:17 pm

It's 13 hours from Vegas to Black Rock City. So figure about 10 or so to Reno.

Jonathan

Silver 2 · Post by **Silver 2** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 10:24 pm

It is about 450 miles so figure a min of 9 hours. Now for some advice, crash in Reno and then head for Burning Man. The hotels are cheap Sunday through Thursday and getting some rest before heading out is a real good idea. The url for the hostel is around here somewhere and you should contact them about picking up people. In '02 I showed up around 8-9 and had my rider around 10 so we hit the greeters about noon.

Piper · Post by **Piper** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 11:17 pm

Burnmudgeon wrote:Hello.
I'm flying to Las Vegas, picking up my daughter. Then I need to drive to the Reno Airport to pickup a first-time burner dude. I have never driven from Las Vegas -- always one direction or the other on I-80.

Anyone out there in e-plyaland know how many hours it will take us to drive from LV to Reno? What is the best route do you think?

8-9 Hours,depending on how you drive I drive it many times a year and I take just over 8. Route, 95 to Tonopah, gas up there. 95 to Fallon, do NOT take alt 95, then 50 to alt 50 to Fernly, just like it looks on the map. Major construction on 80 in Reno, be careful, The speed limit is 70 for most of the trip, but like going to the playa watch for and OBEY the speed limit signs, they step down and up as you pass through every little town, Oh yeah in Goldfield there is a lot full of art cars right beside the tall hotel.

Burnmudgeon wrote: I also plan to swing by the Burner Hostle we have seen posts about to see if anyone needs a ride in at whatever time we get to Sparks. Do the Burner Hostle people mind if a free ride shows up late at night or should we skip it if we are like past midnight?

Show up, they will need rides and people are up all hours

Burnmudgeon · Post by **Burnmudgeon** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 8:08 am

Glad I asked. From the map, it didn't look like it would take that long.
Thanks all for your help.

We will, for sure, leave a day early and get a room in Reno.

Next question please. Any suggestions concerning a clean and quiet motel?

I tried searching the main Burning Man site and the e-playa board, but not much in the way of suggestions for drive-up places to stay in Reno. Just found one person who had a bad experience at the Atlantis.

We flew into Reno in 1995 and stayed in an OK motel before heading out to load up for Burning Man but can't remember the name or where it was. It would probably be best to get a motel where we can park the loaded rental car near the room so we can keep a look out -- you know, peak out the window every 5 minutes. Don't want are costumes stolen.

Thanks for your ideas.

Silver 2 · Post by **Silver 2** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 8:38 am

I, and most everyone I know stays in one of the big hotels on the old strip. I am cheap and like the Sands, In terms of security I did not worry about any problems, Reno and the hotels know where their money comes from (middle-class gamblers from CA) and both the local cops and the hotels are constantly patroling.

Ivy · Post by **Ivy** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 8:58 am

I don't know anyone who had a bad experience at the Atlantis--I stayed there last year and it was great, and everyone else I know who satyed there says the same.
If you stay in the motor lodge it's not only cheaper, but it's right by the parking lot like youmentioned, so it's easy to keep an eye out if you're so inclined. It's a little further from the freeway than some of the other places, but IMO it's worth it.

I heard rumors that the Golden Phoenix was offering special rates to BM attendees, but I got nothing but mixed messages whenever I called.

Piper · Post by **Piper** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:47 am

Ivy is right, the motor Lodge at Atlantis is good, you also might try Western Village in Sparks, it is right at I-80 and the East McCarren exit. There is a truckstop there and great food. you will aslo miss most of the I-80 construction. As for down town, they are digging a trench to but the train tracks in and traffic (streets) is very messed up.

Piper · Post by **Piper** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:51 am

I should have added, the construction, very narrow lanes, no more than 2 each way, is east of the interchange of 395 and 80. So east bound people would be be better off at boomtown or downtown. West bounders, might like sparks better

Tancorix · Post by **Tancorix** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 10:04 am

This is good info to know, I was planning on going to SF after the event before driving back to Missouri.

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 1:40 pm

Also, while driving up US 95 as you are going through the Wind River Indian Reservation 1 mile south of the town of Schurz, NV, remember DO NOT stop at the Four Winds tabacco shop and general store on the east side of the road because you might be tempted to purchase skyrockets, aerial flares, morters, Roman candles, or worse. And they are strictly prohibited in Black Rock City. And since that is the only place between Vegas and BRC to buy such things, when you see the sign, just keep on trucking.

itsallbrite · Post by **itsallbrite** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 4:00 pm

I make the Vegas to Reno trip a few times a year. On average it takes me 7.5 hours and that is actually going through Reno to Stead NV about 11 miles north of Reno. I take the 95 to alt 95 through Yerington, Silver Springs, to Fernley then catch the I80 to Reno. The construction on I80 is never ending and in Sparks I always feel like I'm going to end up under a 18 wheeler as the lanes get more and more narrow. Will they ever finish with it already??!! I try NOT to stop for gas in Tonopah, it's the most pricey, if you can wait for Hawthorne it's your best bet. If you absolutley have to stop in tonopah for gas go all the way through town (I hope the station is still there) till you see a gas sign that directs you up the hill, ok so that's not too clear, but look at the prices you'll know it when you see it and anyway you can always double back to the lowest you saw on your trip through town. Have a good trip through the desert and remember to NOT swerve to miss the rabbits, they're suicidal

. . . but do stop for the donkey's and cows

.

Piper · Post by **Piper** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 4:24 pm

itsallbrite wrote: I try NOT to stop for gas in Tonopah, it's the most pricey, if you can wait for Hawthorne it's your best bet. If you absolutley have to stop in tonopah for gas go all the way through town (I hope the station is still there) till you see a gas sign that directs you up the hill, ok so that's not too clear, but look at the prices you'll know it when you see it and anyway you can always double back to the lowest you saw on your trip through town.

when I went through in June, after Fallon, Tonopah was cheapest, and for some reason Beatty was cheap? . Hawthorn was about 7 cents more than anybody

dzrtrat67 · Post by **dzrtrat67** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 5:24 pm

....and on your way.... take a 1/2 hour or 3 and stop for a soak at Bailey's Hot Springs just N of Beatty.... very friendly, burner friendly and it's divine.

Numerous AZ Burners split the trip into two days, with Bailey's being the stopping point. You'll meet some real nice folks.

Not sure what the rates are...was less than $15 to camp or 5 or so to just take a soak break...

Rat

dzrtrat67 · Post by **dzrtrat67** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 5:27 pm

Hostel..... Hageymon is one of the best people I've ever met. I get the feeling his house is 24/7 that week...but best to contact him ahead of time and let him know your arrival plans.... I'm sure he and your passenger would love that you can gift someone a ride.

Rat

Burnmudgeon · Post by **Burnmudgeon** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 7:36 pm

Thanks for all your help and suggestions.

Like a moth to a Roman candle? Sounds like Pyro knows that fireworks stand all too well. The hot springs sound perfect for shoulder strain relief after grabbing a hot steering wheel for 7 hours.

And the jackrabbits. You are so right. That's why I'm not going to let my daughter drive. She'll feel bad about hitting the little guy and roll the car.

Speaking of neat places to stop along the way, is there something freaky or strange, or extra interesting to see along the way from LV to Reno?

I saw on the map, there is a Scotty's Junction right on 95. Is that where Scotty's Castle is -- or was. I heard about that place a long time ago and I think it was near Death Valley. Maybe its gone by now.

dzrtrat67 · Post by **dzrtrat67** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:07 pm

I believe Scotty's Junction is the road that takes you down to Scotty's Castle in death Valley... a bit of a detour. Never been there.

Goldfield is a neat looking town. If you're not rushed, may be a nice place to stop and stretch. There's some sort of little town festival as you drive thru the weekend before BM...

If you read Danger Ranger's chronicles from his Silver Seed tour, you'll find an interesting excerpt from Goldfield.

There also appears to be a few rockhound type fields off to the side of the road in that area..... not sure.

Rat

itsallbrite · Post by **itsallbrite** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 11:56 pm

There is the Temple of Goddess Spirituality an hour north of Vegas on the 95, just after Indian Springs in a 'town' called Cactus Springs. It's on the left side of the road, just look for the trees. It's one of the only Goddess Temple I know of in the U.S. (if anyone knows of others let me know!!! please).

In Beatty if you take a left instead of a right you head toward Rhyolite an old ghost town from the mining boom. It's just a couple miles and just before it is some really cool artistic sculptures that are definatly worth seeing.

Goldfield is interesting, check out the haunted hotel, they have an interesting graveyard too just outside of town on the west side of the road.

Have fun!!!

dj big E · Post by **dj big E** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 5:35 pm

If you travel by night, like most of us desert rats do. Don't be alarmed when u see red flashing lights in the distance. Usually not a cop or an accident just a brothel. And you can get to reno efficently in 8-9 hours.Nekt year if possible don't get lured into going to reno adds about 2 hours each way. Make sure you are wide awake as us 95 is two lanes allmost the whole way. have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dj big E · Post by **dj big E** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 5:37 pm

If you travel by night, like most of us desert rats do. Don't be alarmed when u see red flashing lights in the distance. Usually not a cop or an accident just a brothel. And you can get to reno efficently in 8-9 hours.Nekt year if possible don't get lured into going to reno adds about 2 hours each way. Make sure you are wide awake as us 95 is two lanes allmost the whole way. have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dougaldutch · Post by **dougaldutch** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 2:53 am

Loving the advice so far, have printed out everyones directions and advice as will be making the same trip. I plan on, leaving Vegas on the Wednesday (25th) and seeing some of Death Valley National Park and staying in Beatty that night. Early start and straight to the Hostel on Thursday (26th) to drop off stuff, pick up supplies (and drop them off again) and then drop rental car off at airport.

Two things I was wondering if anyone out there on eplaya land could help me with:

1) I have never driven in the states and is there any advice I really should have. Quite an experienced driver, but only in Britain and I figure I should be prepared as I can be.

2) Does anyone have a good online mapping site that I can look up and plot my route (I am a visual personand need to SEE y route, numbers and me dont get along).

Cheers

DougalD

Sensei · Post by **Sensei** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 3:35 am

dougaldutch wrote:I was wondering if anyone out there on eplaya land could help me with:

1) I have never driven in the states and is there any advice I really should have. Quite an experienced driver, but only in Britain and I figure I should be prepared as I can be.

I've got one tip. Watch out for the damn free range cattle. I've dealt with them in Montana and heard they were out there in the desert (not the playa itself). I've read on this site how every year one or more cattle seem to be taken out. I'm sure you can imagine what it does to a car. It took me until my fourth year (last year) to actually see one of 'em. I was on my way out and it was, you guessed it, twilight. The bastard was smack dab in the worst possible place - right around a corner in just the perfect spot, standing just slightly to the right of the yellow line facing me. If I hadn't seen a spotted cow moving I would have missed seeing that midnight black one that just stayed frozen to his spot in the middle of the road. I stopped 3' short, and he gives me this vacant look across the hood. I hit the horn and he acts all startled and moves off. That was too close. And I knew better.

Moral: Slow the fuck down and watch those last hundred miles like a hawk.

Selkie · Post by **Selkie** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 7:42 am

dougaldutch wrote:2) Does anyone have a good online mapping site that I can look up and plot my route (I am a visual personand need to SEE y route, numbers and me dont get along).

http://www.mapquest.com

Learn it, love it, use it. I personally live by it. Well not literally, I have no idea where they're actually located at.

Every once in awhile it will give you a wrong turn, but I think I've only had it happen twice and never on long trips.

RingO'Fire · Post by **RingO'Fire** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 10:52 am

Here's another cool little secret spot between Vegas and Reno that will only take about 10 or 15 minutes to check out.

About 90 miles north of Vegas is the Nevada Test Site, where the US Government conducted their land-based above- and below-ground nuclear weapons tests (http://www.nv.doe.gov/nts/default.htm). Anyway, the NTS is not a secret, but the graffitied & muraled overpass / box culvert beneath US95 right across the street from the NTS is a cool little secret place. People (protesters, "atomic veterans" who got nuked by the Gov't, etc.) have painted murals (some quite intircate & detailed), left graffiti, sometimes made little alters, written prayers, etc. on the walls and roof of the giant concrete tube beneath US95.

To get there, get off US95 at the Mercury/NTS exit (I believe it's the one right after the prison exit past Indian Springs, but you can see Mercury a few miles off to the right (if you're heading north). Turn to the LEFT (south) and go back under the highway, DO NOT turn right (north) and go to the NTS gate and Mercury. Even though they don't test nuclear weapons there anymore, it's a high security facility and, as you can imagine, the guards don't have much of a sense of humor.

Just after you pass beneath the highway, pull off on the right in the little parking area. The overpass/culvert in question is about 300 or 400 feet down the road (west) from the parking area. You'll be able to see it when you park.

I've been there many times and have never been hassled. It's just a cool little place to check out on the drive north.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sat Aug 07, 2004 5:13 pm

Hey to dougaldutch.
Mapquest is good. I like Yahoo maps too http://maps.yahoo.com.
It's surprising to see the difference between Mapquest and Yahoo sometimes.
How do ya know which is the most accurate? I have no idea.
Maybe someone out there in E-Playaland knows the absolute authority concerning online maps.

But, if you can drive those narrow, winding, blind-curve roads in the UK you will have no problem driving from Las Vegas to Reno to the desert -- its wide open and mostly flat with NO hedges. Just remember to HIT THE RABBIT. Do not swerve. I had to witness a person die in a roll-over caused by swerving to avoid a jackrabbit just outside Empire in 1996. It's so sad to think they were so close to such a great place and one died trying to save the life of a small animal. If you slow down, this will help. Besides, the cops have a field day writing tickets in Wadsworth, Nixon, Little Nixon, Empire, and Gerlach during that week. My daughter got a speeding ticket last year that cost her $200.00. And I'm glad they gave her that ticket. This will help her see that going too fast is not a good idea.

Slow down and I'm sure you'll have a great time !!!!!!
See you there.

Anthony Bondi · Post by **Anthony Bondi** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 1:03 pm

Many years ago, some Belgians decided that central Nevada would be a good place to install a series of outdoor monumental sculptures. (What a peculiar idea!) The sculptures are still there, a 2 1/2 mile drive outside of Beatty. <goldwellmuseum.org> has the details and directions.

Anthony Bondi
Las Vegas

congochris · Post by **congochris** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 2:08 am

I just went from reno to vegas and back last week. It took me 9.5 hours driving mostly on hwy 95, though I took the longer route on hwy 6 and 375 so I could pass by AREA 51. However I do drive pretty fast. I would personally consier crossing death valley to hwy 395 and then north. Its longer, but hwy 395 is one of my most favorite roads in California/Nevada, and instead of starring at the desert the whole way up on 95, you'll have 14,000 snow capped peaks. There are also a ton of natural hot springs along the way, near mammoth lakes, bridgeport, etc. I drive hat road alot, and if you decide to go tha way, email me and I'll share my favorite stopping points

congochris · Post by **congochris** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 2:37 am

One tip I picked up when I lived in Australia is that whether your in a left side vehicle driving in the US or a right side vehicle in the UK, is that the driver is always basically straddling the center line. This is especially handy when turning onto a new road. Visualize a two lane road. When turning onto it, make sure the driver turns into the middle of the road. It helps you pick what lane to be in. (the only exception being in the US Virgin Islands, where, because the donkeys which were used to transport supplies before cars were around were ingrained travelling in certain direcions, you have US style cars, travelling on the "wrong" side as in the UK. And to reiterate wnat many have said before me, DONT swerve to avoid the little critters!! So many people die in rollovers swerving to avoid killing the cute, fuzzy bunnies and other little critters. Try to avoid driving at twilight, or a least slow down Also, to answer the question abou Scottys castle, it is located about 20-30 mins down the road from scotttys junction. Its still there and is part of Death Valley Natl Park. There is an entry fee into the park, and another seperate fee to go inside. You can just walk around the outside and take photos. And if you do go, dont miss uheebee crater, about 5 miles further down the road.

Tips on Driving in From Las Vegas

Tips on Driving in From Las Vegas

It's a hike

Re: Tips on Driving in From Las Vegas

Nice Motel in Reno?

Vegas to Reno

Re: Vegas to Reno

Freaky places to visit LV to Reno

Places to Stop and Stare

lmao

lmao

Hit the damn rabbit!

Beatty art stop