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NandJfrmNJ
Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Posts: 33 Location: NJ
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Posted: Jan Thu 24, 2013 2:48 pm Post subject: Driving from LV to Reno |
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We will be in LV for SB and had a crazy thought that maybe we should extend our trip and drive up to Reno. I know it's a long drive (8+ hours) but we've never done it before and think of it as a new adventure. Always fly to RNO from PHL We're just wondering if we're likely to run into any bad weather along the way, ,maybe around Yosemite? Any insight anyone can give us would be greatly appreciated. What's our motivation? .... three nights in a suite at the Pep. |
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BC Dave Site Admin
Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 1598
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Posted: Jan Thu 24, 2013 4:35 pm Post subject: Worth the drive |
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I was bored enough to watch this YouTube video a few days back. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCebgvMoMig It's a time-lapse of the whole drive at the Speed of Sound. The route taken by this guy didn't take him too close to Yosemite. But I'd check the long range weather before undertaking the journey.
I was planning on driving from Reno to Vegas many moons ago, but by the time I got from Vancouver to Reno my car was conking out so I stayed put it good old Reno. |
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JD
Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 956
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Posted: Jan Thu 24, 2013 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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I have made that drive but it was in summer. I seem to recall it's 444 miles and a LONG way between towns. BUT as I recall, if you don't get off the beaten path, it is not too high in elevation. Stop in Tonapah for fuel & food.
Just keep telling yourself what it was like in the mid-1800's on horseback.
Keep your gas tank full, carry water, blankets and a CHARGED cell phone.
"Hurry right along, and don't take no short cuts." Virginia Reed, Donner Party, 1847
Last edited by JD on Jan Thu 24, 2013 8:15 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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mjames1229
Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Posts: 407
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Posted: Jan Thu 24, 2013 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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I will be making that drive from Vegas to Reno on May 12, then back on May 16.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Can you tell who lost the "Drive vs. Fly" vote? |
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spdmrcht
Joined: 12 Oct 2012 Posts: 498
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Posted: Jan Thu 24, 2013 9:59 pm Post subject: Drive. |
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I've done it several times, it's a nice drive. Just make sure your
car is up to it. Take your time and when you get to the small
towns make damn sure your doing the speed limit not 1mph
over, or your bank roll will be gone before you get to Reno.
Tonopah Is the worst, its down hill going thru it, keep your
foot on the brake. They have 2 speed cops working just
about all the time. That's how they keep the lights on!
Enjoy. |
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NandJfrmNJ
Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Posts: 33 Location: NJ
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Posted: Jan Fri 25, 2013 3:48 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the vid, Dave. I think I'll wait until I have nothing better to do to watch it. I've heard about Tonopah and the speed traps so we'll be careful. Just worried about the weather. spdmrcht, how long did the drive take you?
Thanks everyone for the info. |
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Zydeco
Joined: 03 Sep 2008 Posts: 302
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Posted: Jan Fri 25, 2013 9:27 am Post subject: |
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Donner Party quote? Spot on.
From the time I was a little kid, my family always uses "Donner Party" when making dinner reservations where ever we go. "Donner Party of 6...no make that 5....no make that 4." Used it in Reno this month at the Steakhouse. |
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JD
Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 956
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Posted: Jan Fri 25, 2013 10:47 am Post subject: |
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Did you order, "Steak...very rare" ? |
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mjames1229
Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Posts: 407
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Posted: Jan Fri 25, 2013 11:13 am Post subject: Re: Drive. |
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spdmrcht wrote: | Take your time and when you get to the small
towns make damn sure your doing the speed limit not 1mph
over, or your bank roll will be gone before you get to Reno.
Tonopah Is the worst, its down hill going thru it, keep your
foot on the brake. They have 2 speed cops working just
about all the time. That's how they keep the lights on!
Enjoy. |
The last time we were out there, just two guys made the drive. One of them got a $600 ticket for throwing a cigarette out the window. He apparently didn't make any friends when he said to the cop something like "There isn't a human around for 50 miles, except you". |
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mjames1229
Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Posts: 407
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Posted: Jan Fri 25, 2013 2:12 pm Post subject: |
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Whetting my appetite for Reno, I did a Google Map of the drive from Vegas to Reno, and then moved to the street view under the arch.
I first saw this view, which is of a closed CommRow (the date of the photo is July 2011). Then I moved one click to the right, and saw this glorious image (the date is July 2007) of a functioning Fitzgeralds. One more click right, and we are back to July 2011. |
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JD
Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 956
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mjames1229
Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Posts: 407
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Posted: Jan Fri 25, 2013 4:44 pm Post subject: |
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When you are on Google Maps, if you look in the upper-left of the screen, there is a tab for "Get Directions" then "My Places", then a printer icon.
Next to the printer icon is a sideways figure-8, which is supposed to be a chain link, which (when clicked) will allow you to copy and paste a link like this. |
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spdmrcht
Joined: 12 Oct 2012 Posts: 498
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Posted: Jan Sun 27, 2013 8:22 pm Post subject: Well ya got me there? |
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NandJfrmNJ wrote: | Thanks for the vid, Dave. I think I'll wait until I have nothing better to do to watch it. I've heard about Tonopah and the speed traps so we'll be careful. Just worried about the weather. spdmrcht, how long did the drive take you?
Thanks everyone for the info. |
I think I don't remember?? They were always side tracked to
other towns on the trip. Hawthorne, Yerington, minden, Gabbs,
enroute to Reno.
But Tonopah is the only one we ever had any problems in, I guess
its because they depend on their speed cops for their income. |
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CaSwede
Joined: 28 Feb 2006 Posts: 866
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Posted: Jan Mon 28, 2013 10:30 am Post subject: |
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The drive in summer can be a great road trip. You drive through Death Valley and take Hwy 395 north to Reno. It is scenic, but will take a whole day. I would not do this in the winter however. The drive up 95 is not so scenic, but usually you don't have to worry about the big snow storms that hit the Sierra Nevada Mountains. How much to fly from LV to Reno? That might be a better option. |
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mjames1229
Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Posts: 407
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Posted: Jan Mon 28, 2013 11:27 am Post subject: |
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Like I said, I lost the vote, but the rationale of the others is that even if we find a RT fare for $150 (each, for four people) is $600 plus we'd have to rent a car in Reno anyway (another $100 or so for a 3-day rental, plus gas).
We already have a minivan reserved (all-in) for $168, and even if we estimate $200 round-trip for gas (which I think is quite high) we're talking about $90/each.
And - they tell me - that's seven hours (each way) of not being in casino. I am going to try to make the best of it. |
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