Salt Lake City to Vegas

'fatboy' · 04-06-2010, 05:08 PM

Hey Guys,

Really off topic and don't know anyone to ask so thought to post this here...

I'm visiting the US currently and staying in SLC for business. My friend and I are thinking of driving from SLC to Vegas. Google tells me it's a 6hr 30m trip.

Unfortunately I'm not in my 135i but a Ford Explorer rental...

Is it worth the effort for the weekend (flights are around 400 USD each)?

And how strict are speed limits over here? Looks like there is a lot of long stretches of nothing out there...

Cheers

Tom K. · 04-06-2010, 09:24 PM

That's a pretty long, rather boring interstate ride for a weekend. Instead, you might want to investigate some of the sights in southern Utah such as Bryce, Zion & other national parks.

Tom

sdpauly · 04-06-2010, 10:29 PM

depends on what you're looking for.

Vegas is a lot of fun if you're into gambling, drinking, hookers, neon lights, and a city that never sleeps and theres always a party going on somewhere.

If you are looking for something more outdoors where you can see sights or go hiking, there are probably better places closer to SLC that you can go.

1ToBeOn2Wheels · 04-07-2010, 06:18 AM

If you've never been to Vegas, then you should definitely go. I'll be there this weekend! I recommend you fly. I'm willing to bet those 6 1/2 hours will be rather boring should you choose to drive. The flight is probably only about an hour! Not to mention that once you get to Vegas, you won't even need a car.

kt3130 · 04-07-2010, 06:43 AM

If you have never been, GO! Whether or not your into the rock star life style, Vegas is an adventure, something you should do once. Dont drive, that will be 14 wasted hours. You should be able to find flights for under $300. But definitely go, you wont be disappointed.

former · 04-07-2010, 08:55 AM

I've not made that exact drive but I have driven between Denver and Vegas a few times. Utah and Northern Nevada are petty sparsely populated and the official speed limits last I went through there were 70 or 75MPH so you can make pretty good legal time.

There are long stretches of nothing out there, though it can be quite pretty as you cross through the edge of Arizona. I've seen serious extra legal speeds out there but a medium police presence as well. If speed is of the essence, I'd suggest a good radar/laser detector and keep an eye out for aircraft as well.

As for Vegas, it's probably a must see no matter what you are into. It has pretty much everything you can think of and it's edging into off season so the deals should start picking up there.

Have fun!

TurboFan · 04-07-2010, 10:35 AM

Let's see, I live in SLC and have driven nearly to vegas a time or two.

The route is easy, the cops are few, and it's decent country. Southern and Northern Utah are gorgeous. Central Utah is pretty damn boring. I'd much rather do it in a different car, but it's worth the drive.

$400 for a flight seems high. I was just pricing them at $120 round trip. For $120 I fly, for $400, I'd probably drive.

FWIW, I know quite a few of us have made that exact drive in 5.5 hours or less. One guy got just under 5, but he was, uh, lucky.

Sara · 04-07-2010, 10:39 AM

I drive slow...Took me a little over 6 hours

Alexander · 04-07-2010, 10:47 AM

It's not that bad of a drive. Do 10 mph over the limit and you should be safe. On empty stretches feel free to go faster, and it should take more than 6 hours.

akack79 · 04-07-2010, 11:15 AM

Defn go to Vegas, no place on earth like it.

'fatboy' · 04-07-2010, 11:20 AM

Thanks guys,

We've decided to drive there and make a road trip out of it. With 2 of us we'll share the driving and chatting (sleeping).

I've been to vegas before but not with the 'boys' so I'm thinking it'll be a different experience

Yeah, with the flights costing $400 we'll save some extra $$ that we can spend there.

Cheers!

Sara · 04-07-2010, 11:32 AM

If you wait 8 days, you'll run into MFest down in Las Vegas. Lots of people from Utah are driving down. Maybe you'll find a caravan

Spec 1 · 04-07-2010, 01:52 PM

Many hotels will give you 2night/3day flight/stay packages for $300/person.

Kroy · 04-07-2010, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboFan

Let's see, I live in SLC and have driven nearly to vegas a time or two.

The route is easy, the cops are few, and it's decent country. Southern and Northern Utah are gorgeous. Central Utah is pretty damn boring. I'd much rather do it in a different car, but it's worth the drive.

$400 for a flight seems high. I was just pricing them at $120 round trip. For $120 I fly, for $400, I'd probably drive.

FWIW, I know quite a few of us have made that exact drive in 5.5 hours or less. One guy got just under 5, but he was, uh, lucky.

I think you need to get your ticket a few weeks in advance to get those deals.

Red Bread · 04-07-2010, 03:49 PM

I did this drive last year in the 135i, from Laguna Beach to Ogden, through Vegas. As stated, the western parts of Utah are really pretty, but the central part is pretty boring. Last year they were testing a stretch of the interstate at either 80 or 85, which was nice. I think I averaged about 87 for the whole drive, with the V1. If you have any interest in hitting Vegas, I'd drive, but then I drive for fun and fly for business.

JayKay335i · 04-07-2010, 03:52 PM

Yeah, its worth it. You'll probably be driving between 80 and 100 most of the way. Ball out.

iBoost · 04-07-2010, 11:34 PM

I've done that exact drive a couple of times. Its actually a pretty fun drive, nice scenes. In Vegas, or close to Vegas, I drive speed limit. In Utah I drive pedal to the metal

they are so chilled with tickets out there. I got pulled over doing 100+ and he wrote me for 85 in a 70 i think and ticket was only $140 with no points

have fun

04-06-2010, 05:08 PM	#1
'fatboy' Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 283 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	Salt Lake City to Vegas Hey Guys, Really off topic and don't know anyone to ask so thought to post this here... I'm visiting the US currently and staying in SLC for business. My friend and I are thinking of driving from SLC to Vegas. Google tells me it's a 6hr 30m trip. Unfortunately I'm not in my 135i but a Ford Explorer rental... Is it worth the effort for the weekend (flights are around 400 USD each)? And how strict are speed limits over here? Looks like there is a lot of long stretches of nothing out there... Cheers
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04-06-2010, 09:24 PM	#2
Tom K. Major General 125 Rep 5,626 Posts Drives: '07 328iT, '13 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	That's a pretty long, rather boring interstate ride for a weekend. Instead, you might want to investigate some of the sights in southern Utah such as Bryce, Zion & other national parks. Tom
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04-06-2010, 10:29 PM	#3
sdpauly Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 215 Posts Drives: 2010 135i, 2008 Taco Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	depends on what you're looking for. Vegas is a lot of fun if you're into gambling, drinking, hookers, neon lights, and a city that never sleeps and theres always a party going on somewhere. If you are looking for something more outdoors where you can see sights or go hiking, there are probably better places closer to SLC that you can go.
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04-07-2010, 06:18 AM	#4
1ToBeOn2Wheels Freude am Fahren 34 Rep 703 Posts Drives: B9 Audi S5 Coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sierra Nevada Foothills, California iTrader: (0)	If you've never been to Vegas, then you should definitely go. I'll be there this weekend! I recommend you fly. I'm willing to bet those 6 1/2 hours will be rather boring should you choose to drive. The flight is probably only about an hour! Not to mention that once you get to Vegas, you won't even need a car.
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04-07-2010, 06:43 AM	#5
kt3130 Enlisted Member 2 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 09 335 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: KS iTrader: (0)	If you have never been, GO! Whether or not your into the rock star life style, Vegas is an adventure, something you should do once. Dont drive, that will be 14 wasted hours. You should be able to find flights for under $300. But definitely go, you wont be disappointed.
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04-07-2010, 08:55 AM	#6
former Practical Idealist 9 Rep 408 Posts Drives: 2009 135i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Greater Los Angeles Area iTrader: (0)	I've not made that exact drive but I have driven between Denver and Vegas a few times. Utah and Northern Nevada are petty sparsely populated and the official speed limits last I went through there were 70 or 75MPH so you can make pretty good legal time. There are long stretches of nothing out there, though it can be quite pretty as you cross through the edge of Arizona. I've seen serious extra legal speeds out there but a medium police presence as well. If speed is of the essence, I'd suggest a good radar/laser detector and keep an eye out for aircraft as well. As for Vegas, it's probably a must see no matter what you are into. It has pretty much everything you can think of and it's edging into off season so the deals should start picking up there. Have fun! __________________ -f 2009 135 6MT Montego Blue Coupe, Sport, Prem, Cold, Nav, CA, iPod, Smartphone \| Euro Delivery on 10/25/2008
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04-07-2010, 10:35 AM	#7
TurboFan Ski bum 331 Rep 6,198 Posts Drives: sideways Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Knee deep in the pow iTrader: (8)	Let's see, I live in SLC and have driven nearly to vegas a time or two. The route is easy, the cops are few, and it's decent country. Southern and Northern Utah are gorgeous. Central Utah is pretty damn boring. I'd much rather do it in a different car, but it's worth the drive. $400 for a flight seems high. I was just pricing them at $120 round trip. For $120 I fly, for $400, I'd probably drive. FWIW, I know quite a few of us have made that exact drive in 5.5 hours or less. One guy got just under 5, but he was, uh, lucky. __________________ 1999 e46 328i Ti Silver / Black[retired] 2007 e90 335xi Jet Black / Black[retired] 2011 e70 X5 35d Vermillion Red / Cinnamon 2011 e92 M3 LeMans / Fox Red extended
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04-07-2010, 10:39 AM	#8
Sara Lieutenant General 5898 Rep 17,879 Posts Drives: A car Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Nola iTrader: (6)	I drive slow...Took me a little over 6 hours
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04-07-2010, 10:47 AM	#9
Alexander Mad tyte EuR0 style boooi <--- Joke 222 Rep 2,472 Posts Drives: E30, E85, MKVI Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Deal's Gap iTrader: (0)	It's not that bad of a drive. Do 10 mph over the limit and you should be safe. On empty stretches feel free to go faster, and it should take more than 6 hours.
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04-07-2010, 11:15 AM	#10
akack79 Brigadier General 149 Rep 3,167 Posts Drives: G80 M3 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: T E X A S iTrader: (18)	Defn go to Vegas, no place on earth like it. __________________ 2018 F80 M3 6MT ZCP
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04-07-2010, 11:20 AM	#11
'fatboy' Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 283 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys, We've decided to drive there and make a road trip out of it. With 2 of us we'll share the driving and chatting (sleeping). I've been to vegas before but not with the 'boys' so I'm thinking it'll be a different experience Yeah, with the flights costing $400 we'll save some extra $$ that we can spend there. Cheers!
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04-07-2010, 11:32 AM	#12
Sara Lieutenant General 5898 Rep 17,879 Posts Drives: A car Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Nola iTrader: (6)	If you wait 8 days, you'll run into MFest down in Las Vegas. Lots of people from Utah are driving down. Maybe you'll find a caravan
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04-07-2010, 01:52 PM	#13
Spec 1 Faster in the Corners 58 Rep 1,062 Posts Drives: '91 E30, '05 ZX6-R, '06 300C Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	Many hotels will give you 2night/3day flight/stay packages for $300/person. __________________ '91 M42 E30 - All sorts of goodies.
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04-07-2010, 03:49 PM	#15
Red Bread Major General 4459 Rep 9,160 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	I did this drive last year in the 135i, from Laguna Beach to Ogden, through Vegas. As stated, the western parts of Utah are really pretty, but the central part is pretty boring. Last year they were testing a stretch of the interstate at either 80 or 85, which was nice. I think I averaged about 87 for the whole drive, with the V1. If you have any interest in hitting Vegas, I'd drive, but then I drive for fun and fly for business.
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04-07-2010, 03:52 PM	#16
JayKay335i Banned 198 Rep 5,046 Posts Drives: ///M323 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Dakota; its best DUHHHHHH iTrader: (1)	Yeah, its worth it. You'll probably be driving between 80 and 100 most of the way. Ball out.
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04-07-2010, 11:34 PM	#17
iBoost Retired e90post Member 143 Rep 3,038 Posts Drives: real slow Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (13)	I've done that exact drive a couple of times. Its actually a pretty fun drive, nice scenes. In Vegas, or close to Vegas, I drive speed limit. In Utah I drive pedal to the metal they are so chilled with tickets out there. I got pulled over doing 100+ and he wrote me for 85 in a 70 i think and ticket was only $140 with no points have fun
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