Flying vs Driving to Las Vegas From LA

That's a question that many people have asked themselves. Some individuals will say flying, and others will say driving. The answer isn't so easy, though! In this blog post, we'll discuss both options for Los Angeles to Las Vegas travel and see which one is the best option.</p>

The distance from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Las Vegas driving is 282 miles depending on starting location. The drive will take about four and a half hours non-stop. The distance flying from LAX to Las Vegas is 235 miles and will take just under one hour to arrive.

These two stats may seem like the answer is clear, but it might not be that simple. We have done both and tend to prefer one over the other, but here are the pros and cons of each.

Flying to Las Vegas From Los Angeles

Flying to Las Vegas is fun. By the time you are up in the air and sipping a drink, the plane is already starting its descent.

As a bonus, you can see Los Angeles as it is getting closer on the way back. This is one of my favorite parts of flying

The Pros of Flying

The flight itself is very short, and it is also the fastest way to Las Vegas from LA. The flight will last less than one hour (unless you have to change planes in San Francisco or Oakland, yes, this is an option!)

Less Hassle- No need to worry about traffic and other idiot drivers on the road. You'll just be sitting in your seat watching TV or sleeping on an airplane!</p>

Save Money on Gas and Parking</strong> - You can save a lot on gas and parking fees. The cost of gas is crazy right now, and parking fees are up to $30 a day in some parking lots

The Cons of Flying

Okay, so I will have some of the same reason on this side too. It will all make sense in the end, trust me!

Security - The TSA is going to pat you down and have their hands in your personal belongings. It's not the most pleasant experience; I HATE being touched!

Cost- Plane tickets aren't cheap. They also aren’t ideal for quick trips as the price will skyrocket. You can expect to spend $200 round trip for each ticket to Las Vegas.

Depending on how many people are with you, this can add up fast—also factor in baggage fees, rental car, or Uber costs to and from the airport.

Most major airlines offer a free checked bag when booking round-trip flights, which can be nice, but if you have more than one big suitcase or carry-on, those extra fees add up quickly!

Complications/ Delays - Planes get delayed sometimes, and it sucks! It's not fun waiting around for hours with nothing to do except people watch.

This also makes the whole "it’s faster" argument a moot point. After driving to the airport, going through security, and boarding the plane, you could have spent three hours on the road and almost be in Vegas.

The Flight Back – Anyone who has done the Vegas drive a few times knows the drive back is for some reason horrendous compared to the drive in. With flying, you do not have to experience this.

Driving to Las Vegas From Los Angeles

The 15 is calling and wants to transport you to the Fabulous Las Vegas but is driving a good way to go?

The Pros of Driving

Cost - Gas is expensive but still doesn't cost as much as plane tickets, especially if you have a few people carpooling. You can also save money on baggage fees and Uber rides to and from the airport and car rental fees.

Carpool – If you choose to drive, take a few people with you. Carpooling can make the drive seem less like a chore. Also, you can all chip in for gas and snacks to take some of the burden off of the driver

The Drive – The drive itself is quite the experience. The scenery of the desert and mountains is something everyone should experience. You also have plenty of places to stop and grab food and gas. The whole drive isn’t just open desert!

Bringing Stuff – This may be obscure to many of you, but the wife and I tend to try to travel cheap. Let’s face it, basic items in Vegas can be expensive. So, driving to Vegas then stopping off at a local grocery store, (OFF STRIP!!!) can be a great money saver.

Also, by doing this you can get exactly what you are looking for, not some weird expensive brand version of some basic thing you wanted.

The Cons of Driving

Time – Driving can take more time than you might like. On a good day, it will take me 4 hours from the OC/LA county line to get to my hotel on the Las Vegas Strip.

I feel the drive is worth it, but some people can’t handle driving for that long and see it as a downside.

Gas Cost – Gas is getting expensive again, and it can really add up depending on the type of car you drive. So keep fuel prices in mind if you choose to drive.

Rental Car - If you don't want to use your car for the journey to Las Vegas, you must rent one. This can add up over the course of your trip.</p>

Loss Of Control – Now I am not saying a plane crash wouldn’t change your plans, but that most likely will not happen. So, it is nice to know that when flying you can just relax and take a short flight.

You can drink, you can self-medicate before the flight at the many airport bars. Knowing that once you’re at the airport you are pretty much free to do whatever is a very nice comfort.

Drive or Fly, Which Option Do We Prefer?

Driving!! No offense intended to anyone who loves flying, but I can’t say enough about the drive. It is fun, and it allows us to bring much more of what we need instead of buying overpriced items on the Strip.

Also, please consider our trips aren’t always major vacations, sometimes they are very Vegas Page oriented. So please, if you’re looking to pamper yourself, consider the flying experience. You really can’t go wrong either way mainly because either way you end up in Las Vegas!

Flying has its benefits, but driving will always have a special place in my heart!

What is There to See on a Drive Between LA and Vegas?

The Seven Magic Mountains art installation contains colored stones that pile on one another and stack in pairs. In proximity, you may have access from the Mojave National Preserve and the mystery former resort in the strangely named place Zzyzx. There's also a large ice cream-shaped restaurant and a Laker's museum named EddieWorld.</p>

There are many unique pit stops from the ultra-futuristic Tesla Supercharging Port to The retro Peggy Sue's 50s Restaurant. If you plan to make frequent and convenient stops or drive from Vegas, please use your GPS to ensure that you are on the right path.

Facts About Flying to Las Vegas

McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas is the most popular airport in Nevada. The Southwest and US Air Service have the most flights and carry the most passengers.

More than 38 thousand vehicles travel along the I-15 between Nevada and California daily. Nearly 40 million passengers came into the airport in 2010. It is a huge contrast from 1960 when four million people traveled to the airport.

Several small airlines and charter flights use it, including American Continental, Delta, and United. The LVCVA reports that almost 301,000 vehicles passed the California-Nevada border daily. The airport is held by Clark County, Nevada's biggest and busiest city.

Facts About Driving to Las Vegas

Nevada is the driest state in the country.

Las Vegas is situated within the high-altitude Mojave Desert.

Most of Nevada's residents live near Las Vegas, and Reno and its suburbs have doubled their population over the last decade.

If you have to drive, keep in mind there are lots of unpopulated areas in the desert. Nevada is about Chicago's population, which is limited to only 200 square miles.