esd

We are going to Vegas for the first time later this month. We are renting a car for the 3 days we'll be there.

Our reasoning..........
We won't have to take a shuttle or a taxi to-and-from the airport.
We want to see the Red Rock Canyon one day and the Hoover Dam another. We can get ourselves to both places.
We are staying downtown and the hotel has free self parking and then we can
'cruise the Strip' at some point.

Are we going to have a major headache in the process of doing this? How is traffic there anyway? Do you have any advice for us?

Thanks!!

(By the way, the cost of the car for 3 days is $70)

P_M

I've never been sorry for renting a car in Vegas, in fact I think it fits with your plans. Of course you should cruise the strip once, but if you want to get anywhere fast, use the side streets.

yestravel

Traffic is hideous in LV. Once you get out of town, it should be fine. We drove in the area outside and had no problem, but we tried to go cross town at some point and after an hour or so, gave up. The strip is bumper to bumper.

trippinkpj

I don't think it will be too bad getting in and out of downtown. June isn't peak season so it shouldn't be that bad. We're also staying downtown mid month. I'll post when we get back, as we'll have a car also and let you know what the traffic was like.

wontan

I think you'll be fine and you'll be happy to drive yourself to Red Rock and the Hoover Dam. But, like yestravel said--the strip is bumper to bumper! I don't think "cruising" it is a good idea.

Have a great trip

trippinkpj

We're going to cruise the strip in mid to late morning probably on Friday. I will post how it was. I know afternoons and evenings are usually pretty bad.

TheWeasel

Strip is bumper to bumper at certain times on certain days, primarily weekend nights. I've been able to drive up the Strip with minimal delay a couple of times - the last time was just a couple weeks ago on a Saturday morning around 9:30 am. It took all of 15 minutes to get from Mandalay Bay to Sahara. I've also driven it at night mid-week and not had major delays.

I do agree with others that it can be quicker and easier to use side streets, but that's not always the case (especially for short distances) and the Strip is not always clogged with bumper to bumper traffic like you'll be led to believe.

FainaAgain

Yes, the strip is bumper to bumper, but there is a bus running along it - how?

A car is not needed, but... if you really want to have it, why not? Just give some time for valet parking when going to a show, or a reserved dinner.

Gellers

I think a car is a great idea especially if you are staying downtown. That way you can go to the sights you mentioned, and also back and forth to the Strip as you like.

I've been to Vegas dozens of times and yeah, the traffic can get bad on the Strip, but honestly--it's not like it's going to ruin your day or anything. You're not going to sit there for two hours; it does move.

Pomme949

Only drive on the Strip if you want to see hotels - don't even attempt it if you actually want to get anywhere.

A few weeks ago, the traffic was so bad that a taxi driver told us we'd have to find another cab if we wanted to drive from Luxor to Caesar's along the Strip.

Going even one street over will save you much time - and it's always easy to see where you are as the hotels are so massive.

trippinkpj

For you people who have encountered bad traffic on the strip, was it mainly afternoon or evening. Or Saturday? We'll see how my "lighter on the morning" theory goes when I'm there soon!

MelissaHI

I'm never sorry when I rent a car in Vegas. It will be bumper to bumper if you drove in a taxi, so why not do it yourself? Flexibility is great, and in the long run you're saving money.

happytrailstoyou

You are a wise esd. Enjoy.

simpsonc510

I've been going to Vegas for years. I can't remember a time when I didn't rent a car there! Yes, there is traffic. But, as someone has already said, you can side streets if you see that things are bumper to bumper.

TxTravelPro

I rented a car in Vegas on my last trip and I could not believe the traffic. I had sales calls in various parts of town. NOT on the strip. I drive all over the USA and in Las Vegas it seems lights were long and traffic was bad, all over.
The strip was really bad. I stayed on side roads.
No matter, I find having a car in Vegas better than taking a cab everywhere! Parking is never a problem, it seems.

traveler2005

You don't NEED to rent a car in Vegas - but it is not a liability either. Traffic on the strip may be slow - but the distance is not so long that you'll be stuck for a long period of time.

The major casinos all have free parking garages.

The car will be perfect for getting to Red Rock and to Hoover Dam. It will also be good for driving from downtown to the Strip (park in any of the casino lots). If you want to go to an off-strip and non-downtown hotel, it is also much easier with a car.

If you are used to traffic in a major city such as Chicago, San Francisco, etc., you will laugh that you worried about the traffic in Las Vegas.

Debbie

Armani_Rugpilot

If you the drinking one we saying you need cab fares and skipping on a car rentel for that only for more hassels.

Retired_teacher

You didn't say what rental company you're using, but my experience with Dollar in 12/05 left much to be desired. The desk was grossly understaffed with only one person handling all customers, resulting in an hour + line just to complete paperwork before heading out to pick up. Although it is my understanding that there is now one shuttle bus which services an offsite rental car center, I'm not sure that this would improve Dollar's customer service. If your great rate is with Dollar, my advise would be to send someone on ahead to complete the rental process and let the rest of your party go down to the baggage claim area.... putting you near the head of the line. As for me, I'll never use Dollar again!

esd

Thanks everyone. I feel better about doing this now.

We are using Alamo. We did the on-line checkin which I hope speeds things up. And I'm glad the big casinos on the strip have free parking too. Maybe we can get to whichever one we decide to head for from a side street. I realize now I may have to forfeit 'cruising the strip'.

Yes, trippinkpi, please let us know how you fare.

Thanks again!!

kbot1759

Las Vegas does not really have as bad of a traffic problem as everyone seems to imply. Yes, the Strip is slow moving, especially on weekends at night, but you will need a car to really get around Vegas. A couple of recommendations: 1) Cruise the Strip at night. The slow moving traffic is actually a benefit as it gives you a chance to take in the sights. The Strip in daylight is not even close to the same experience. 2) If you are planning on hiking while at Red Rock, please bring PLENTY of water. Too many people think they are okay with a couple of small bottles. If you are not planning on hiking, and just want to see the majestic southwest desert landscape from a car, skip Red Rock and go to the Valley of Fire. It is about 50 miles north of Vegas, and is absolutely spectacular. Have fun visiting Sin City, and remember...if you are going to post a trip report, be cautious. What happens here, stays here!