View Full Version : Reno from LAS
foxmoth
8th Sep 2015, 15:26
I am in LAS the W/E of the Reno races, get there Friday PM, leave Tuesday, always wanted to go but looking on Google maps it is over 400 miles, flights are expensive, has anyone got a good way to get there?
If plane rental is an option for you, either a straight shot over Death Valley, or a slight detour for much more scenic flight through Owens Valley, over Bishop.
n5296s
8th Sep 2015, 22:59
If renting a plane is an option, go for it. DV is pretty scenic too though you need to be very careful about the MOAs and worse that cover huge chunks of the area.
But flying commercial will be a lot cheaper!
It's also a nice drive. 400 miles is nothing in the American West - rent a comfy car and make the most of the scenery.
India Four Two
9th Sep 2015, 06:45
400 miles is nothing in the American WestAbsolutely. I recently did 2500 miles in eight days, meandering about and enjoying the scenery. My longest day was 670 miles, because I had an appointment to see an aeroplane the next day! 400 miles is a comfortable day trip.
I'm in Santa Monica at the moment and I was planning to go to Reno (470 miles), but unfortunately a business trip has scuppered my plans. Plan B is a trip to Oshkosh next year for the 60th anniversary of the Chipmunk!
mary meagher
9th Sep 2015, 07:15
Good advice, rent a car - the bigger the better! then you have air conditioning, which is seldom found in light aircraft. Most US rentals have automatic speed/throttle control, so you can stretch your legs from time to time.
Do NOT be tempted to rent a convertible. The fabric top is easily cut by robbers, the wind in the hair gets rather dry and dusty going through Death Valley!
The scenery throughout - awesome! much better experiencing driving rather than diving through canyons....
India Four Two
9th Sep 2015, 07:25
If driving, take some snacks and sweets/candies and lots of water. Buy a gallon bottle and decant it as required into a couple of smaller bottles for use while driving.
All rental cars in Las Vegas will have AC. Some cars these days have adaptive cruise control, where the car will slow down if there is a slower car in front, to the point of stopping if required!
18greens
12th Sep 2015, 10:36
Drive,or fly. Either way you must go . It's amazing.
What shocked me was how casual it all was compared to uk airshows. We rocked up a bit late at about 10 ish on the last day but one. I was expecting fairford style 2 mile queues. No queues. We parked at the Boy Scout parking ($15) 200 yards from the entrance, walked straight in, no queues, walked around the pits no queues, watched the show, very good, went home, no 2 hour queues to leave the car park , no stress. Why can't we do that?
400 miles is an 8 hour drive. Doable but better if you take a friend.
India Four Two
12th Sep 2015, 22:55
400 miles is an 8 hour drive.
18 greens, you must drive pretty slowly! ;)
On my recent peripatetic trip around Utah, Arizona and California, I was routinely driving at 70 mph and was often passed!
On Track
13th Sep 2015, 04:56
400 miles is nothing if it's on good roads and you take a few breaks.
It seems some people need to get out and about more.
India Four Two
27th Sep 2015, 15:36
foxmoth,
Did you make it to Reno?
This would have been worth seeing:
http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/568364-reno-2015-jet-race-winner-dh115.html
foxmoth
27th Sep 2015, 16:21
Yes, made it, long drive but totally worth it, watched the Jet race, met some mates, another of our RV group was out there with the Miss USA F1 team so a lot of time in the Pits with them, magic!:D:ok:
JimNtexas
29th Sep 2015, 23:44
It's 444 miles from Nellis AFB to my brother's house in Reno. I've made the drive many times. I stop a lot, so I allow 12 hours. One can certainly do it in eight hours if butt and bladder endurance allow that.
It's decent fast pasted road and there are interesting towns (and some ghost towns) along the way. Tonapah is the main town close to the half way point, although sadly the Tonapah brothel closed years ago.
At night wild horses on the road are a real issue.
It's skirts the Nellis range complex, so you never know what kind of interesting airplane you might see.
foxmoth
30th Sep 2015, 07:15
I picked up the hire car after landing and clearing immigration at 2pm, drove about 2/3 of the way and stopped at 6:30 - as this was 2:30am UK time I thought that was enough! With the time difference I was awake again at 2:30 and in Reno for 5am, return was a straight drive leaving as soon as the last race finished at 4:30, back in Vegas for 11:30!