Well...kind of. Our group trip is pretty solid in the books for next October, so unless I'm very turned off by Laughlin, it's going to happen.
I'm heading with my three brothers to Phoenix for 4 nights for MLB Spring Training. We're gonna catch two Cubs games. They fly home, and I fly to Vegas on March 2. I'll be in Laughlin for 3 nights. My buddy Pete will likely meet me there.
I'm mostly going to sleep, eat, drink, and gamble....not necessarily in that order by volume, however.
Caution - Cub home games sell out early. If you have time, catch a game in Suprise or Peoria. Nice casual ballparks, friendly staff; parking is free. Salt River is also nice & Talking Stick Casino is 2 miles away
Assumng you will drive on 93. Once you get north of Wickenburg, make sure you have a full tank. Cell service can cut out & road can be lonely until you get to 40. I think DB Cooper lives there somewhere.
There is gas in Wikiup which is 60 miles north of wickenburg, but expensive. Nice spot to catch a break though.
Suggest Mr D's for a quick bite in Kingman (right off of 40 as you reconnect to 93). Quirky diner with decent food and nice people.
Cubs tickets go on sale this Friday noon eastern, and we're on it. We grew up in Chicago suburbs, and those are the only games we'll have time for. Our one off day, we're going to visit an aunt (turned 101 in September) and two cousins, so that plus the games will swallow up our Phoenix time.
I'm flying from Phoenix to Vegas, grabbing the rental car and heading straight to Laughlin. Assuming it's not an electric car, I should be able to make it without needing gas or a power up.
You'd be better off just driving to Laughlin. By the time you work your way through Sky Harbor and Reid, rent a car, blah blah, you would have gotten there sooner driving anyway. And...you'll have spent less money. The drive from Vegas to Laughlin has absolutely nothing to recommend it, and it's full of speed traps.
Of course, the drive from Phoenix to Laughlin is pretty much a nothingburger, too.
Kevin, wouldn't you need to know the cost of my flight and the cost of a daily car and one way trip before coming to this conclusion? Apparently not.
Originally posted by: Boilerman
Kevin, wouldn't you need to know the cost of my flight and the cost of a daily car and one way trip before coming to this conclusion? Apparently not.
Since I was referring primarily to the time you would spend just driving as opposed to flying, then renting a car and driving, no. But since you've asked, there's no way the flight plus the cost of the rental car plus the cost of gas to get back and forth from Vegas to Laughlin would be cheaper than simply driving from Phoenix. In fact, I roughly calculate that you'll spend about 2.5 times as much money--and you won't get there any faster.
But hey, it's your funeral. I suspect that, like many people, you don't realize that Laughlin isn't all that close to Vegas. Enjoy your visit
The non-stop drive from Vegas is about 1:45. A stop in "downtown" Searchlight to recharge for a few minutes isn't a bad idea. The speed limit in Searchlight drops fast from 65 to about 35, so be aware
Phoenix is a big city, so not sure of your starting point so your time could vary. A drive is 4+ hours non stop.
Are you flying Southwest? Sky Harbor airport is one of the country's better airports.
Originally posted by: Kevin Lewis
Since I was referring primarily to the time you would spend just driving as opposed to flying, then renting a car and driving, no. But since you've asked, there's no way the flight plus the cost of the rental car plus the cost of gas to get back and forth from Vegas to Laughlin would be cheaper than simply driving from Phoenix. In fact, I roughly calculate that you'll spend about 2.5 times as much money--and you won't get there any faster.
But hey, it's your funeral. I suspect that, like many people, you don't realize that Laughlin isn't all that close to Vegas. Enjoy your visit
When you did your calculations, did you take into account my $47 flight from Phoenix to Vegas? If I drive straight to Laughlin, how is Pete going to get to Laughlin after he lands in Vegas? Did you consider that your suggested drive would originate at Sky Harbor, unless you also have a plan to get my brothers from Anthem to PHX. Please outline how I can save time and money with your plan. I can't wait.
Originally posted by: Boilerman
When you did your calculations, did you take into account my $47 flight from Phoenix to Vegas? If I drive straight to Laughlin, how is Pete going to get to Laughlin after he lands in Vegas? Did you consider that your suggested drive would originate at Sky Harbor, unless you also have a plan to get my brothers from Anthem to PHX. Please outline how I can save time and money with your plan. I can't wait.
If you need to pick up your friend, that alters the equation. But do you really want to know the cost differential? Because it's easy to figure out.
I'm going to say that both your car and whatever car you would be renting in Vegas get 30 mpg, which is realistic, as most of the trip, either way, would be on freeways or state highways.
Phoenix to Laughlin is about 230 miles (depending on where in PHX you originate). So, 460 miles round trip. At $4 a gallon, that's a bit more than 15 gallons--call it 16, so $64 in gas. That's IT, aside from whatever value you assign wear and tear on your car.
Your round trip on Southwest: $94 (ignoring taxes and fees).
Rent a car for three days: at least $30 a day: $90.
Gas for round trip Vegas-Laughlin: 200 miles round trip, 7 gallons, $28
Drive your own car: $64
Fly/rent a car: $212
Time of the trips depends on conditions at both airports and how quickly you can rent a car. But I'm sure that there's no time savings in flying, given all the steps you have to take compared to just getting in your car and going.
I'm aware that you, in general, don't think things out very carefully, and go with your gut rather than your brain.
Originally posted by: Kevin Lewis
If you need to pick up your friend, that alters the equation. But do you really want to know the cost differential? Because it's easy to figure out.
I'm going to say that both your car and whatever car you would be renting in Vegas get 30 mpg, which is realistic, as most of the trip, either way, would be on freeways or state highways.
Phoenix to Laughlin is about 230 miles (depending on where in PHX you originate). So, 460 miles round trip. At $4 a gallon, that's a bit more than 15 gallons--call it 16, so $64 in gas. That's IT, aside from whatever value you assign wear and tear on your car.
Your round trip on Southwest: $94 (ignoring taxes and fees).
Rent a car for three days: at least $30 a day: $90.
Gas for round trip Vegas-Laughlin: 200 miles round trip, 7 gallons, $28
Drive your own car: $64
Fly/rent a car: $212
Time of the trips depends on conditions at both airports and how quickly you can rent a car. But I'm sure that there's no time savings in flying, given all the steps you have to take compared to just getting in your car and going.
I'm aware that you, in general, don't think things out very carefully, and go with your gut rather than your brain.
Kevin, I'm flying from Indy to Phoenix, then to Vegas, then to Indy. My gas would cost $53 alone from PHX, to LAS, to Laughlin. My flight is $47.
