Gearheads: For those of you who drive to Vegas, what kind of vehicle do you personally drive out there?

I was using my mom's 2003 Impala with 3.8L, until I started smelling the sweet coolant smell, the car would average 29-32 mpg. So I stopped trusting the car and started using my 2008 Toyota Tundra 5.7L double cab. Took it out there 4 times and it was a wonderful long road trip vehicle. I averaged 19-20 mpg out on the desert highway.

I recently traded the truck for a 2007 Chrysler 300C SRT8 with low miles. I look forward to driving my car out there for my Vegas trips. This car has averaged 26-27 mpg on the open highway.

I made the drive once and I was by myself its about 4,000 miles round trip for me. I drove my crossfire but that was a bad decision it was uncomfortable over a distance that long. I also had an E class Mercedes at that time I wish I had taken it.

Twice I have driven my 2001 Audi S4 Avant. With some sight seeing, it was about a 4800 mile round trip (4000 without). Took the northern route out (I-70 to I-15) with some of the southern route coming home. Averaged about 28-29 mpg even with the mountains in Colorado.

2007 Ford Focus Wagon - 30 and up mpg - not really classy, but a great car

In 2000, my son and husband drove to Las Vegas in my son's 1965 Ford Galaxy 500 - license plate SPC CDT - convertible. They made it from Cleveland to Albuquerque the first day. They swear they got no tickets.

In 1989, my husband and I took the road trip to LV in my brand new Jaguar (the only NEW car I ever had). Cleveland to Oklahoma City on day 1. Dick drove the whole round trip. End result: 2 tickets...killed 2 orange barrels...one destroyed passenger rear view mirror...almost slid into the Grand Canyon after he pulled off to the side of the road where the sign said "no parking, soft shoulder".

Bottom line: Memories that will last forever. Mostly good ones.

Only driven once back when the Stardust was imploded in my 2001 Honda Accord. Sat on top of the Wynn's parking garage. Car was covered in dust from the implosion but I wouldn't let my husband wash it because I told him it was Stardust.

Rather than take my own car to Vegas, I usually rent a Lincoln MK S for the drive. I've also rented different kinds of Cadillacs like the STS and CTS, but the Lincoln has much more room. With all the junk we take to Vegas, we need all the room we can.

Our 2005 Lincoln Town Car. 21 MPG

My brother makes regular road trips to Vegas and CA from NC in a Ford Expedition with no problems.

Know of a local family that got stranded in LV during 9-11. They bought a used SUV in Vegas and drove back home to North Carolina (must be nice).

Driven once or twice every year for the last 5 plus years, from Denver, CO
Takes about 12 hours.

4 trips, at least, with my 2001 Subaru Sedan.
(Plus, continuing onto California)

Last 2 trips, with my new 2010 Nissan Rogue.
With the cruise control, averaged 30 mpg.

(also used the Rogue to drive to/from Denver-Wisconsin, 2x in 3 weeks.)