Socal:driving vs flying

Even from western Malibu on the outskirts of LA County, driving is my preferred option. Take into consideration my golf clubs then it's really not a choice.
I leave Sunday am and return Wed or Thurs mid day. I no longer even have a problem with the return drive, which used to be taxing. After 100 or more visits one does get a routine down.
I also am fortunate to have a very nice vehicle built for high speed touring so that makes it easier also.

Even coming from Maine, we'd rather drive than deal with the airlines any more.

Last time we flew we had first class tickets...got grounded overnight in Atlanta when we got to the gate just as they were closing the door (our first flight from Vegas landed on time, but they decided to move us from the gate we were ALREADY PARKED IN over to the opposite side of the terminal after a 10 minutes discussion with the tower). It was an "act of God" so we paid our own hotel bill. The next day they only had 1 first class seat available (otherwise we'd have to wait til the next day), so my husband decided to sit in coach. When I asked the stew to at least take his dinner back to him they refused. Their apology was a hundred dollar voucher for our next flight. Big whoop!

Now we drive. I'm eminently happier. We don't have to strip down to get in the car, we can take all the luggage we like at no additional charge, and when we see something interesting, we can stop. Yes, it takes longer, but we're retired so have the luxury of traveling at our own pace. It's nice not being a slave to the airlines any longer.

I don't live in SoCal, but many of my trips are combined Vegas and LA trips, to visit an elderly uncle that lives in the West Hollywood area. Depending on the cheapeast air, we will fly in and out of either Vegas or LA. But we usually make the trek between the two in the car. I have even once did it in one day. But, learned my lesson with that.

I actually enjoy the drive. But being from Minnesota, don't get to see a lot of desert and mountains. Usually don't run into a lot of traffic, but maybe I have been lucky and have traveled at the right times. To me, the hassle of flying doesn't seem worth it.

We really enjoy the early morning drive to LV. Go to the drive thru Starbucks and hit the freeway by 6am, stop at Mimi's in Victorville for a relaxing breakfast and get to LV around 11, which gives us a better chance of getting an upgrade at the hotel/casino. We usually go Sunday-Thursday to avoid Sunday traffic coming home.

Wow, that's quite a jaunt. Sounds like about three days driving each way,no?

All the way from Maine? holy moly! I can hardly stand the drive to the airport.

Seriously, i used to love to drive anywhere. I learned to drive when i was about 12 and loved to drive everywhere until i hit about 35. Since then,i dont know why,but i just cant stand driving any kind of distance. Now my wife does all driving for us. That works perfect because she can't stand being thepassenger (she constantly grabs for the "oh shit"handle all the time,running joke between us)and gladly drives while i navigate,which I excel at!

J

We need a review on Mimi's !!

Door to door, its basically the same amount of time to fly as to drive...assuming one drives at a non difficult time...which is becoming more and more difficult to do.

Factor in cab to and from the hotel along with parking, and flying from LA just does not make a whole lot of sense anymore. I'd probably fly if I lived very close to one of the airports, but thats about it.

5 days of driving and 4 nights on the road, but we don't push. We have favorite places we like to stop, and stop early so we can visit local casinos along the way. k

I drive to Las Vegas from Santa Monica about once every 5 years.

It's fine driving up but I hate the drive back.

Flying is easier for me.

It takes about 7-12 minutes to LAX from my office in Culver City. Someone always gives me a ride.

I get through security in about 5-10 minutes.

I arrive at the gate anywhere from boarding time to 5 minutes before.

The flight leaves 90% or more on time.

It's a 45-minute flight.

I just take carry-on luggage and always get a comped upgrade to 1st class.

So it takes about 1 1/2 hours total.

Rental car adds another 20-30 minutes.

So the total time is about 2 hours from
my 5:30 PM flight to arriving at the hotel about 7:15 to 7:30 PM.

Return on Sunday night takes about 30 to 45 minutes longer due to gassing up and then returning the rental car.










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