Visitreno

NandJfrmNJ · Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Posts: 33 Location: NJ

We will be in LV for SB and had a crazy thought that maybe we should extend our trip and drive up to Reno. I know it's a long drive (8+ hours) but we've never done it before and think of it as a new adventure. Always fly to RNO from PHL We're just wondering if we're likely to run into any bad weather along the way, ,maybe around Yosemite? Any insight anyone can give us would be greatly appreciated. What's our motivation? .... three nights in a suite at the Pep.

BC Dave · Site Admin Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 1595

I was bored enough to watch this YouTube video a few days back. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCebgvMoMig It's a time-lapse of the whole drive at the Speed of Sound. The route taken by this guy didn't take him too close to Yosemite. But I'd check the long range weather before undertaking the journey.

I was planning on driving from Reno to Vegas many moons ago, but by the time I got from Vancouver to Reno my car was conking out so I stayed put it good old Reno.

JD · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 956

I have made that drive but it was in summer. I seem to recall it's 444 miles and a LONG way between towns. BUT as I recall, if you don't get off the beaten path, it is not too high in elevation. Stop in Tonapah for fuel & food.

Just keep telling yourself what it was like in the mid-1800's on horseback.

Keep your gas tank full, carry water, blankets and a CHARGED cell phone.

"Hurry right along, and don't take no short cuts." Virginia Reed, Donner Party, 1847

mjames1229 · Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Posts: 407

I will be making that drive from Vegas to Reno on May 12, then back on May 16.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Can you tell who lost the "Drive vs. Fly" vote?

spdmrcht · Joined: 12 Oct 2012 Posts: 498

I've done it several times, it's a nice drive. Just make sure your
car is up to it. Take your time and when you get to the small
towns make damn sure your doing the speed limit not 1mph
over, or your bank roll will be gone before you get to Reno.
Tonopah Is the worst, its down hill going thru it, keep your
foot on the brake. They have 2 speed cops working just
about all the time. That's how they keep the lights on!
Enjoy.

NandJfrmNJ · Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Posts: 33 Location: NJ

Thanks for the vid, Dave. I think I'll wait until I have nothing better to do to watch it. I've heard about Tonopah and the speed traps so we'll be careful. Just worried about the weather. spdmrcht, how long did the drive take you?

Thanks everyone for the info.

Zydeco · Joined: 03 Sep 2008 Posts: 302

Donner Party quote? Spot on.

From the time I was a little kid, my family always uses "Donner Party" when making dinner reservations where ever we go. "Donner Party of 6...no make that 5....no make that 4." Used it in Reno this month at the Steakhouse.

JD · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 956

Did you order, "Steak...very rare" ?

mjames1229 · Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Posts: 407

mjames1229 · Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Posts: 407

Whetting my appetite for Reno, I did a Google Map of the drive from Vegas to Reno, and then moved to the street view under the arch.

I first saw this view, which is of a closed CommRow (the date of the photo is July 2011). Then I moved one click to the right, and saw this glorious image (the date is July 2007) of a functioning Fitzgeralds. One more click right, and we are back to July 2011.

JD · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 956

I've done the google street view up in Virginia City before... but have never been able to get a screen shot.

Right NOW... if you google street view drive South from Tahoe House on South C Street in Virginia City on Street Vibrations motorcycle weekend... (photos show SEPT. 2011) and turn down 1 BLOCK to Flowery Drive to D Street... there's 3 feet of snow on the ground (and the photo shows JAN, 2008).

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=110%20South%20C%20Street%20Virginia%20City%2C%20NV%20&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.41524429,d.b2I&biw=1280&bih=607&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

mjames1229 · Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Posts: 407

When you are on Google Maps, if you look in the upper-left of the screen, there is a tab for "Get Directions" then "My Places", then a printer icon.

Next to the printer icon is a sideways figure-8, which is supposed to be a chain link, which (when clicked) will allow you to copy and paste a link like this.

spdmrcht · Joined: 12 Oct 2012 Posts: 498

CaSwede · Joined: 28 Feb 2006 Posts: 866

The drive in summer can be a great road trip. You drive through Death Valley and take Hwy 395 north to Reno. It is scenic, but will take a whole day. I would not do this in the winter however. The drive up 95 is not so scenic, but usually you don't have to worry about the big snow storms that hit the Sierra Nevada Mountains. How much to fly from LV to Reno? That might be a better option.

mjames1229 · Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Posts: 407

Like I said, I lost the vote, but the rationale of the others is that even if we find a RT fare for $150 (each, for four people) is $600 plus we'd have to rent a car in Reno anyway (another $100 or so for a 3-day rental, plus gas).

We already have a minivan reserved (all-in) for $168, and even if we estimate $200 round-trip for gas (which I think is quite high) we're talking about $90/each.

And - they tell me - that's seven hours (each way) of not being in casino. I am going to try to make the best of it.