Personally, I have never been on a plane yet ... yet.

I'm almost 40 (next month)...

Given the chance to drive myself, compared to being conveyed to the destination in any way (train, so far), I'd drive in a heartbeat.

No schedule, no "please board NOW", no security checks, etc.

Gotta vote on driving there

 

We'd be leaving here on December 4th or 5th, back on the 16th at the latest. Thanks for those links, Dennis.

 

I'd go I-5 to Seattle, I-90 East to US97, South to Yakima, then East on I-84 to Salt Lake City, then south on I-15. Depending on how fast you drive, you could average.....well, a pretty good clip. [/QUOTE]

Hmmm....small modification here. I-5 south to I-405, then East on I-90. You're first big hurdle is Snoqualmie Pass- legendary for it's snow. If the weather's OK there, the next hurdle is the Blue Mountains from La Grande past Baker City. Southern Idaho should be fine, and it's fairly flat going across the mountains into the Salt Lake Basin.

I've driven that in the winter before without trouble- Snoqualmie pass would be my biggest concern. We head out from portland, so as long as the Columbia Gorge isn't iced up, it's clear sailing.

 

i'm with polarbear, get to seattle, south to portland, east on i84 etc etc. snoqualmi pass is to be passed. i used to drive that in a big truck and i learned to avoid the big passes for various reasons but snow was the big one. lots of luck!

 

They've gotten a couple of feet of snow in the passes already- you ought to add about 5-10 hours for weather related slowdowns, bring your chains, etc. I hate flying, but I probably would put up with it for the trip.
Want to persuade her? Eat a couple chili kraut dogs about four hours before bed. When she starts gagging, tell her to imagine that for 20 hours straight.........

 

I live in the bay area and have driven to Vegas several times. There are basically two ways to go - the southerly route through bakersfield or Donner pass over the Sierras.

October 15th through May 1st, you are rolling the dice on the road. Since you're going to Vegas, that might work out for you.

Last year there was a HUGE snowstorm that closed parts of I-5 - some pieces as large as 30 or 40 miles while they plowed the roads off. You do not want to go over Donner pass while it's snowing - the road is COVERED with IDIOTS who shouldn't be allowed to RIDE in a vehicles, never mind operate one.

No joke - I saw a new superduty 4x4 with chains on all four tires in the right lane doing 15mph last year on my way back from Vegas. There was less than three inches of snow on the road. Talk about ignorant.

Fly. Club your wife over the head and drag her on the plane if you have to. It might work out ok, but your 20 hour road trip might turn into a 40 hour one just as easy.

On the other hand, there is nothing like driving through the desert - it's very soothing being away from civilization to that extent. There are some very desolate parts of Nevada if you want to 'get away from it all'.

If it were me, I would be hitting several natural hot springs on the way - there are hundreds of them in Nevada, and a good chunk of them make for a relaxing soak in 105 degree water.

 

I had to laugh when i read that, up here in saskatchewan, less then three inch's of snow is just frost!

 

Don't drive without chains in your vehicle. The SierraNevada's are unforgiving in the winter. If it does ice up, the highway dept won't let you thru without chains (or snow tires, IIRC). If you don't have them already, you should grab a set before really cold weather sets in and they increase exponentially in price... When I lived in Fallon, I kept a set in my trunk even in early spring/ late fall, cuase you just don't know when the weather is going to mug you.

 

If it wasn't the winter, I'd say drive and take your time, but you could hit a snow storm in the mountains. I've been caught in one and it sucks, big time.

 

Okay, You can book in to the stratosphere From Dec 5 - 16th for an average of $27.00/night.

http://www.vegas.com/bookingagent/ho...e_sort_forward

Now Here are the rates with Payless Auto rental.
This is the cheapest in Vegas:




Here is their web site so you can do something .

http://www.paylesscarrental.com/

 

Go down the coast to L.A. then head inland to Vegas from there. The coast all the way down is a great trip in itself.

 

I love the snow. It's the other idiots on the road you have to worry about. Chains with not even 3 inches of snow??? That's ridiculous. I've gone over passes where it was around 2 feet deep, and I've travelled other roads much, much deeper then that as well. Stick it in 4 hi, and away you go.
I say you should drive, but then again, I love driving. Just think about this for a sec, you'll be with the wife...on a long trip...what can she do to keep herself busy?
Either way, I hope you two have fun

 

2 hrs to fly??? HA! 3hrs early to Van Int Airport, half hour for boarding, 2hr flight( If your not SNOWED IN or delyed by ice-de-icing the plane)listening to a baby cry the whole flight, however long de-barking the plane takes(I didn't know planes could grow bark, Gracie ) waiting for your lost luggage to show up and then spending 400 on replacement clothes for her and 5$ for a new T-shirt for you, going through airport customs(you might be STRIP-SEARCHED! lol), well heck, thats got to be about nine hours right there, you could be already driven halfway there and in a nice warm hotel room somewhere snuggling together.

I'd rather drive through a snow/ice-storm than risk flying in one...

VooDoo time:

How often are your wifes hunches right compared to yours? Is it a premonition that she wants to drive? Could she have arranged a surprise for you on the way, like asking you if that is a nice car and it is the one you have always wanted for 20 years and she pre-bought it so could enjoy driving home cause the seller had to sell now to pay his bills

 

You were either reading my mind.... or were hiding in the back when Mrs. Bear and I go on a long road trip without the kids.

 

...you're the man polar, you're the man