San Fran - Vegas - LA - Roadtrip Dilemma

Hi

I need some advice please. Going to California in August and flying into San Fran for 3 nights. Then we are driving down the coast staying in San Luis Obispo, then onto Santa Barbara and then Santa Monica where we have our hotel booked

What we would really love to do is drive to Vegas for a night. Would it be possible to drive to Vegas from San Luis Obispo and then from Vegas back to Santa Barbara. Would this be a huge drive for the sake of 1 night in Vegas. Please advise as we dont mind driving but want to know is this going to be a waste of time.

Thank you in advance......

San Fran - Vegas - LA - Roadtrip Dilemma

According to Google Maps, SLO to LV is about 7 hours. Assuming you left SLO straight after breakfast at 8am, assuming traffic was OK and that you followed the interstate from Bakersfield, and that you didn%26#39;t stop along the way, you%26#39;d arrive in LV at 3pm. You%26#39;d theoretically have late afternoon and evening on the strip.

LV to SB is, again according to Google Maps, about 7 hours drive. Making all the same assumptions above you%26#39;d arrive in SB at 3pm giving you the afternoon and evening to do whatever you wish.

Personally, driving for a minimum of 14 hours to experience about 8 hours of Las Vegas wouldn%26#39;t be worth it. By the time I reached Vegas (probably 8 1/2 hours with bathroom stops and lunch) I%26#39;d be so exhauseted and grumpy that I%26#39;d just want to hide in my hotel room. The thought of having to pretty much repeat the journey the following day would push me over the edge!

The one thing I have learned in planning our trip to SF, LA %26amp; LV is not to underestimate the driving times! We come from small counrties where it%26#39;s hard to appreciate the sheer distances involved in what you are suggesting.

If you really must visit Vegas whilst in the USA, I%26#39;d suggest returning to SF after visiting SLO, flying to LV from SFO or Oakland, then fly from Vegas to Burbank or LAX. From there you could make an overnight trip to Santa Barbara or just go as far as Santa Monica. (DISCLAIMER: I haven%26#39;t check to see if any airlines offer the routes I%26#39;ve just mentioned). Of course you%26#39;d miss the scenery down the coast though.

Up to you but, as I%26#39;ve already said, for me I wouldn%26#39;t bother.

San Fran - Vegas - LA - Roadtrip Dilemma

Personally, if I need to squeeze in 1 night in Vegas, I wouldn%26#39;t drive but fly from LA since flights are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. That would maximize my vacation time.