{"id":13629,"date":"2018-02-04T22:44:39","date_gmt":"2018-02-04T22:44:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/?p=13629"},"modified":"2018-02-22T09:17:58","modified_gmt":"2018-02-22T09:17:58","slug":"road-trip-from-palm-springs-to-las-vegas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/2018\/02\/road-trip-from-palm-springs-to-las-vegas\/","title":{"rendered":"US Road Trip from Palm Springs to Las Vegas"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Drive from Palm Springs<\/a> to Las Vegas<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

I have documented our road trip from Palm Springs to Las Vegas. We were using the proper highway with less scenic options but it was safer I think. You never know if the GPS is able to work if you choose routes which is near the deserts. Overall I am still pleased with the view as it is still new and stunning for me.<\/p>\n

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Power Poles near Palm Springs<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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How long from Palm Springs<\/a> to Las Vegas?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The drive is about 4 hours. There are several routes.\u00a0 GPS usually selected the fastest way for you, usually the paved highway.<\/p>\n

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Another option with more scenic?<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is another option via Majove & Joshua Tree National Park and you can stop by if you have more time.\u00a0 If you choose that route you are closer to the desert and more scenic – our original plan but GPS selected another faster route.<\/p>\n

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Way to Death Valley<\/strong><\/p>\n

Originally we plan to visit Death Valley but worried there might have road closure due to snow in winter, especially around the mountain area.\u00a0 Death Valley is one of the hottest place on earth up to 50’c in summer, also the driest!\u00a0 The extreme heat has killed people in the past so be extra careful.\u00a0A group of pioneers (for gold rush) lost in Death Valley in winter 1849-1950 and died, hence people called this place Death Valley – a place with violence of nature.\u00a0 In case if you going Death Valley, plenty of water, make sure car air-condition is working well and GPS may not working there.<\/p>\n

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Palm Springs<\/a> to Las Vegas Decent Route<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Three Lanes Highway in One Direction<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Beautiful Mountain Ranges<\/strong><\/p>\n

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How was the drive like in winter?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Winter is still pretty hot and dry, especially when you are on the road. Bring along water & use a scarf to cover your face like so (refer to picture below), else your face will get burn by the sunlight. Even you are not afraid of tanning or getting dark, the sunlight is quite harsh and hard to tolerate and there is this burning sensation.\u00a0 Look funny?\u00a0 Ya, after you get off the car, you can take if off.\u00a0 It did help to block away the burning sensation from the desert sun.<\/p>\n

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Plants in the Desert<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Palm Springs<\/a>, I see beautiful palm trees but on the way to Las Vegas, the scenery is totally different and cactus are everywhere along the highway.<\/p>\n

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Joshua Tree<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Joshua Tree (refer to below picture, the tall one) is a cactus, it looks very much like a tree. Along the highway, I saw many of Joshua Tree. At first I thought it is a normal trees then only realized it is a cactus.<\/p>\n

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Creosote Bush<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Creosote Bush has some tiny yellow flowers, this type of cactus can live very long.\u00a0\u00a0 The average estimated longevity of Creosote Bush may be about 900 years.<\/p>\n

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Amazing to see the plants survive in this harsh condition.\u00a0 You hardly see any lush greenery along the highway.\u00a0 Mostly cacti which make the road trip interesting as we hardly saw such scenic in Asia.<\/p>\n

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Jumping Cholla<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jumping Cholla is another type of cactus found along the highway.\u00a0 The name “jumping” was used because the stem segments of the plant will detach after slightly touches.<\/p>\n

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Are there any service\/rest area along the highway?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I hardly see any, so you may want to pump full petrol before you start your journey.\u00a0 Below is one of the service area near Las Vegas, not sure they have gas station in there, only washrooms and some chairs for you to rest.<\/p>\n

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60 miles away from Las Vegas<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Drive into Nevada State from California State<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another hour, we will be entering Las Vegas, Nevada – the Silver State.\u00a0 Calling “Silver State” because of the\u00a0importance of silver to its history and economy.<\/p>\n

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Nevada Means Snow<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first European to explore this region were Spanish and called this place “Nevada” meaning “snow” because of the snow which covered the mountains in winter.<\/p>\n

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Biggest City in Nevada State\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The biggest city in Nevada state is no doubt Las Vegas<\/a>, all jobs opportunities lie in this desert city.<\/p>\n

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Nevada is also the driest state in US, less than 10 inches of raindrops per year.<\/p>\n

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Primm Valley Casino Resorts<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before entering Las Vegas, we passed\u00a0 by Primm Valley along interstate 15, coming from California State.<\/p>\n

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Few things available at Primm Valley – Fashion outlet, Buffalo Bill’s Resort and the the most exciting should be Desperado Roller Coaster.<\/p>\n

Desperado Roller Coaster at Primm Valley<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Pretty scary by just looking at the wooden coaster, built in this way to simulate old mine cars.\u00a0 As you can see, the wooden coaster goes through the man made old mining area.\u00a0 Should be super high thrill if you dare to take up the challenge.<\/p>\n

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Gold Strike Casino Hotel<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another 20 mins, we passed by another Casino Hotel, the Cold Strike Casino Hotel, another half an hour before reaching Las Vegas.\u00a0 I can’t believe there are so many Casino Hotel before we even step foot in Las Vegas!!<\/p>\n

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Final Thought :<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is another routes which offer better scenic view via\u00a0Majove & Joshua Tree National Park where you can stop for while to take at look but due to time constraint, we decided to use the fastest route, suggested by GPS which took us about 4 hours in total.\u00a0 Due to winter time, the day is shorter so we usually try to reach to our destination before the sky turn dark.\u00a0 It is harder to see at night.\u00a0 Anyway, I am still pleased with the scenic view which offer mountain, desert & cacti along the good pave highway.\u00a0 Remember, plenty of water and food in the car & bring along a thin scarf to wrap on your head so that it covered the harsh sunlight from the desert.\u00a0 The desert sun can sting your skin and cause really uncomfortable feeling.<\/p>\n

Other attractions in Palm Springs California :<\/strong><\/p>\n