Getting There By Road
Considering that the city was built after the advent of the automobile and that it sits in the middle of a vast and barely populated desert, it is not surprising that transportation by car is the simplest and easiest way to travel both to and around Las Vegas. A vast network of Freeways and Primary Highways covers the state of Nevada. Freeways, designated on maps by a blue shield, are multi-lane thoroughfares that are divided by a median and have a speed limit of up to 121kph (75mph). Primary Highways can be two lanes – one in each direction – or multi-lane and have a speed limit of up to 105kph (65mph). Traffic drives on the right. The minimum driving age in Nevada is 16 years and proof of insurance is compulsory. Drivers from outside the USA must possess a licence from their country of origin. Seatbelts must be worn at all times, by the driver and every passenger. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for drivers 21 and older is 0.10%. There is a 0.02% blood alcohol limit for drivers under the age of 21. Random breath tests can be imposed.
The American Automobile Association – AAA (tel: (702) 870 9171; website: www.csaa.com) provides emergency roadside service as well as a variety of other automobile-related services.
Emergency breakdown service:
AAA (800) 222 4357
Routes to the city: Las Vegas is bisected by Freeway 15, which connects to Mesquite and Salt Lake City in the north and California (Los Angeles and San Francisco via Interstate 5) in the south. Freeway 515 connects to the Fort Mojave Indian reservation in the south.
Driving times to Las Vegas: From Los Angeles – 4 hours 10 minutes; Salt Lake City – 6 hours 25 minutes; San Francisco – 8 hours 45 minutes.
Coach services: Greyhound (tel: (702) 384 9561; website: www.greyhound.com) operates regular intercity services out of Las Vegas, linking the city with major western destinations, such as Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Albuquerque, El Paso and Los Angeles. Greyhound operates out of Las Vegas Greyhound Terminal, 200 South Main Street (tel: (800) 231 2222). Facilities include vending machines, toilets, lockers and tourist information. Charter coach services can be hired from K-T Services (tel: (702) 644 2233), Superior Tour Service (tel: (702) 789 7311), and Gray Line Las Vegas (tel: (702) 384 1234; website: www.grayline.com).
|
Getting There By Road