From Reno to Las Vegas and from Las Vegas to Reno

This could be a bit off-topic, but...

I'm making quite frequent trips between Reno and Las Vegas. I've been doing about one or two roundtrips a month for the last year or so. I used to fly, but this airfare is starting to take a toll on my bankroll (I'm a low-roller to begin with) and I just started driving to save some money. I tried Route 395 and Interstate 5 (through Sacramento and Bakersfield), but I'm not happy with either of these. It's really a terrible drive either way. Is there any better way? If not, which way is considered better (395 vs I5/99)? Do you guys have any preference?

TIA,
~Black Jane in the Box.

I just visited southwest.com and found a weekend round trip in September from LAS to RNO for $101.50, fees included. Compare this to the 900 mile round trip you'd be driving: at roughly 25 cents per mile when you included gas, oil, and wear-and-tear on the car the plane ride is considerably cheaper.

Don't forget on Southwest Airlines if you reserve on the Internet and make four round trips a year, the next trip is free. Plus, the difference in hours (two hours for the round trip by air versus 14 for the round trip drive) will be offset by the extra playing hours you'll get by taking the plane.

IMHO, only drive to Reno if you have very short notice of some spectacular promotion going on up there.

I would call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA and talk to someone there about their internet deals and frequent flyer offers. Any additional loss to bankroll that comes from flying as opposed to driving can be made up by using the 10 hours you save flying to hit the tables during that time. If you are doing 20 trips a year, that's an extra 200 hours of playing time. You can see if the additional annual expense of flying would be offset by the additional EV you make from the extra 200 hours of playtime.

Thanks for the advice. The truth is flying is a bit more expensive than just airfares. For me, "mobility" is very important and I usually rent a car when I fly. And there are also other flying-related expenses (like airport parking, etc) which really *add up*. Of course, the question is whether I can make up this expenses from blackjack (with the extra time). Well, let me just say that I haven't been very successful so far...

Thanks. My "vacation" is over now, and it's time for me to hit the road again. Good Cards to everybody!
~Black Jack in the Box.

get around to testing John Mays sound wave thing?

>Compare this to the 900 mile round trip you'd be driving: at roughly 25 cents per mile...<

What are you driving? A more accurate figure would be $0.40/mile to $0.45/mile, or $360 to $400 for the trip.

HOWEVER, taking the $101 flight may not be the wisest course.

My rule is: when it's time to leave the casino, it's time to leave the casino.

This is why I refuse to be on anyone else's schedule when I go to any casino -- not an airline, not a charter bus company, not Amtrak, not even in a friend's car.

if you book Tu ,WED or Sat. Deal has to be booked by 8/28 and fly by 9/28 ,unless they extend the deal . I'm planning SWA from Tampa to NO ,if I can get all my ducks in a row .

To answer your question.....

Go east on I-80 to Fernley. Use 50 to get to Fallon. Go south on 95 to LV.

There are possible variations to get to Tonopah through Carson City.

From house to hotel takes me about 7.5 to 8 hours. If I fly, house to hotel takes about 4 or so.

RR

That's the route I've taken a couple of times, IIRC.

It's a long, dull, hellish drive through some of the most contaminated territory in the continental U.S. Don't drink the water or eat the food unless you want your kids to have furry green tentacles instead of arms.