After another flight delay, we arrived in Los Angeles from Mérida later than expected. As a result, our Las Vegas and Route 66 road trip started a little later than planned. Nevertheless, my friend and I were eager to reach Las Vegas. After all, it’s pretty close to LA, isn’t it?
We had five days left of our America trip and wanted to explore the western USA by car. Therefore, as soon as we landed in Los Angeles, we collected our rental car and hit the road to Las Vegas. The drive was long, and the traffic was heavy. In fact, it took us two hours just to get out of LA. However, once we reached the desert and the roads opened up, the journey became much more pleasant. And the sunset was spectacular.
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The landscape was truly unique, and even before we reached Las Vegas, we were already excited about the drive back the following day. We looked forward to travelling along Route 66 and stopping at various places along the way.
But first, Las Vegas! Even from 30 kilometres away, we could see the dark desert sky illuminated by the city’s lights. Our excitement grew as we drove towards the glitz and glamour of this famous desert oasis.
It was amazing! Viva Las Vegas!
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What happens in Vegas
We arrived just before midnight at the Bellagio Hotel, our choice for the night, and found Las Vegas buzzing with people. The crowds were everywhere, outside, in the hotel lobby, and in the casino. There was no time to rest. After a quick change into more suitable outfits (AKA sexy dresses), we headed straight to the casino.
It was a fun night filled with people-watching, winning and losing at the slots, and enjoying a drink. We even managed to cover our hotel bill with our winnings. And so we didn’t need to party too long; satisfied with our taste of the Las Vegas vibe, we enjoyed a good night’s sleep before driving all the way back to LA along the iconic Route 66.
P.S. Las Vegas looks very different in the morning, without all the colourful lights. It is really just a big city in the middle of the desert. The 40 degrees certainly confirmed that too!
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Route 66
The historic Route 66 (we all heard of it) stretches from Chicago all the way to Santa Monica. Although it’s no longer fully drivable, the historic sections that remain, offer some fantastic spots to explore.
After leaving Las Vegas and hitting the highway, there was only one place we had to stop for lunch. The Peggy Sue’s original roadside diner, built in 1954. We had to check it out! The American diner food might not have been the healthiest choice, but the experience of being there was unforgettable. I even made a new friend in the toilet.
I was back on Route 66 just a few years later, driving from Palm Springs to the Grand Canyon, and it was just as amazing and unique. Read my blog here: My Grand Canyon Road Trip.
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A few hours later, as we got closer to LA, we reached the most enjoyable part of Route 66 starting at Barstow. This is what the route is all about. Driving along this historic stretch of Route 66, all the way from Las Vegas, is a dream for many, and I never imagined I’d find myself doing it. It was fantastic!
With our own car, we had the freedom to stop whenever we wanted. And so we did. Whether it was for a quick photo or a longer visit to the most amazing antique shop, driving from Las Vegas to Los Angeles along the historic Route 66 was an incredible experience! And at times, it definitely felt like we were in a western movie!
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And so…
After six hours of driving, we were both relieved to finally arrive in Los Angeles. Hollywood and the famous sights awaited us. But all we did was check into our hotel, park the car, and head to a great spot next door for dinner and drinks. We had done a lot of driving over the past two days! It was time to relax.
Read my next blog about Los Angeles here: Once upon a time in Hollywood.
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