The best way to Laughlin

[LaveyJet]

from Simi Valley?
Anyone take that trip?
I'm thinking the 5 to 14 to 18 through Victorville,
or 14 to 58 through Barstow. This will be on a Thursday evening.

[MRS FLYIN VEE]

from Simi Valley?
Anyone take that trip?
I'm thinking the 5 to 14 to 18 through Victorville,
or 14 to 58 through Barstow. This will be on a Thursday evening.
I think the 18 is a two lane just like rice road.. much more dips and the drivers are idiots.. be careful..maybe it is palmdale rd.. I don't remember.. Rich maybe able to help you with this one. :idea2:

[Dan Lorenze]

Lavey, without a doubt the best way for you is the 118 to the 210 to the 15 to Barstow then the 40... Trust me, avoid the 14 and the 138.. Very dangerous and slow.. The 210 rocks.....
Dan

[LaveyJet]

MFV - yea it is Palmdale road, some friends from Simi are joining us next weekend.
DL thanks for the advice I'll pass it on.
Thanks to all

[Essex502]

Lavey, without a doubt the best way for you is the 118 to the 210 to the 15 to Barstow then the 40... Trust me, avoid the 14 and the 138.. Very dangerous and slow.. The 210 rocks.....
Dan
I have to second this as the safest route but it is also a longer route. I take the Pearblossom Hwy. 138/18 combination from the 14 to the 15 all the time with no difficulty. If you want to avoid the greater L.A. area you can also take the 14 to Mohave and catch the 58 across to the 15 as well. About 30 miles longer.

[FRENCHIE]

id say the freeway!! :D

[Excessive Force]

Dont know from simi valley but I do know the Amboy way sucks!

[LaveyJet]

Dont know from simi valley but I do know the Amboy way sucks!
It's not the best, but its better than spending a Sunday afternoon stuck on the 15 somewhere between Victorville and Barstow.

[Essex502]

It's not the best, but its better than spending a Sunday afternoon stuck on the 15 somewhere between Victorville and Barstow.
If you take the 14 to the 58 you'll join the 15 right before Barstow and avoid all of the crap between it and Victorville.

[Ziggy]

If you take the 14 to the 58 you'll join the 15 right before Barstow and avoid all of the crap between it and Victorville.
Same thing I was thinking---miss that coagulated exit by the Outlet Stores :)

[Essex502]

Same thing I was thinking---miss that coagulated exit by the Outlet Stores :)
Actually, returning to L.A. from Havasu, the 15 south is pretty damn good. Mostly 3 lanes from Barstow to Victorville and on the Sunday early afternoons recently we are 80+ in that stretch. W/O the trailer of course.

[Excessive Force]

Guess Ive been lucky, never hit traffic at victorville.

[LaveyJet]

If you take the 14 to the 58 you'll join the 15 right before Barstow and avoid all of the crap between it and Victorville.
True, but I live in the 909. The Simi Valley route question is for some friends.

[roostwear]

Dont know from simi valley but I do know the Amboy way sucks!
Don't know why you say that, the Amboy route rocks! No truckers, no cops, little traffic. The only down side is the road is a little rough in spots, but no biggie. Beats the hell out of bridge construction, trucker games, and lane closures that have gone on for years. I would encourage everyone to still use the 15/40. Makes better time for me :D

[Excessive Force]

Don't know why you say that, the Amboy route rocks! No truckers, no cops, little traffic. The only down side is the road is a little rough in spots, but no biggie. Beats the hell out of bridge construction, trucker games, and lane closures that have gone on for years. I would encourage everyone to still use the 15/40. Makes better time for me
I have a 12"+ drop hitch on my truck, feels like its gonna yank off! Anyone know if thats fasster than the 15/40.

[Essex502]

True, but I live in the 909. The Simi Valley route question is for some friends.
Now that makes more sense.

[AzDon]

As a trucker, I really prefer the two-lanes, but for similar reasons, I think it's better to stick to the freeways for towing a boat. My advice from Simi during regular traffic periods would be 118,210,15,40 to river road cutoff.
A lot of vehicles that would overheat bypass the last two big hills before Needles by exiting Goffs road (old 66) and either returning to 40 via the 95n cutoff OR turning left at the 95 and entering Laughlin from the back door. If you take either of these options, go VERY SLOW across the rail crossings if you value your equipment!

[LaveyJet]

A lot of vehicles that would overheat bypass the last two big hills before Needles by exiting Goffs road (old 66) and either returning to 40 via the 95n cutoff OR turning left at the 95 and entering Laughlin from the back door. If you take either of these options, go VERY SLOW across the rail crossings if you value your equipment!
I usually take Goffs road and go left on 95. (What can I say, now and then I like the back door). It's not just the rail crossings you need to watch for. Between the 40 and Goffs there're several big dips that'll launch you if going too fast.

[Hallett19]

I was at a gas station a few months back on my way to laughlin and a CHP told me Goffs was about 20 miles shorter than taking the 40 to River Rd (or whatever that road is) and come up the other way. The dips are fun too !!!!

[jas0502]

We live in the 909..............ops 951, and we have been going thru Amboy for about 6 yrs. No trucks, alot of bumps, whoops, and latley cops, but its definatly shorter than 15/40. We keep our bout in Bullhead City, so we can get to Laughlin in about 3.5 to 4 hrs. Depending on how many stops we make!
you really need to watch your speed on the strech from 29 palms to Amboy, we have seen alot of choppers there this year! ;)

[Essex502]

I usually take Goffs road and go left on 95. (What can I say, now and then I like the back door). It's not just the rail crossings you need to watch for. Between the 40 and Goffs there're several big dips that'll launch you if going too fast.
One year we took that route and ran into about 10 miles of gravel on the road as it was under construction. After that just continued up 40 to 95 and came in the back way without that narrow road from Goffs.

[Essex502]

As a trucker, I really prefer the two-lanes, but for similar reasons, I think it's better to stick to the freeways for towing a boat. My advice from Simi during regular traffic periods would be 118,210,15,40 to river road cutoff.
A lot of vehicles that would overheat bypass the last two big hills before Needles by exiting Goffs road (old 66) and either returning to 40 via the 95n cutoff OR turning left at the 95 and entering Laughlin from the back door. If you take either of these options, go VERY SLOW across the rail crossings if you value your equipment!
I would NEVER, EVER recommend using the River Road Cutoff. That road just flat sux. If I went that far I'd exit (I think it's "D" street) and come in through Bullhead.

[Essex502]

I was at a gas station a few months back on my way to laughlin and a CHP told me Goffs was about 20 miles shorter than taking the 40 to River Rd (or whatever that road is) and come up the other way. The dips are fun too !!!!
It's shorter in distance but I'm not sure on time 'cause of the nature of the road versus going on to 95 and up to Laughlin that way.