I am going to Vegas soon and am a relatively new driver. I do not currently have a car - and therefore do not have insurance.
If I were to rent a car (staying with a relative not on the strip) is that a bad idea? What are the odds of getting into an accident there? (not my fault - others)
Really can't afford to replace a rental car if it gets damaged - but I really want to be able to drive around the strip etc.
2007-05-23 04:44:14 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Las Vegas
Relative lives between S. Sandhill Rd. and Palm Street
2007-05-23 05:04:16 · update #1
Traffic there is CROWDED. It can easily take you 45 minutes to go from one end of the Strip to the other. (which is a total of about 5 miles)
I listen to a Las Vegas radio station daily thru the internet, and there are ALWAYS accidents - especially on the freeways. The odds of you getting into an accident that is someone else's fault is pretty high.
If you're a "relatively new driver", personally, I wouldn't rent a car there just because there's a lot of lunatics out there. I almost got hit by an idiot in a BMW SUV who ran a light on the Strip. (And he wasn't the first one I'd seen do that.) There's great public transpo out there, and cabs are plentiful, so I'd REALLY think long and hard about whether or not you want to shell out for the car.
BTW - gas is about $3.20 a gallon right now.
If you do rent the car - get the insurance!!!!!
2007-05-23 05:33:34 · answer #1 · answered by zippythejessi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the streets in Las Vegas are quite crowded with very many crazy drivers. It's actually really no different than any other city. When I moved here it completley surprised me on how easy it was to get around. For the most part all the streets are on a grid system which makes it easy to point B if you're unfamiliar with the area. If a car will make your visit more enjoyable than by no means don't be scared to rent one. Just pay attention to avoid the crazy butts out here. And if worse came to worse, you'll have the rental car insurance anyway (mandatory if you don't have your own) and you wouldn't be the first person to get into an accident with a rental car. You'll be fine. If you are getting a car just to drive the strip only - it's not worth it the expense. You get around faster walking up and down it and even if you had to take a cab a few times to get there, it still would be cheaper than renting a car. Only get the car if you want to explore Vegas beyond the strip.
2007-05-23 07:24:44 · answer #2 · answered by Natalie S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to live in Vegas for 20 years. The traffic is very heavy throughout the city streets. And rather scary and fast on the freeways.
If you don't mind heavy traffic flow then you will be fine driving, just avoid freeways. Being an aggresive driver also helps. People will cut you off and run over you if you let them.
It also depends on where your relative lives. Vegas is overpopulated and it takes forever to get from one point to the next. But there are some areas that are far from town that are less populated, like green valley or henderson. Traffic is not so bad there, but it is still somewhat busy.
Once you are on the strip you can park and walk all around. The traffic is bumper to bumper on the strip, you will get somewhere faster by walking.
It might be a good idea to have your relative drop you off on the strip. That's the best plan I think. You can spend the whole day there and never need a car..
Hope this helps....
2007-05-23 04:53:05 · answer #3 · answered by Mrs. R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you get a rental you will have to purchase insurance with it since you currently do not have insurance. I was going to say if you were closer to the strip you may consider walking which is what we did. The traffic when I went there was moderate with most cities, not like traffic jams, but still a considerable amount. There were more people walking then cars being driving. If you are not comfortable with your driving skills then I suggest you get a taxi or borrow your relatives car and park it somewhere along the strip and just walk from there. I hope this helps.
2007-05-23 04:56:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Las Vegas is one of the top 7 cities with high insurance rates.
If you rent a car I advise you to get the extra insurance. This town is a intransit state, meaning different people from different states drive through here, you have to think it's not just people in Las Vegas that drives here, theres alot of drivers from different states that are used to driving their way in their state. bring them all together in one city, an accident is bound to happen.
Your safer and will save money if your relatives can take you out. But if you insist on renting a car, I stronfully advise you pay for the insurance and extra insurance they offer.
2007-05-25 09:26:14 · answer #5 · answered by Lilkryptonite 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not gamble. Get some insurance. Vegas traffic can be crazy esp around the strip area. It's even more stressful when you don't know your way around and you are a new driver. People drive very aggressive in Vegas, so being that you don't live there and you're a new driver, they'll be even more aggressive with you.
2007-05-23 09:34:26 · answer #6 · answered by jitterbug 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was in vegas 2weeks ago. I am an Australian so you can imagine things were difficult considering we drive on the other side of the road. I found that being coinfident is the most important thing. Also, hire a GPS with the car. You will be fine.
2007-05-23 16:35:23 · answer #7 · answered by methamphetamine_symposium 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are staying on the LV Stip you will get many traffic. Take a cab to MGM Grand from airport and take the monorail from there
2007-05-23 15:44:03 · answer #8 · answered by giancv53 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋