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Durb's avatar
Durb
Explorer
Dec 29, 2016

Portland to and through Las Vegas Airport

We are going to Lake Havasu City for spring break next year and I am doing some planning now. My son and I will be towing a 6,000# boat to Las Vegas where the wives and granddaughters will be flying into. Pick up there and down to the lake. First question: Is Portland to Winnemucca and through Tonopah the best route? It looks like the most direct route on the map. Anything I should be aware of in the middle of March or better route suggestions?

Next. Would it be seriously dumb to drag a 21' boat through customer pick-up at Las Vegas Airport? i've picked up people at PDX with a 23' boat in tow but I used the drop-off ramp and it was no sweat. I'm hoping someone familiar with the airport could offer some guidance. Were would be a good spot near the airport to drop off the boat for a while should we decide on that?
Roads and Routes
  • Durb's avatar
    Durb
    Explorer
    Dec 31, 2016
    Thanks for the suggestions. We have decided to stay the night in Reno via Susanville. It should give us plenty of time to double the cost of the trip.

    We will drop the boat somewhere in Las Vegas and one of us will tend it as the other picks up the women. Haven't decided where yet.

    I know Oregon has boat inspection stations. We will hit the first one as we enter the state.
  • nevadanick's avatar
    nevadanick
    Explorer
    Dec 30, 2016
    I wouldnt leave the boat just anywhere in Vegas. Oasis RV park is real near the airport and has a storage area, i would use that, but if your like me i would just tow the boat to the airport.
  • byronlj's avatar
    byronlj
    Explorer
    Dec 30, 2016
    You might want to check into boat inspections and quarantine possibilities after you put your boat into Lake Havasu.
    Dave
  • MarkTwain's avatar
    MarkTwain
    Explorer
    Dec 29, 2016
    RedRocket204 wrote:
    I despise McCarran airport as I've had to fly in/out of there a lot for work. The reason I despise that airport is exactly what you are concerned about, in and out for drop off/pick up is usually just chaos. I would not tow a boat through there.

    You could always have your arriving guests Uber/taxi to an off-airport location and pick them up there.


    Great suggestion! Possible drop off destination might be a large Casino RV Park.
  • MarkTwain's avatar
    MarkTwain
    Explorer
    Dec 29, 2016
    nevadanick wrote:
    5 to Mt Shasta, cant remeber hwy # then to Susanville and 395 south to Reno and get to 95 either through Fallon or Yerington and then to Vegas.


    Hwy. 44 out of Redding. Check weather reports and road conditions.
  • nevadanick's avatar
    nevadanick
    Explorer
    Dec 29, 2016
    5 to Mt Shasta, cant remeber hwy # then to Susanville and 395 south to Reno and get to 95 either through Fallon or Yerington and then to Vegas.
  • RedRocket204's avatar
    RedRocket204
    Explorer
    Dec 29, 2016
    I despise McCarran airport as I've had to fly in/out of there a lot for work. The reason I despise that airport is exactly what you are concerned about, in and out for drop off/pick up is usually just chaos. I would not tow a boat through there.

    You could always have your arriving guests Uber/taxi to an off-airport location and pick them up there.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Dec 29, 2016
    Let tripcheck be your friend. Best route really depends on time of year. For you I5 south is probsbly your best choice.

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