Here in Southern Cal we're about 4 hours from Vegas when we drive. Less if we don't have any delays from traffic or construction -- but it could take 12 hours at the end of holiday weekends when everyone is on the 15 Freeway at once.

So, driving can either be a breeze or it could be like riding into a hurricane.

Do you use your own car for the drive or do you rent a car? Some of my friends have suggested renting, but I have heard tht some rental companies tack on an additional charge if you do rent a car in the LA area to drive to Vegas.

Advantages of a rental: you don't put the mileage on your own car and you don't have to worry as much about the valets. And if you go on particular days there can be lower rental rates. I know that the rental agencies that service some of the auto dealer repair shops have lower rental rates on the weekends since the auto dealer repair shops are not open and usually have all of the repair jobs done by Friday.