Cheaper Than Vegas

The best thing about Mesquite is the accomodations. The signs advertise rooms for less than . There isn't a lot to do othere than gamble and eat. The weather is hot for 6 months or more and cold the rest, it's the desert you know. I haven't spent very much time exploring around Mesquite, but it makes an affordable stop for a long trip.

Quick Tips:

Mesquite is about 100 miles east of Las Vegas. The extra driving time is worth it to have cheap accomodations on a long haul trip. Vegas is fun, don't get me wrong, but it's not always going to be on the agenda, and besides, they just want your money there. Skip Vegas if you are going to destinations in Utah or beyond and stay the night in Mesquite. It will shorten your drive time the following day if nothing else.

Best Way To Get Around:

However you plan on traveling thru the desert.

The signs tell of rooms for $18.95 or some outrageously low price starting when you cross the Nevada border. If you want a room at that price it is best to make a reservation or get there early, because the number of rooms at that price is limited. The Virgin River Hotel has 724 double queen rooms with in-room coffee. The rooms are divided among 7 or 8 buildings surrounding the pool area. They have one building reserved for people with pets, it is in the very back with access to open fields. The casino is typical as are the restaurants that offer low-priced meal specials and buffets. The breakfast buffet is a good way to fill up before a long drive. There is also an RV park with a number of back-in sites for $10 year round.

Utah lies about 30 miles to the east of Mesquite, and St. George is the first city inside Utahs borders. I see a lot of Utah license plates in Mesquite, like I see a lot of California plates in Vegas. I think it is a convienient retreat for folks in prudish Utah.

I usually pass thru Mesquite on my way to Colorado, but it is about the same distance to Salt Lake City too. I used to make the drive in one quick swooping motion, but I've aged and it has become neccessary to make it in two days. I like to stop off in St. George and maybe take a side trip out to Zion Canyon National Park. The side trip is about 2 hours out of the way, but the scenic drive through Hurricane is pleasant.

This little uninhabitted corner of Arizona is one of my favorite scenic byways. The highway passes through the canyon following the river bed. The river has carved the gorge out of the mountains over eons exposing the red rocks and crating beautiful formations. The stretch of highway is only 25 miles or so between Nevada and Utah. The wind currents can be unpredictably strong and the road is narrow in some spots. Big trucks make the narrow pass a bit intimidating at times, especially if you are daydreaming about swimming in the greenish water of the Virgin River below.