Las Vegas, the neon-lit city in the state of Nevada, is famous for its casinos, showgirls, dancing fountains and Elvis impersonators. The city attracts around 42 million visitors a year, many of whom come for a good time and to get married. In fact, Las Vegas has traded its crown as the world’s gambling capital for the title of wedding capital of the world due to the number of couples that say “I do” every day in its chapels and drive-thru ceremonies. Whilst in Vegas, many people decide to make the day trip to see the Hoover Dam, which is located 30 miles southeast.
The construction of the Hoover Dam was to control floods, provide irrigation water, and produce hydroelectric power. Today, the Hoover Dam’s generators provide power for three states; Nevada, Arizona, and California.
There are a few ways to make the journey between the two places. How you get there depends on how you like to travel, what you’re interested in seeing along the way, and how much time and money you have.
Car
The easiest way to get from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam is by car. There are plenty of places in Las Vegas to hire a car in case you don’t have access to your own vehicle. Then, you can get out on the highway and start this scenic drive. Without stopping, you’ll get there in around 45 minutes.
Take the I-215 east towards the airport, then join the I-11 and US 95 south. This takes you to US 93, which leads into Boulder City. Follow the signs from Boulder City. It’s a 10-minute drive out to the dam’s visitor centre.
Tour
If you don’t have a car of your own or can’t drive, then a tour is a great option. Las Vegas has loads of tour operators who run sightseeing tours that pick you up and drop you off from your hotel. These tours often include a very cool guided walk on top of the dam and lunch in a restaurant along the way.
Ride Share or Taxi
If you don’t have a car of your own or can’t drive, and don’t want to be on a tour with a load of strangers, then you can get to the Hoover Dam using a ride-share app or by booking a taxi. option. A ride-share should cost around $60 if you get picked up from the Las Vegas Strip area. A taxi will cost at least $100. Those prices are per car each way, not per person. Therefore, if you share with four people, you can split the cost.
Shuttle
The Boulder City Express shuttle runs from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam. National Parks Express operates this shuttle service, which also stops in Boulder City (the downtown historic district is a cool place to visit), the Lake Mead Visitor Center, and the marina.
Bus
If you are on a tight budget, you can take the HDX – Henderson and Downtown Express – public buses from Las Vegas to Boulder City. This is the cheapest way to get from Las Vegas to the Hoover Dam. However, the bus does not take you the final 10 minutes to the dam itself. You would have to take the Boulder City Express shuttle, a taxi, or rideshare from Boulder City to the dam.
This route is best for those who are planning on camping overnight or staying a few nights at the Grand Canyon due to the late arrival time.
Helicopter
If you aren’t on a tight budget, you can take a helicopter from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam and enjoy the most scenic way to travel between the two places.
From the air, you can really appreciate the incredible scale of Hoover Dam. Most helicopter rides include a flyover of the dam and Lake Mead. But check before booking if your trip includes a landing or flying over the area.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Melanie May
Melanie is an intrepid solo traveller, endlessly curious about people, places and food. She is a fan of slow travel and loves exploring the world by mouth, discovering a culture through its food. Having backpacked her way around the world she turned her wanderlust into a career and is now a full-time travel writer.
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