LA To Vegas In About Two Hours (And No Airport)? Yes, Please!

High-speed rail has been a big part of the transportation sector around the world, but it’s been difficult for such projects to really take off here in the States. That might soon be changing, though, with increased government funding like a $3 billion grant in the infrastructure bill President Joe Biden signed into law.

What’s the goal?

There are a few routes being proposed across the country, but the one that will benefit directly from the multibillion-dollar grant promises to take passengers from Los Angeles to Las Vegas (or vice versa) at a truly impressive speed.

A private company, Brightline West, is behind the project — and here are a few key details:

• All-electric trains will travel as fast as 180 mph
• The entire route will span more than 200 miles
• The trip will take half the time of driving

In total, the route is expected to cost somewhere around $12 billion. That includes the construction of additional stops along the way. As for the route, developers say it’ll stick close to Interstate 15 most of the way.

Why this route?

Brightline began offering high-speed service between Miami and Orlando earlier this year, though with a lower 125 mph top speed. And that was seen as a good starting point because the 250-mile journey was generally seen as too far to drive and not far enough to warrant a flight.

That’s also a factor in the L.A.-to-Vegas line, but there are other reasons insiders are optimistic. There’s already significant interest in travel between the cities, and Vegas is unique in that most people who arrive there don’t need a car to get around … meaning that a train could be an ideal form of transportation to and from Sin City.

Chris Agee December 7th, 2023

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