Hyperspace? A new immersive video game? Naw… something super cool that solves a big problem. In Las Vegas, you’re always walking across massive casino floors walking the strip, walking, walking, walking. Doing 15 or even 20,000 steps a day is about average. It gets tiring, but it’s also inefficient, since the distances at the Las Vegas convention centre aren’t just measured in steps. They’re measured in miles. And since power-assisted roller shoes aren’t quite available to everyone yet, there is another solution to get from A to B at CES a little faster and more efficiently.
The Las Vegas Convention Centre facility sprawls across multiple campuses and getting from the main or Central exhibition halls all the way over to the west exhibition halls can be about a 30 to 45-minute walk, and that’s the only way you can get there. Well… At least it was.
What is Las Vegas Loop?
There’s another almost secret option, but not a lot of people know about it. It’s called the Las Vegas Loop and for this, you need to go Underground…
You can thank Elon Musk’s The Boring Company for digging 1.7 miles of tunnel underneath the convention center. He built a dedicated closed road in a tunnel underneath the convention center. It only took about a year, and didn’t disrupt a single event or close a single road for construction. The result is this.
What is the point of the Las Vegas Loop?
The idea behind loop is to create a closed, private road system that eliminates traffic congestion. All the vehicles are electric, so it’s a cleaner, greener option, that’s also quick and efficient.
You’ll be ushered very quickly to a waiting Tesla electric car –no driverless option yet but my driver was friendly and knowledgeable, and told me the Loop is running about 80-90 electric cars through the tunnels at CES 2024.
For now Las Vegas Loop is just a small but tantalizing taste of what will revolutionize getting around Las Vegas. After a short drive, I was deposited above ground at the next stop. It was so cool, I decided to go for another loop.
How much does it cost to ride the Vegas Loop?
My fare was covered by my CES convention Badge, but if you want to go as far as Resorts World hotel there is an additional fee.
Today there’s only just under 2 miles of tunnel. And since it cost about $53 Million to make it may seem like a bit of a novelty at this stage. But in just a few short years, it will be so much more. Clark County has approved plans for 18 new stations and about 25 miles more tunnels, this thing looks like it’s about the get really real.
How many people use Las Vegas Loop?
The Loop opened in April 2021 and has been operational during all conventions, including CES. The Boring Company says LVCC Loop has transported over 1.5 million passengers, with a peak capacity of over 4,500 passengers per hour, and over 32,000 passengers per day, which is pretty incredible.
Watch my video about The Loop
This has to be one of the coolest experiences; from the comfort of the vehicle to the speed at which you can get that 2-mile distance and the cool light show this is an attraction I’d highly recommend next time you’re in Vegas.
