I went the last two years, not going this year. The sound system is lousy.Traffic is a nightmare. I waited for 4 hours to leave last year and still took a hour to get out of bumper to bumper traffic.
There are no shortcuts. Nellis is on one side. There are no roads to the north. Although you might be able to park in the desert on the north side of I-15 and take off cross country.
Yes there is, but not what I really wanted. Off road at Apex, just past the RR underpass. Road is not too bad - had to use 4x4 only twice - but you do need a vehicle with some clearance. Road follows the tracks all the way down to 215. Right before you hit 215 there is an access road for the pipeline construction project going over the RR tracks. This road comes out at the light on 215, right next to the USA (?) Guard or Reserve outfit. I just ran this about two hours ago.
I really wanted a road that ran more westerly from I-15 but they really have things torn up - another pipeline project following the powerlines that run east / west.
LVM