A question to anyone who has made significant progress, how quickly do you gain levels in NV compared to Fallout 3? I don't want to reach the same situation as Fallout 3 where I've hit the level cap having barely explored the map. It seems that having a higher initial cap should help, but if not I'll use one of the slower leveling mods.

Level max at 30
Problem is you can only select perks every other level up. Giving 15 perks total. You will get other perks by killing ants, deathclaws, etc. automatically.(ie-you do not select these.)
Also there are few books (like in fo3) to be found that give fixed xp.

Yeah, I know the cap is 30, I'm interested in knowing whether it takes a significant amount of effort to reach that, or if it's like Fallout 3. In Fallout 3 I hit the cap far too early, and combined with the overly powerful equipment I'd acquired there was no incentive to continue exploring with a near-invincible character.

I am kind of aimlessly doing the MQ (doing things to endear myself to the towns I visit) and I got to the part where all the players in the MQ have been identified and I have been given options to side with or not the various factions. In other words, I have confronted Benny and spoke to Mr House. I am at level 12 now. I am not sure as to where I am in the MQ (don't want to know either) but I have a feeling that I have another 18 levels worth of stuff to do for that and I have most of the south and central part of the map explored. So, I think it will all come together just fine. Edit, I am still coming across areas that I should not go to as I get killed pretty quickly.

I could probably fast track the MQ by skipping some stuff, and get it done before I reach Level 30, but that is not my goal this time around.

I've played about 50 hours and am level 24, I hope this helps.