ROAD TRIP QUESTION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TRAVELED OUT WEST FROM THE EAST COAST?
April 142010
Some friends and I are planning a road trip to Santa Cruz CA. We looked at a map and looked at I think it was 40 and rt. 70 and one is a way going through Texas and Tennessee and all that and then the other was a way going up towards Colorado and Utah and going down towards Nevada and Arizona in which those are two places we would like to visit. Maybe we could go one way and come back another. Does anyone know of a good route or a quick route? Thanks!
Would be coming from va/md/dc area. And we’re planning for next month, probably a week or more. What to see well, maybe some friends along the way if we go the utah colorado way. New mexico, vegas(we don’t plan on staying long just a few hours because we are staying 1 night in AZ with friends) Then to Ca hollywood, la, the whiskey a gogo, santa cruz, we don’t really plan on staying in motels just driving and sleeping in the vehicle. And when necessary maybe a motel or campground.
Unless you plan on pushing straight through and switching off the driving chores, it’ll take you a week each way. Out of Virginia, you’ll need to take I-81 south to Knoxville to meet I-40. This highway will take you all the way to Barstow, California. Along the way, I’d suggest a stop at the Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo, Texas. You just have to see it to believe it. Then, when you get to Flagstaff, Arizona, start looking for directions to the Grand Canyon. You owe it to yourselves to see that at least once in your life, if you haven’t already. After seeing that, get back to I-40 west until you meet US-93. Turn off here if you want to go to Las Vegas, and head north. From there, you’ll want I-15 south to the LA metro area. Do whatever you will there, then head north up US-101 to Salinas. Once in Salinas, find a way over to Highway 1, which will take you into Santa Cruz. Once in Santa Cruz, and you have all the fun you can stand at the boardwalk, you can head north to San Jose and San Francisco. From there, you may head east on I-80 to Salt Lake City, Utah. From Salt Lake City, you will need to head south on I-15 to US-6, and take 6 east until it meets I-70. Take 70 east to and through Denver, and you should be on your way. Like someone else said, make time when you go through St. Louis to see the Gateway Arch. Also, visit the American Kennel Club’s Museum of the Dog. It’s in one of the western suburbs, I forget which.
As I said, plan on at least a week each way. Good luck, and have a safe trip.
April 15th, 2010 at 4:02 am
Thats the way to do it.
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April 15th, 2010 at 4:52 am
Just be careful where you sleep in the car, some cops don’t like it.
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April 15th, 2010 at 5:22 am
40 to 70 is the way to go. you take 15 in utah south to vegas and into la. you can take 10 back, but texas is a big state and takes forever that way. bring a map with you in case of bad traffic or wildfires.
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done the trip a few times
April 15th, 2010 at 5:47 am
Suggest you take the southerly route when westbound, and the northerly route back, when the weather will be warmer, especially if you are going to sleep in the vehicle. Maybe invest in a tent?
On the way out, be sure to stop long enough to take in the St. Louis Arch, pay attention when you cross the mighty Mississippi, detour to the Grand Canyon. In LA, if you only see Hollywood and the Whiskey, you will miss TOO much. It deserves way more time. Check out Disney Hall downtown. Drive up to Mt. Wilson and look over the vastness of the city. Go to incomparable Venice Beach. Drive around Bel Air. Go to the Getty.
Bring your cameras!
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April 15th, 2010 at 6:36 am
Try this
Take I-70 west to Grand Junction CO
Try to be really close to Denver by nightfall so that you can cross the Rockies in daylight>An awesome sight no matter how many times you’ve done it
Then pop this into mapquest or whatever
Grand Junction CO>Moab UT>Hanksville UT>Torrey UT>Delta UT >Ely NV >Carson City NV
The stretch from Delta UT to Carson City is on US 50 which is often described as the "Loneliest Road in America"
http://www.roadtripusa.com/routes/loneliestroad/nevada/lon_nevada.html
At Carson City you have a decision to make:
If Tioga Pass Road going across Yosemite NP is open then its
Carson City NV>Lee Vining CA>El Portal CA >SJC>Santa Cruz CA
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
However if it’s not then just do Carson City NV>Placerville CA> Santa Cruz CA
To LA..
Santa Cruz CA>Monterey CA>Cambria CA>LAX
Then
LAX >LAS>Hurricane UT>Colorado City AZ>GCN >FLG
Then depending upon where you are in AZ find your way home via I-40 E to I-81N
If you’re in Phoenix then head up I-17 to I-40
If you’re in Tucson then I-10E>I-25 N >I-40E…
Safe trip
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April 15th, 2010 at 6:54 am
I’ve done this roadtrip from coast to coast before.it is such a wonderful experience that you won’t regret it.to me,this is the best way to get to see the USA.I live in Seattle but my relatives live in NYC,so I rented a car and went to visit ‘em.I took I-90 as far as Billings,Montana where I stayed overnight since night was closing in when I got there.I advise you not to drive a night or else you will miss a lot of interesting places to see.I made my reservations online with 6 Motels before I left Seattle.
I just travelled by car the north part of the country and I’m not au fait with the south part and its routes,highways and Interstates.I recommend you to take I-80 on the way back to MD.it starts in S.Francisco and goes through Nevada,Utah,Wyoming,Nebraska,Iowa and so on.Have a wonderful daylight roadtrip across the USA!
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April 15th, 2010 at 7:44 am
Unless you plan on pushing straight through and switching off the driving chores, it’ll take you a week each way. Out of Virginia, you’ll need to take I-81 south to Knoxville to meet I-40. This highway will take you all the way to Barstow, California. Along the way, I’d suggest a stop at the Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo, Texas. You just have to see it to believe it. Then, when you get to Flagstaff, Arizona, start looking for directions to the Grand Canyon. You owe it to yourselves to see that at least once in your life, if you haven’t already. After seeing that, get back to I-40 west until you meet US-93. Turn off here if you want to go to Las Vegas, and head north. From there, you’ll want I-15 south to the LA metro area. Do whatever you will there, then head north up US-101 to Salinas. Once in Salinas, find a way over to Highway 1, which will take you into Santa Cruz. Once in Santa Cruz, and you have all the fun you can stand at the boardwalk, you can head north to San Jose and San Francisco. From there, you may head east on I-80 to Salt Lake City, Utah. From Salt Lake City, you will need to head south on I-15 to US-6, and take 6 east until it meets I-70. Take 70 east to and through Denver, and you should be on your way. Like someone else said, make time when you go through St. Louis to see the Gateway Arch. Also, visit the American Kennel Club’s Museum of the Dog. It’s in one of the western suburbs, I forget which.
As I said, plan on at least a week each way. Good luck, and have a safe trip.
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I’ve driven many parts of this trip.