Time for road trip -- Chicago to LA

[TheChort]

I'm going to start in a couple weeks.
Time is not a problem.

My definite stops are Denver and Seattle, because I'll be visiting friends.
Some other ideas I have are mt rushmore, devil's tower, glacier national park, and the grand canyon.

I'm thinking of camping along the way so I don't spend extra money on hotels.
How many of you guys have done this? Any ideas?

my map

 

[DAGTA]

I drove Chicago to Phoenix two years ago, but it wasn't a sight seeing trip so I rushed through it. I'm doing it again in just under two weeks.

As for sights to see: the painted desert in Northeastern Arizona and Southeastern Utah is beautiful. Sedona, Arizona is quite interesting.

Durango, Colorado has some of the highest elevation paved roads I've driven on. I remember crossing the 11,000 ft. elevation point when going up to Durango. You can stop on the Continental Divide if you like. I don't know where it occurs in Colorado, but there should be signs.

If you take highway 60 through New Mexico (west central area) you will pass through the large antenna array seen in the movie Contact.

Mt. Shasta is visible from anywhere in Northern California and quite picturesque. There are some spooky old mining towns in Northern California... if you're into that.

 

[DAGTA]

Oh, be sure to keep an eye on your gas guage when you head west of Denver. There are large gaps between towns in Wyoming.

 

[ShadowBlade]

Originally posted by: TheChort
I'm going to start in a couple weeks.
Time is not a problem.

My definite stops are Denver and Seattle, because I'll be visiting friends.
Some other ideas I have are mt rushmore, devil's tower, glacier national park, and the grand canyon.

I'm thinking of camping along the way so I don't spend extra money on hotels.
How many of you guys have done this? Any ideas?

my map

which highways are those on the map?

 

[tennisflip]

Check out this website.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Chicago to LA and you're not taking 66? Wasted trip.

ZV

 

[TheChort]

Originally posted by: tennisflip
Check out this website.

good call :thumbsup:

 

[dolph]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Chicago to LA and you're not taking 66? Wasted trip.

ZV

word

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Mt. Rushmore and Devil's Tower are not very exciting. Glacier National Park and The Grand Canyon are excellent, though. If you haven't been, I'd of course recommend Yellowstone National Park. I'd skip Mt. Rushmore and Devil's Tower for Yellowstone. Certainly check out the Redwoods in Northern California since it appears you'll be up that way. Maybe Bryce Canyon in Utah if you end up going that way...it's very pretty. Take a nice camera with you

I remember hardly enjoying the road trips I went on with my parents when I was younger but I'm really glad I did now that I'm older.

 

[Plasdom]

where is 66 and what is special about it? I am making a similar trip (straight to the bay area though) and just relying on googl directions. What is the best approach? Buy a map and chart the course yourself?

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Other than being historic I don't see anything special in route 66. Much better places to see by not staying on 66, IMO.

 

[RedCOMET]

Originally posted by: ThisIsMatt
Mt. Rushmore and Devil's Tower are not very exciting. Glacier National Park and The Grand Canyon are excellent, though. If you haven't been, I'd of course recommend Yellowstone National Park. I'd skip Mt. Rushmore and Devil's Tower for Yellowstone. Certainly check out the Redwoods in Northern California since it appears you'll be up that way. Maybe Bryce Canyon in Utah if you end up going that way...it's very pretty. Take a nice camera with you

I remember hardly enjoying the road trips I went on with my parents when I was younger but I'm really glad I did now that I'm older.

I saw Bryce Canyon last year, along with the Grand Canyon and Zion Nat'l Park. Go to Zion National Park for the Day. GO TO ZION. Absolutely Amazing. Climbing up to Angels landing is one of the best things I've ever done, and will Gladly do it again.

Screw Bryce, Zion is better.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: ThisIsMatt
Other than being historic I don't see anything special in route 66. Much better places to see by not staying on 66, IMO.

66, like all good roads, is old, almost abandonde, and has an alternate route that gets you from point A to point B faster. If you're on the road to be on the road, these are the kinds of routes you take. If you're being a tourist, then it's not for you.

 

[DAGTA]

Interstate 40 was built almost parallel to Route 66 for much of it's course.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Originally posted by: RedCOMET

Originally posted by: ThisIsMatt
Mt. Rushmore and Devil's Tower are not very exciting. Glacier National Park and The Grand Canyon are excellent, though. If you haven't been, I'd of course recommend Yellowstone National Park. I'd skip Mt. Rushmore and Devil's Tower for Yellowstone. Certainly check out the Redwoods in Northern California since it appears you'll be up that way. Maybe Bryce Canyon in Utah if you end up going that way...it's very pretty. Take a nice camera with you

I remember hardly enjoying the road trips I went on with my parents when I was younger but I'm really glad I did now that I'm older.

I saw Bryce Canyon last year, along with the Grand Canyon and Zion Nat'l Park. Go to Zion National Park for the Day. GO TO ZION. Absolutely Amazing. Climbing up to Angels landing is one of the best things I've ever done, and will Gladly do it again.

Screw Bryce, Zion is better.

Ya know...I've been to both, so maybe I have them mixed up. Either way, they're both in Utah and Utah isn't *that* big, so going to both isn't too difficult

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: ThisIsMatt
Other than being historic I don't see anything special in route 66. Much better places to see by not staying on 66, IMO.

66, like all good roads, is old, almost abandonde, and has an alternate route that gets you from point A to point B faster. If you're on the road to be on the road, these are the kinds of routes you take. If you're being a tourist, then it's not for you.

What's worth seeing on 66 that justifies driving it for any length of time, though? Other than it being historic, or nostalgic if you're an old timer, I don't see the point. Why would he want to skip places like Mt. Rushmore, Devil's Tower, Glacier, Yellowstone, and so on by taking 66 on a more southern route?

 

[myusername]

Hmmm. If you've never been to any caverns, might I suggest a slight detour to the south

 

[venk]

If you are going that far north, make sure to make a trip to vancouver.

 

[TheChort]

ThisIsMatt
Mt. Rushmore and Devil's Tower are not very exciting. Glacier National Park and The Grand Canyon are excellent, though. If you haven't been, I'd of course recommend Yellowstone National Park. I'd skip Mt. Rushmore and Devil's Tower for Yellowstone. Certainly check out the Redwoods in Northern California since it appears you'll be up that way. Maybe Bryce Canyon in Utah if you end up going that way...it's very pretty. Take a nice camera with you

I've been to yellowstone once, but it was only for a day. I wasn't too impressed. I saw old faithful and we drove through most of the park. I don't know if it's worth a second trip.

RedCOMET
I saw Bryce Canyon last year, along with the Grand Canyon and Zion Nat'l Park. Go to Zion National Park for the Day. GO TO ZION. Absolutely Amazing. Climbing up to Angels landing is one of the best things I've ever done, and will Gladly do it again.

I wasn't planning on heading through Utah, but now with all you guys recommending Zion, I'm considering it. I've driven through south Utah a couple times, but I haven't actually entered any of the parks.

myusername
Hmmm. If you've never been to any caverns, might I suggest a slight detour to the south

I don't think I'll head that way, but caves are definitely looking more interesting. I think I read about some in montana, or one of the northern states

venk
If you are going that far north, make sure to make a trip to vancouver.

I actually forgot to mention it, but it's definitely part of my plans.

And for all the route 66 fans...it doesn't seem interesting enough to extend my trip for that much just to go back and ride it. Maybe it's an integral part of the road trip experience, but I doubt I will be doing it.

 

[Turkish]

i think you should take this route

chicago - miami - new york city - back down south to new orleans - back up north to D.C. - denver - las vegas - boston - seattle - san francisco - detroit - atlanta - los angles

what do you think?

 

[amol]

Originally posted by: The Boss
i think you should take this route

chicago - miami - new york city - back down south to new orleans - back up north to D.C. - denver - las vegas - boston - seattle - san francisco - detroit - atlanta - los angles

what do you think?

with gas prices so cheap, who wouldn't do that?!

 

[Conky]

I'm getting ready to make this Chicago to LA, actually SD, trip in a few weeks myself.

I'm gonna be taking the more northern route thru Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, etc... dang, I am dreading this 2,100 mile trip but at least I have my grrl in San Diego waiting on me. :thumbsup:

 

[TheChort]

Originally posted by: The Boss
i think you should take this route

chicago - miami - new york city - back down south to new orleans - back up north to D.C. - denver - las vegas - boston - seattle - san francisco - detroit - atlanta - los angles

what do you think?

sounds like a good idea.
You drive me around the east coast cities. Show me around, give me a place to stay and take care of my food and entertainment, then drop me off in chicago and I'll take it from there.

 

[Turkish]

Originally posted by: TheChort

Originally posted by: The Boss
i think you should take this route

chicago - miami - new york city - back down south to new orleans - back up north to D.C. - denver - las vegas - boston - seattle - san francisco - detroit - atlanta - los angles

what do you think?

sounds like a good idea.
You drive me around the east coast cities. Show me around, give me a place to stay and take care of my food and entertainment, then drop me off in chicago and I'll take it from there.

deal, pm me the pics of gf/wife

 

[badboyeee]

hey im gonna do a road trip too next month (from chicago to san diego)... i see theres lots to do in the mountains time zone.. what about the central part (like between denver and chicago).. what drives are more scenic or what cities should i check out?