Need suggestion for Drive from Chicago to LA (Los Angeles: motel, movies)

[dwa3333]

Hi guys,

I will be traveling from Chicago to LA soon and I need some advice for how to plan the trip. If I were somehow able to do this in 2 days, my goal would be to get to Denver (roughly 50%, 14 hr drive) for first night and finish the rest of drive next day. However, I am a bit confused how to divide into 3 days equally. It seems like just west of IL there are not many big cities to stop at for the night. For example 1/3 of the way would be at western Nebraska which seems quite rural. I would be more comfortable staying somewhere more populated.

Does anybody have any advice for how to divide the trip? Realistically could I really get to Denver in 14 hours if I really stay on top of things? Or if I need to divide into 3 days, where could possible stops be at?

Thank you for your recommendations and any other general advice you might have!

[esmith143]

Don't worry about stopping in unpopulated places. Even in the remotest parts of this country you'll see a decent chain motel every 50 miles or so. Unless you're driving a Lamborghini, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. It's even easier in the middle of nowhere, because you pull off the freeway and one minute later you're in the parking lot of the motel. Whereas, in a big city, you have to search for a place to stay.

You can probably make it to LA in two days. There's not much out there, and it means no traffic jams. Since you're traveling in the summer, you also don't have to worry about snowstorms (during winter, interstate 70 west of Denver occasionally gets closed due to snow.) The big unknown is road construction, but even that shouldn't delay you too much. You can check road conditions online before you leave.

You'll probably want to get up as early as possible, get an audio book or something else to occupy yourself, since the first half of the trip is rather boring. If you're not opposed to self-medicating yourself with unknown chemicals, check out the medicine called Olmifon, you can get it online. If you are, just stick to old fashioned coffee and Red Bull. Every time you stop for gas, walk around, do some exercises. Do make sure to start looking for gas when you get below 1/3 tank. Getting stranded in a forest somewhere with an empty tank can greatly hurt your chances of getting to LA in the shortest amount of time.

[hsw]

Chic-Den-LV-LA

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by hsw

Chic-Den-LV-LA

Actually that's not a bad idea at all. Considering the bulk of your traffic will be at the start and finish of your trip. Just remember to keep an eye on your tires, when you go through different temperature zones is the most common times for blow outs, which is why you see a lot of debris on the road from the semis.

[UB50]

Spend a night in Vegas.

It's cheap, Vegas needs the money, you'll feel better the next day when you pull into LA.

[nmnita]

14 hours is a long drive, but if you leave at say 4:30am you will be in Denver way before dark, be able to get a good nights sleep and head to Vegas which isn't all that long of a drive. Then the drive to L.A. will be a breeze. If it were me, I would stop after 12 hours, continue and pause before Vegas (maybe about 100 miles east) and then hit Los Angeles, but that is me. I just don't like pushing it and agree with esmith, even small towns have good chains now days. You can almost always find, a Holiday Inn Brand, a Hampton Inn or a Comfort Inn. All offer nice accommodations, just to mention a few.

Good luck but don't push yourself too hard..

Nita

[Paula Lynn]

I traveled from LA to Denver in 15 hours - only made 2 stops. Be careful - there's an area in Utah (which is absolutely gorgeous) where there are NO rest stops, including gas, for 100 miles. There are signs posted, so would definately fill up.

Denver to LV is about a 10-11 hour drive.

LV to LA is about 4-1/2 to 5 hour drive. It will be alot longer, could be up to 8 hours, if you leave LV in the late afternoon.

Have a good trip!

[jc76]

If you don't need to go to Denver I suggest the route we took:
Out of Chicago-
Take 57 South to St. Louis
Then 44 to OK City.
Then 44 turns into 40 and that will take you straight to the Los Angeles area. 40 is one long stretch of road, we were on it for about a day and a half. But I had my wife with me and we had to keep stopping to pee and look at trinkets. I would have made it in 2 1/2 days if it were just me alone.

I know people who have taken the Northern plains route you speak of and they all say it's super boring and flat. The route we took we got to see the desert and stop at a ghost town in Calico California. There was the old Route 66 beside us and we drove on it a little. Lots of old abandoned gas stations and diners, lik ein the movies! I highly suggest you think about the southwest route. If your not in a huge hurry it would be much more memorable I think. Good luck!

PS- If you do shoot up to Vegas from 40, you will go right through the Hoover Dam as well. Cool thing to see. You MUST consider the Southwest Route!!!

[jc76]

Originally Posted by UB50

Spend a night in Vegas.

It's cheap, Vegas needs the money, you'll feel better the next day when you pull into LA.

WERD! We were in no hurry to get to L.A so we thought we'd stay a night in Vegas....well they were not too busy and they kept giving us 2 night extensions for $25.00!!! ($12.50 a night!)Stratosphere. We ended up spending a week there for under $100!!! Played the penny slots and got free smokes and drinks. It can be done cheap...if your a cheapskate like me!

[Paula Lynn]

Originally Posted by jc76

WERD! We were in no hurry to get to L.A so we thought we'd stay a night in Vegas....well they were not too busy and they kept giving us 2 night extensions for $25.00!!! ($12.50 a night!)Stratosphere. We ended up spending a week there for under $100!!! Played the penny slots and got free smokes and drinks. It can be done cheap...if your a cheapskate like me!

Did you win anything on the penny slots??