Driving from FL to Denver (Littleton: how much, hotels, restaurants)

[Snikt]

Going to be moving out to Littleton at the beginning of August. I know this isn't really a specific Denver question, but has anyone made the drive from the south east to CO? Just looking for any suggestions of things to possibly see along the way or tips for traveling.

Google maps says going up FL, GA, TN, MO, KS and into CO. Maybe the St Louis Arch since that's where i'm supposed to pick up I-70 anyway.

[davidv]

The big question is in how much of a hurry are you? Are you planning on driving 2 days? 3 days? 4 days? I can think of more interesting routes that probably are within 150-200 miles of the route google maps says to take that might take you to more interesting (IMO) places.

How about going through New Orleans and Dallas? You could spend the night in each city.

Of course travelling to Colorado via the Gateway Arch is kind of symbolic.

[Nav]

Is it just you or do you have children? Do you want the historical, scenic or eclectic stuff?
If you go through Atlanta, you may want to stop at Stone Mountain for the night. They have an awesome laser light show (sync'd with music) that they project on the mountain side every night during the summertime. Its on the south east side of town and not really far out of the way.

If you want to go I-10, you can stop in Mobile Alabama. Right off of I-10 is battleship park where you can tour the USS Alabama Battleship, the USS Drum submarine, an armor artillery collection and a full airforce museum. Its a great way to get a sense of some of our history. BTW, the battleship is still quite impressive even if it is 70 years old.

The arch in St Louis is a good attraction, but be warned, if you want to ride to the top, you can't be claustrophobic. To get up there, you have to climb into tiny pods that resemble the inside of a dryer, for the ride up. I swear, they are no more than 4 feet in diameter. The view however, is worth the trip.

Nav

[Snikt]

Originally Posted by davidv

The big question is in how much of a hurry are you? Are you planning on driving 2 days? 3 days? 4 days? I can think of more interesting routes that probably are within 150-200 miles of the route google maps says to take that might take you to more interesting (IMO) places.

How about going through New Orleans and Dallas? You could spend the night in each city.

Of course travelling to Colorado via the Gateway Arch is kind of symbolic.

Well i'm leaving on Monday morning and I have to be there on Wednesday. It's a 27-28 hour drive non-stop supposedly, so I don't have a whole lot of free time but should be able to make some quick stops.


To answer Nav, I don't have any children and i'm just traveling by myself. I think i'd prefer more historic sights

Thanks

[djmaxwell]

Originally Posted by Snikt

Well i'm leaving on Monday morning and I have to be there on Wednesday. It's a 27-28 hour drive non-stop supposedly, so I don't have a whole lot of free time but should be able to make some quick stops.

If you go I-70, you will have the opportunity to stop at Prairie Dog Town in Oakley, KS.

[Nav]

We've driven Denver to Tampa and back at least 6 times in the last 2 years. We drive non stop except for gas, rest stops and usually one, 1 hour "sit down" meal and the trip takes 31 hours give or take a few minutes.
That going the most direct FL, GA, TN, KY, IL, MO, KS, CO route. If you want to break it up, the best place to stop is Mt Vernon, IL. Its exactly the half way point where you stop heading north and start heading west. Cheap hotels ($35/night) and lots of restaurants. Its about 16 hours from central Florida.

On your schedule,you are limited on the selection of "quick" places to stop. If you were to leave a day earlier, then there may be a better selection. The arch in St Louis may be the only one directly on the route. I believe there also is a historic US cavalry museum west of Topeka, around the Fort Riley Army Base that may be of interest.
If you want "quick history", a lof of the rest area in Kansas have historic plaques outlining their significance to the wagon trains of old. Best thing to say is to simply watch the signs. There are a lot of things do do along the way.

Nav

[Snikt]

Ok, thanks for the tips

Looking forward to CO

It still hasn't really sunk in yet though that i'm moving 1900 miles away