Driving Help!!! Las vegas to Wichita (Salina, Dodge City: motel, travel, companies)

[helen2007]

I am going to drive from Las vegas to Wichita. This is my first time driving for such a long distance. Does anyone can give me some suggestions on the road direction. Which road is better? Thanks a lot!

[chilegal]

I would take 93 to interstate 40. Then in Tucumcari New Mexico I would take Hwy 54 to Wichita. Its an easy route to follow.
Also I would check mapquest. I know it does not say 54 as it goes interstate if it can, but 54 cuts off a good 2hrs of driving.
Have a safe trip.
Jane

[helen2007]

Thank you very much,Jane!

[nm_photojournalist]

Hi:
I'm a native Kansan, now living in Albuquerque, so I've been over the Albuquerque - Tucumcari - Dalhart - Liberal - Wichita route dozens of times. By the same token, due to my profession, I've traveled extensively in Arizona, Utah, and Colorado also. May I suggest you at least check this option...the interstate (don't have the number) north of Vegas (to Salt Lake City)...but before there, east on I-70. In Eastern Utah you'll pass very near Arches National Monument, and Canyonlands National Monument, both scenic in the extreme...just outside of Moab. Driving east into Colorado, the interstate is also scenic east of Grand Junction, through Glenwood Springs, Vail, and into Denver. A taste of the "Rockies," although I-40 passes the Rockies east of Albuquerque, but it's not the same! :-) Into western Kansas you may either continue on I-70 to Salina, then south on Interstate 135, 90 miles to Wichita...or...do a little zig-zagging from around Goodland down to Dodge City, and then SE into Wichita. I'm sure this will be a few miles more, but maybe you're flexible, and not driving straight through (God I hope not, LOL!).
MapQuest is good, but I've found one I like even better: Mapsonus.com: Maps, Driving Directions, Yellow Pages, White Pages - Mapsonus.com
As the other "helper" said...these map companies like to route you via interstates, which can often add many miles to your trip. For example, your route LV-Wichita via Albuquerque, may suggest I-40 to Oklahoma City, then north to Wichita. Way out of the way! If you're coming through Albuquerque, U.S. 54 from Tucumcari is the only way to go to Wichita. To avoid the "interstate" total routing...you could put in LV - Pratt, KS, just 30 or so miles west of Wichita on US54...that should show you the route via US54 from Tucumcari then. "If" you decide to take this route, I can recommend motels, and some restaurants since I'm so familiar with it. You'll be passing through a lot of "Boonies," so if you're driving in the Summer...start early...and stop early to beat the worst of the heat. Have a safe trip! It should take you about 2 1/2 to 3 full days. (From Albuquerque to Wichita takes me approximately 12 hours, taking it easy, I stop day 1 at Liberal.)

[helen2007]

Thank you, thank you, nm_photojournalist, very much!!!

[Paul_Bettes]

The route throgh hwy 54 isn't a problem since they finally got 54 reopened through Greensburg.