Best driving route to San Fran from NH (Temple, Washington: renting, amusement park)

[JCPTNH08]

Hi All,

I'm moving from NH next month, heading to CA. I'm wondering if anyone has ever made the drive from NH to CA (San Francisco area) and if so, what route you took? I'm driving with my two kids, so a scenic route is best to keep them from getting too bored

Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated!

[NH2008]

It depends if your kids get car sick. I've driven from SF to the midwest and from NH to the midwest. Both are LONG drives. 80 West is your most direct route from the midwest and will take you through some interesting areas that are mostly flat and traffic-free - we stopped at the Rodeo Museum in Wyoming, Circus Circus Casino in Reno (has free circus acts for kids), Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Cabela's in Nebraska, Gold Rush era mines in CA, and Chicago. The only part I would describe as scenic would be Nevada, which is gorgeous, and parts of Utah. You could also detour through Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio (huge amusement park), Sea World, or Cleveland (a lot of museums.)

I have done the drive from NH to the midwest many times. You have the choice of a beautiful drive through the mountains that used to make me miserably sick when I was a kid or a much less scenic but flatter and more direct route on the highway. One stop that isn't too far out of your way is the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown NY. There's also a Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH.

However have to be honest - as much as I love my kids and love roadtrips the only drive I want to do with them now is to the airport!

[GregW]

I suggest you take the northern route by following I-90 west to Chicago then I-94 through North Dakota and Montana to the federal roads through Glacier National Park. I would then take Federal 395 south through Washington and Oregon to Carson City Nevada and then west on Federal 50 to Sacramento and San Francisco. This is not the fastest (if you want fast take I-90 to I-80) but is a very scenic route that should avoid most of the hostile summer weather. I would have suggested the Canadian route between Buffalo and Sault Ste Marie but fuel prices in Canada are even higher than in the US.

I have driven across the country a couple of times. I even rode a motorcycle from San Francisco to New York City. I would really like to take this trip again but with current gas prices long distance travelling is pretty much a fly and rent-a-car proposition.

[AngelaK]

Route 93 to Logan Airport..............straight flight from Boston to San Fran............ Just kidding...............Have Fun!!

[JCPTNH08]

Believe me, I'd rather fly. The problem is that I own a 2007 Honda Pilot, for which the buy back value at the dealer is $18K. I paid well over $30K last year for it. Seems nobody wants to own an SUV these days. So, to ship the car to CA the cost is around $1500 and it'll take a few weeks to get there, meaning I'm renting one for that time. Then, adding up the cost of flights, shipping cats...it just makes sense to drive, much to my dismay.

[AngelaK]

It will probably turn out to be a trip of a lifetime! You will make some great memories! I really meant it when I said have fun!!!! My husband traveled out west by car with his family when he was a kid...and they still talk and joke about it today!!! So, enjoy!

[dzmjp]

Hey Angela! I've done the route from NJ -> Wa.. and I do like Greg's idea... it will be scenic and traffic in the summer with 2 kids?!?! My husband and I did the 80 W route and made some stops - Mt Rushmore too. A bit off the highway... If I find some other interesting stops for you - I'll definitely post them for you... for some reason, I can't think of them right now! Good luck to you and I hope you enjoy SF!

[rmcewan]

I've done the trip twice... once heading west to Los Angeles right after 9/11, and then last year to move up here.

I have to say, I really like going over the Rockies on the 70 - quite amazing scenery and engineering feat but that'd be out of your way for San Fran.

I'd take Rt9 out of NH, then 86/88 across NY, then 90/80 via Cleveland (don't stop) and Chicago (stop). After that, stick to 80.

I agree with Greg about 94/90 being the "nicest" route. But it is also the longest by another 2 days (for family type driving).

[dognh]

If time is not an issue I would recommend staying off the Interstates. The Interstates are fast but absolutely boring. I've made the trip before and stuck to only two lane roads (once I got past the northeast).

There are many books out there that can give you ideas for fun routes. The route I took was southern -- down through the appalacians then across the south from georgia through texas, NM, Grand Canyon (route 66) up throughparts of Utah Nevada trough to the California coast. My return I went the northern route through wyoming, idaho, Montana, SD, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and back.

[JFRRACING]

hey , maybe this will help. i map quested from sanfran ca to n.h for ya. here's the site.

Driving Directions from NH to CA