Road trip from Sacramento to Tucson, what is a good route? (Los Angeles: hotels, theater)

[suzie02]

We are traveling with a 15 mo and an almost 4yo so we will have to stop often.
We are also considering stopping for a couple of days somewhere on the coast to enjoy the beach.
We are planning the trip during Easter week.
Any recommendations? TIA

[NewToCA]

Well, the basic direct route is I-5 South to I-10 East, which you pick up in Los Angeles. You go east on I-10 all the way to Tucson.

This doesn't go by the beach at all. If you decide to take the Pacific Coast Highway instead of I-5 South, you will see much in the way of spectacular scenery and some varied beach areas such as Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel-By-the-Sea and Santa Barbara. However the trip takes much longer and has some long distances without "conveniences".

[Lyrsc]

I just made that trip.. 3 months ago.. actually Modesto-Tucson
Take the 99 south until it merges with the I5 after bakerfield
Take the I5 all the way to San Diego, Honestly.. a beach city not to far out of the way...
Oceanside or Carlsbad.. Money saver... Oceanside
Exit Coast Hwy (1st exit heading south thru oceanside)
Plenty of hotels/motels... biggest pier in SD?.. nightlife and theaters on the beach

Anywhere else in SD you will slowly vier inland and finding the beach will be more difficult/expensive
Now back to the trip...
Head south on I5 past del rey beach to the I805
it splits from the I5 right before La Jolla (small highrises)
This will take you to the I8 east in mission valley
I8 will take you thru el centro, yuma and casa grande.. head south on I10

Sac-Oceanside - 6hrs+
Oceanside-Tucson - 6hrs+



Faster trip ;
Take the 99 south to Bakersfield, take hwy 58 thru tehachapi to barstow
In barstow take the I15 south to the I10... take I10 thru Phoenix to Tucson

Goodluck.

[Lyrsc]

Originally Posted by NewToCA

Well, the basic direct route is I-5 South to I-10 East, which you pick up in Los Angeles. You go east on I-10 all the way to Tucson.

This doesn't go by the beach at all. If you decide to take the Pacific Coast Highway instead of I-5 South, you will see much in the way of spectacular scenery and some varied beach areas such as Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel-By-the-Sea and Santa Barbara. However the trip takes much longer and has some long distances without "conveniences".

I8 is alot faster than I10
plus you go thru San Diego instead of Phoenix..
Traffic is the same in either city.. the scenery is just alot better in SD

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by Lyrsc

I8 is alot faster than I10
plus you go thru San Diego instead of Phoenix..
Traffic is the same in either city.. the scenery is just alot better in SD

Maybe, haven't taken I-8:

Google Map shows 870 miles, and 12 hours 53 minutes via I-10

Google Map shows 908 miles, and 13 hours 36 minutes via I-8