Driving from Chicago to San Diego (San Bernardino, Barstow: move to, bars, car)

[Chica_Go]

Hi everyone!

I've decided to get out of the cold Midwest and move to San Diego!

Does anyone have any recommendations on a good way to drive from Chicago to San Diego? I want to avoid snow wherever possible.

Thanks!!!

[Crew Chief]

Chica_Go, I'd head South on I-55 to St. Louis, Take I-44 over to Oklahoma City (OKC), Get on I-40 West in OKC and run that all the way to I-15 in CA. Take I-15 at Barstow to the I-215 at the bottom of Cajon Pass (Just N of San Bernardino) into San Diego. Have a GREAT trip!

Notes:

I-44 from the OK/MO border to OKC is a toll road; not very expensive, though. In OKC, the John Kilpatrick Toll Road may be worth the money to avoid downtown OKC. At Vinita, OK, there's a HUGE MCDonald's in the median of the highway.

Weather is quickly changeable on I-40 at Flagstaff Mountain in AZ; kep an ear to your weather radio.

[leighland]

When I did it 5 years ago, I made a road trip out of it. It was a March drive too. I went 55 to St Louis and spent a couple of days there. Took 70 to KC and met some friends. Took 35 to Wichita and visited the parents. 35 to OK City and stopped at the bombing memorial which was EXCELLENT. 35 to Dallas and stayed with family. Then the 20 to the 10 to the 8. The West Texas drive is horribly boring but El Paso to SD was FABULOUS. El Paso is crazy, little Mexico, without the urban grit of San Ysidro. New Mexico to Arizona is BEAUTIFUL, like a car commercial and all the stars you can see at night-Wow! Plus all the Cacti are blooming their flowers-just gorgeous.You'll need great sunglasses driving due West at 5 pm-trust me. Make sure your car is in great shape when you go through the Cleavland Nat'l Forest. You go up and down thousands of feet and its hard on the car. Have Fun!-I'm Jealous