driving from philadelphia to san diego, which way is the best overall route to take? (Palm Springs: cost, vs.)

[f_m]

Originally Posted by nmnita

Someone mentioned it will be hot, of course it will be hot, it is August, but I assume you will be driving an AC truck.

Yes, but not everyone thinks about bringing some kind of sun shade, the mesh screens that stick to the side windows. Most of the time you see people with newspapers or magazines jammed over the side windows.

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by nmnita

Are you looking for the fastest route, scenic or what? I would take the route NewtoCa recommends. I don't think I would do Amarillo to Lubbuck and that way. Regardless, do hit 40 and come across. Someone mentioned it will be hot, of course it will be hot, it is August, but I assume you will be driving an AC truck. Acutally across 40 is very high altitude and the weather will not be that bad from the time you get into west Tx or NM until you go through Flagstaff you wil be at several thousand feet.

Nita

Yeah but then he has to cross the desert to get to Barstow and then fight the LA -Riverside traffic. which can be bumper to bumper for 100 miles.
Is he taking his U haul to the Grand Canyon?

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by f_m

Yes, but not everyone thinks about bringing some kind of sun shade, the mesh screens that stick to the side windows. Most of the time you see people with newspapers or magazines jammed over the side windows.

that is true, but we have never been so hot in the car that driving in AC is a problem where we need side window protection. Believe me, we have driven the 40 corridore many times. A few years ago we drove from ABQ to Laughlin. When we got to Laughlin it was 126 degrees, we still didn't need anything on the side windows. For those who do feel the need, yes, the mesh screens are great.

Nita

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Boompa

Yeah but then he has to cross the desert to get to Barstow and then fight the LA -Riverside traffic. which can be bumper to bumper for 100 miles.
Is he taking his U haul to the Grand Canyon?

didn't someone suggest from Flagstaff he head to Phoenix and take 10 in? that would keep him from going through Barstow, of course he would be going through Phoenix which could be worse. Either way, no matter what interstate he takes he is facing the Aug. heat in AZ, part of CA and maybe NV:luckily only for one day.

Nita

[Boompa]

Have you ever actually driven that? Bumper to bumper from Anthem to Goodyear, so if you think he'll enjoy a couple hours of bumper to bumper in 115 degree heat it sounds good

[usan8v]

The truck I will be driving has ac. So I am not too concerned about that, but thank you for the advice. Also, someone mentioned the hills I will have to climb on my journey, is this something to be concerned about with a car in tow? I am still a bit stuck on which way to actually go. I am looking for the fastest way, I would love to be able to sightsee but I think it will be tough with all my "baggage". I also looked into the pod that can be shipped, great idea but much more expensive with the amount of stuff I have. Will I be in area's where I will be the only one on the road for hours? Starting to think about some wacked movies I have seen...lol

[usan8v]

you lads/gents have been very helpful, and i really appreciate it!

[stillkit]

Pa Turnpike west to New Stanton, Pa.

I-70 west to St. Louis. (Forget about 270. Just go right through the middle, but watch the curve on the exit to I-44.)

I-44 west to Oklahoma City.

I-40 west to Barstow, Ca.

I-15 south to the bottom of Cajon Pass.

I-215 south to Murietta, Ca, then back on I-15 south.

Voila! San Diego!

You'll have some pretty good hills across PA, another fairly long downgrade into Albuquerque, another one after Williams, AZ down into Ash Fork, a general downhill between Seligman and Kingman, AZ and a real, 6% grade for 6 or 7 miles just south of Victorville, Ca. But, they're nothing you can't handle if you just watch your speed and don't fan the brakes.

That's your most direct route.

Alternative:

It's a little longer, but you can avoid most of the mountains by going this way:

Pa Turnpike west to Carlisle, PA.

I-81 south to Knoxville, TN.

I-75 south to Chattanooga, TN.

I-59 south to Birmingham, AL.

I-20 west to Kent, TX.

I-10 west to Eloy, AZ.

I-8 west to San Diego.

On this route, you'll have a pretty good downgrade at Texas Canyon, going down into Benson, AZ and a long, 9 mile climb up west of El Centro, CA. But, the downgrade on the west side is a series of relatively short (not over 5 miles) downhill grades.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Boompa

Have you ever actually driven that? Bumper to bumper from Anthem to Goodyear, so if you think he'll enjoy a couple hours of bumper to bumper in 115 degree heat it sounds good

Has who ever done what? you need to identify who you are referring to and driven what???

Nita

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by stillkit

Pa Turnpike west to New Stanton, Pa.

I-70 west to St. Louis. (Forget about 270. Just go right through the middle, but watch the curve on the exit to I-44.)

I-44 west to Oklahoma City.

I-40 west to Barstow, Ca.

I-15 south to the bottom of Cajon Pass.

I-215 south to Murietta, Ca, then back on I-15 south.

Voila! San Diego!

You'll have some pretty good hills across PA, another fairly long downgrade into Albuquerque, another one after Williams, AZ down into Ash Fork, a general downhill between Seligman and Kingman, AZ and a real, 6% grade for 6 or 7 miles just south of Victorville, Ca. But, they're nothing you can't handle if you just watch your speed and don't fan the brakes.

That's your most direct route.

Alternative:

It's a little longer, but you can avoid most of the mountains by going this way:

Pa Turnpike west to Carlisle, PA.

I-81 south to Knoxville, TN.

I-75 south to Chattanooga, TN.

I-59 south to Birmingham, AL.

I-20 west to Kent, TX.

I-10 west to Eloy, AZ.

I-8 west to San Diego.

On this route, you'll have a pretty good downgrade at Texas Canyon, going down into Benson, AZ and a long, 9 mile climb up west of El Centro, CA. But, the downgrade on the west side is a series of relatively short (not over 5 miles) downhill grades.

for speed you are completely right: going on I 40 out of OKC is the best, cutting from Amaillo to Lubb nd onto Clovis would be the least attractive route for time.

Nita