Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
But I 70 is just the most beautiful drive once you pass Denver CO. In Utah there is a rest area every 20 miles for good reason, views to die for.
It ends in Utah, hitting I 15, or go straight west via 2 lane desolated roads.
As jambo noted, what time frame to devote to the trip and at destination, and the long haul back?
And, interests would help in the suggestions also: motels vs camping, Nat Parks, great two lane back roads, some interesting sights/points of interest that will never happen on the interstate, etc.
Fwiw, we did 13,000 miles over 2 months a couple summers ago inc 36 states and provinces of CDA. You will probably not be spending 'two months', but I have a laundry list of great places to see.
A week drive out and a week drive back and 20 mins in Ventura: you won't see much other than windshield time.
From Northern Indiana I always drove the I-40 route (route 66). To some it's just a never ending stretch of fields, road, and desert but to me it's paradise. Cruising ata steady 70-75, stopping at all the little swag shops, plus Meteorcrater in Arizona is just off I-40 and that is awesome! Takes you basically right to the ocean.
Whatever way you take have fun!!!
But I 70 is just the most beautiful drive once you pass Denver CO. In Utah there is a rest area every 20 miles for good reason, views to die for.
It ends in Utah, hitting I 15, or go straight west via 2 lane desolated roads.
+1 to I-70 through the Rockies, but after crossing into Utah, we cut south through Moab on 191 to 163, which took us through must-see Monument Valley. Also, a stopover in Moab would give you time to check out Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. And of course nearby Grand Canyon and Sedona (and Flagstaff is a fun place to overnight).
I did the I-40 trip once from San Diego, CA to Washington, DC, and some of the stops I enjoyed were the Oklahoma City bombing memorial in OK City; Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas; Beale Street in Memphis; the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville; Mammoth Cave in Kentucky (and if you like bourbon, a stop at a distillery or two is in order); and Skyline Drive in Virginia.
Tough call--the northerly route offers Badlands, Mt Rushmore, Devil's Tower and Yellowstone while the southerly route offers the Grand Canyon. Oh and the middle route offers Colorado & Utah via I-70 and they're both spectacular as noted above. Since you're going in May there's even a chance of avoiding the horrendous summer tourist crush everywhere you go. I'm sorta jealous
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
