What is hte most efficient route to drive KY to Orange County? (car, parks)

[clawlan]

Quick search on google maps shows to main routes:
1. Southern I-40 route
or
2. Northern I-70 route

I'm curious what you all think will be the fastest and most efficient. I know the southern route is technically less miles, but I know speed limits are higher in some of the norther route states like Kansas. This drive is happening is a week or so. What do you all think?

Andrew

[PHItoLAX]

One thing to consider is that if you take the I-40 route during the summer, you're going to be driving through very hot temperatures in Arizona and part of California. When I drove out a couple years ago I took the southern route and made good time without excessive speeding.

[clawlan]

Originally Posted by PHItoLAX

One thing to consider is that if you take the I-40 route during the summer, you're going to be driving through very hot temperatures in Arizona and part of California. When I drove out a couple years ago I took the southern route and made good time without excessive speeding.

Yea the heat is something to think about. We are driving an '08 Santa Fe so I am pretty confident it will be ok. I am leaning towards southern to avoid the mountains.

[Reivax]

Originally Posted by clawlan

Quick search on google maps shows to main routes:
1. Southern I-40 route
or
2. Northern I-70 route

I'm curious what you all think will be the fastest and most efficient. I know the southern route is technically less miles, but I know speed limits are higher in some of the norther route states like Kansas. This drive is happening is a week or so. What do you all think?

Andrew

I have driven both, 70 from Kansas City to Colorado, through Utah and down in to California, and 40 but only from Amarillo to California.
I thought Colorado and Utah were breathtaking on 70, but Northern Arizona is also pretty. You see the nothing exciting in California on either route.

If you're just talking about "less highway patrol" presence, I'd probably say California Highway Patrol are the most aggressive, Arizona HP second. Take the north route, prettier anyway. Utah alone is worth that drive.

[Reivax]

Originally Posted by clawlan

Yea the heat is something to think about. We are driving an '08 Santa Fe so I am pretty confident it will be ok. I am leaning towards southern to avoid the mountains.

Southern route is not going to avoid mountains, Albuquerque, Gallup and Flagstaff are all over a mile high. CO is for sure higher, but other than a few grades, the north route is not much different. Heat/overheating car won't be an issue, don't worry. If my 68 Gran Torino can make, I am sure your brand new car will be OK

[Voyageur]

Originally Posted by PHItoLAX

One thing to consider is that if you take the I-40 route during the summer, you're going to be driving through very hot temperatures in Arizona and part of California. When I drove out a couple years ago I took the southern route and made good time without excessive speeding.

And the I-70 / I-15 route is still going to be hot at the end through southern Utah / northern Arizona / Nevada-Vegas and then California.

There's a reason they got that humongous thermometer in Baker!

Personally, I'd suggest the northern route for the scenery. But then, the scenery's not bad along the southern route, either.

[GandJandB]

Remember to check the weather warnings. We have traveled both ways and both are good. Stay away from any bad weather forecasts if you can.

[clawlan]

Originally Posted by GandJandB

Remember to check the weather warnings. We have traveled both ways and both are good. Stay away from any bad weather forecasts if you can.

Ah, good call, forgot about that.

Yea, scenery would be nice hitting the northern route...

[Roogy]

I've done 1-70 a few times, it's a beautiful drive.

[bhcompy]

70 is a much more scenic drive and has a few nice stops along the way(vegas, various national and state parks in CO and Utah, glenwood canyon, etc).

If your goal is just to get there, 40 will probably be better