West - Driving Sedona to Central Coast, CA

We will be driving from Sedona to Pismo Beach/San Luis Obispo area late August

To me, lay over options are limited so would welcome recommendations

Have stayed at 29 Palms before and not a lot there so other options preferred

Thanks
R

Please follow as the thread moves to our Travel->West forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

29 Palms seems a bit out of the way.

How long do you wish to take?


My first choice would be via Las Vegas. Second would be an overnight in Barstow only because it is a railroad town.

I'd second Barstow also. At least there is some "civilization" there.

Rickjt62

Sounds like you have done this trip before. Basically, there are two route options reasonable close in time and mileage.

I-40 will take you 10 1/4 hrs and 632 miles. You can stop in Kingman and visit the Rte 66 Museum, but it is only 175 miles into your journey. A bit further would be a stop in Laughlin. This is a cheaper alternative. While several hotels exist "in town", I suggest a stay a bit our of town at the AVI. Modest costs, lots of food choices, auto racing, swap meet, etc. This option is still only 200+ miles from your start point. Bakersfield is about 500 miles out, and has lots of ranching and oil history. A great place (and novel) is the Wool Growers Rest. This family style basque has been serving food for longer that most people can recall. A bit more drive and you find your self at your destinaltion without a stop! Up to you.

I-10 route is 10 1/2 hours and 668 miles...actually longer. This route matches your 29 Palms history. But other choices exist on that route. Blythe is 4 hrs and about 258 miles (same, but I-60 is 4 1/4 hr, 243 miles). Blythe offers the Giant Desert Figures, Geodes and an opal mine. A bit further, and near 29 Palms is the Palm Springs area. Palm Desert, a cheaper alternative is also home to the wonderful Living Desert attraction. An animal and botanic garden oasis with a huge model train exhibit and a recently completed vet center.

Happy driving....paying it forward

Personally, I'd go via the I-40 (CA 58/48) routing, as I-10 through Los Angeles is fraught with possibilities for problems. Along I-40 look at overnighting at Laughlin & Bakersfield for the reasons previously cited by others... Barstow, while a gritty railroad and trucking town, does have a major Outlet Mall and the Route 66 museum.

An interesting option splitting the difference between the I-40 route and the I-10 route (although a bit longer at 678 miles) might be to travel I-40 to Barstow, take I-15 South to Victorville and CA 18, then turn West and take CA 18 to Palmdale, catch CA 14 South to Santa Clarita, then cut across town to CA 126 which you can take West through Filmore & Santa Paula to US-101 in Ventura, where you could just follow 101 up the coast through Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and on to Pismo & SLO. You neatly dodge all but the outermost fringes of LA traffic and congestion, while getting most of the scenic advantages of the I-10 to 101 route.

I would agree with I-40 and a stop in Bastow. One other suggestion - you didn't mention your ultimate destination, but depending on what it is, I would recommend 46 across the central valley.