MissJoeyDFW

Good luck on your move and drive. Moving and transferring was always exciting for me.

essxjay

Let's reposition this discussion in the new USA destinations forum where the OP's query may get wider consideration.

essxjay, the OMNIs co-mod

cblaisd

Are you wanting to make the drive as quickly as possible? Then any of the interstate options will be fine and get you there with dispatch.

If, though, you want to take it a bit more leisurely, are open to non-interstates, and interested in seeing some local sights then I've got several suggestions.

But it might help us all to know what sort of trip you'd like -- fast and interstate-intensive, or slower and more scenic?

deubster

I've done a fair amount of work in N AZ (mostly on the Hopi Res.). On Day 3, you've got enough time for a detour, plus eastern AZ through Holbrook and Winslow is really dull. I'd recommend heading N at Gallup, then W shortly after (at Yah-Ta-Hey) and follow Hwy 264 through Window Rock, Keams Canyon, Second Mesa, all the way to Tuba City before turning south to rejoin the Interstate. Ethereal, mystical, occasionally breathtaking, and definitely enlightening. Along the way, get a double burger at the Motel/Restaurant at Second Mesa.

Yoshi212

Any reason for the only 3-4 days? Years ago I drove across country form NY to LA via the North and down the West Coast for 23 days to get my friend to grad school. NY-CHI was the first night. A lot of driving in 1 day is boring and takes a toll on the body. We broke it up into a vacation even stopping in Spokane Washington to see some of my family after 4 days in Yellowstone on our way to Seattle before heading down the coast. I suggest making it into a bit of a vacation. Find a few sites a couple of hundred miles apart and let the good times roll.

WestSideBilly

Any particular reason you're looking for the dullest possible route?

enviroian

Just my preference

tom_MN

I've done similar many times. If you stick to interstates, driving I-70 west of Denver to Nevada will be the highlight. I-40 has less to offer unless you get off it from time to time.

If you pay attention to the landscape it changes radically as you head west, always getting drier and drier as the trees thin and shorten. It surprises me that people find long distance driving dull in the USA since there is always a lot going on visually even through the flattest bits (as opposed to say driving across Australia which is breaktakingly dull).

annerj

Honestly a lot of this depends on the OP. Does he have time to do a nice roady trip with stops and some advneture or is he needing to get there ASAP?

I recently did a solo NC to WY over a short weekend. I did the drive until I needed a place to crash deal...problem is where I needed some sleep they were having some big ... quilting convention and every hotel for ~50 miles was booked solid.

Not a huge deal but was a bit of a pain.

I agree. Audio book are second only to having a real conversation IMO.

*while I get tired I don't get too sleepy behind the wheel. I'm the 2000 miles with 1 4 hour stop guy, I'm the lets drive 5 hours to denver, watch a broncos game then drive home that night guy. Friends love me when a roady is needed

Less mountains?!?!? that makes me sad its like saying I want to have less fun.

SusanDK

I'm surprised no one has suggested Route 66, the classic Chicago to LA road trip.

We've done a great deal of driving in the western U.S. I would most likely take the I-80/I-70 route as it's marginally the shortest and I'd want to get through the first part as quickly as possible. As suggested up thread, I would do the first part (until getting through Nebraska) as quickly as possible, and then take some time through Colorado and Utah to enjoy the scenery.

I would not miss a chance to get off the interstate and go through Valley of the Gods in southeastern Utah (south of Moab), as well as Bryce and Zion in southwestern Utah.

From Las Vegas, if you've never driven through Death Valley, it is also a fascinating trip.

Of course, it depends on how much time you want to take. The shortest distance as per Google maps is 29 hours of driving.

kale73

Well, the Route (66) doesn't officially exist anymore. And many segments of the old highway are in serious disrepair and/or are inaccessible (i.e., on private land that the states have surrendered to ROW).

But I agree. One can approximate that route with modern highways and see some interesting remnants of a bygone era.

I disagree with the poster who dissed Holbrook and Winslow. Both towns do have some interesting - if at times quirky - attractions. Petrified Forest National Park (East of Holbrook) features some classic southwestern landscapes. Holbrook has one of the few remaining incarnations of the Wigwam Motel and some life-sized dinosaur re-creations, not to mention what I believe is the only thoroughfare in the U.S. named "Bucket of Blood Street". Winslow has both the Standin' on the Corner Park (for Eagles fans) and the beautifully restored La Posada Hotel. West of Winslow, there are two ghost towns located at the Two Guns exit. The ruins of Two Guns itself are just south of the exit. About a mile north (on a rough dirt road) are the ruins of Canyon Diablo, a boom and bust old West town that is famed for being one of the roughest towns to ever exist in N. America. (The first town marshall was killed within an hour of being sworn in.)

Regarding the suggested Gallup - NM/AZ 264 detour. There's currently some major construction work on AZ 264 between Window Rock and Ganado. Expect delays. If you choose this route, check out the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock and Hubbell Trading Post in Ganado. The burger in Second Mesa isn't bad, but beware that if you miss that place there's very little in the way of food, gasoline, bathrooms, etc. until Moenkopi. Just past Tuba City, the "Dinosaur Tracks" are a fascinating ad hoc roadside attraction. Locals sell arts & crafts there and are willing (even eager!) to take one on an impromptu tour pointing out the various dinosaur tracks. Or one can explore them on ones own. Once in Cameron, might as well drive through the South Rim of the G.C. as well before rejoining I-40 in Williams.

TWA884

While it is no longer marked on the maps, it is still possible to follow most of Route 66 between Chicago and Los Angeles.

Here are a couple of resources:

mlshanks

While the I-70 is the most mountainous of the three possible interstate routings (crossing the Rockies in the middle of Colorado and some major ranges in Utah), another Northern route, I-80 to Salt Lake City and then I-15 through Las Vegas is actually shorter than most of the other all Interstate routings.....and does not have any major/long mountain stretches. I-80 also has some of the nicest rest areas through Nebraska and Wyoming.

kale73

I live about 19 miles North of Old Hwy 66 in Chambers, Arizona. An 8-mile section of the old road is an I-40 frontage road running East from Chambers to Sanders, where it disappears for awhile. There's no way to take Hwy 66 to the West - at least as far as Petrified Forest N.P. - without trespassing on private property. I know. I've tried.

Many miles of the old road between Albuquerque and Flagstaff are either gone (I-40 was built right on top) or in such disrepair that driving on it is hazardous. The major exceptions are, of course, through those urban areas where the Mother Road was "Main Street": Albuquerque, Grants, Gallup, Holbrook, Winslow and Flag. West of Flag, one can still travel the "old road" up to Peach Springs and thru to Kingman (I've traveled this route twice). What I have not yet done is the Kingman to Oatman section, which allegedly has some of the steepest grades and switchbacks on Old 66.

Wrynn

That's an idea