Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 02:39:20 -0400
Reply-To: Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject: Re: Driving across the country -- recommended routes?
In-Reply-To: <BAE47E04.33CD%jrunberg@mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
Ah, something I can definitely be an authority on...
I've traveled across the country (usually to Los Angeles) from the DC
area on just about every major cross country route.
I-10 (extreme southern route), I-40 (mid section). I-70 (upper mid
section) and I-80 (northern route). I didn't do the I-90 route (figure
I'll never head to North Dakota.) I've also done US Route 50.
I-10 is probably a bit out of your way, but I also wouldn't recommend
it as Texas gets to be both boring and very isolated once you leave
mid-Texas.
I-40. Good route all the way to California (from Virginia Beach, you'd
head west on I-64 to I-81 and that south the I-40.)
I-70. More interesting. I-70 on the western end is going to be too far
north for you.
I-80/I-90 Definitely too far north. Plains (across South Dakota and
Minnesota are boring.)
US 50. Slower. But more interesting for going across the plains
(Kansas) that I-70.
A common thread for all interstates, is that one is much the others and
boring after a while, so you best bet is to use the Interstates for
distance, and some US routes for interest.
For example, I'd recommend for you to take I-64 West through WV (toll
road in WV) go through Kentucky (maybe stop at Mammoth Caves). Then
head over to Indiana, cross over to Illinois and pick up I-70 in St.
Louis. Cross Missouri on I-70, but in Kansas head southwest to Topeka
and join up with US 50.
Take US 50 west (it follows the Arkansas river through Kansas and
Colorado.) to Monarch pass. Head south through Silverton or Telluride
turn west to drive through Monument Valley. Visit the Grand Canyon.
I know I'm not giving precise directions at this point, but the middle
section has so much to see.
Eventually you'll end up taking I-40 West to I-15, or I-15 South. Then
I-15 can take you down to San Diego. However, once you hit the Los
Angeles basin, it might be preferable to head all the way to the coast
and take I-5 south or the Pacific Coast Highway.
Another advantage to US routes over interstates is that you won't have
to try and keep up to other traffic that travels at 75 or 80mph.
There are other alternatives (one time I went to Hot Springs Arkansas,
for no other reason than to go there.)
