Driving from DC to LA! Help!

[SKYwatchdog]

Hey everybody!

Been a while since I've posted anything. My Red hot chili pepper is resting in Annapolis, MD, waiting for my return to the US from Norway.

Like my fellow europeen BORAT, I'm driving across the US. Luckly not in an old ice-cream truck, but in my almost brand new SKY!
LIFE IS GOOD!

In late May I'm driving from Washington to Los Angeles.
And I was hoping that the fine members of this forum could help a fellow and tourist out by giving me advice on the following subjects:

What route to choose?
Where to stay?
Where to stop?
What to see?
Anything else of interest? Festivals, Sky meetings,concerts

This is my route roughly..so far...
So far I've decided to drive from Washington to Chicago. Through Iowa to South Dakota (Badlands, Mt.Rushmore, Devils Tower WY etc) then to Yellowstone NP. Back down Wyoming to Colorado (Rocky Mountains NP)
Four Corners, into Arizona to Grand Canyon. Up to Utah to visit Zion and Bryce. Down through Las Vegas to LA.

It has always been a dream of mine to do this and I would be very grateful for any ideas and suggestions you all might have

I'm using as much time as I need to on this trip so see "everything". As long as I have the money to keep my head above water

Drive safely everybody!

[snaponbob]

I did something like this when I was 18, before I joined the USAF. If I were to do it today, I would certainly have a Garmin gps, XM if you don't already have it, Onstar and/or cell, TIRE PLUG KIT, radar detector, and use the internet to set up your stops. How much time you have budgeted will dictate what you will be able to do.

Where will you make your trip across the Continental Divide? Since you are going through Colorado you may want to consider hooking a right at Estes Park and going over the Rockies via the Fall River Pass. When I did, it was a windy 2 lane road that went to about 14,000 feet at one of the summits. At the scenic view pull offs one could simply sit down with some crackers and endlessly feet the chipmunks. They would simply craw up in you hands and have lunch!!! And views to die for. There is also now a four lane interstate that parallels the old road. Certainly less romantic, but good views as well. Since you are crossing the divide, you may want to do it there.

Good luck with your trip. I hope you don't plan on packing too much stuff with you. What great fun the Rockies will be with the top down. I'm so envious I just want to and .

[SkyBaby]

Cool, when you get to the Chi-Town area.... look some of us up.... SkyBaby

[JRinKY]

I suggest that you head south out of DC, drive the Blue Ridge Pkwy, then visit Deal's Gap TN and drive the Tail of the Dragon. Head north to Detroit for the Henry Ford Museum, then go to Chicago.

[DaleF]

1. Since you're close enough you might as well start your trip from Ocean City, Md. Leave by way of the Rt 50 bridge, taking a picture of the sign that says "Sacramento, Ca 3564 mi." (don't recall exact milage).

2. Pack light.

[RMFNSKY]

Originally Posted by DaleF

2. Pack light.

I agree about going thru Estes Park, some of the best scenery in the country. I envy you being able to do this. Have a safe trip and if you make by way of St Louis don't forget to check out the Gateway to the West!!!

[vfx]

I've driven across the country 5 times now and I've enjoyed, well, 4 of them. (avoid the I-20 to I-10 route. It takes about 7 years to get through texas)

I just picked up my sky a few weeks ago in Denver and drove it back to LA. Fun trip. This time I spent a lot of time on the old route 66 and I-40. Fun, strange little towns. If you do end up in Vegas, dont leave on a Sunday.


c

[JohnD]

Looks like you are a Natural Park / Scenic Beauty kind of guy. That being the case, you simply MUST visit Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevadas. Perhaps as a detour between Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Include Yosemite on the trip. Incredible example of God's talents.

If time is truly unlimited, when you are up north take a couple of weeks and drive the Alcan into Alaska and stomp around there. Then put the SKY on a ferryboat of the Alaska Marine Highway System and give it a ride down to the Seattle area and then resume your trip...

[JRinKY]

JohnD : Looks like you are a Natural Park / Scenic Beauty kind of guy. That being the case, you simply MUST visit Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevadas. Perhaps as a detour between Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Include Yosemite on the trip. Incredible example of God's talents.

Don't forget Monument Valley, so you can see where The Road Runner cartoons were filmed.

[snaponbob]

Originally Posted by vfx

I've driven across the country 5 times now and I've enjoyed, well, 4 of them. (avoid the I-20 to I-10 route. It takes about 7 years to get through texas)

Holy crap!!!! ONLY seven years?!?!?!? I made that trip when I had to do a round trip from south Georgia to Tucson. And the most expensive gas was at a Midland Texas gas station with an oil derick ON IT'S PROPERTY. THAT was weird. When I drove through El Paso going west there was a dust storm and I did not see ANY of the city until I came back east. It was a BORRRRRRINNNNGGGGG trip. NO state should be that big - and DULL to drive through. At least in these times there is XM and Sirius to break the boredom. Sort of.

[snaponbob]

BTW, Skywatchdog, if you do use I-70 through the midwest, I will pop for some Kansas City bar-b-que if you e-mail me and let me know when.

[Mark in INdiana]

The red rocks in the Sedona, AZ area are very picturesque. There are cliff dwellings remains from early Native Americans near Flagstaff (Walnut Canyon)and also near Cortez, Colorado. Both are very cool. East of Flagstaff near Winslow is the famous Meteor impact crater. This is very well preserved compared to others found around the Earth. The drive on old Rt66 from Kingman, AZ up to Oatmann (where the burros roam free thru the town) and on to Needles, CA is neat. The old London Bridge (from London, England) is in Lake Havasu, AZ. Just south of Las Vegas is Hoover Dam. Dam it's big. Death Valley in CA I believe the lowest point on Earth below sea level - of course by May it may be getting a little warm there already. Not far from Fresno, CA are the giant Sequoia (sp?) trees in a unique micro environment that has allowed the huge tress to flurish for 1,000s of years. The winding roads will be fun in your SKY and the snows will be gone by then. Where ever you go, enjoy your trip.

[Ahnuld]

Originally Posted by SKYwatchdog

Hey everybody!

Been a while since I've posted anything. My Red hot chili pepper is resting in Annapolis, MD, waiting for my return to the US from Norway.

Like my fellow europeen BORAT, I'm driving across the US. Luckly not in an old ice-cream truck, but in my almost brand new SKY!
LIFE IS GOOD!
<--snip-->
Drive safely everybody!

Just curious... Are ya staying out in LA, or do ya have to make the drive back also?

Figure 500 miles per day, Probably closer to 4000 miles total (as you arent taking a straight line) means you are looking at 8 days to get out there?
Then ya have to do it coming back home again?

I do know someone who drove a car back from LA area to Philly and did it in about 4 days (maybe even 3), with two drivers. But they were all about getting the car back and not doing any site seeing.


Another question... Someone joked "pack light"... but seriously, how are you going to fit "stuff" into your car?!?!

[V8 SKY]

I did a small trip from Vegas to Detroit in 2002 when I bought my Miata from a friend there (Sold that the second the SKY arrived). I took a long route, and stayed with friends along the way. It was actually OK, but I would rather do it in the SKY now.

Each Day:
Vegas to Phoenix (on back roads, and over Hoover Dam).
Phoenix to EL Paso. via I-10
El Paso to Tyler, TX (just past Dallas - A whole day, and STILL in Texas!). via I-10/I-20
Tyler, TX to Atlanta. via I-20
(Fly to Detroit for a Friday Wedding)
(Fly back to Atlanta for a Saturday Wedding)
Atlanta to Detroit. via I-75

Total trip including stopovers and the weddings was 7 days.

It wasn't bad at all, and it was when I discovered the reason for MP3 CDs in your car. I put a 10 way to Disc changer in the Miata when I hit Phoenix, and burned 10 MP3 CDs right away. I never heard the same song twice the rest of the trip.

I great trip overall. Enjoy yours. Stop and see friends if you can, not worrying about the most direct route.

[duck833]

I have driven through Nevada many times, interesting desert but kind of got old after a while.

Your route bypasses the Pacific Northwest. You should try to checkout the Pacific Cascade Mountains, try to go through Bend, Oregon drive over to Mount Hood, through Portland then hit the Oregon Coast at some point. The further south you get on the coast the nicer it is. Lots of twisty roads, a whole state's worth. You can always get back on I-5 and bomb to California.

[JRinKY]

duck833 : I have driven through Nevada many times, interesting desert but kind of got old after a while.

Your route bypasses the Pacific Northwest. You should try to checkout the Pacific Cascade Mountains, try to go through Bend, Oregon drive over to Mount Hood, through Portland then hit the Oregon Coast at some point. The further south you get on the coast the nicer it is. Lots of twisty roads, a whole state's worth. You can always get back on I-5 and bomb to California.

Yes, Yes, Yes. Columbia River Gorge !

Of course, if he is ending up in LA permanently, Oregon is not a long trip. Depending on my final location, I'd concentrate my time in the East.

[SKYwatchdog]

Thanks everybody!

Just like I was hoping.
Please continue people posting great ideas and valuable tips where to drive, what to see, and where to stay! Very much appreciated!

I will be travelling alone..but yeah...backing for the trip is a challenge Luckly I have they passenger seat open to store a bag

I'm driving to LA and staying there for a while, but will head over to the eastcoast again

Please! Keep em coming

[rs0987654]

I hope you take some type of wireless MAC or PC. Once in a while you can stop at a Starbucks and type in a report on all the adventures. That would be great reading!

Rich

[CrymeLord]

All of Wyoming is a drag strip. Take your Redline there post haste. I drove the wheels off a little Toyota rental I had one time (the hamsters were screaming by the time I ws through with it). Picked it up in South Dakota, dropped it off in Montana after going to Mt. Rushmore, Devil's Tower and Yellowstone.

Yellow stone is great. Bear Tooth pass is great if it isn't closed due to snow.