We will be moving from DC to Fresno mid-August. I will be driving most of the trip but my girlfriend would help for at least a couple of hours every day. I expect to make the trip in about 5/6 days. We are both not from the US (although we spent the last 5 years here) and would like to use this opportunity to explore America. I am considering between taking I - 80 and stopping over at Chicago but could take an alternative route like I - 40 if there are convenient little stop overs and interesting small towns. We are looking for suggestions about interesting cities/towns to stop over for the night if a 5/6 day trip. Good food suggestions alongside would be great, as we would like to avoid the food chains.