Philadelphia to Las vegas

[satyn]

Hi Guys,
Me and my wife are planning to do a road trip to Las Vegas from Philadelphia, as I am relocating to Vegas. We are planning to leave end of June and give 6-7 days for the whole trip. We are driving our 2010 Prius. I just need some suggestions on what route should we take. Would love to take the scenic route rather than the boring fast one, also need suggestions for some sight seeing.
Thanks a lot and appreciate your suggestions.

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

The supposed 'fastest' route, and the one that mapping software will suggest, is the Turnpikes to Chicago, I-80/I-76 to Denver, I-70 into Utah, and I-15 down to Las Vegas. But the first third or so of that is all on heavy-traffic toll roads and is simply not terribly enjoyable, especially the parts around Chicago. A much better alternative would be to leave Philadelphia via the Turnpike, but only go as far as Harrisburg where you'd pick up I-81 south thus avoiding Wilmington, Baltimore and Washington. In Maryland you'll have a choice of heading west on I-70 (but using I-68/I-79 in western Maryland and Pennsylvania) through Columbus, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City and Denver; OR continuing south on I-81 to I 40 in eastern Tennessee and following that west through Nashville, Memphis, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, and Albuquerque. Either route will take you through scenic parts of the country and give you access to some great national parks. Either alternate route will take about five days of steady but not brutal driving, leaving you two days worth of time for sight-seeing. At that point it's up to you which cities of natural sites you're rather see. Besides the cities listed above for each route, the major national parks on the two routes are Rocky Mountain, Arches, and Zion on the first one; and Great Smoky, Petrified Forest and Grand Canyon on the second. There is no wrong choice.

AZBuck

[satyn]

Thanks a lot AZBuck, really appreciate your help.