Chicago to Vegas looking for nice scenery

[yocamyo]

I'll be leaving Sunday around 10am from Chicago by myself and I would like to be in Las Vegas by Wednesday at 7pm. Obviously I wont have much time to stop and do stuff but I am looking for a route that wont be super boring and will have some nice things to look at out of the car window every now and then. Any suggestions for places to stop a long the way or which routes to take are greatly appreciated.

[Southwest Dave]

Hello and welcome to RTA !

I70 west of Denver is about as scenic as it gets on Interstate. As you have noted, you don't really have a lot of time for sight seeing, but you could detour from I70 over Loveland Pass on US6 to Dillon. If you don't mind adding drive time and want to get off Interstate you could take 191 through Moab and 163 through Monument Valley. This would possibly give you the opportunity for a quick visit to the Grand canyon south rim and then over Hoover dam into Vegas. If not stay on I70 to I15 and you could detour to Zion NP or drive through Valley of Fire. Of course there are many other options and the best thing you can do is have a look at the map and see what stands out to you and your interests.

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

You're actually in pretty good shape with the time you have. You're only going to need to be on the road for about 8 hours a day, so you do have a little time to stop and smell the roses, so to speak.

The most direct route, also happens to include some of the most scenic freeways in the world. That would be I-80 to I-76 to I-70 to I-15 across Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, and Utah. That takes you right through the heart of the Colorado Rockies and within a short detour of at least 7 National Parks.

Of course, there are other options with the time you have - you don't even have to stick to the freeway - but that's a basic plan to get to started. And remember, on the road, boring is always a state of mind. There are unique things to find, even across the prairie - if you're up for looking for them.