SF to Boston

Hi all -- I'm moving from SF to Boston for school, and am excited to make the cross-country drive into a fun road-trip. We're going to spend some time with family in Colorado, so I've split the trip into two segments - SF to Denver and Denver to Boston. I would love suggestions on routing or fun activities along the way - we love outdoor activities. I'll have all my possessions in my 2000 Chrysler (so safety tips are appreciated, although nothing I own is worth much) and we'll be staying at hotels along the way.

SF to Silverthorne, CO - expected time: 3 days, 2 nights

Options:

1) I-80 through Reno and SLC, drop down to I-70 into Colorado.

2) Break off at Reno to US-50 (the loneliest road) across NV and UT - is this road worth it for the scenery, or should I avoid since there's a fair deal of elevation change and lack of services?

3) Drive South to Las Vegas, then take I-15 across NV and Utah (with a stop at one of UT's national parks), then I-70 into Colorado.

Denver, CO to Boston - expected time: 4 days, 3 nights

Any thoughts on whether we should take I-80 or I-70 -- I have been to Chicago before, so that's not a huge draw.


Thanks for all advice!

I personally would take US-50. Top off your fuel tank and pick up everything you need in Fallon. I would recommend overnights in Ely and Grand Junction. I-70 across Utah and Colorado is much more scenic than I-80, and going all the way down to LV to pick up I-15 isn't worth the extra time. If you have time, you could visit Arches, it's not too far off I-70. If you do that, spend the night in Moab.

You would need more than 3 days to visit multiple parks in Utah, but if you have the time, go to LV via Yosemite and Death Valley, then go up to I-70 via Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Capitol Reef - taking UT-12 through Escalante.

I would take I-70/I-71/I-76/I-80/I-81/I-84/I-691/I-91/I-84/I-90 to Boston. Stop near Kansas City, Indianapolis, and Williamsport.

Hello and welcome to the RTA forums !

If you have the time and/or don't mind long days the drive through Yosemite DV and through Utah via scenic 12 is an amazing and diverse drive and well worth considering. If you could add a couple of days for sight seeing that would be the icing on the cake !
If you didn't want to go through Vegas you could head East from Lee vining to Tonopah on 120/6 and then head down the ET highway [375] from Warm springs [a few deserted buildings where you can dip your toes in a hot pool] to the 93 and 168 to I-15.
You have a few options to consider and only you can decide what will work best for you, but when you have done so let us know and we might be able to "fine tune" it with you.

Have a great trip !

Thanks for the input!

I decided to take Southwest Dave's suggestion and go through Yosemite and then down to Las Vegas - I'll be adding another night so the days aren't too long. I'm thinking of stopping in Bishop on the first night, then leaving early to hopefully drive through Death Valley (in August... I hope it won't be too unbearable - otherwise, I guess we'll continue down 395 to 58/I-15) to stay the night in Las Vegas. Does anyone have a suggestion on where to stop between Las Vegas and Silverthorne, Co for the 3rd night - Green River? Also, any suggestions on which Utah NP is the easiest and most rewarding to visit off of I-15.

Green River is a good stop, as is Grand Junction if you can make it that far.

The easiest park to visit from I-15 is Zion. You can leave the park out the east exit and take US-89 to I-70 with very little loss of time.

If you can squeeze another day or two, you could also go to Bryce Canyon, then UT-12/UT-24 through Capitol Reef on up to I-70. UT-12 is one of the most spectacular roads in the country.

For the stop to Silverthorne CO, Moab would be a possible stopover point. Although it's a small diversion off I-70 on 191, it's a lively little town next door to Arches NP that would also be worth a look. You could rejoin I-70 by going back up on the 128 which will take you a little longer but is scenic and will take you past Castle rock and Fisher towers.
Not only is Zion one of the easiest parks to visit from I-15, it's spectacular and it would be easy to spend a few hours there admiring the canyon, so you will have to consider that in your timing.
If you decided not to head through the heart of Death valley then you could head across from Big Pine on CA 168/ NV 266 to US 95 through Beatty to Vegas.

The only downside to staying in Moab is the summer room prices. Plan on close to $100 a night in budget chains.