Boston to Los Angeles - Help me plan!

Planning a road trip from Boston to LA for early August. Traveling with one friend, both of us are experienced drivers, and we are trying to keep our expenses down. Ideally we would like to do this for a grand total of $2000 between the two of us. Please let me know if you think that is feasible.

Here's the general plan:(approximately 7 days, traveling in a 09' Nissan Altima)

Boston to Chicago
Chicago to Denver
Denver to the Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon to Vegas
Vegas to LA

We figure we should stop somewhere between Boston and Chicago to get some rest. I was thinking Scranton, PA, but that's just a thought. I'm open to all other suggestions.

Also should probably stop somewhere from Chicago to Denver. I don't know where the best place to do that is, so some suggestions would be great.

We also don't necessarily have to go through any of these cities. LA just has to be the final destination.

Thanks for the help!

- Also, highway suggestions would be awesome.

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

If all you want to do is to get from Boston to Los Angeles as efficiently and safely as possible, then taking 6 days to cover your stated route would work just fine and give you a very relaxed pace. That would be via Interstates: I-90/I-80/I-76/I-70/I-15 and with overnight stops at roughly Erie (PA), La Salle (IL), Grand Isle (NE), Avon (CO), and Cedar City (UT). You could even do it in 5 days by pushing it a bit or, better yet, use all 7 days and spend your 'extra' time visiting sites on or near your route.

AZBuck

On the several ocassions I have made this journey, my plan has always been to hit the road, stop and check out anything which took my fancy, and find a place to sleep at end of day. In the early days I was not even aware of the number of miles covered in a day. Neither did I ever have a daily destination. I still don't!

The route from Boston to LA is peppered with a variety of accommodation at most exits of the highways. I always did it in a comfortable six days, and more if I chose to stay and explore any of the many attraction en route.

A collection of good maps, helps. Have a safe trip.

Lifey