Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL in late April

Hello,

I'm trying to plan out my upcoming roadtrip from Los Angeles to Chicago in late April. I'll be making the trip out with a good friend (we're both re-locating for work) and I'd love some input on the best (i.e. shortest) route possible. Google suggests we take I-15 up into Utah, I-70 across the Rockies to Denver, I-76 into Nebraska, and I-80 to Chicago. Is this do-able in 3 days (2 nights)? If so, any suggestions on where we should stop both nights?

Thanks, in advance, for your input!

-ABeaton

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

The route you've listed is the shortest, but no, you can not safely do this trip in 3 days. Its more than 2000 miles, and even with 2 drivers, 3.5 days is the minimum amount of time you need.

Stopping points would be around Richfield/Salina UT, Ogallala, NE, and Iowa City. Alternatively, if you did a short day to start you could shoot for Vegas, Grand Juction/Glenwood Springs CO, and Grand Island NE.

Thanks, Michael! So helpful :)

Do remember that the end of April is still "iffy" weather-wise, and keep an eye on your route's weather forecast. The area between Grand Junction and Denver CO gets up near 11,000 ft elevation, which can mean ice or snow type precipitation. (We traveled through there one JUNE and got sleeted on.)

Another route to think about: I-40 to Oklahoma City, I-44 to St Louis, and I-55 to Chicago. But it's still at least a 4 day drive (550 mi days) any way you slice it.


Donna

Thanks for all the advice, Donna. I will definitely consider the proposed route in hopes of avoiding inclement weather in the Rockies.

-ABeaton