I-10 or 1-40?? B'ham to San Diego

We are two 24 year olds moving to San Diego from Birmingham in a couple weeks and are trying to decide on the best route. Overprotective father prefers we take 40 believing it is a less dangerous drive, plus more scenic. However, it appears to be a little out of the way. I-10 is quicker, but how much quicker????

I haven't been on either route except in the extreme western ends for a number of years but I can't imagine why your parents think one would be safer than the other. I-10 will have a lot more desert to pass through (scenic in its own way) and I-40 will have the mountains of northern New Mexico and Arizona. IMO, which route to take is a question of which kind of landscape you prefer to see.

An alternate route, which appears just looking at a map to be a bit shorter, would be I-20 from Birmingham to it's junction with I-10 in western Texas then I-10 into San Diego.

Have a wonderful trip.

&gt; I haven't been on either route except in the <BR>
&gt; extreme western ends for a number of years but I <BR>
&gt; can't imagine why your parents think one would be <BR>
&gt; safer than the other. I-10 will have a lot more <BR>
&gt; desert to pass through (scenic in its own way) <BR>
&gt; and I-40 will have the mountains of northern New <BR>
&gt; Mexico and Arizona. IMO, which route to take is a <BR>
&gt; question of which kind of landscape you prefer to <BR>
&gt; see.<BR>
&gt; <BR>
&gt; An alternate route, which appears just <BR>
&gt; looking at a map to be a bit shorter, would be <BR>
&gt; I-20 from Birmingham to it's junction with I-10 <BR>
&gt; in western Texas then I-10 into San <BR>
&gt; Diego.<BR>
&gt; <BR>
&gt; Have a wonderful trip. <BR>
<BR>

My previous post had a slip of the typing finger. Since I-10 does not go to San Diego, it would be hard for you to take it there. What I meant to say was I-10 to Casa Grande, AZ, then I-8 on into San Diego.

Thanks for you reply Don=) My parents were concerned about the long stretches in between towns and service stations on I-10, and the possibility of us breaking down and being stranded. It's been many years since we have traveled that road though, so I'm sure it has built up some since. We have decided to go ahead and take our chances and get there sooner on I-10 to 8.

It would be nearly impossible to ever travel I-10 in the sections you are considering and ever find a situation where you don't meet or pass another vehicle less than once every 10 seconds or so. Plus, I think the longest stretch between gas stations on the route is only about 50 miles. This a major highway and the liklihood of getting stranded is EXTREMELY remote!