Me and my best friend are taking a month off and are going to go from California to NY and back. I know there's 2 to 3 routes that can be taken, which one would any of you recommend?
Printable View
Me and my best friend are taking a month off and are going to go from California to NY and back. I know there's 2 to 3 routes that can be taken, which one would any of you recommend?
What are your interested in seeing? Are you more into big cities or the national parks? All of California or a certain area?
Utahtea
We have made the trip from NY to the West a couple of times usually sticking to the "red roads." Went across the South in the Summer of 1996 - Way too hot! Did US 2 in 1998, US 20 in 2000, US 212 in 2002 and sort of US 50 in 2004. Photos from many of these trips and a diary of last Spring's trip with photos is on my web page.
My favorite has been US 2 across the top of the country but all of the routes have wonderful places to stop. US 50 hits some wonderful National Parks in Utah. What which ever you choose, try to make the drive at least as interesting as the destination!
Jon
Jon Vermilye's Web Page
I believe we have the I-80 markerd down as our b-line for Chicago....however that route until Chicago doesn't look very intertesting...except that it goes through Reno and Salt Lake City...
Does anyone have any advice for when we hit chicago and how to go from Chicago to Niagra Falls?
And also, I really enjoyed that website with the pictures. I think me and my buddy should start a journal too..
Glad you enjoyed the photos. As to going from Chicago to the Falls - The quick way (although I don't think there is a quick way through Chicago) is to stay on 80 to 90 & take 90 & 190 to the falls. There will be plenty of signs...Quote:
Originally Posted by GusterPhan
I prefer the Canadian side of the falls - an interesting alternative from Chicago would be to go into Canada at Port Edward, catch the 402 to the 403 & QEW into the Canadian side of the falls. You can cross back into the US at a couple of bridges - I don't know which is currently the fastest - at times there is quite a wait...
We hope to have the RTA "RoadTrip Report" utility enabled soon. This is a program that will allow you to have your own website on the RTA servers that will include a section for posting road trip descriptions and journals, another part for photographs and slide shows and a custom mapping program.
Beta-testing on this program is scheduled for early Summer.
I'll look into your advice per Canada and going into Port Edward.....our main goal is to see the falls, then head over to Boston.
My main concern is the drive to Chicago really. About how many days would you say it takes?
Since I don't know what part of CA you are starting from, I picked LA as the start. My mapping program says an average speed of 60mph on the interstates should get you to Chicago (about 2000 miles) in about 34 1/2 driving hours. That would be taking I15 to I70 to I80.Quote:
Originally Posted by GusterPhan
Getting off the interstates will add a couple of hundred miles to the trip, but double the driving hours.
If you like to hike and are looking for a break along I70, there is an exit for Hanging Lake a little east of Glenwood Springs, CO. It's about 1 mile each way with a altitude gain of 1000'. There are waterfalls all along the trail, with a beautiful lake & multiple waterfalls at the top. Parts of the climb are a bit rough, but if you take your time (and plenty of water) it's well worth the stop. Do an google search for hanging lake, co to see some photos & better directions.
I should have mentioned that we are leaving from San Francisco and are pretty much taking the I-80 the whole way....
I would not, if I were you. I-80 through Nevada is not particularly interesting. And I haven't driven 80 through Wyoming, but from what I hear, it's not the most impressive road either.
Here's the route I would take: Highway 50 due east from San Francisco. Crossing the Sierras over 50 is even more impressive than on 80 (although 80 is lovely in its own right), and once you get into Nevada, 50 is a more interesting drive. It's called "The Loneliest Road", and it passes some nice roadside attractions, like Sand Mountain, the Shoe Tree, ancient petroglyphs at Grimes Point and Hickinson Petroglyphs, and the really charming town of Eureka, NV. This website gives a good idea of Loneliest Road attractions:
http://www.roadtripusa.com/us_50/index.html
Hwy 50 splits off from 80 outside of Sacramento, BTW; 80 crosses the Sierras north of Lake Tahoe and 50 crosses south of Tahoe.
You would take 50 into Utah, where you'll eventually meet I-70. The only downside of 50 is that it is indeed a Lonely Road; there are only three towns and a couple of gas stations (including the Border Inn, a gas station/motel on the NV/UT border) between Fallon, NV and Delta, UT, a distance of some 400 miles. But it's worth the trip. From Utah you would follow 70 across the San Rafael Swell of Utah--spectacular terrain--into the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, which is simply the most breathtaking driving I have ever done. You should consider detouring around Eisenhower Tunnel in Colorado via Hwy 6, a short loop that goes over Loveland Pass (altitude 11,992 feet).
From Denver, you could take I-76 northeast to Nebraska, where you'd catch I-80 and go to Chicago via the route you originally planned. But you really should take 50 and 70. The only thing I-80 through Nevada has going for it is more gas stations.
I would agree with Bogart that US-50 can be a very interesting route. But, I also like I-80 which I have driven 30-40 times in the last ten years or so.
The I-80 route would provide a faster access to a couple of sidetrips if you can make time. Virginia City has been a favorite place for years and the Black Rock desert and Guru Drive tops the scale for "Out There" Winnemucca is famous for its paved streets and I like the wide open plains of western Wyoming..
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/slides/guru/25where.jpg
Also along I-80, you'll often see pronghorns grazing beside the road in Wyoming -- sometimes right beside cattle. They are not a common sight to most people, so I always consider seeing one a "treat." Since the route follows the Oregon and California Trails, I always imagine what it meant to travel that route in a wagon, each new night spent literally within sight of the last night's campsite. It makes 75 mph seem kind of hurried... Bob
I'm another one that agrees with Bogart. I really like Hwy 50 and you are closer to Virigina City on Hwy 50 than you are on I-80. There's a lot of history and interesting places to see along this route. There are a lot of old Pony Express stations, Sand Mountain and two locations for petroglyphs. You also drive very close to Nevada's only National Park, Great Basin National Park.
Interstate 80 thought Wyoming is pretty boring to me. Yes the hills are beautiful, but that's all you see for miles and miles and miles and miles and...get the drifft. On I-70 you drive right though the San Rafeal Swell. You are close enough to make a detour to Moab, Utah and see the Arches and Canyonlands National Park. Both are a great experience. Take scenic Hwy 128 along the Colorado River back to I-70. Once in Colorado you drive thought the beautiful mountains of Colorado to Denver. This is a really scenic drive!
Utahtea
GusterPhan,
The only experience I can mention that may help your trip is the US-40 through Utah and Colorado (travels east-west, but north of I-70 our of Salt Lake City) is an awesome road! I can't wait to get back there!
By the way, I went to Tufts. Nice to see you representin' Guster :)
wow, thank you everyone for all the advice. SO basically I take it that the general consensus is for us to ditch the us-80 and hit up the 50...right?! If you kids think it's better, than who am I to argue really?! However I must point out that we were primarily taking the 80 due to the fact we wanted to get to Chicago as fast as possible. We really are on this trip to see Chicago, Niagra Falls, Boston, New York and DC....those are the places we want to spend the most time....
If anyone has anymore advice. That would be super!
I think you all were talking about I-80 and not US-80.Quote:
Originally Posted by GusterPhan
Not sure where you are starting from, but driving from the San Francisco Bay Area of CA to Chicago it's about 2100 miles taking Interstate 80. It's 85 miles longer taking hwy 50 but it will probably take about 6 more hours to drive because you can't drive as fast on the two lane highways as you can on the open interstates. If you can spare those 6 hours, then I think Hwy 50 and Interstate 70 will be a lot more scenic.
You're looking at between 30 hours (I-80) and 36 hours (Hwy 50 & I-70) of just driving hours. I would give yourself at least 3 days of hard driving to get to Chicago. If you plan on doing night driving...then you might as well take I-80.
Utahtea
Thank you UtahTea! Very informative! And I will talk to my partner-in-crime about taking the 50, from what I have read it sounds like a better idea anyways!
I'm so excited! However, once we hit Chi-town, it's going to get hectic on how to get to Niagra Falls and then so forth....
I've tried, without much success, to talk people out of driving halfway across country (breaking down on Hwy 50 in Nevada isn't fun) just to see the east coast. Considering the cost of gas this summer and the wear and tear on your car (not to mention your friendship) I would consider taking a cheap flight (Southwest from Oakland to Chicago, Midway, for example) and renting a car for a round trip to the places you want to see, then fly home.
However, if you insist on driving I second the vote for Hwy 50 to I-70 to I-80. If you are going to drive straight through you might as well see something worthwhile, even if it means a couple of extra hours per day. While you are crossing Nebraska, with nothing much else to see, stop in at Warp Pioneer Village southwest of Grand Island. You'll never see anything like it. Hundreds of classic automobiles, airplaines, radios, toaster, vacuum cleaners, guns, wagons buggies...thousands of artifacts from American history representing the last 130 years all under 26 roofs! It will cost you a full day.
Of course, you have to drive back so you might want to take I-80 on the return. Quicker, and by then you'll be ready to get home!
Good luck, and don't forget to sleep.
This is, after all, a "road trip" forum.Quote:
I've tried, without much success, to talk people out of driving halfway across country
Drive!
[QUOTE=Bogart]This is, after all, a "road trip" forum.
...is what I should have added. I'm all for travel and road trips in particular, but if you are going to try to see the whole country in 3 weeks you might was well as take the bus!
Sorry I wasn't more complete in my comment.
I'm sorry, I just fell in love with Bogart...
But thank you Clint for all the information...and yes, I understood what you were saying when you said to fly to Chicago. That is why me and my friend really hope to make it to Chi town in 3 to 4 days. We're not going to go off the main interstate or anything...
Our main purpose for this trip is to see the major cities and spend time there once we get there. What I mean is, when we get to Chicago, we plan to spend 2 to 3 days in the city, then head out to Niagra falls....and so forth...
California to Chicago... Well mapblast.com puts San Francisco to Chicago at 2,130 miles & 31 hours driving time. You know right off to add 5 hours or so to that drive time for delays / weather / road conditions / "speed traps". This does not include stops to SEE STUFF, eat, sleep.
You say the way across looks bleak? My goodness! What a lot you'll be missing!
If taking the most direct I-80, see the Bonneville Salt Flats / Great Salt Lake near Salt Lake City (where world speed records are set), spend a day & overnight in ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK (just north of Denver)... for starters.
There are many options if you want to spend some time on the way to Chicago. You could go north (Yellowstone) or south (Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon) enroute.
I agree about crossing into Canada at Point Edward / Port Huron / Sarnia Ontario. See NIAGARA FALLS from the Canadian side. The drive across ONTARIO is nice, the first few hours being through farmland.
You can easily make it to Chicago in four days via Hwy 50 and I-70.
But if you're more concerned with speed than scenery, I-80 would be the quickest.
Take US-40 instead of I-70 and make that 5 days to Chicago :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogart
we're really looking for the quickest routes to the major cities, however, if it means a prettier, more interesteing drive taking a more time consuming route, we'll probably do it.