Driving from Los Angeles to New York

[Young Moses]

Hello! I'm a british university student, graduating in july this year. I'd like to fly out to Los Angeles after graduation and then drive to New york. Ive been to New York several times in the past but thats it! I have no idea how to drive from L.A to N.Y. Im gonna do more research on routes, but Id appreciate any suggestions or directions you could give. Any possible routes you could suggest would also be a big help! Thanks!!

[Mark Sedenquist]

Hello! I'm a british university student, graduating in july this year.

Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum! A graduation is a great reason to hit the road!

I'd like to fly out to Los Angeles after graduation and then drive to New york.

How long will you have for this adventure? The distance can be covered in about five days (driving 8-10 hours per day) or you could stretch that into two weeks and see a bit of the country.

Basic route would be I-15 to I-70 to to I-95 to NYC.

Happy Planning!

Mark

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America forum.

There are a few basic transcontinental routes that you can take, and an almost infinite number of variations and modifications. So let's review the 2 or 3 basic backbones and what's along each of them. The first thing you should notice is that there isn't that much difference in the total miles you'll need to cover on any of them (note that all mileages quoted below are estimates for the most direct drive of the stated route), so you should choose on the basis of what about that particular way appeals to you.

1) I-15, I-40, I-44, I-70, I-78 (2792 miles)
Highlights include the Grand Canyon, portions of old Route 66, Meteor Crater, Oklahoma City, and St. Louis.

2) I-15, I-70, I-76, I-80 (2798 miles)
Highlights: Las Vegas, Bryce Zion and Rocky Mountain National Parks, the old Oregon Trail, Chicago

3) I-10, I-20, I-30, I-40, I-81, I-66, I-95 (3028 miles)
Highlights: Desert Southwest, Carlsbad Caverns, Ozarks, Memphis and Nashville, Great Smoky Mountains, Washington and Philadelphia.

You can also mix and match different portions of them such as taking (1) to Oklahoma City and then staying on I-40 to Memphis and picking up (3). As I said the possibilities are nearly endless. So, have a look at those and see which of them, or what along each of them, appeals to you. You can always fill in the details later.

AZBuck

[Young Moses]

Thanks so much for getting back to me so soon, I really appreciate it. You guys are brilliant! I think Im gonna opt for the two week option, that way I can see more of America. Do I need to reserve accomodation at each port of call or should I just look out for motels and such?

[Mark Sedenquist]

Do I need to reserve accomodation at each port of call or should I just look out for motels and such?

Generally I say no, but there are always exceptions. For more thoughts on this subject look at this article I wrote.

Mark

[ozzyAU]

Me and my girlfriend are also planning to do a Road trip from LA to NY. We're setting aside 3 months for it. I've done some basic route mapping in Streets&Trips and this is what I've come up with so far.

That route is very much subject to change.

[PNW Judy]

This looks very do-able in 3 months and should give you tons of fun. I'm just sorry we won't be seeing you in my neck of the woods (the Pacific Northwest). Oh, well....you're still going to be seeing some great stuff. Do you need any specific help with anything?