San Francisco to Chicago Trip

[Sammike]

My husband and I are planning on going on a road trip to our friends in Chicago, IL in a week. The car has been gone over and all repairs needed (few, if any) were made. Now we are having an antimated discussion regarding the route(s). I wish to take a form of Route 66; he wants to go the fastest, most boring way by I-80. Any suggestions? I want diners, sites, beauty and fun! He, of course, wants quick. Any compromises? We can take up to eight days getting there.......
Sam (wife) and Mike (husband-type person)

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

First, I-80 is not as boring as you might think. There might be more history along that route than there is along RT-66.

But if you are looking for a compromise, I'd split the difference by taking I-80 to Salt Lake, before cutting over to I-70 and take that across Utah and the Colorado Rockies. Its well worth the detour for scenic beauty. If you still want to see parts of RT-66, then take I-70 all the way out to St. Louis, and then you can follow parts of it through Illinois. If you want to make up some time after Denver, you could take I-76 to cut back up to I-80.

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America forum.

First, I have no intention of getting into the middle of an "animated discussion" between wife-type and husband-type people! So let's just start with some simple facts. The distance between San Francisco and Chicago is around 2140 miles by way of I-80. With a little effort, you could drive this in 4 days. But you say you have 8 for the journey. So the first question you have to answer is: Would you rather spend those 'spare' 4 days in Chicago or exploring the Great American West? There is an awful lot between those two cities that would be a shame to miss, but I don't think that retracing US-66 (which is no longer signed except for some 'historic' stretches) is the way to see the best of it. In large part, you'd just be driving a different set of interstates (I-40, I-44, I-55) over about 300 more (2440) miles. I think there is a compromise that doesn't increase the mileage that much, (about 2320 miles) but does give you a lot more beauty and great places to stop. This would be to first head down I-5 and then use CA-58 to cut over to I-15 at Barstow. Then follow I-15 up to Las Vegas. From there continue up I-15 to Zion National Park and beyond to I-70. I-70 through the Colorado Rockies is perhaps the prettiest stretch of interstate in the country. As you head east, this road affords access to Arches National Park, Colorado National Monument, and with a short detour, Rocky Mountain National Park. I would think that the parks I've listed are worth the extra 180 miles or so. Then you'd use I-76 to cut over to I-80 and continue your journey into Chicago along the North Platte River and the Oregon Trail.

AZBuck

[Mark Sedenquist]

My husband and I are planning on going on a road trip to our friends in Chicago, IL in a week.

Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum! Even though you are a couple... you seem like prime candidates for our roadtrip compatibility quiz!

Now we are having an antimated discussion regarding the route(s). I wish to take a form of Route 66; he wants to go the fastest, most boring way by I-80. Any suggestions? I want diners, sites, beauty and fun!

How about a combination? Take US-50 (follow parts of the Lincoln Highway) past Tahoe and through Nevada (hot springs near Austin) -- best steak I have ever had at the Jail House Inn in Ely, a quick tour of the Lehman caves and then to appease that "husband-type person" jump on I-70 for one of the most scenic section of Interstate highway in America and on through the Colorado Rockies. Personally I would stay on I-70 so you can go to Kansas City and St. Louis and then follow Route 66 north to Chicago. Kansas City is a happening place -- Blues and Jazz of some renown. If you like BBQ -- you have to go to Arthur Bryant's (some call it the best BBQ in the country). Lots to see in St Louis -- be sure you go up in the Arch! Route 66 stuff -- check out Guy's site for finding your way.

Happy Planning!

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

and with a short detour, Rocky Mountain National Park. I would think that the parks I've listed are worth the extra 180 miles or so.

Since you managed to get three different Moderators responding to your thread at virtually the same time -- here is a detour to AZBuck's suggested detour:

From I-70 at exit 205 (Silverthorne) take SR-9 towards Kremmling. About two miles south of town turn left onto Trough Road. Trough Road is graded, gravel and in good condition -- follow that to Inspiration Point -- you will not believe the view from there into Gore Canyon! Re-tracing your path you can either head on east on US-40 and on through US-34 though the Rocky Mountain NP to Estes Park and then back to the interstate. (Be sure you go to the promenade at the Stanley Hotel -still one of my all-time favorite views of the Rockies) OR, if you have time -- zip back up to Steamboat Springs and go to Strawberry Hot Springs!

Mark