Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11
  1. Default 2 College Kids, 7 Days, Boston to LA

    Hey guys,

    I've done cross countries before, but they were always in a hurry. (Did Philly to Denver non stop except for gas a year ago) This time, I'm bringing a friend and we have 7 Days. I was curious if you experts had any advice. As of now I just have the route that MapQuest gives me (northern route I guess you'd call it) which goes through some major cities, a good thing I suppose, but I'm all ears to whatever anyone reccomends.

    Thanks in advance

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Western/Central Massachusetts
    Posts
    1,709

    Default Welcome!

    Welcome to the RoadTrip America Forum!

    I punched in Boston to LA in Mapquest to see the route - I think you have more options, especially given 7 days.

    The first change I would make would be to substitute I-80 in PA instead of I-90 in New York. (Plus, the NY route is fairly expensive in terms of tolls). I-90's saving grace in the NY-PA-OH area is when you pass by Lake Erie and the boats appear to floating in the sky.

    Interstate 70 has some beautiful country, and should not be missed.

    You do have enough time to do some exploring, and passing through cities isn't necessarily a bad thing, as Mid-West cities have a different "feel" than those on the coast.
    Last edited by Mass Tim; 07-25-2006 at 08:05 PM. Reason: mea culpa

  3. Default

    An alternative to the usual fast route is to swing a big southerly and hit up Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, and etc before hitting Vegas and into LA.

    If you want you can swing farther south and do the old Route 66 route into LA through Albuquerque.

    Or you can stay north, and do the Denver/ Salt Lake/ Reno route -- that's an alternative if you want to do some quick day hikes in CO or the Sierras or sightseeing there. It's always nice to get out of the car on a long trip and spend an hour or two hiking to stretch the legs and get out of the cramped confines of the car. That would add maybe half a day to a day to the drive, though.

  4. Default

    thanks for the responses. The Utah detour definetly seems worth it. Would that still allow me to hit Vegas before the final leg to LA? My passenger wants to hit Grand Canyon, Hoover Damn, the major stuff. I'm fine with that, but would also like to see some of the lesser, less popular or more remote stuff.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 1998
    Location
    Las Vegas, Nevada
    Posts
    12,764

    Default Yes, no and maybe?

    Quote Originally Posted by arnst19
    The Utah detour definetly seems worth it.
    Which one is that? Are you referring to I-70 or? If you use the I-70 route, you can take I-15 south and see Byrce and then Zion on your way into Las Vegas.
    My passenger wants to hit Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam,
    Well, Hoover Dam is close-by, but I don't see how you have time to fit in the Grand Cayon too.

    Mark

  6. Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Editor
    Which one is that? Are you referring to I-70 or? If you use the I-70 route, you can take I-15 south and see Byrce and then Zion on your way into Las Vegas. Well, Hoover Dam is close-by, but I don't see how you have time to fit in the Grand Cayon too.
    Yes, the I 70 as well as the I 80 in PA. All other roads are up for anything though. Good about Hoover damn, shame about Grand Canyon but oh well. Any suggestions for the middle of the US? Looks like East and West are taken care of. I just gotta figure out how much I'm driving each day and where I'm stopping in the Mid/East
    Last edited by Mark Sedenquist; 07-25-2006 at 12:02 AM. Reason: tightened the format

  7. Default

    Hey guys,

    In an effort to not kill myself or screw up the timing, I have smore questions about this 7 day trip Boston>LA. We are leaving the morning of August 30, and Arriving in LA on September 5th.

    Working backwards, the only set in stone plan we have is arriving in Las Vegas during the day on September 4th (and leaving the next morning for the last five hours).

    Earlier in this thread one of you mensioned route 70 as a good idea. I took one look at the pictures in the link one of you provided and decided that was definetely happening. My main question on that is, how much of 70 should we take? It looks to me like it goes all the way to St. Louis.

    We don't have any plans for the beginning/middle of the trip, although a middle route as opposed to a northern route would be preferable.

    Thanks for any help guys!

    -Adam

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Western/Central Massachusetts
    Posts
    1,709

    Default I-70

    Interstate 70 actually begins in Maryland, just west of Baltimore. You can cut down to it in Ohio with I-76 & I-71, though in Ohio I really enjoy taking the US and state highways outside of the Cleveland-Akron-Youngstown area.

    In the Midwest, I-70 is heavily trafficed as it is a major connector (truly one of the great Interstates), whereas the US and state roads seem to have been forgotten. Since the roads are generally in a grid pattern West of PA, there are many good options to cut down to I-70 off of the Interstates and pick it up outside of St. Louis and enjoy the Arch coming into view on the horizon, starting your Westward journey.

  9. Default

    Hey, thanks for your response. So you are suggesting picking up the 70 starting in St. Louis and taking it all the way to Vegas basically? Any reccomendations for prior to St. Louis? I'm so excited for the 70, it looks great and remote
    Last edited by Mark Sedenquist; 08-01-2006 at 04:21 PM. Reason: tightened format

  10. Default

    Ok, so I have figured out some more details of the trip, which are as follows:

    Aug 30 Leave Boston
    Aug 30 PM Arrive in DC
    Aug 31 AM Leave DC


    Sept 4 Arrive in Las Vegas
    Sept 5 AM Leave Las Vegas to Destination

    So the big question obviously is what happens inbetween. I plan, as it has been suggested above, to take the 70 from St. Louis on (unless anyone else has a better suggestion) but I'm curious what I should take between DC and St. Louis?

    Any suggestions and help would be most appreciated.

    Thanks

Similar Threads

  1. 8 days, San Diego to Boston
    By Road Runner in forum Planning Summer RoadTrips
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 08-17-2006, 08:50 PM
  2. RV trip from Deep South to Yellowstone
    By Tecque in forum Planning Summer RoadTrips
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 05-15-2006, 11:30 PM
  3. Seattle to Boston in 5 days
    By Student in forum Planning Summer RoadTrips
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 08-02-2004, 02:49 PM
  4. Replies: 2
    Last Post: 06-04-2003, 06:53 PM
  5. 9 days, Portland, OR to Boston
    By anon in forum Gear-Up!
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 04-12-2003, 01:37 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •