San Diego - Chicago in 5 days

[Manace]

Hi,

I'm planning a road trip from San Diego to Chicago next week. I would like you guys to advice me what is the best route I can take to maximize the Historic/ good things to see along the way. I plan to drive for 5-6 days, stay a day in Chicago and then fly back to San Diego.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Mass Tim]

Welcome to the RoadTrip America Forum!

Is it possible to add a couple of days into this trip, or do you just have a week's worth of time off in which to make this trip? With an extra day, that would give you the opportunity to head into Yellowstone. As it stands, the direct route of I-15, I-70, I-76 to I-80 takes you past Zion National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, and several historically significant cities.

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

There are tow main options for your drive, neither of which is significantly longer and both of which certainly offer their fair share of scenic and historic attractions. The 'northern' route would use I-15 up into Utah and then follow I-70/I-76/I-80 to Chicago and would hit Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce Canyon and Arches National Parks, cross a gorgeous section of the Rockies and then follow the old Oregon Trail along the Platte River. The 'southern' route would turn off I-15 earlier and follow L-40/I-44/55. This is essentially the alignment of the storied Route 66 and brings you near the Grand Canyon, Albuquerque and Santa Fe, Cadillac Ranch, the Ozarks and St. Louis.

Your Call.

AZBuck

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

With 5-6 days, you've got some rooms to wander off the main routes. However, there are two main ideas I'd have for this trip. One would be to use I-40, I-44, and I-55, which would closely follow the path of old route 66. You'd have plenty of historic attractions to view on this trip, many related to "the mother road" but other things like the OK City Bombing Memorial, The St. Louis Arch/museum of westward expansion, and the Abe Lincoln Museum in Springfield, IL just to name a few.

The other option I'd think about would be using I-15 to I-70. This trip would take you past more than half a dozen national parks, through Utah and Colorado. Certainly there is a whole world of natural history and beauty in this area that would also be worth checking out.