NJ to San Diego in November

[Jodi]

Hi Everyone-

Thanks for taking the time to read my email.

I'm moving from NJ to San Diego, CA leaving November 7th w/ a friend taking 10 days. We want to take the southern route. Straight down the east coast into Atlanta-Texas-New Mexico-Arizona and across. We are not sure of what road to take, I-40 or I-10 or any other highway anybody else knows about. I've heard I-40 is pretty boring.

Whatever info anybody has would be greatly appreciated!!!

thanks
Jodi
: )

[Mark Sedenquist]

First rule in Road Trippin' -- there are no boring places. Yesterday, I drove about 500 miles of I-40 in New Mexico and Arizona (I have driven this stretch about 10 times) and it is always fun and certainly not boring. A little windy though.

The interstates provide easy access to more interesting roads, but you have to give up some speed. I-10 is also fun, but my choice would certainly be to travel I-40.

Mark

[Jodi]

Mark
thanks for the response. I didn't mean I-40 through New Mexico and Arizona. I heard that was really good. It's through Texas that I heard was pretty lame, ie..Amarillo.

Also, I-10 goes through the bottom of New Mexico, not through Albuquerque. Which one is better? Also I-10 goes through Tuscon AZ, not flagstaff which I heard was really good.

Any infomation you may have on the best places to visit in AZ and NM would be greatly appreciated.

thanks
Jodi

[Mark Sedenquist]

Jodi,

I know that the subject sounds like an oxymoron -- but each route can be pretty special. I-10 takes you within spitting distance of New Orleans, thru Houston and into San Antonio (one of the coolest places in Texas). If you were to take a detour at Ft. Stockton -- go south to the Big Bend National Park. One of our all-time favorite places to hang. There is a real "Miss Kitty" working the bar at the Starlight Theater in Terlingua.

The southern route followed by I-10 in Arizona introduces you to a view of one of the prettiest desert valleys in the west -- Las Cruces at dawn or sunset is a sight of wonder. But a detour on NM Hwy 80 to Douglas will introduce you to one of my favorite mountain ranges in the world. The Chiricahuas have hid a variety of outlaws from Cochise to rustlers of every persuasion. It is home to varieties of animals and birds that can only be found there. Returning to the I-10 on Hwy 90 will take you past Tombstone (http://www.roadtripamerica.com/places/tombstone.htm) and near Saguaro National Park before winding through Phoenix and crossing the mighty Colorado River into California.

As you make your way west, I heartily urge a stop for a hot soak at Sam's Place near Palm Springs (http://www.roadtripamerica.com/places/sams.htm) and then head south on I-15. If you are getting hungry as you near Temecula -- the very best Stromboli in the Galaxy are created by Felix Lopez at the Temecula Pizza Company http://www.roadtripamerica.com/eats/temec1.htm)

Does this help?

[imported_Donna]

Hey Mark-

This is Jodi's friend that's driving with her...that last route sounded incredible, but if we take Hwy 80, to Douglas and Tombstone, will we be too far out to go to Santa Fe and the Grand Canyon? It sounds like venturing north on top of that route would take too long for the amount of time we have...but we really want to see northern NM and the canyon...any possible way to combine the two and get the best of both worlds would be greatly appreciated.

Also, have you stayed in a lot of hostels along the way? Any advise on which cities are pretty safe and which ones we should avoid staying in a hostel? Your thoughts on that would help us out as well...
Thanks for all of your time, we're really excited, it's so hard narrowing down all the things we want to do & see!

-Donna

[Mark Sedenquist]

Donna,

Since the route is going East to West (I thought), you will reach Santa Fe and northern NM before you get to Douglas and the SE section of Arizona. If time is an issue, you may wish to head directly west from Santa Fe via I-40 to Flagstaff to see the Grand Canyon. At that point you can either head south on I-17 or use I-15 to reach San Diego.

I am afraid we have no direct experience with hostels in the USA. There is an excellent guide written by Jim Williams (see http://www.roadtripamerica.com/links/international.htm#books) We also like the site http://www.hiayh.org/hostels/mapindx.htm which is a clearinghouse for information

Mark