Indianapolis to San Francisco (and back) advice requested!

[imported_Hilary]

Hi everyone,
I am planning a 9-day trip from Indianapolis to San Francisco and back again!! starting this Saturday. I have never driven this far before but I have always wanted to see as much of the country as possible! I know I won't have a lot of time for side trips but I'd like to go a different way there and back and I'd like to see as many cool natural features as I can fit in given my compressed schedule. I will spend only 2 or 3 days in San Francisco (with a few friends) and spend the rest of the time on the road. I am considering coming out Rt 70 and then either up 15 to Salt Lake City and Across 80 into California, or cutting down 15 to Vegas and up that way. Any advice? The latter is just a little bit further I think but not too much. I hope to come back via Rt 40 (and a little Rt 66 if possible).

Any sites to see along the way that will still allow me to make my timeline? Towns to stay in? I am more interested in natural surroundings and good food than a hopping night life--though a microbrewery within walking distance of where I am staying would be nice! Cool restaurants along the way? Interesting B&B's or campgrounds --especially backcountry ones a little way away from the parking lots. (I will have a tent and a backpack but not much time to hike into a campground)? This was a sort of spur of the moment mid-life crisisish sort of decision about two weeks ago, so any advice would be appreciated!

[imported_Hilary]

Hi everyone,
I am planning a 9-day trip from Indianapolis to San Francisco and back again!! starting this Saturday. I have never driven this far before but I have always wanted to see as much of the country as possible! I know I won't have a lot of time for side trips but I'd like to go a different way there and back and I'd like to see as many cool natural features as I can fit in given my compressed schedule. I will spend only 2 or 3 days in San Francisco (with a few friends) and spend the rest of the time on the road. I am considering coming out Rt 70 and then either up 15 to Salt Lake City and Across 80 into California, or cutting down 15 to Vegas and up that way. Any advice? The latter is just a little bit further I think but not too much. I hope to come back via Rt 40 (and a little Rt 66 if possible).

Any sites to see along the way that will still allow me to make my timeline? Towns to stay in? I am more interested in natural surroundings and good food than a hopping night life--though a microbrewery within walking distance of where I am staying would be nice! Cool restaurants along the way? Interesting B&B's or campgrounds --especially backcountry ones a little way away from the parking lots. (I will have a tent and a backpack but not much time to hike into a campground)? This was a sort of spur of the moment mid-life crisisish sort of decision about two weeks ago, so any advice would be appreciated!

Hillary:

Brutal, brutal, brutal.

It's 2300 miles from Indianapolis to SF. It can be done in three days, but at the expense of ANY side trips. I've crossed the US several times and 5 days from that far east of the Mississippi to the west coast is more like it, assuming you want to enjoy the trip. Nevertheless, I'm going to asume that you will persist...

I would recommend I-74 and I-80 as your route. This gets you as pretty a route as your likely to get, includes some history as you follow some of the Oregon Trail and Pony Express routes, lets you see such great natural surroundings such as the Rockies and Flaming Gorge, Great Salt Lake, The Great Basin, and the Sierra Nevadas, all while still providing a straight shot on Ike's pride and joy.

I hope you seriously reconsider trying anything more ambitious than that.

AZBuck

[Mark Sedenquist]

As has been mentioned before, attempting to drive this distance without allowing at least 8 full days of driving is both unwise and counter-productive. Believe me, if you are planning to spend 2-3 days in San Franciso, you will not have any extra time for sightseeing and will need to stick to the Interstates.

You will not have time for off-the-main-route B&Bs or campgrounds.

Are you sure that is the perfect antidote for the mid-life crisis?