Visalia, CA to Chicago IL in late Sept/Early Oct

[jazierae]

Hiya all,

My boyfriend and I are moving to Chicago from Visalia, CA (near Fresno) and I am looking for advice on the best route to take IF we are hauling a 4' x 8' U-haul trailer? We are planning to leave in late September/early October.

We would prefer to do it without the U-haul, but are finding it hard to cull our belongings into simply could fit in our Isuzu...

We were looking at I-15N then the I-70E/I-76E and finally I-80E (The "Pioneer Trail"?) as it looks to be the least amount of miles, but I am worried about the elevation through Colorado? Is it a gradual climb? I have read about the Eisenhower Tunnel at 11,000ft elevation and I am worried if it will be too hard while hauling?

We would love to take in some sights that aren't too far off the beat and path, but our main priority is making it there safely without putting our car through too much (if it can be helped).

Any advice on routes, elevations and/or sights would be most welcome :D

Thanks in advance,
Jasmine