Hi folks - this seems like a great frendly forum, and I've learned a lot by lurking, but I have a couple of questions:
I'm moving from western Pennsylvania to San Jose, Ca at the end of this month, and due to the fact I have a pet bird and dog whom I'd never torture by putting into cargo on an airplane, I'll be driving. I'm pretty excited because I think it will be a great trip to mark my huge life change by moving to the west coast.

So, my current plans are this: I have a friend in Kentucky whom I haven't seen for ages, so I was going to visit her after the first day's drive, and then I have another friend in St. Louis who would be great to visit. My mother wants to drive with me, but due to her age, medical condition, etc. I don't want to subject her to the whole thing, so I was thinking of flying her into St. Louis and we'd drive off from there. So the first bit of the route is pretty well set for me (until St. Louis), but the rest of it is a bit up in the air.

Mapquest has me going along route 70 until I hit Kansas city then head north to 80 for the rest of the way. I could also stay on 70 until Denver, head north and then do 80 for the rest of the way. Which route is more interesting? The difference in milage is minimal.

Also it looks like it's slightly more than 2000 miles from St Louis to San Jose, would it be reasonable to plan for 4 days for that? Or is it more difficult driving and I need more time?

And finally, an equipment question - I'm planning on buying a little 12v cooler for the trip with a converter plug to use when I'm in the hotel rooms - do you think one of those things could handle being on 23/7 for a week or more, or would the motor burn out?

Any other hints, advice?

thanks
Lisa