Ok - more planning!

Starting off the trip with a train ride from San Jose to LA! Then getting a rental car in LA driving through to New Orleans. Flying out of New Orleans to Philly. Thus the focus of my trip is from LA to New Orleans at this point.

Sunday, Jan 26 San Jose to Los Angeles Amtrak Train, stay in LA overnight
Monday, Jan 27 LA to Las Vegas AM explore LA, then start driving around 1pm to Vegas, stay in Vegas overnight
Tuesday, Jan 28 Vegas to Zion and Bryce Stay in Vegas overnight
Wednesday, Jan 29 Vegas to Albuquerque Stay in Albuquerque
Thursday, Jan 30 Albuquerque to El Paso Roswell and White Sands, stay in El Paso
Friday, Jan 31 El Paso to Fort Stockton Stay in Fort Stockton
Saturday, Feb 1 Fort Stockton to San Antonio Stay in San Antonio
Sunday, Feb 2 Stay in San Antonio
Monday, Feb 3 San Antonio to Houston Stay in Houston
Tuesday, Feb 4 Houston to New Orleans Stay in New Orleans
Wednesday, Feb 5 New Orleans to Mobile Stay in New Orleans, drive through Biloxi
Thursday, Feb 6 ? ?
Friday, Feb 7 ? ?
Saturday, Feb 8 New Orleans to Philly Early AM flight

At this point I have two extra days to plan for...I am thinking staying in Vegas an extra night to explore Zion and Bryce a day each.

The Drive from Albuquerque through Roswell and White Sands to El Paso also seems ambitious? Anyone know a place to crash in between there?