Atlanta to L.A. and back in May

[John259]

I think Fort Stockton would be way too ambitious, but there doesn't seem to be much in between there and Austin.

I just did a few Google Maps searches and found the usual clusters of chain motels and restaurants in Kerrville, Junction, Sonora and Ozona, mostly near the interstate exits. Soulless maybe, but ideal for an overnight stop IMHO.

[punch_it_chewie]

Well, thinking about it again, since we don't need to be in the LA area until Friday evening, we actually have more like 3 driving days to make it from Austin to L.A., which seems more manageable. If Austin to Las Cruces is doable, I'd be really happy with that kind of progress on day three. Otherwise maybe Van Horn would be an option. I'll also check out those suggestions, John259!

Donna, I am definitely planning on checking in after or from the road!

[DonnaR57]

Atlanta to New Orleans is 468 miles, a nice day's drive. New Orleans to Austin is 507 miles, also a good day's drive. Austin to LA is almost 1400 miles -- doable in 2 very long days and a short bit of a 3rd one, so as long as you aren't doing more than an overnight on the way out, you can do it in 5 days.

Austin to El Paso is just under 600 miles. El Paso to Quartzsite AZ (via Gila Bend, using AZ-85 to go north and therefore avoid the noid of Phoenix traffic) is just under 600 miles. Then Quartzsite to Anaheim is 225 miles, some of it through LA traffic, but an easy morning's drive as long as you time your arrival in the LA mess-tropolis for around 11 am to 1 pm (and not in the height of rush hour). This is how we would do this, but...your mileage may vary.


Donna

[howard]

I think Fort Stockton would be way too ambitious, but there doesn't seem to be much in between there and Austin.

I’ve driven back and forth between Albuquerque and Corpus Christi, TX a couple times recently, and I remember seeing quite a few hotels in Sonora, TX. We only stopped there for gas, but it seemed like an OK place.

I also remember seeing a few hotels in Ozona and Junction, and the area around Kerrville seemed pretty nice.

[John259]

Just in case it's not obvious: you can use StreetView mode in Google Maps to look round those places.

[DonnaR57]

Austin to Las Cruces is 620 miles ... that's a long day. We've done it before, and will probably be doing it one day this summer. So long as you do not try to do those long-long days for 5 days running, you'd be okay. But I'd still recommend El Paso. (Van Horn, at 455 mi, would be too short a day for us when trying to make a mini-speed run. It also has few restaurants to offer unless you like Mexican or fast food.) Oh, if you do El Paso, try to stay on the west/north side of town. I-10, exit 11, has a lot of choices for both lodging AND food. The lodging is for every pocketbook ranging from Travelodge/Days Inn/Super 8 on the south side of the highway, to Comfort Suites/Econolodge/La Quinta/Red Roof Inn on the northern side.


Donna

[punch_it_chewie]

Hi everyone. We did make it out to California on Friday evening (stopped in New Orleans, San Antonio, Van Horn, Tuscon, and then Los Angeles. We are planning to start the trip back this evening, heading toward Flagstaff. Depending on traffic, I'm hoping to make it to Kingman. If we can't make it that far, are there any recommended stops between Barstow and Kingman?

[John259]

If we can't make it that far, are there any recommended stops between Barstow and Kingman?

The obvious choice would be Needles, and Google Maps doesn't show much if anything before there. Needles has most of the usual motel chains plus some independents.

[DonnaR57]

Anaheim to Kingman is a little over 300 miles -- 6 hours unless you hit a traffic snag in the LA mess.


Donna

[glc]

As I remember, Needles is your ONLY choice between Barstow and Kingman, unless you head up to Laughlin or Bullhead City.

Don't leave Barstow without enough gas to reach Kingman, the gas prices in Needles are among the highest in the country.