USA road trip May-June I-5, I-40, I-55/65/75, I-80, I-70, I-84

[glc]

Like I alluded to previously, trying to see S/KC and make it to Bakersfield in one day will be too rushed. I'd be happy with Visalia for the night, there are plenty of reasonably priced hotels there. Visalia to Flagstaff in one day is quite doable if you don't stop too much.

Yeah, I know it's only an hour farther to Bakersfield, but an extra hour the next day will be well worth it, giving you an extra hour in the park.

[Lifemagician]

... would be hard on someone with walking long distances or lots of steps or rough ground (ok, not really handicap, but this list makes it look like I am), ...

I know what you mean. It is referred to as the invisible disability. Sometimes more frustrating than handicapping.

... iwouldratherknit OK

Is there really such a place? If so, Mr Google does not know where it is.

Lifey

[justmemedia]

I am staying with a friend who does not wish it be known where she lives, so I am using her ravelry (a knitter's paradise) handle. But I needed to know where her state was, so added OK.

[justmemedia]

Update: I will be leaving a week earlier than I first thought. My friend in Sacramento will do an overnight trip to Sequoia and King Canyon National Park. Then head back to Sacramento.
I will be leaving from Sacramento and will stop at Barstow CA (8hr driving time), with an early evening stop with a friend for dinner in Bakersfield. This will make the Barstow to Flagstaff section a shorter drive.

Update: will not be seeing Lowell Observatory nor Pueblo Heritage Center. But will use that time for longer doing the Sedona Drive Tour.

[justmemedia]

Rest of Trip: As of right now.
PHASE TWO
June 3-6
Vicksburg MS to Shongaloo LA 164 m 4hr stay with cousins

June 21-23
Vicksburg MS to Memphis TN 250 m 5 hr stay with cousins Verla and Tony
Pink Palace Museum $13
Tyronza, AR Southern Tenant Farmers Museum $5

June 24
Memphis TN to Nashville 215 mi 5 hr Hotel
The Hermitage (Jackson home and museum)
Country Music Hall of Fame
Bluebird Café—nightly talent

June 25
Nashville TN to Lexington KY 215 miles 5 hr Hotel
Greenville TN- Johnson President Museum
Hopkinsville KY Jefferson Davis State Historical Site
Lexington KY Abraham Lincoln Boyhood home

June 26
Lexington KY to Columbus OH
Cincinnati OH Natl Underground Railroad Freedom Center

June 27
Columbus OH to Mentor OH
Canton McKinley President Museum
Mentor Garfield President Museum
Cleveland – Cleveland Art Museum free
-International Women’s Air and Space Museum, Burke Lakefront airport free


Mentor OH to Findlay OH
Sandusky Merry Go Round Museum
Fremont Hayes Presidential Center
Findlay Mazza Museum: Children Book Museum

Findlay OH to Auburn MI Stay with Carol 2 weeks

Michigan sights
Saginaw- Marshall Frederick Sculpture Museum. May 23-Aug 29 Ansel Adams exhibit free
-Japanese Tea and Culture
-Saginaw Railway Museum
-Saginaw Art Museum
-Valley Naval Ship Museum

Midland
-Dow Museum of Science and Art
-Chippewa Nature Center

Bay City –Antique Toy Museum

Flint – Crossroad Village

Frankenmurth –MI Military and Space Museum
-Christmas Store

Dearborn
-Ford Rouge Factory Tour
-Henry Ford Museum
-Greenfield Village

Chelsea- Jiffy Mix Factory Tour

Lansing- MI History Museum

Grand Rapids – Ford President Museum

Grosse Point – Edsel & Eleanor Ford House



Phase 3 of the Road trip—heading home

Springfield IL Lincoln President Museum

St Joseph MO
-Pony Express Museum $6
-Jesse James House $4
-Remington Nature Center
-National Military Heritage Museum

Independence MO
-Harry S Truman Museum $8
-National Frontier Trails Museum $6

Lawerence KS Museum of Natural History free
-Driving Tour of city (get from visitor center)

Abilene KS
-Eisenhower President Museum
-Russell Stover Candy Factory

Underground Salt Museum

Goodland KS – Giant Easel –Van Gogh Project

Evergreen CO Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave
Chimney Rock National Monument CO
Mesa Verde National Park

Canyons of the Ancients Natl Monument

Moab UT Arches Natl Park
-Red Cliffs Ranch

Edge of the Cedars Museum Blanding UT

Green River UT John Wesley River His Museum

Logan UT American West Heritage Center

ID

OR--Home

[justmemedia]

Update.
Skipping S/KC for this trip. Friend and I think that early fall we will try and do it after she gets back from all of her vacation trips.

Question: What is an easy route from Sacarament to Phoenix bypassing the major LA metro area?

I will have a meal stop with a friend in Bakersfield.

Question: In Sedona, what are 2-3 eating places?

I am VERY open to different styles of food. Trout, or other local food would be a preference.

[Lifemagician]

You are not planning on driving that in one day, are you? At around 800 miles, you need to allow a day and a half at least.

Take 99 to Bakersfield, then 58 to Barstow, and I-40 to Flagstaff.

Can't help with eating places in this part of the world.

Lifey

[justmemedia]

no. lol
1 1/2 to 2 day drive.

I know that Sacramento to Bakersfield is 5 hrs. and to Phoenix is another 9-10 hrs.

The route would be Sacramento to Bakersfield. Then down to I-10 heading to Phoenix. What would be the route to take? I am visiting my uncle before heading up through Sedona to Flagstaff and then staying on I-40.

I only know how to get to I-10 from Bakersfield by going through LA. Which is the route to take to avoid the most of the LA metro crazy? Would this be through San Bernardino?

[Lifemagician]

The route would be Sacramento to Bakersfield. Then down to I-10 heading to Phoenix.

No, no! As I said above, take 58 from Bakersfield to Barstow and then take I-40. If you head down to I-10 it will dump you right into the LA metro area, which I thought you said you wanted to avoid..

I take it you are using good quality paper maps. 58 is a pretty fast road, and not unattractive.

From Flagstaff you can head down to Sedona and Red rock country before continuing to Phoenix.

Lifey

[justmemedia]

If I am understanding you correctly, it would be faster to go from Bakersfield through Barstow and Flagstaff to Phoenix, THEN travel BACK through Sedona to Flagstaff?

I need to visit my uncle in Phoenix before doing the "fun" part of my trip. The dates I can see him have changed from the posted itinerary.