LA to Philadelphia

[Awert]

Hello! Due to coronavirus concerns, we are considering driving home from Los Angeles to the Philadelphia area to avoid going through LAX airport. I am *not* a fan of road trips (my husband is all about it) and we’ll have a 3-1/2 year old with us! We would want to do the trip fairly quickly, as this is not really a vacation for us... but if we can fit in any really cool destinations along the way, that might make it slightly less painful for me. :) We can take turns driving. We are not equipped for or really interested in camping, so I imagine it will have to be hotels or Airbnb’s along the way. Any recommendations for length of trip, route, and stops to make it more enjoyable?! Thanks!

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

Since you and your husband have such different attitudes towards RoadTrips, it will be important that you find a middle ground that works for both of you as well as the child. That means a minimum of six days of driving. Your husband might be able to do it in less, but you'd be uncomfortable and the toddler would be miserable.

The shortest route would be to get on I-15 north from wherever you are in the Los Angeles area up to Barstow where you'd get on I-40 east and continue all the way to Oklahoma City. There take I-44 (toll in OK) to St. Louis. Cross the Mississippi and do a short stint on I-55 to I-70 eastbound. Stay on that until it joins I-76, the Pennsylvania Turnpike (toll) into the Philly area. Depending on the time of day and your familiarity with a particular city, you may want to use beltways or bypasses rather than stay on the main Interstates which tend to run right through the heart of downtown. Cities where you might want to consider this include Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Columbus.

If your main aim is to make the trip in a reasonably short time, then I wouldn't be looking at any major detours to attractions such as the Grand Canyon which could add the better part of another day to your trip. But you should certainly make a little time each day for two or three short stops to let your child get a little fresh air and exercise.

AZBuck

[DonnaR57]

Welcome to RTA!

AZBuck has given some great advice. I'll add, though, that as far as your sightseeing goes, many man-made attractions such as theme parks and museums have closed. So far, the national and state parks appear open, but that could change at any moment. I just read a post on another website about Grand Canyon being wall-to-wall people, despite the COVID-19.

For something that would be a little more on your route but not so crowded, Petrified Forest National Park is practically on top of I-40 east of Holbrook, AZ. It's about a 2-hour drive to go through the park, just seeing the history and the wood.


Donna

[DonnaR57]

Pick up food before you go through Illinois. The governor just announced all bars and restaurants to close because of COVID-19.

UPDATE: Or be prepared to do a "to-go" or drive-through. Fast food places have not been ordered to close their drive-throughs, yet.

SECOND UPDATE: California, Ohio, and Massachusetts just followed Illinois down the rabbit hole. Only those who do "to go" and drive through can remain open.



Donna

[BillyGr]

Add NY to that as well, as of tonight - only take out and deliveries.